School Leader's 28-Year Mission Puts Teachers First

A school leader who spent 28 years fighting for teachers and students just shared his blueprint for making education work better for everyone.

Sir Mark Grundy, CEO of Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust in England, took the stage at BETT 2026 to reflect on what really matters in education. His answer surprised no one who knows his work: it's always been about people first, technology second.

Grundy built his career on a simple idea that feels revolutionary in practice. "Leadership is about serving others," he told the audience. That meant serving teachers, students, and families equally, not treating schools like businesses with rigid hierarchies.

His trust became known for smart technology use, but Grundy quickly corrected that reputation. "Technology has never been about replacing people," he explained. "But it can take a massive amount of pressure off people, and that matters."

The trust used technology to handle boring administrative work so teachers could focus on what they do best: connecting with students. Twenty years ago, Grundy admits he got distracted by shiny new tools. Now he asks one question about every product: "What will this actually give our children?"

That clarity helped Grundy make bold choices other schools avoided. When the English Baccalaureate policy pushed schools to cut arts and creative subjects, his trust went the opposite direction. "We rebelled against it," he said proudly.

His schools partnered with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, giving students access to world-class musicians from day one. Some students who had never touched an instrument reached Grade six proficiency within a few years. "That's why I came into education," Grundy said. "To give children opportunities."

The trust also redesigned middle school years entirely, creating a bridge between elementary and high school that felt less overwhelming. They built a thematic curriculum that gradually prepared students for exams without sacrificing creativity or joy in earlier years.

The Ripple Effect

Grundy's approach created something education desperately needs: teachers who want to stay. While schools nationwide struggle with massive staff shortages, his trust keeps teachers by investing in their growth and trusting their judgment. "We grow our own," he explained. "We give them reasons to stay."

Even when teachers leave for new opportunities, Grundy celebrates it as healthy growth rather than loss. He sees it as part of building a stronger education system where good practices spread naturally.

As artificial intelligence floods into classrooms, Grundy offers measured optimism. "AI is not going away," he acknowledged. "But it has to be led. It has to sit within a framework." He believes AI should reduce workload pressures and support communication, never replacing the human connections that make teaching powerful.

After 28 years, Grundy's legacy is clear: when you put teachers first and use technology wisely, everyone wins.