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Education: A Manifesto for Change
'A manifesto for change in education with collaboration, openness and optimism at its core.' Steve Munby
This ground-breaking book is both a manifesto and a call to arms to inspire all those involved in education to consider new visions and values for the future of the school system. Renowned educationalist, speaker and author Richard Gerver offers an empowering vision for how education, both in the UK and internationally, can be transformed and made fit for purpose in the 21st century and beyond.
Education has never been more important than it is now but the current school system lacks the continuity and longevity required to ensure young people can survive and thrive as we continue to head into the unknown. A Manifesto for Change argues that students must be prepared for the lives ahead of them; they must understand how important and valuable what they learn in school will be long after they have left formal education. To facilitate this, Richard encourages educators to walk outside the school gates themselves, learning from and with people and organisations beyond their normal experiences, so they can be the catalysts of a better, more connected and more coherent future for today's children – tomorrow's adults.
In this thought-provoking new book, Richard, bestselling author of Creating Tomorrow's Schools Today, shares his experiences of working with global businesses and talking education with Barack Obama, Steve Wozniak, senior managers at Google, and elite sports coaches working with Great Britain's Olympic and Paralympic teams and the English Premier League. Taking an international perspective, the book includes examples from the US, China and Colombia.
This ground-breaking book is both a manifesto and a call to arms to inspire all those involved in education to consider new visions and values for the future of the school system. Renowned educationalist, speaker and author Richard Gerver offers an empowering vision for how education, both in the UK and internationally, can be transformed and made fit for purpose in the 21st century and beyond.
Education has never been more important than it is now but the current school system lacks the continuity and longevity required to ensure young people can survive and thrive as we continue to head into the unknown. A Manifesto for Change argues that students must be prepared for the lives ahead of them; they must understand how important and valuable what they learn in school will be long after they have left formal education. To facilitate this, Richard encourages educators to walk outside the school gates themselves, learning from and with people and organisations beyond their normal experiences, so they can be the catalysts of a better, more connected and more coherent future for today's children – tomorrow's adults.
In this thought-provoking new book, Richard, bestselling author of Creating Tomorrow's Schools Today, shares his experiences of working with global businesses and talking education with Barack Obama, Steve Wozniak, senior managers at Google, and elite sports coaches working with Great Britain's Olympic and Paralympic teams and the English Premier League. Taking an international perspective, the book includes examples from the US, China and Colombia.
- GenresEducation
128 pages, Paperback
Published May 16, 2019
4 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Richard Gerver
6 books12 followersRichard Gerver has been described as one of the most inspirational leaders of his generation. He is an award-winning speaker, bestselling author and world-renowned thinker.
Richard began his career in education, most notably as headmaster of the failing Grange Primary School. In just two years, famously transformed into one of the most acclaimed learning environments in the world. He was celebrated by UNESCO and the UK Government for its incredible turnaround.
Richard has since transitioned to the global stage where he uses his trademark humour and natural style to deliver passionate, provocative and authentic speeches. He draws upon the first-hand experiences and unique insights garnered from frontline education to explore the links between great leadership, human potential, change and innovation. His ability to connect experiences across many seemingly different environments helps people to expand their thinking and perception of potential. It is this authenticity and uniqueness which has helped Richard win him global acclaim and invitations to speak on the most recognised stages, including TED, the RSA and BBC radio.
Richard Gerver has been described as one of the most inspirational leaders of his generation. He is an award-winning speaker, bestselling author and world-renowned thinker.
Richard began his career in education, most notably as headmaster of the failing Grange Primary School. In just two years, famously transformed into one of the most acclaimed learning environments in the world. He was celebrated by UNESCO and the UK Government for its incredible turnaround.
Richard has since transitioned to the global stage where he uses his trademark humour and natural style to deliver passionate, provocative and authentic speeches. He draws upon the first-hand experiences and unique insights garnered from frontline education to explore the links between great leadership, human potential, change and innovation. His ability to connect experiences across many seemingly different environments helps people to expand their thinking and perception of potential. It is this authenticity and uniqueness which has helped Richard win him global acclaim and invitations to speak on the most recognised stages, including TED, the RSA and BBC radio.
The three core principles underpinning Richard's philosophy are communication, empowerment and impact. He argues that great leadership is first and foremost about serving the needs of the people who work for you. His mantra: systems and structures change nothing; people do.
Having successfully transitioned from teacher to thought leader, Richard has had the opportunity to regularly advise governments and major corporations globally, including Google, Visa, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, Harrods, Puig and Telefonica. His unique experience and insight into realising human potential also see him working in elite sport, with Olympic and Paralympic coaches, EPL Soccer coaches, England Golf and professional cricket teams. He has recently started working with the British music industry to help develop a capacity for forward, proactive and sustainable change.
Richard is also a bestselling author. His first book, Creating Tomorrow’s Schools Today (now in its second edition), has become a seminal text around the world for those engaged in the transformation of education. His other books are explorations of human potential, leadership and success. In Change and Simple Thinking, Richard explores the world beyond school, through the eyes of an educator. Both have received critical and public success; both achieving global bestseller status. All his books have been translated into a multitude of languages including Spanish, Chinese and Korean.
Most importantly, Richard is always humbled to be able to share his lifelong commitment to living, learning and laughing.
Richard began his career in education, most notably as headmaster of the failing Grange Primary School. In just two years, famously transformed into one of the most acclaimed learning environments in the world. He was celebrated by UNESCO and the UK Government for its incredible turnaround.
Richard has since transitioned to the global stage where he uses his trademark humour and natural style to deliver passionate, provocative and authentic speeches. He draws upon the first-hand experiences and unique insights garnered from frontline education to explore the links between great leadership, human potential, change and innovation. His ability to connect experiences across many seemingly different environments helps people to expand their thinking and perception of potential. It is this authenticity and uniqueness which has helped Richard win him global acclaim and invitations to speak on the most recognised stages, including TED, the RSA and BBC radio.
Richard Gerver has been described as one of the most inspirational leaders of his generation. He is an award-winning speaker, bestselling author and world-renowned thinker.
Richard began his career in education, most notably as headmaster of the failing Grange Primary School. In just two years, famously transformed into one of the most acclaimed learning environments in the world. He was celebrated by UNESCO and the UK Government for its incredible turnaround.
Richard has since transitioned to the global stage where he uses his trademark humour and natural style to deliver passionate, provocative and authentic speeches. He draws upon the first-hand experiences and unique insights garnered from frontline education to explore the links between great leadership, human potential, change and innovation. His ability to connect experiences across many seemingly different environments helps people to expand their thinking and perception of potential. It is this authenticity and uniqueness which has helped Richard win him global acclaim and invitations to speak on the most recognised stages, including TED, the RSA and BBC radio.
The three core principles underpinning Richard's philosophy are communication, empowerment and impact. He argues that great leadership is first and foremost about serving the needs of the people who work for you. His mantra: systems and structures change nothing; people do.
Having successfully transitioned from teacher to thought leader, Richard has had the opportunity to regularly advise governments and major corporations globally, including Google, Visa, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, Harrods, Puig and Telefonica. His unique experience and insight into realising human potential also see him working in elite sport, with Olympic and Paralympic coaches, EPL Soccer coaches, England Golf and professional cricket teams. He has recently started working with the British music industry to help develop a capacity for forward, proactive and sustainable change.
Richard is also a bestselling author. His first book, Creating Tomorrow’s Schools Today (now in its second edition), has become a seminal text around the world for those engaged in the transformation of education. His other books are explorations of human potential, leadership and success. In Change and Simple Thinking, Richard explores the world beyond school, through the eyes of an educator. Both have received critical and public success; both achieving global bestseller status. All his books have been translated into a multitude of languages including Spanish, Chinese and Korean.
Most importantly, Richard is always humbled to be able to share his lifelong commitment to living, learning and laughing.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 9, 2019
An interesting book that, quite rightly, puts forward the premise that it is people not processes that are important in education and that, rather than moulding pupils to fit the system, the system should change so that it is fit-for-purpose. Changes in global society have created a need for different skills which education should recognise. However, this is not a "preachy" book but one that advocates collaboration and common sense, looking at how positive educational outcomes can be achieved by everyone working together. Although the target audience of this book could be considered to be teachers, I think anyone within education would find it uplifting and insightful and the key behaviours of great teachers are applicable to many working in schools.
"For society to thrive, to reconnect and to be better, we need people to reconnect with each other and most importantly with themselves. People need to feel valued and of value; they need to know they have a purpose. …. Educators are, like it or not, some of the most important people in changing the future."
"For society to thrive, to reconnect and to be better, we need people to reconnect with each other and most importantly with themselves. People need to feel valued and of value; they need to know they have a purpose. …. Educators are, like it or not, some of the most important people in changing the future."
April 29, 2025
As a manifesto, it is a clear, succinct, description of what education can look like when it is done well. There is a push for innovative change in how we provide education, that I didn’t feel was necessarily elaborated on in useful, concrete terms. (In my opinions this is the weakness of all inspirational speakers in this field). But a good starting point for examining values and philosophies of education.
April 15, 2021
Wowza. I love Richard Gerver's thinking and this 'manifesto for change' helps us think about 'people over processes' in education. A must-read for educators at all levels.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews