I spent the Easter holidays in Northern Spain celebrating Easter and, particularly, Holy Week, or as the Spanish call it, “Semana Santa”

Holy Week in Spain is very special, with processions in the streets and services in the churches. Much of it is sombre and respectful, marking the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

However, the whole atmosphere changes on Easter Sunday when Christians believe that Christ was resurrected from the dead to bring salvation to the world.

Fiestas and parties break out in the streets, cafes and homes of the people. Communities come alive.

This is a time of renewal, celebration, joy and hope.

Whether we’re religious or not, the same spirit of renewal should apply to what we do in education. The spring and summer bring the hope of good results for our students and progression to further and higher education as well as future employment

All of us in education should, therefore, renew afresh our commitment to our children and young people in the spirit of Easter to ensure that the next generation have even better opportunities to succeed in the 21st-century.

We can never rest on our laurels and hope that each academic year will be the same as the last. Education is a dynamic force and one which demands that we adapt and change to meet the challenges of the coming year and the future.

I’m sure all schools and colleges will rise to this challenge and continue to achieve great things for their students. In my experience, the leadership of trusts and individual schools are constantly seeking ways to raise standards and improve the lives of their students.

They know that AI and its implications for schools and the employment prospects of our young people will present our education system with a new and exciting dimension, albeit one with inherent anxieties for the future of society.

As with every other innovation that has been thrown at schools in the last few years, I know school leaders will adapt and see AI as a huge opportunity for easing the workload of staff and streamlining educational provision.

Challenges always bring opportunities as long as we seize them and mitigate the inevitable teething problems.

May Easter blessings be upon our schools and students.

All at Academicis wish you every success this term.

Sir Michael Wilshaw

Photo by Ries Bosch on Unsplash