The Education Vanguard

What should students actually gain from physical education by the time they leave school?

In this episode of The Education Vanguard, Justin Hardman speaks with Professor Shane Pill of Flinders University about moving beyond simply keeping students active and instead helping them develop the confidence and competence to pursue physical activity throughout their lives.

They explore why PE can remain undervalued in schools, the importance of designing programs around meaningful learning, the role of parents and communities in developing active habits, and why sport must be intentionally designed if it is to support physical, social and emotional wellbeing.

Shane also discusses competitive versus inclusive sport, the changing relationship between schools and sport, his journey from school leadership into academia, and how AI could reshape the future of physical education.

A long-time member of the PHASE community, Shane also reflects on the evolution of PHASE and the importance of creating spaces where researchers and practitioners can learn from one another.

Listen to Preparing Students to Be Active for Life with Shane Pill.

Spotify: https://21cl.link/ev-spotify-soc
Apple Podcasts: https://21cl.link/ev-applepod-soc
YouTube: https://21cl.link/ev-yt-soc

Learn more about PHASE Asia Pacific:
https://phase.community/conference-asiapacific

What does human agency look like when AI can increasingly complete the work for us?
In this episode of Education Vanguard, Lee Crockett explores why the rise of AI calls for schools to become more intentional about the capabilities that must remain distinctly human.
From critical thinking and judgment to meaningful decision-making and personal perspective, Lee challenges educators to look closely at the learning experiences they design and ask a fundamental question: Where does the student actually have to think?
The conversation explores the difference between creating genuine learning experiences and simply creating opportunities for task completion, and why that distinction matters in a world where discerning truth, exercising judgment, and making purposeful choices are becoming increasingly important.
🎙️ Making Human Agency Visible in the Age of AI with Lee Crockett
🎧 Spotify: https://21cl.link/ev-spotify-soc
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://21cl.link/ev-applepod-soc
▶️ YouTube: https://21cl.link/ev-yt-soc
Learn more about AIFE 2026:
https://aife.community/

Outdoor education can create some of the most memorable and transformative experiences students have at school. But what happens when we start thinking about it as more than a trip, expedition, or week away?
In this episode of Education Vanguard, Justin Hardman speaks with Martin Foakes, OFFSEAS Board Chair, and Rob Carmichael, OFFSEAS Board Member and sustainability leader, about outdoor education as a pathway to deeper, real-world learning.
They explore how OFFSEAS has evolved from a grassroots gathering of outdoor educators into a wider professional community bringing together schools, providers, leaders, and specialists.
The conversation looks at the growing importance of experiential learning in an age of AI, integrating outdoor learning with the curriculum, character development, environmental stewardship, measuring impact, and the future professionalization of outdoor education.
Martin and Rob also discuss why preparing young people for life requires experiences that cannot simply be delivered through a screen or measured through a traditional assessment.
The conversation offers a preview of many of the ideas and challenges the outdoor education community will continue exploring at OFFSEAS 2027.

What does leadership look like when the decisions are difficult, the stakes are high, and the people around you are carrying more than you realise?

In this episode of Education Vanguard, Dr. Howard Stribbell sits down with experienced international school leader Patrick Hurworth for a candid conversation about leadership through crisis, wellbeing, vulnerability, and the decisions school leaders are rarely fully prepared to make.

Drawing on decades of international school leadership, they explore the connection between student and adult wellbeing, teacher burnout, safeguarding, psychological safety, crisis preparedness, and the importance of having strong professional networks when leadership becomes lonely.

Patrick also shares lessons from navigating deeply challenging moments in schools and why leaders need to think beyond the immediate response to consider the longer-term ripples of a crisis.

The conversation looks ahead to 21CLHK 2027, where Patrick will help lead a dedicated mental health strand, creating space for educators, counselors, school leaders, and boards to engage more deeply with mental health across school communities.

What makes online learning truly effective?

In this episode of the Education Vanguard Podcast, host Justin Hardman speaks with Brittanie Bates, Principal of Crimson Global Academy, about designing online education with purpose rather than simply recreating the traditional classroom on a screen.

Brittanie shares how CGA supports students in more than 70 countries through flexible learning pathways, small class sizes, and a strong focus on meaningful human connection. She discusses what it takes for teachers to transition successfully into online education, how schools can build vibrant communities in virtual environments, and why AI should be approached as a learning tool rather than something to fear.

Whether you're leading a school, teaching online, or exploring the future of education, this conversation offers practical insights into what intentional digital learning can look like.