What if young people could see where their education might take them long before they leave the classroom? That’s the thinking behind Andy Burnham’s latest proposals for technical education, apprenticeships and employment, and it’s a conversation that feels particularly relevant to BRILLIANT.

For BRILLIANT Ambassador, Al Kingsley, it's the conversations that make all the difference at BRILLIANT. We recently caught up with him to see why he loves BRILLIANT so much, and why he continues to be heavily involved in the event. His thoughts inspired this blog.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, entirely new careers are emerging and the skills employers are looking for continue to evolve. Yet despite this rapid change, one question remains. Are we truly preparing young people for the future workforce, or simply for the jobs of yesterday? This blog discusses…

For many young people, particularly those with SEND, traditional education can create barriers to learning that have little to do with a student’s actual ability. So perhaps the question shouldn't be how do we help learners fit the classroom? But how can we create classrooms that can adapt to the learners within them?

The BRILLIANT Awards exist to recognise the schools, educators and organisations that aren't waiting for education to catch up, but are instead leading the way. These aren't awards for doing what has always been done, they're about celebrating those who are asking bigger questions.

Having attended the past two BRILLIANT festivals, Tech She Can's presence in the north has grown significantly and they believe BRILLIANT has played an important role in helping the charity expand its impact across the region.

As AI becomes part of everyday life, the knowledge and skills traditionally associated with STEAM are beginning to surface in every classroom, regardless of the subject being taught. Understanding data, questioning technology, thinking creatively, solving problems and making ethical decisions are no longer skills reserved for STEAM lessons. They're becoming essential for every learner, every day.

We recently caught up with James Fraser-Murison, Head of UK at EStars and BRILLIANT Ambassador, to talk about what makes BRILLIANT different, both as a speaker and as an attendee.

As AI becomes increasingly capable, one thing is becoming clear, as the skills that will set people apart aren't just technical, they're creative, and more importantly, they’re human.

That's why the conversation around STEM has evolved into STEAM, recognising the importance of Arts alongside Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

When Zaitoon Bukhari came into contact with the BRILLIANT team, there was a feeling that the north needed something different. Not another large-scale education event trying to replicate what already existed elsewhere, but something with its own identity. Something grounded in the realities of schools, teachers and communities across the region. Something focused less on spectacle and more on meaningful conversations about how technology can genuinely improve education.

Across schools, colleges and industry, gaming and immersive technologies are increasingly being recognised as powerful tools for engagement, collaboration and future skills development. What was once seen as entertainment alone is now becoming part of a much bigger conversation about how young people learn, communicate and prepare for modern careers.

For educators navigating the fast-moving world of AI, conferences can sometimes feel overwhelming, overly theoretical, or heavily focused on products rather than practice. For Director of Technology for Learning at Denbigh High School, Emma Darcy, BRILLIANT felt different.

Artificial intelligence is no longer something schools are considering whether to engage with. That conversation has already happened.

Reflections on the benefits of attending BRILLIANT Festival from Tom Rogerson after two years of attending as a teacher.

For many teachers, CPD has often meant one-off sessions, generic training or ideas that feel disconnected from the realities of the classroom. It can be informative, but not always useful.

STEAM education is an approach to teaching that brings together science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics to help students understand how knowledge is used in the real world. Rather than teaching subjects in isolation, STEAM connects them through problem-solving, creativity and practical application.