Edufuturists #309 Listen Up To What Students Are Saying with Kathryn McColl and Brogan Pierce (Hark)

In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, we talk to Kathryn McColl and Brogan Pierce from Hark about their Listen Up Report, which uncovers why confidence drops during key school transitions, who’s most affected, and what educators and employers can do to close the gap. Nearly 1 in 3 young people in the UK lack confidence - a hidden barrier to learning, career opportunities, and life chances. This isn’t just about shyness. It’s about a systemic issue that shapes learning, limits life chances, and affects the future workforce. Together, we explore The “Unheard Third” - who they are, and why they’re being overlooked, as well as why confidence often plummets during school transitions. We dive into how low confidence keeps young people from speaking up, joining in, or taking opportunities and what schools, employers, and communities can do to create emotionally safe, empowering spaces. Kathryn and Brogan share stories from the report, unpack the role of gender, background, and region in shaping confidence, and show how practical interventions, from classroom culture to early employer engagement, can change the game. This is a values-driven, action-focused conversation for educators, school leaders, businesses, and anyone committed to building a more inclusive future for young people. Chapters00:00 Introduction01:41 Understanding Hark and the Listen Up Report02:47 The Importance of Confidence in Young People10:15 The Impact of Lack of Confidence on Behaviour19:44 Disparities in Confidence Among Different Groups25:58 Exploring the Causes of the Confidence Crisis44:09 Practical Solutions for Building Confidence50:55 Quickfire Questions and Closing ThoughtsYou can download the Listen Up report hereAbout Hark Hark works with schools, businesses, and brands to build the confidence, skills, and inclusion young people need to thrive - through research, national programmes, and real-world experiences. Find out moreThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on XFollow us on LinkedInCheck out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touch