Shows
EdVanceThe high performance cheat codeIn Mexico, only one in ten children who start school will ever make it to university. At this school network, it is eight out of ten. So what are they doing differently? In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, Yael Karakowsky, CEO of SER Network of Schools in Mexico, shares the thinking behind those results, the three principles her schools refuse to compromise on, and the one leadership lesson that took her completely by surprise. She also tells a story from early in her career that stopped us in our tracks. One whispered sentence in...
2026-03-1236 min
EdVanceDisrupting the elite school standardWhat does it really mean to build a high-performing school in a nation transforming at speed?In this episode of the #EdVance Podcast, Dr Steffen Sommer, Director General of Misk Schools in Saudi Arabia, explores how leadership evolution, cultural alignment and strategic precision shape exceptional institutions.Dr Steffen shares lessons from leading schools across Europe and the Middle East, explaining why modern leadership must move from control to inclusion, why schools cannot succeed without aligning to national vision, and why high performance begins with leaving nothing to chance.He also challenges the global...
2026-02-2635 min
EdVanceHow to outperform the world’s elite schoolsWhat does it take for schools to achieve elite outcomes while serving disadvantaged communities?In this episode of the #EdVance Podcast, Alex Crossman, Executive Head Teacher, London Academy of Excellence, discusses how belief, culture and clarity shape high performance.Alex shares lessons from leading one of England’s highest-performing schools, explaining why clarity of purpose matters, how leaders balance ambition with care, and what schools often misunderstand about pressure and excellence.He also reflects on what enables young people to thrive at the highest levels, why belief and agency matter as much as at...
2026-02-1232 min
EdVanceThe culture behind outstanding schoolsWhat does it take to build high-performance schools in one of the world’s most competitive education systems, and why does culture matter so much?In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, Simon O’Connor, Headmaster of Harrow International School Dubai, reflects on more than a decade of school leadership in the UAE and what sustains strong performance over time.Simon explains why school culture, defined through shared values and daily behaviours, underpins consistency, quality and trust. He shares how high expectations, staff wellbeing and leadership responsibility shape schools that remain strong even in transient, inte...
2026-01-2929 min
EdVanceBridging the gap in learning outcomesWhat will it take to address Africa’s learning crisis, and why does progress depend on getting the basics right?In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, Rapelang Rabana, Co-CEO of Imagine Worldwide, reflects on what teachers and systems across Africa are facing, and why foundational literacy and numeracy remain essential for sustained progress.She explains the difference between schooling and learning, and why millions of children attend school without achieving basic mastery. Rapelang also shares how carefully designed technology can support personalised feedback at scale, even in settings without electricity, internet access or trained te...
2026-01-1534 min
EdVanceDesigning reforms that improve learningWhat does it take to design education reforms that actually work, especially at the scale of millions? And how do leaders stay focused when the system is crowded with competing priorities and complexity? In this episode of the EdVance podcast, Kruti Bharucha, Founder and CEO of Peepul, shares why every effective intervention begins with clarity. She reflects on the simple discipline of knowing what you want to change, why it matters, and how to keep decisions anchored in the classroom. From improving student engagement to working closely with government, Kruti shares what she has learnt about strengthening...
2025-12-1032 min
EdVanceLeadership lessons from Ukraine's classroomsWhat does it take to keep education going when a country faces conflict? How do school leaders stay steady, support their teams and protect learning when nothing feels certain?In this episode, Zoya Lytvyn, Founder of Osvitoria and a leading education voice in Ukraine, shares her journey and the work that has helped millions of children and teachers continue learning during the war.Zoya speaks about leadership in crisis, the courage shown by teachers across Ukraine, and the focus that has kept schools operating. She reflects on the mindset needed to lead through fear and uncertainty, the...
2025-11-2731 min
EdVanceWhat high performing systems get rightWhat helps some education systems improve while others fall behind? In this new EdVance episode, Professor Fernando M. Reimers from the Harvard Graduate School of Education explains how high performing systems plan for the future through futures thinking, balance global citizenship with national identity, and use AI to support teachers and reduce workload. He shares how collaboration between governments, schools, and communities builds trust and drives steady improvement. From empowering teachers to creating flexible curricula, Prof. Fernando sets out what makes lasting progress possible.Key takeaways from this episode:Futures thinking for system leadershipBalancing national identity with...
2025-10-2942 min
EdVanceWhat strong leaders don't sayHow do schools close persistent learning gaps and raise student outcomes year after year?In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, Chancey Anderson Tauer, Co-Founder and CEO of Prodeo Academy in Minnesota. She explains how her schools improve results for underserved students through data-driven decisions, consistent expectations and coaching that strengthens teaching practice. Chancey shows how evidence shapes every choice, from lesson planning to recruitment, and how clear routines and feedback sustain progress across classrooms. She also discusses the realities of leading charter schools with limited funding and how her team maintains performance under pressure.
2025-10-1633 min
EdVanceWhat happens to higher education when the world is changing faster than universities can keep up?In this episode, Lil Bremermann Richard, Group CEO of Oxford International Education Group, shares about how universities can stay useful in a time shaped by technology and new expectations from students.Lil shares her own journey in leadership, including the challenges of working in male-dominated spaces and what she has learnt about perseverance, equality, and the importance of building strong networks.For Lil, institutions must be willing to embrace change, adopt new tools, and prepare learners for a world where strengths like creativity, teamwork, and emotional intelligence matter more than ever.
2025-10-0239 min
Edtech InsidersGlobal EdTech Prize 2025: What the World’s Most Promising Solutions Teach UsSend a textIn this special episode, we spotlight the Global EdTech Prize 2025 with founder Vikas Pota of T4 Education and six inspiring finalists from around the world.💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why educators (not investors) choose the winnersHow AI, AR, and VR expand access to learningInnovation across Brazil, Nigeria, India, MENA, and UkraineHow schools and governments are becoming edtech leadersThe role of global collaboration in scaling impact✨ Episode Highlights:[00:02:23] Vikas Pota on the prize visionFinalis...
2025-10-011h 56
EdVanceWhat schools everywhere must learnWhen Leticia Lyle opened Camino School in São Paulo, she was not just starting a school. She was building a path - one where relationships, values and learning all held equal weight. In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, Leticia reflects on what the world can learn from Brazil’s classrooms. Her story is as much about courage as it is about design. From opening Camino just days before the pandemic to shaping a curriculum where social-emotional learning sits alongside academic rigour, she shows that education can be both deeply human and highly practical. She...
2025-09-1836 min
EdVanceWhat lasting impact looks likeWhat does it take to build a movement that opens the school gates for millions of girls?In this episode, we are joined by Lucy Lake, Director of Global Engagement, Yidan Prize Foundation. For more than 30 years, Lucy has worked to remove the barriers that keep girls out of school and to support young women to step into leadership. She shares her journey from starting as a volunteer in Zimbabwe to leading an organisation that has helped over 7 million young people through education. Along the way, she speaks openly about the difficult choices she faced, t...
2025-09-0440 min
EdVanceUnleashing the power of neurodiversityWhat does real inclusion look like in schools, beyond slogans and surface changes?In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, we are honoured to host Vijita Patel, Executive Director for Special Educational Needs at the Qatar Foundation and one of the UK’s most respected voices on neurodiversity. With more than 20 years of experience in education, including leading the Swiss Cottage School in London to seven consecutive “outstanding” Ofsted ratings, Vijita knows what it takes to build schools where every learner can succeed.She explains how schools can move from tolerance to true celebration of differ...
2025-08-2138 min
EdVanceThe spark that grew a school networkWhat does it take to build schools that work for every child, not just a few? In this episode, Vikas speaks with Stacey Brewer, the founder and chair of SPARK Schools in South Africa. She started with one school in 2013. Today, SPARK Schools has grown to 26 schools, serving over 17,000 children. It’s a story of persistence, strong values, and the belief that every child can succeed.Stacey shares how her team built a model that keeps school fees affordable, supports teachers with over 200 hours of training each year, and puts families at the centre of the learning jo...
2025-08-0731 min
EdVanceThe power of knowing whyIn this episode of The EdVance Podcast, we’re joined by Rebecca Winthrop, Director of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings.Rebecca challenges us to rethink how we lead in education reminding us that we can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results. Real change takes reflection, bold choices, and approaches that truly serve students and communities. She highlights the power of community in shaping education and the need to stay rooted in purpose so our efforts never lose direction.A must‑listen for leaders ready to shape education with clarity, care...
2025-07-2438 min
EdVanceBurning bright without burning outLeadership can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be exhausting, especially when you are aiming high, supporting others, and trying to stay grounded all at once. So, how do you keep showing up with clarity and care, without burning out along the way?In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, we welcome Dr Nina Rawal, Partner and Co-Head, Ventures at Trill Impact. She speaks about what it means to lead with purpose and how to stay steady when the pressure to perform never seems to let up.Dr Nina reminds us that ambitious goals matter, not...
2025-07-1034 min
EdVanceScaling what worksGrowth is often celebrated in education businesses around the world, but only a few talk about the cost of growing too fast or without clear direction. Many leaders are under pressure to expand quickly, show results, and prove impact. But real progress is not just about reaching more people, it’s about doing it well, with purpose, structure, and care. In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, Aakash Chaudhry, Founder & MD, Sparkl Edventure shares insight about what it truly means to scale in a way that is both responsible and sustainable. Drawing from decades of experience, Aakash ref...
2025-06-2558 min
EdVanceBuilding trust through transparent leadershipIn this episode, Nick Grono, CEO of the Freedom Fund, shares how real leadership isn’t about control, it’s about creating space for honest conversations. From anonymous staff Q&As to bold leadership surveys, Nick reveals the habits that foster transparency, strengthen culture, and empower every voice in the room. Whether you're leading a small team or a global organisation, his insights offer a refreshing blueprint for building trust from the inside out.
2025-06-0536 min
EdVanceLeading with purpose and precisionIn a world where expectations are rising and resources are stretched, how can education leaders lead with purpose, stay true to their values, and still deliver real impact? In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, Asheesh Advani, CEO of Junior Achievement Worldwide, shares insights about what it truly takes to lead in today’s complex world of work given the technological disruptions. Asheesh shares honest lessons from his leadership journey, from setting clear but flexible priorities to managing expectations in every direction, and building a culture where appreciation drives high performance. For him, achievement is not the fi...
2025-05-2129 min
EdVanceRethinking organisational successWhat does it really take to build a workplace where people stay, grow, and thrive?In this episode of Edvance, Bhushan Sethi, Partner at PwC US Consulting and Adjunct Professor at NYU Stern, joins us to unpack the realities of leading high-performing teams. From global boardrooms to the classroom, Bhushan brings a wealth of experience on what leaders often get wrong about hiring, training, and execution and what they need to do differently.We explore why retention today is less about perks and more about trust, consistency, and culture. You’ll hear what it takes to...
2025-05-0741 min
Edtech InsidersInside the Global EdTech Prize: Impact, Scale, and Educator Voices with Vikas Pota of T4 EducationSend a textVikas Pota is an entrepreneur and investor in education and digital businesses that seek to address some of the sector's intractable challenges and to advance education quality and opportunity. He is the founder of T4 Education, the Global EdTech Prize and the World's Best School Prizes. He is the Executive Chairman of the Education Leaders Forum, where he convenes the CEOs and leaders of many of the world’s biggest and most influential education businesses to advance their growth. Vikas is also the Founder of Inicio Partners, an executive search fi...
2025-04-2424 min
EdVanceStorytelling strategies for leadersFor too long, education has been rich in purpose but poor in storytelling. While school leaders work tirelessly to improve outcomes and drive change, the real stories — of transformation, innovation, and impact — often remain untold.In this episode of the Edvance Podcast, Andrew Jack, Global Education Editor at the Financial Times, explores the vital role storytelling plays in school leadership.Together, we unpack why mastering storytelling isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential. When leaders fail to communicate clearly, passionately, and consistently, they risk losing trust, momentum, and support.Storytelling builds community, secures...
2025-04-2352 min
EdVanceLeading the learning revolutionIs a university degree still the only path to success? In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, Dionisio “Nicho” Garza-Sada, Founder and CEO of Talisis, challenges the traditional narrative around education. He calls on global education leaders to reimagine a system that values purpose, passion, and practical skills—not just diplomas.This isn’t about discarding the old. It’s about expanding the vision of what learning can be, so every young person has the chance to thrive—whether or not they throw a cap in the air.
2025-04-0941 min
EdVanceTrue success is built on people, not just strategyWhat makes a school a place where people truly thrive? In this episode of EdVance, Aatif Hassan, founder of Dukes Education, shares what he's learned from leading schools that prioritise people over policies. From his early experiences as a student who didn’t fit the system to building one of the fastest-growing school groups, Aatif reflects on what it takes to create spaces where students and teachers can do their best work.He challenges conventional ideas of school leadership, explains why culture is more than a mission statement, and shows how small, intentional decisions shape long-term success. Th...
2025-03-2643 min
EdVanceHigh performance in schools starts with great cultureWhat does it take to create a truly thriving school? In this episode, Professor Andy Hargreaves, a global expert on education and leadership, explores how culture, collaboration, and well-being shape high-performing schools.Drawing on decades of research, Andy shares why excellence is about quality, not competition, and how the best schools attract and retain great teachers. He also challenges the idea that technology alone can transform education, highlighting the importance of strong leadership and human connection.
2025-03-1247 min
EdVanceEmpowering every child to say “I can”What makes a great school? In this episode, Kiran Bir Sethi, founder of The Riverside School and Design for Change, shares how brave leadership and student agency—not technology—create lasting impact. With her simple FIDS framework (Feel, Imagine, Do, Share), Kiran has helped over 2.2 million children across 60 countries believe they can make a difference. Discover how empathy, joy, and purpose can reshape education and why every child deserves the chance to say, “I can.”
2025-02-2531 min
EdVanceStrategy, agility and culture: Keys to high performance in educationFor the launch of EdVance, Vikas Pota speaks to Jean-Claude Brizard, President and CEO of Digital Promise Global, a true leading light in education. With a career spanning transformative roles, from CEO of Chicago Public Schools to shaping global educational innovation, Jean-Claude shares the greatest lessons from his remarkable journey. In this episode, he explores why strategy execution is the cornerstone of success, how strategic agility empowers education systems to adapt in a rapidly changing world, and why culture and change management are essential to achieving and sustaining high performance. This conversation offers invaluable insights for anyone p...
2025-02-1134 min
The International ClassroomThe Future of Education: AI, Innovation & High-Performance Schools with Vikas PotaWelcome toThe International Classroom Podcast! In this episode, I'm joined byVikas Pota, aleading voice in global education,Founder & CEO of T4 Education, andformer Chairman of the Varkey Foundation. Together, weunpack the future of education, exploring howAI is transforming learning, howschools can innovate, and what it takes tobuild high-performance learning environments.✅AI’s Role in Education’s Future – How AI is reshapingteaching and learning, and what it means forschools, teachers, and students.✅The Blueprint for High-Performing Schools – Vikas shares whattruly makes a school excel in today’s education landscape.✅The Power of Global Collaboration – Howeducators and schools worldwide...
2025-02-0942 minThe International ClassroomThe Future of Education: AI, Innovation & High-Performance Schools with Vikas PotaWelcome toThe International Classroom Podcast! In this episode, I'm joined byVikas Pota, aleading voice in global education,Founder & CEO of T4 Education, andformer Chairman of the Varkey Foundation. Together, weunpack the future of education, exploring howAI is transforming learning, howschools can innovate, and what it takes tobuild high-performance learning environments.✅AI’s Role in Education’s Future – How AI is reshapingteaching and learning, and what it means forschools, teachers, and students.✅The Blueprint for High-Performing Schools – Vikas shares whattruly makes a school excel in today’s education landscape.✅The Power of Global Collaboration – Howeducators and schools worldwide...
2025-02-0942 min
Heads & TalesVikas PotaThis week we’ve got an incredible conversation with Vikas Pota, Founder & CEO of T4 Education. T4 is a digital platform he established as a response to the challenges posed by the pandemic on education, globally. Including: 🍲 A recent dinner conversation with the Global Education Director of the World Bank 🏆 His friendship with Andria Zafirakou who won the ‘World’s Best Teacher prize’ in 2018 💻 His take on the latest AI developments in education As always, thank you for joining the conversation.
2023-03-0322 min
Goal 4: Education for AllVikas Pota on Amplifying the Voice of TeachersThe founder and CEO of T4 Education talks World's Best School Prizes, why teachers know best (and why we need to listen to them), and his thoughts for the future of education. Get involved at T4 Communities today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-02-0832 min
Teach Middle East PodcastTransforming Education One Teacher and One School At A Time With Vikas PotaSend a textVikas Pota is the Founder & CEO of T4 Education, a digital platform he established as a response to the challenges posed by the pandemic on education globally. In this episode of the podcast, Vikas and Leisa Grace talk about how to transform education one teacher and one school at a time.T4 seeks to strengthen the cause of educators and schools by providing them with opportunities to learn and share with each other and is building a set of tools that help this global community advance its agenda.Vikas is...
2022-09-2032 min
Ready For More65. Which moment SuperCharged your Career?Send a textWhat is that one standout defining moment that supercharged your career and helped you to move towards your current success?In this episode I compile the responses of 7 guests from the podcast, from back in 2020.I hope this episode helps you to think about that moment in your own career. Whether it was reaching out to a mentor, getting laid off or just getting tired of your current situation, I'm sure the stories will resonate with you. In case you're interested, here are the original episodes from where I e...
2021-12-2724 min
Deepak Has CoffeeVikas Pota: Building Relationships to Mitigate RiskOn today’s episode Vikas Pota discusses his journey of entrepreneurship, focusing on the importance of building the next step as you go. Listen in as we explore the value of being open to new opportunities, how to focus on developing relationships, and his most impactful lessons of leaving a corporate position to take the next step of entrepreneurship. Vikas Pota is a globally respected leader and driving force for much good in the education, international development, philanthropy and technology sectors. His achievements include creating global awareness of the importance of education and specifically about the centrality of...
2021-05-2635 min
Ready For More8. Vikas Pota: Never Stop LearningSend a textFrom the United Nations, to the G20, to the Vatican, Vikas Pota has spent the last decade redefining education by creating awareness on the importance of teachers and their profession. He pioneered the widely known 'Global Teacher Prize' - considered by many to be 'The Oscars' of the teaching profession. In this frank conversation, we chat about how Vikas shifted careers from banking, to consulting and finally to education. He outlines the importance of relationships and how that helped him to get hired by a client, as their CEO. Vikas also opines o...
2020-11-2937 min
Driving ChangeIs The Great Online Education Experiment Working? Q&A: Vikas PotaVikas Pota (VP): You are right to say that COVID, as a phenomenon, has absolutely turned everything upside down. What’s really interesting about it is that it’s affected people from what you would call the Global South as much as it has the Global North. Therein lies, I think, a huge number of opportunities to look at how change can happen in education systems. This has been a rare opportunity for a teacher in Nigeria to have an influence on a teacher in Norway, simply because there’s a commonality of experience. We’re all exp...
2020-10-2822 min
Do One Better with Alberto Lidji in Philanthropy, Sustainability and Social EntrepreneurshipVikas Pota – former Chairman of the Varkey Foundation, and education policy expert – joins Alberto Lidji to talk about the inaugural World Education Week taking place on 5th-9th October 2020
Vikas is a repeat guest on The Do One Better! Podcast. He first came on the show in 2019 when he was heading the Varkey Foundation – the organisation behind the one million dollar Global Teacher Prize.
He is an education policy expert and in this episode Vikas talks about the upcoming inaugural World Education Week, taking place 5th to 9th in October, virtually. The event is organised by T4 and Vikas is driving it forward.
Vikas notes how the biggest lever of change we have in education is the teacher, so th...
2020-09-2629 min
Aspen UKThe Future of LearningIn this episode we discuss the future of learning with Andria Zafirakou MBE, the winner of the Global Teacher Prize in 2018; Sam Butters, CEO of the Fair Education Alliance; Simon Nelson, CEO of Futurelearn; and Vikas Pota, Honorary Lecturer at UCL Institute of Education. They are in conversation with Amy Baker, the CEO of the PIE (Professionals in International Education) discussing what the current educational landscape looks like, sharing their individual perspectives on the future of learning and describing a growing trust between government and teacher to prepare students for a fast-changing world. Support the show
2020-07-211h 02
Old-School: The Skills That Made Us & How They’re ChangingTony Blair & George Osborne on the challenges of tomorrow
Vikas Pota hosts two of the UK's most prominent politicians of recent years - former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, in this GESF session.
#GESF @VarkeyFDN
2019-12-101h 11
Old-School: The Skills That Made Us & How They’re ChangingCharlize Theron: Teachers are worth more than their paycheckJoin Oscar winning actress and activist Charlize Theron for a conversation at the Global Education & Skills Forum. As well as starring in some of the biggest films of recent years, Charlize Theron is passionate about the causes of the fight against HIV/AIDS and is a UN Messenger of Peace. In conversation with Varkey Foundation CEO Vikas Pota.
#GESF @VarkeyFDN
2019-11-1826 minDo One Better with Alberto Lidji in Philanthropy, Sustainability and Social EntrepreneurshipChairman of the Varkey Foundation, Vikas Pota, joins Alberto Lidji to discuss the Global Teacher Prize, Ed-Tech and universal access to quality educationChairman of the Varkey Foundation, Vikas Pota, joins Alberto Lidji to discuss the Global Teacher Prize, Ed-Tech and universal access to quality education.
Vikas is passionate about quality education, advocacy, education technology (Ed-Tech) and political engagement. The Varkey Foundation is the driving force behind the Global Teacher Prize, which awards $1 million every year to an outstanding teacher. They have made five annual awards thus far.
Moreover, the Varkey Foundation also convenes key stakeholders via their high-profile Global Education & Skills Forum in Dubai, where last year around 50 education ministers from around the world were in attendance.
2019-06-1736 min
Tam Tam ExpressEducation Forum/ DubaiA prize to shine the spotlight on the important role teachers play in society. By unearthing thousands of stories of heroes that have transformed young people’s lives, the prize hopes to bring to life the exceptional work of millions of teachers all over the world. Ultimately, by hoping to raise teacher respect across the world, it aims to play a part in helping recruit and retain the best candidates for the profession. The $ 1 Million Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize is the largest prize of its kind and is awarded to one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to...
2015-03-1829 min
Tam Tam ExpressEducation Forum/ DubaiA prize to shine the spotlight on the important role teachers play in society. By unearthing thousands of stories of heroes that have transformed young people’s lives, the prize hopes to bring to life the exceptional work of millions of teachers all over the world. Ultimately, by hoping to raise teacher respect across the world, it aims to play a part in helping recruit and retain the best candidates for the profession. The $ 1 Million Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize is the largest prize of its kind and is awarded to one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to...
2015-03-1829 min
Tam Tam ExpressForum/AgricultureA prize to shine the spotlight on the important role teachers play in society. By unearthing thousands of stories of heroes that have transformed young people’s lives, the prize hopes to bring to life the exceptional work of millions of teachers all over the world. Ultimately, by hoping to raise teacher respect across the world, it aims to play a part in helping recruit and retain the best candidates for the profession. The Global Teacher Prize is widely referred to as the Nobel Prize for teaching. The $ 1 M Varkey Foundation Global Teacher prize is the largest prize of its ki...
2015-02-2629 min