Al Kingsley MBE (The evolution of EdTech: Funding, Cybersecurity, and the Future)
Guest: Al Kingsley (MBE),
Intro / Episode overview
EdTech has been around for decades, but how schools use it, fund it, and talk about it has changed a lot.
In this episode of EdTechStuff, I’m joined by Al Kingsley MBE for a wide-ranging conversation about where EdTech has come from and where it’s heading next. We talk honestly about infrastructure, value for money, MAT growth, cyber security, and why good technology decisions start with clarity, not kit.
This episode isn’t about tools. It’s about thinking properly before you buy them.
What you’ll get from this episode
A clear view of how EdTech has evolved over time
Why infrastructure matters more than most people realise
How MAT growth changes the IT conversation
A practical way to think about value, not just cost
Honest reflections on one-to-one devices, standards, and cyber risk
Key discussion points
How early EdTech was corporate tech repackaged for schools
The shift towards education-led, co-produced solutions
EdTech as an enabler, not just classroom software
The hidden importance of core IT infrastructure
MAT standardisation, benefits, and risks
Cost versus value and measuring real impact
Why educators and IT teams must work together
Communicating IT projects in a way leaders understand
Limitations of DfE digital standards
Long-term sustainability of one-to-one device programmes
Why cyber security should be treated like safeguarding
The growing role of AI and data in education
Practical takeaways
If you only do one thing after listening:
Start framing technology decisions around value and impact, not just price or renewal cycles.
Other actions worth considering:
Review the life cycle of your core infrastructure, not just apps
Separate digital strategy from basic IT refresh planning
Involve IT teams earlier in curriculum-led discussions
Build business cases that explain the “why”, not just the “what”
Treat cyber security risk as a board-level issue
Be cautious of one-size-fits-all device decisions
Who this episode is for
Trust leaders and executive teams
Heads of IT and IT Directors
Network Managers and infrastructure leads
Anyone involved in EdTech decision-making
Schools and MATs thinking long-term, not short-term
About the guest
Al Kingsley MBE is an experienced education and EdTech leader with a strong focus on strategy, impact, and inclusion. He works closely with schools, trusts, and the wider sector, challenging assumptions around technology, value for money, and how digital decisions affect both staff and pupils.
Related episodes
Episode 4: Getting ready for Microsoft Copilot in education
Episode 3: One-to-one devices at PKAT and the iLearn 2.0 project
Episode 1: Cyber security in real schools
Have a question or want to suggest a topic?
If this episode sparked a question about strategy, infrastructure, or EdTech decisions in your setting, get in touch.
Future episodes of EdTechStuff are shaped by real conversations from real schools.