AI, Sustainability and School Leadership

Thursday, 9 July 2026 — Tech, green skills and roles shaping education now

Top Stories

Pedagogy

Sustainability skills now essential for all industries ↗

Sustainability is moving from a specialist role into everyday business. Employers want staff who understand green skills and practices. This shift means schools must prepare students for a world where sustainability is part of every job.

Source: FE News
AI

Microsoft launches £2.5bn AI push to get projects into real use ↗

Microsoft’s new Frontier Company aims to move AI projects from experiment to production. This bet signals the next big phase in AI development is about real-world impact. Schools should watch how these tools mature and think about practical classroom uses.

Source: THE Journal
Research

Australia’s education evidence body under scrutiny ↗

AERO’s recent performance review has sparked debate about trust and impact. Transparency advocates want the report public to build confidence in resources. This is a reminder that evidence bodies need to keep credibility front and centre.

Source: Education Review
Leadership

Schools face huge staffing gaps ahead of new term ↗

With 82,000 vacancies across teaching and support staff, many educators still do not know where they’ll work in September. This staffing crisis threatens to disrupt plans and puts pressure on leaders to manage uncertainty.

Source: Orizzonte Scuola
Al's Take
Sustainability is no longer niche, it’s becoming a must-have skill across all sectors. Schools should think about how to embed this in learning and careers advice. Meanwhile, AI tools keep evolving fast but it’s clear they work best when teachers stay in the driving seat. For leaders, the constant churn in staffing and policy means staying flexible and focused on what actually supports learners.

Number of the Day

82,000
Vacant teaching and support staff posts in schools, highlighting a severe staffing challenge ahead of the new academic year. (Orizzonte Scuola)

Jobs Spotlight

Head of School ↗
Coleg y Cymoedd · Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taff · £55,794 - £60,918
Assistant Headteacher: Leader for Wellbeing and Support/ALNCO ↗
Birchgrove Primary School · Birchgrove, Cardiff · £55,620 - £61,502
Lecturer & Programme Leader in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering ↗
Northumberland College · Ashington, Northumberland · £31,375 to £43,396
Deputy Nursery Manager (Maternity Cover) ↗
Raised in Bristol at Easton Community Centre · Bristol · £33,097

Browse all live education jobs →
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Worth a Read

Cracking the glass ceiling: AI and the real reform of education ↗

by Al Kingsley

I dive into why AI won’t replace teachers but can break barriers if used right. It’s a must-read for anyone wanting to understand AI’s practical role in schools.

Coming Up

JFF Horizons 2026 ↗ — 13-14 July 2026, USA
Cambridge Schools Conference ↗ — 16 July 2026, UK
Get Further Forum 2026 ↗ — 26 August 2026, United Kingdom

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