I love my job, I love inspiring children to learn. I love leading a school that makes a real difference and I love sharing my work with others around the world. All of this pales into insignificance though when I think of my own children and the love I have for them. I’m not the perfect Dad (I don’t think anyone is) but I am always touched when one of my own children (I have three in my little tribe) tell me that I’m “The Greatest Dad on Earth”!
I realise that not every child has the opportunity or reason to say those words to their father, however, surely it’s a world we should aspire to? After all, who wants to have the Second-Greatest Dad on Earth? In the same way, should we not aspire for all our children to be in the “Greatest School On Earth”? A place and space where children are proud to be, in environments that enable and inspire better learning for all?
My name is Gary Spracklen and I am Headteacher at The Greatest School On Earth! I’m also Innovation Director at the Association for Learning Environments—UK and Europe and a member of the Department for Education’s ETAG (Education Technology Action Group).
I have experience leading highly progressive programmes of innovation in learning which has seen schools adopt a stage-not-age, all-through approach to learning and teaching.
In 2013, I led the first large-scale 1:1 deployment of Google Chromebooks in Europe, building on a strong vision to see technology transform learning. I’ve had an interest in technology since a young age and it was while I was an NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher) that I developed a reputation for my drive, enthusiasm and the innovative use of technology to both challenge and support all children to reach their full potential. It was as a result of my work using iPads with children with physical disabilities that I won the South West Digital Educator Award in 2012.
Through my involvement in working on several new build school projects and most recently being the lead eductor on a £24M refurbishment programme, I’ve come to realise that technology alone is just one strand in developing the right environment for learning for today’s children.