Martin Illingworth

Speaker - Author - Consultant, UK

Workshop Information:

In my research for my book ‘Forget School’,I asked 20 to 30 year old self-employed young people about their schooling; what was good, what was bad, and what have they had to learn for themselves after school? 

The talk will deal with the findings and support schools to think about their curriculum offer and how they can make sure that it has the potential to be relevant today. 

The needs of our young people have changed, necessitating change for schools.

Biography:

Martin Illingworth has worked for over 35 years as a teacher, university lecturer, teacher trainer, consultant and speaker. He is a prominent figure in education, particularly in the UK, known for his work in promoting creative and engaging teaching practices. His influence spans various aspects of pedagogy, curriculum development, and teacher training. He is a strong advocate for giving young people a voice in education. In his book Forget School: Why Young People Are Succeeding on Their Own Terms, he argues that schools need to prepare students for the realities of a rapidly developing modern world, encouraging educators to reconsider what "success" means and adapt teaching methods to better align with the skills young people need outside the classroom. He inspires teachers to design lessons that engage students more deeply and foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation.

His keynotes, workshops and training sessions have helped many teachers feel more confident in implementing innovative teaching practices, often reminding them of why they became teachers in the first place.

While based in the UK, Martin's ideas resonate globally, particularly in countries seeking to balance traditional education models with the demands of a rapidly changing world. His work contributes to a global dialogue on the future of education and the role of teachers in shaping it.