About José Picardo

José Picardo

José is an experienced school leader, consultant, and coach with a background in academic strategy, digital transformation, and organisational improvement. As a former senior leader at leading UK independent schools, he brings deep expertise in curriculum leadership, staff development, and the intelligent use of technology in education. He now works with schools, education businesses, and organisations beyond the sector to support meaningful, sustainable change.

Leadership School improvement

26 September, 2025

From Autonomy to Agency: The Missing Piece in School Leadership

Teachers have long aspired to autonomy as the hallmark of professional respect. Give us teachers autonomy, the argument goes, and we will flourish: freed from prescription, released from bureaucracy, and…

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Digital Strategy Leadership School improvement

20 September, 2025

Study Partner or Shortcut? How Students Really Use AI

In 2025, according to the Literacy Trust, around two in three (66.5%) young people aged 13–18 reported using generative AI. Those who did were turning to it more frequently, with…

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Digital Strategy Leadership School improvement

8 September, 2025

Haunted by the Future: Black Mirrors and Bright Hopes for AI in Schools

For much of its history, the internet has been a library, a static archive of documents waiting to be searched, sifted, and cited. Education adapted around this model: we taught…

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Digital Strategy Leadership School improvement

2 September, 2025

Five Things Every School Can Do to Improve: Reflections from the Frontline

Each August, as another exam season comes to an end, I look to celebrate the wins and study the losses. I try to resist the temptation to sit back in…

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Digital Strategy Leadership School improvement

25 August, 2025

From Static to Dynamic: Rethinking Education in the Age of the Generative Web

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping the way we live, work, and learn. In schools, its presence is felt everywhere: from lesson planning and resource creation to feedback, assessment, and adaptive…

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Leadership School improvement

20 August, 2025

20 Signs of Emotionally Mature Leadership

Leadership rarely happens in calm conditions. It often emerges in environments that are challenging, political, resource-constrained, and frequently unforgiving. Technical skills and sharp strategy are, of course, important, but they…

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