Lessons in Leadership: What Schools Can Teach the Tech Industry

Tech Talks

David returns to his old school, Bedlington Academy, for a powerful conversation with Deputy Head Simon Collins. On the surface, it’s a story about education. But listen closely and it’s a story every business leader needs to hear. Simon reveals how modern schools are navigating AI, digital literacy, and real-world career paths—while building resilience, independence, and ambition in communities too often overlooked.

From AI in the classroom to unlocking aspiration in post-industrial towns, this isn’t just a lesson in pedagogy—it’s a call to industry to meet education halfway.

Education and tech have more in common than you’d think—fast-moving environments, shifting expectations, and a duty to prepare people for the future. In this episode, Simon Collins unpacks how schools like Bedlington Academy are embracing AI, personal development, and creativity to prepare students for careers that didn’t exist a decade ago. He’s clear: the tech world needs to show up, not just with advice—but with collaboration, empathy, and opportunity.

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