What does AI in education look like when it’s implemented with clarity, ethics, and purpose — not hype?

In this episode of The International Classroom Podcast, Alex Gray is joined by Chris Loveday, a senior education leader who has led one of the UK’s most thoughtful and practical AI rollouts in a post-16 setting.

Rather than chasing trends, Chris explains how his college adopted AI and Google Gemini to solve real problems — reducing administrative workload, improving student services, and supporting staff — while keeping humans firmly in control.

This is a grounded, honest conversation about AI leadership, staff trust, digital infrastructure, and the risks of adopting technology for appearances rather than impact.

• Why schools should start with “What problem are we solving?”

• How AI can reduce workload without replacing professional judgment

• The role of Gemini, AI agents, and bespoke solutions in education

• How to introduce AI without overwhelming staff or students

• Ethical concerns, data protection, CO₂ impact, and governance

• Lessons learned from failed experiments — and why that matters

• Preparing students for an AI-driven future responsibly and equitably

AI isn’t a shortcut or a silver bullet. When used well, it’s a long-term, problem-led strategy that strengthens — not replaces — human expertise.

This episode is essential listening for school leaders, teachers, administrators, and policymakers who want to move beyond AI buzzwords and make informed, ethical decisions.

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💬 Reflect: What is one problem AI could genuinely solve in your setting?

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Where does real learning actually happen?

In this episode of The International Classroom Podcast, Alex Gray is joined by Harry Titley — secondary school teacher, Head of Year, and Director of Rugby at Burton Rugby Club.

Harry works at the intersection of education and sport, and this conversation explores why teaching and coaching are fundamentally the same craft.

Together, they discuss:

• Why psychological safety underpins all meaningful learning

• The shared leadership principles of classrooms and high-performance sport

• Developing people under pressure — without losing the human side

• Transitioning from player to coach and learning to let go

• How reflection, trust, and belonging shape long-term success

• What modern leaders need to understand now — that they didn’t 10 years ago

This episode is for educators, coaches, leaders, and anyone interested in performance, learning, and human development — wherever that learning takes place.

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Term 1 is over — and instead of wrapping it up neatly, this episode leans into the reality that teaching is often anything but tidy.

Alex Gray is joined by Drew Owen and Bodruz Jamir for an open, honest conversation about the messy reality of teaching in international schools. From burnout and workload pressure to leadership identity shifts and the growing influence of AI in education, this episode reflects the conversations educators tend to have once the bell stops ringing.

Together, they unpack what this term has demanded emotionally and professionally — and what educators should be thinking about as we look ahead to 2026.

• Why Term 1 often feels heavier than any other part of the year

• Burnout, energy dips, and the pressure to keep performing

• Stepping into — and letting go of — leadership roles

• Email overload, communication systems, and productivity challenges

• AI in education: opportunity, risk, and the importance of domain knowledge

• Why human judgment still matters in an increasingly automated world

• What teachers and leaders should be paying attention to heading into 2026

This isn’t a how-to episode. It’s a shared moment of recognition — the kind of conversation educators have when they finally stop, reflect, and take stock.

If you’re ending a long term, stepping into a new role, or trying to make sense of change in education, this one’s for you.

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📍 Teaching in Dubai. Thinking globally.

In this episode, we explore: