Edufuturists #310 The Moral Imperative with Gwyn ap Harri

In this episode of the podcast, we chat with the wonderful Gwyn ap Harri, the CEO of XP Trust, to explore innovative educational practices and the importance of character building in schools. One of Gwyn's schools, XP Gateshead won Edufuturists Secondary School of the Year 2025.Gwyn discusses the concept of 'crew' as a foundational element of XP Trust's approach, emphasising the need for a shared language and community engagement. The conversation goes down lots of rabbit holes into the significance of curriculum design that connects students to their local history and culture, fostering civic pride and a sense of belonging. He also shares insights on the future of education, advocating for a shift towards valuing character alongside academic achievements, drawing lots of inspiration from schools like High Tech High and Expeditionary Learning.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:06 Journey to XP Trust02:07 Inspiration from High Tech High07:00 The Concept of Crew in Education12:21 Building Relationships Through Crew17:15 Curriculum Integration and Expeditions22:17 Community Engagement and Education23:13 The Importance of Local Context in Education24:34 Empowering Working-Class Voices26:14 Dignity and Identity in Education28:51 Inspiring Change Makers30:57 Navigating Compliance and Creativity in Education34:36 Inevitability of Change in Education38:02 Humility and Impact in Educational Leadership40:23 Quickfire Questions and ReflectionsThanks 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 LinkedInJoin the WhatsApp CommunityCheck out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touchGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026