Phil Holton, identified individual in focus
Pearson's Senior Qualification Manager Advocates for Transformative Design Education
Phil Holton, the Senior Qualification Manager for the Creative Curriculum at Pearson, is championing a visionary approach to design education in the UK. His aim is to bridge the gap between education and industry, preparing students not just for work, but for life.
Holton's vision encompasses several key priorities. Firstly, he advocates for a curriculum that reflects real-world professional demands, ensuring that schools update their curricula to meet industry needs. Secondly, he encourages entrepreneurship, empowering students to create and build, rather than just being employees.
Holton is also committed to promoting social mobility and equal access to opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. He emphasizes the importance of embedding well-being and mindset into education, highlighting the significance of student purpose, mental health, and preparation beyond exams.
In terms of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), Holton focuses on areas like representation in tech, digital poverty, accessibility, and inclusive school cultures. He also sees technology and AI as assistive tools, particularly for neurodiverse learners.
Holton's vision extends to integrating sustainability into curricula, cultivating green skills, and aligning education with future ecological career markets. He also sees potential in esports and gamification for active learning engagement and new career pathways.
Finally, Holton envisions building career pathways from primary school to the workforce, ensuring continuous, purposeful development for students.
Holton's vision was shared during a fireside chat as part of the BRILLIANT Programme, where he discussed these interlinked priorities for transforming creative education in the UK.
Before joining Pearson, Holton had extensive experience working outside of schools across the creative sectors, from primary years to higher/further education. His personal ambition is to improve the lives of others through equitable and accessible design education for all.
Holton has also founded an organization that provides free professional training for design educators and runs a UK-wide accessible network of free CPD, a free national publication, and an annual conference for design teachers. His vision aims to shift design education into a purposeful and responsible offer to all students aged 5-19.
[1] The fireside chat titled "What Industry Needs from Schools & What Schools Need from Industry” can be found on the BRILLIANT Programme's official website.
The Senior Qualification Manager for the Creative Curriculum at Pearson, Phil Holton, aspires to transform design education in the UK by advocating for a curriculum that prepares students for life, not just work. This approach also includes fostering entrepreneurship, promoting social mobility, and integrating vital aspects like well-being, mindset, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Holton's vision extends beyond schools, encompassing a continual development pathway from primary school to the workforce, supporting personal growth and learning through sustainability, esports, gamification, and professional development opportunities for design educators.
