Les Hopper

Product Director, Pearson

Les has over 19 years' experience working with educators, technologists and academics to produce market leading learning solutions. His roles have taken him from discussing fossils with school groups on the Jurassic Coast to developing new digital technologies that help deliver learning and assessment to schools across the world. He is passionate about the power of education to change lives, and the potential that technology offers to support a high-quality education. Les currently works as Product Director for Pearson Schools UK, leading product strategy, research, development, and management for digital, qualifications, and publishing.

Hall 7b

1 Series four

Implementing innovation: Leading AI and edtech strategy for positive futures

AI and edtech are reshaping education, and strategic leadership is critical to ensure innovation delivers real impact. This session explores how school and trust leaders can drive positive futures through ethical, scalable use of digital technologies. We’ll examine key decisions around investment, assessment, curriculum, and workforce readiness in an AI-driven world. Drawing on Pearson’s national and global insights, the session offers practical guidance to align innovation with trust-wide goals to support excellence, equity, and integrity.

Curriculum

1 Breakout sessions: Series three

Designing pathways that work: Creating a 'no wrong door' experience for learners across your trust

This workshop explores how trusts can design coherent pathways that help every learner make informed choices and progress with confidence. Working through learner profiles with different strengths, aspirations, and support needs, we will examine where curriculum, qualifications, careers education, and transition points can become disconnected. Together, we will identify common barriers and explore practical approaches to trust-wide curriculum planning, qualification pathways, and destination strategies to create a more joined-up experience. You will gain tools to help review progression pathways across your trust. Ideal for trust leaders responsible for curriculum, inclusion, pathways, and careers strategy.