‘Fully Human, Fully Alive’
AI and Human Flourishing
Fully Human, Fully Alive – AI and Human Flourishing is a two-day development residential for Trust Leaders, Diocese colleagues and International Education System Leaders, taking place on 19–20 March 2026 at The Park Regis, Birmingham.
Hosted by the National Society for Education the event brings leaders together to explore what it means to be fully human in an age of rapidly advancing AI. Through shared reflection and dialogue, we will consider:
Given the unstoppable rise of AI technology, what makes us fully human (i.e. what can AI never do) and what should we therefore be focusing on in the next 3-5 years?
How might AI help us solve some of the biggest challenges we’re facing (e.g. flourishing of small schools) if we’re prepared for a paradigm shift in our thinking together?
What is the specific role of faith-based education in relation to AI – including exploring spirituality, character, belonging and faith development?
What role could big tech companies and other commercial partners play in creating and implementing this vision together?
What might we learn from international perspectives and experiences?
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Speaker slides
All speaker slides will be available during the event.
Day 1 programme
Day 2 programme
Keynote speakers
Sir Anthony Seldon is one of Britain’s foremost contemporary historians and educational leaders. A former transformative headteacher at Brighton College and Wellington College, he later became Vice Chancellor of the University of Buckingham and now serves as Founding Director of Wellington College Education. He has written or edited more than 45 books on modern history, including studies of recent Prime Ministers.
His national roles include CoFounder of the Institute of Contemporary British History, CoFounder of Action for Happiness, honorary historical adviser to 10 Downing Street, Chair of the National Archives Trust, and Executive Producer of Journey’s End.
Sir Anthony is also a leading voice in educational innovation. He cofounded AI in Education, the UK’s first schooled, cross sector body helping schools navigate and implement AI safely and purposefully. He has highlighted AI as the most significant force to reshape education in a century, influencing how students learn and how teachers teach
Professor Rose Luckin is an internationally respected academic and leading voice on the future of education and Artificial Intelligence. With more than 30 years of expertise, she advises governments, policymakers, and global organisations on how AI can be used ethically and effectively to enhance teaching and learning. Professor Emerita at UCL, she is also the Founder and CEO of Educate Ventures Research (EVR), a consultancy and research company shaping responsible innovation across the education sector.
Rose has held senior academic leadership roles at the University of Sussex and UCL, and her contributions have been recognised through major awards, including the 2025 Bett Outstanding Achievement Award, the 2024 Leading Woman in AI EDU Award, and the 2023 ISTE Impact Award. She brings a clear-sighted, evidence based perspective on the real opportunities and challenges of AI, helping education leaders navigate this fastmoving landscape with confidence.
Chris McFall is the Head of Education Business Strategy for Apple across the UK and Ireland, where he leads the development and delivery of Apple’s national education strategy. His work includes close collaboration with governments, executive leadership bodies and education organisations to drive system level innovation, while empowering internal Apple teams by strengthening culture and capability.
An experienced senior leader, Chris brings expertise in high performance team development, strategic planning, organisational culture, coaching and customer engagement. Before joining Apple, he led ICT strategy and partnership delivery for North Somerset Council, overseeing major programmes across children’s services, safeguarding, HR, finance and ICT.
Alongside his role at Apple, Chris serves as a Director for the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Professional Development Board and is a longstanding trustee of The Priory Learning Trust, contributing to governance, leadership development and school improvement.
Chris remains committed to helping education systems thrive through purposeful innovation, strategic clarity and a relentless focus on learners.
Jonathan Eckert is the Copple Professor of Educational Leadership at Baylor University and the executive director of the Baylor Centre for School Leadership. He began his career as a classroom teacher, spending 12 years in schools before completing his doctorate at Vanderbilt University, where he deepened his expertise in educator development and instructional leadership.
Following his work in the classroom and academia, Jonathan served in the U.S. Department of Education under both the Bush and Obama administrations, contributing to national efforts to strengthen teaching, leadership, and evidence‑based school improvement.
A widely published author, he has written numerous articles and several books on effective teaching, leadership, and the future of education. His forthcoming book, The Happiness Crisis, set for release in 2026, explores how schools can better support flourishing for both students and educators.
Jonathan’s work continues to shape national conversations on how strong leadership and thriving school cultures drive meaningful, sustainable impact.
Rt Revd Esther Prior is the Bishop of Aston in the Diocese of Birmingham, playing a key role in shaping mission, discipleship and church growth across the region. Formerly Vicar of St John’s Egham, she is known for nurturing outward facing communities rooted in prayer, compassion and courageous leadership.
Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Bishop Esther brings a deeply cross cultural perspective, strengthened by her theological formation at Trinity College Bristol. Her ministry is marked by a commitment to justice, reconciliation and fostering church communities that reflect the love and diversity of Christ.
She is passionate about seeing the Church grow younger and more diverse, championing leadership development and missional innovation. Bishop Esther also speaks thoughtfully on technology and AI, encouraging Christians to approach emerging tools with wisdom and hope, advocating for ethical, human centred uses of AI that uphold dignity, deepen connection and strengthen the Church’s witness in a rapidly changing world.
Aimee Williams is Director of Education at Three Spires Trust, where she has led the creation of the pioneering Next Gen Curriculum—a future‑focused framework integrating Financial Literacy, Oracy, Careers and Artificial Intelligence from KS1 to KS5. A recognised practitioner in AI in Education, she works at the intersection of curriculum design, leadership development and systemic change.
Aimee collaborates nationally with organisations such as Big Education, AI in Education, Good Future Foundations and Harper Adams University, and leads regional hubs focused on responsible innovation. Under her leadership, students follow a progressive curriculum that builds financial confidence, develops articulate and critical thinkers through structured oracy, embeds meaningful careers education aligned to Gatsby Benchmarks, and offers a rigorous AI pathway endorsed by Harper Adams and accredited at KS5 by the British Computer Society.
She writes for the Edge Foundation and SecEd, contributes to AI‑focused podcasts, and supports national conversations on curriculum reform and digital equity—preparing young people to think critically, act ethically and lead confidently in an AI‑powered world.
Richard Beeson is an experienced education leader with 28 years in both the independent and state sectors. His career has spanned teaching, senior leadership, and system level roles, giving him a broad and practical understanding of how schools and trusts thrive.
A former secondary headteacher, Richard is known for his strategic approach, relational leadership style, and commitment to building strong professional cultures. His work has consistently focused on raising standards and designing sustainable systems that support long term improvement.
Richard has also been a trailblazer in digital strategy and innovation. As Digital and AI Lead in a MultiAcademy Trust, he helped shape the organisation’s approach to emerging technologies, supporting leaders and teachers to integrate digital tools in ways that enhanced learning, efficiency, and organisational capacity.
He now serves as Head of Business Development at Bourne Education Trust, leading on growth, partnerships, and innovation, and working with leaders to strengthen and futureproof their organisations.
Grace Kelly is the Head of Digital Transformation for Google UK & Ireland, leading programmes that help schools harness technology to enhance teaching, learning and operational efficiency. Her work focuses on supporting education leaders to adopt innovative digital tools, with a particular interest in how technology can evolve classroom practice and improve learner outcomes.
Grace brings extensive experience from Bloomberg, where she held roles in enterprise analytics, sales and product training, working closely with clients across Europe and developing high impact growth strategies. Earlier in her career, she taught internationally and in the UK, including at The Regent’s International School Bangkok and Stationers' Crown Woods Academy.
She is also a longstanding Teach First Ambassador, supporting outreach, engagement and the development of early career teachers. Grace holds a degree in English Literature with Spanish from Royal Holloway and a master’s in Secondary Education from Canterbury Christ Church University.
Darren Spyksma serves as the Associate Executive Director for the Society of Christian Schools in British Columbia (SCSBC), where he provides vision, inspiration, and strategic support to school administrators across the province. In this role, he actively scans the horizon for emerging threats and opportunities within the education landscape, helping schools respond with courage, hope, and innovation.
A significant focus of Darren’s recent work lies at the intersection of humanity and artificial intelligence. He has been instrumental in guiding the development of mission aligned, ethically grounded AI tools designed to support the holistic formation of learners and educators. His work reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that technological advancement serves human flourishing rather than competing with it.
When not working, you will find Darren on the beach, in the garden, or chasing a small white ball across a well-mowed field.
Alex Zarifeh is the founder of Futures Readiness, a pioneering not-for-profit helping young people and adults navigate the AI Revolution with confidence and discernment. His work centres on fostering “AI discernment” and supporting communities to make sense of rapid technological and societal change.
With a background as Director of Careers and EPQ at Arthur Terry School in Birmingham, Alex has been a strong advocate for progressive and sustainable careers education. His leadership focuses on encouraging informed decision making and developing work ready skills, a philosophy that has shaped the school’s well-regarded careers strategy.
Alex collaborates nationally across education and careers sectors, contributing to webinars, podcasts and professional networks exploring AI, employability and the future of work. A frequent speaker, he helps schools prepare learners for multiple possible futures while critically engaging with emerging technologies.
Passionate about equitable access to opportunity, Alex is committed to ensuring all learners, especially the most vulnerable—develop the skills, awareness and confidence needed to thrive in an AI powered world.
Resources and information
Flourishing Together (2024): A joint publication with CST and CES. What can we only achieve in the long term, by taking a long-term view of our education system now?
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