Please Share: New Book ;)

After a week meeting so many lovely folks at Bett Global , what really resonated was all those "Awkward Questions" that still resonate and frustrate across Education.

I spent 2024 researching and writing about these, bringing them to the fore and hopefully, signposting ways we can move forward and highlighting the questions we should be asking ourselves.

"The Awkward Questions in Education: The Elephants in the Room from AI to Teacher Retention". Chapters address key questions such as: Are we teaching students the right skills for the future? Do we need more and different ‘spaces’ to improve attendance and engagement? Is the system truly inclusive? How should we handle the integration of AI in classrooms? What can be done to solve the ongoing teacher recruitment and retention crisis?

The good news, the book is done, submitted, edited and now being formatted into something you will hopefully all enjoy. You can pre-order it here.

I shared my draft with some trusted voices and this is what they said:

"The world is progressing at unprecedented speed, and our education system struggles to keep pace.?'The Awkward Questions in Education'?confronts the consequential 'Elephants in the Room'―those pivotal questions that stir debate and ignite our shared passion for a better future. Al Kingsley is sounding out a rallying call for educators, policymakers and parents to co-create an offering that prepares our children for success. This book challenges us to move beyond comfort zones, ultimately leading us to empower students to actively shape the future they envision. [...] An important book for those who, deep down, know there is another way."

Dan Fitzpatrick,?The AI Educator - Dan Fitzpatrick

“A much-needed dose of honesty and insight.... With decades of experience in education, Al Kingsley is uniquely qualified to address the most pressing issues facing our schools today: Are schools doing enough? Are teachers being asked to do too much? Is the system fit for purpose? [...] Kingsley challenges the status quo and offers a roadmap for a better future for education."

Sugata Mitra,?Professor Emeritus, NIIT University

“What’s so impressive about Al Kingsley’s way of working is that he draws from his wide and deep knowledge across the educational landscape, not just in the UK but internationally. Quite how he manages to be all over the data from different systems and also synthesise and share it is remarkable! ‘The Awkward Questions in Education’?provides important provocations and considerable research for us to reframe how we currently conceive of and improve the experiences and outcomes for our young people, together with an engaged, committed and fulfilled community of professionals. This engaging book will provide the stimulus for many a deep conversation across the sector. It’s written from a place of great experience and deep generosity and I’m sure readers will enjoy it as much as I do.”

Mary Myatt,?Education Writer and Speaker - Mary Myatt

“Al Kingsley’s?The Awkward Questions in Education?is an insightful exploration of critical issues shaping education today. With clarity and conviction, Al tackles the pressing challenges and complexities educators, policymakers, and leaders face, highlighting the conversations that are essential for meaningful change. This book serves as a powerful resource for those committed to reshaping the future of education, prompting us to ask the difficult, yet necessary, questions. This is an indispensable guide for anyone invested in creating a more inclusive, innovative, and responsive education system.”

Matt Pitman,?Head of Secondary, Global Village Learning & author of "The Connection Curriculum”. - Matt Pitman

"The Awkward Questions in Education is an important book. Al Kingsley makes a compelling argument: to better serve its students, educators and school leaders need to actively lean into those awkward questions that we all want to avoid. We need to organize around those questions, break them down, and use research-backed strategies to approach them. Kingsley does more than just present that argument. He demonstrates it. Each of the chapters breaks down the terms of the question, lines up the already existing research, and then connects it all. The goal is to better understand the questions themselves and to come up with some provisional answers. This approach makes the book stand out."

Jason Gulya, Professor of English at Berkley College, USA - Jason Gulya

"The Awkward Questions in Education dares to talk about the Taboo issues and are addressed, refreshingly, head-on. It's what many (most?) of us in education have been thinking / wondering, maybe at times afraid to say or address, but Al has skilfully articulated it all in one place. This book is written with transparency, integrity and with an excellent understanding of the educational system. Al doesn't just challenge what's going on but essentially offers possible solutions / options / areas to become even better. The Awkward Questions in Education is engaging to read - really interesting - drawn from Al's wealth of experience."

Mark Farmer, CEO, Bridge Academy Trust & East of England (DFE) Regional Board Member - Mark Farmer

"Asking better questions is the best way to get better answers. It might sound obvious but it is books like Al’s that help us frame these questions. As someone who likes to ‘poke the bear’ in education, I hugely value Al’s approach to The Awkward Questions in Education. I was particularly drawn to long-term thinking for the future of education – hybrid environments, accessibility, AI, professionalism of teachers – as is to be expected, Al knows his stuff and articulates it in a way that resonates. Another important investment in our sector from the OG."

Ben Whitaker, Author of The Ideas Guy and co-host of the Edufuturists podcast - Ben Whitaker

The publication date on Amazon is likely to move closer by quite a bit, but as always, if this resonates with you, I'd love your support, give this a share and to take a look here. (Amazon).

Thank you !