About the Book
Schools and systems face unprecedented challenges, such as falling attendance, recruitment, and retention issues; the validity of external monitoring of schools; and the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). In The Awkward Questions in Education, Al Kingsley tackles the tough, often-avoided issues plaguing the sector today.
Drawing on over 35 years of experience, Kingsley explores the deep-seated challenges that many in education encounter daily and opens critical conversations that we need to have if we’re to enact real, sustainable change. Chapters address key questions such as the following:
Are we teaching students the right skills for the future?
Do we need more and different spaces to improve attendance and engagement?
Is the system truly inclusive?
How should we handle the integration of AI in classrooms?
What can be done to solve the ongoing teacher recruitment and retention crisis?
Featuring interviews with key stakeholders, including school leaders, policy-makers, teachers, and governors, this is a must-read for school leaders, multi-academy trusts (MATs), teachers, governors, trustees, and anyone passionate about the future of education.
Table of Contents:
1.What makes a good school, and how do we measure that? 2.The shifting need for skills versus current curriculum offers 3.When it comes to system growth, is leadership always putting the children first? 4.Does AI change the role of the teacher? 5.Improving attendance in education – do we need more and different “spaces”? 6.Is the future of education going to become hybrid or online? 7.Recruitment and retention – do we undersell the profession? 8.Why can’t we have a long-term plan for education? 9.The barriers to growth in our education systems (are they within)? 10.Wrapping up
About the Author :
Al Kingsley MBE has spent the last 30 years in the EdTech space and nearly two decades as a school trustee and governor. He was awarded the 2023 "Edufuturist of the Year," the Education Resources Awards "Outstanding Achievement" award, and the British Education Suppliers Association "Inspiring Leaders" awards in 2023. He is the group CEO of NetSupport, an internationally acclaimed EdTech vendor and chair of a MAT, and on the Department for Education (DfE) advisory board for the East of England. He was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the King’s 2025 New Year’s Honours, for services to education.
Review :
"The world is progressing at unprecedented speed, and our education system struggles to keep pace. 'The Awkward Questions in Education' confronts the consequential 'Elephants in the Room'—those pivotal questions that stir debate and ignite our shared passion for a better future. Al Kingsley is sounding out a rallying call for educators, policymakers and parents to co-create an offering that prepares our children for success. This book challenges us to move beyond comfort zones, ultimately leading us to empower students to actively shape the future they envision. [...] An important book for those who, deep down, know there is another way."
Dan Fitzpatrick, The AI Educator
“A much-needed dose of honesty and insight.... With decades of experience in education, Al Kingsley is uniquely qualified to address the most pressing issues facing our schools today: Are schools doing enough? Are teachers being asked to do too much? Is the system fit for purpose? [...] Kingsley challenges the status quo and offers a roadmap for a better future for education."
Sugata Mitra, Professor Emeritus, NIIT University
“What’s so impressive about Al Kingsley’s way of working is that he draws from his wide and deep knowledge across the educational landscape, not just in the UK but internationally. Quite how he manages to be all over the data from different systems and also synthesise and share it is remarkable! ‘The Awkward Questions in Education’ provides important provocations and considerable research for us to reframe how we currently conceive of and improve the experiences and outcomes for our young people, together with an engaged, committed and fulfilled community of professionals. This engaging book will provide the stimulus for many a deep conversation across the sector. It’s written from a place of great experience and deep generosity and I’m sure readers will enjoy it as much as I do.”
Mary Myatt, Education Writer and Speaker
“Al Kingsley’s The Awkward Questions in Education is an insightful exploration of critical issues shaping education today. With clarity and conviction, Al tackles the pressing challenges and complexities educators, policymakers, and leaders face, highlighting the conversations that are essential for meaningful change. This book serves as a powerful resource for those committed to reshaping the future of education, prompting us to ask the difficult, yet necessary, questions. This is an indispensable guide for anyone invested in creating a more inclusive, innovative, and responsive education system.”
Matt Pitman, Head of Secondary, Global Village Learning & author of "The Connection Curriculum”.
“Al is a breath of fresh air - constantly sharing learning, always offering a supportive hand and continually pushing out his positivity!”
Drew Povey, Leadership Specialist
"Asking better questions is the best way to get better answers. It might sound obvious but it is books like Al’s that help us frame these questions. As someone who likes to ‘poke the bear’ in education, I hugely value Al’s approach to The Awkward Questions in Education.
I was particularly drawn to long-term thinking for the future of education – hybrid environments, accessibility, AI, professionalism of teachers – as is to be expected, Al knows his stuff and articulates it in a way that resonates. Another important investment in our sector from the OG."
Ben Whitaker, Author of The Ideas Guy and co-host of the Edufuturists podcast
“I love how Al encourages and inspires the next generation. My pupils have benefitted so much over the years from his generosity, enthusiasm and opportunities offered."
Martin Bailey, Digital Enrichment Leader
“I have worked with Al since 2013 when I joined Hampton Academies Trust. It is an absolute privilege to work with Al who is beyond dedicated to not only our trust but supporting, challenging and improving the delivery of education across the board.”
Emily Culpin, Governance Professional, Hampton Academies Trust
“Al is a shining light of the EdTech world. He is a fantastic advocate of EdTech collaboration between school leaders, education systems and the industry. Al champions and creates opportunities for teachers, school leaders and EdTech suppliers to work-together constructively to share knowledge and best-practice.”
Caroline Wright, Director General, British Educational Suppliers Association
“I first met Al in 2020 when he provided support to our failing MAT. From the start he gave me invaluable assistance allowing for a successful transfer to a new MAT. Al has a clear vision of child focused education, and his depth of knowledge in all things educational was priceless.”
Paul Rout, then Chair of KWEST Multi Academy Trust
"The Awkward Questions in Education is an important book. Al Kingsley makes a compelling argument: to better serve its students, educators and school leaders need to actively lean into those awkward questions that we all want to avoid. We need to organize around those questions, break them down, and use research-backed strategies to approach them.
Kingsley does more than just present that argument. He demonstrates it. Each of the chapters breaks down the terms of the question, lines up the already existing research, and then connects it all. The goal is to better understand the questions themselves and to come up with some provisional answers. This approach makes the book stand out."
Jason Gulya, Professor of English at Berkley College, USA
"The Awkward Questions in Education dares to talk about the Taboo issues and are addressed, refreshingly, head-on. It's what many (most?) of us in education have been thinking/wondering, maybe at times afraid to say or address, but Al has skilfully articulated it all in one place.
This book is written with transparency, integrity and with an excellent understanding of the educational system. Al doesn't just challenge what's going on but essentially offers possible solutions / options / areas to become even better.
The Awkward Questions in Education is engaging to read - really interesting - drawn from Al's wealth of experience."
Mark Farmer, CEO, Bridge Academy Trust & East of England (DFE) Regional Board Member
