Meet The
Game Changers

To make education happier by raising a generation of emotionally fit, confident and connected children who are able to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Kate is the founder of Learn Happy®, an education and wellbeing club with hubs across Hertfordshire supporting primary-age children through small-group sessions that build confidence, resilience and emotional fitness alongside academics. She also founded the Game Changers Collective, bringing together people committed to improving outcomes for Generation Alpha and Beta. A podcast host and former primary teacher and senior leader, she builds micro communities where children feel seen, valued and able to thrive.

Good education deserves good marketing. Emily bridges the gap between the classroom and the commercial — so the brands doing brilliant work for children and families get seen by the right people.

Emily is the founder of Emerlilly Digital, a marketing agency specialising in education and family brands — EdTechs, publishers, schools, and family businesses. She's also Head of Education at First News, the UK's children's newspaper for ages 7–14.

To make education more fun in the moment and more meaningful for the future.

Kate is the founder of What If Education?® and the author of Awedinary, The Wonder of Everyday Things. Both are built on the power of great questions, and what they unlock for learning, wellbeing, progress and possibility. She is an international education consultant, working with schools all over the world, with a focus on people, place and pedagogy. She is also a qualified coach, working with leaders, educators and parents who are ready to bring curiosity, wonder and connection into learning and life.

To restore the importance of play and equip the next generation with the thinking skills they need to navigate an increasingly digital world—without becoming dependent on it.

Hannah is the founder of Unplugged Tots, a growing movement redefining early years education through playful, screen-free learning rooted in computational thinking. Author of Unplugged Tots and a recognised voice in STEAM education, she contributes to national conversations on screen use, childhood development, and how we prepare the next generation for a digital world. She is placing play back where it belongs: at the centre of childhood. As Director of S.T.E.A.M Arena CIC, Hannah connects educators, industry, and young people aged 0–18, creating meaningful pathways into STEAM through hands-on, engaging experiences. Her work bridges research, policy, and real life—supporting families, educators, and organisations to rethink how children learn, connect, and thrive. Recognised for her contribution to STEAM education and inclusion, she is shaping a practical, future-focused approach to raising thinkers who can adapt, problem-solve, and flourish without constant reliance on screens. The future doesn’t need more screen time—it needs better thinkers.

To build learning environments where young people don't just move through education, but actively shape their own learning and their own futures.

Sally is the founder of Blue Squid, an alternative provision in Cambridgeshire supporting autistic young people and those with EBSA who are unable to attend or engage with mainstream school. Through small-group, low-demand sessions, Blue Squid helps learners rebuild confidence, re-establish routines, and reconnect with learning at their own pace, building genuine, sustainable next steps beyond the provision. She is also developing The Ithaca Programme, a future independent school for young people who don't thrive in conventional systems, combining strong academics with real-world learning, personal development, and adventure. A former teacher, senior leader and SENDCo with nearly two decades of experience, Sally works across mainstream and alternative education to create environments where young people feel understood, empowered, and ready to move forward with confidence.

To champion and elevate high-quality early years education by influencing practice, policy, and professional learning—ensuring every child receives the strong, equitable start they deserve.

Michelle Windridge is an experienced primary and early years teacher and leader with over 20 years’ experience across EYFS, KS1, and KS2. She is National Education Lead for School-based Early Years at Twinkl, supporting high-quality early years provision nationally. Michelle is also a TES columnist and regular contributor to Early Years Educator, Nursery World and Headteacher Update magazine, writing on pedagogy, practice, and policy. She serves as an external examiner for undergraduate and postgraduate education programmes and is a former lecturer and Fellow in Higher Education. Michelle previously held senior leadership roles in schools and is passionate about ensuring every child receives an outstanding early education.

To challenge a system that no longer serves children. To build schools where belonging is non negotiable and where inclusion, play and human development are given the time they deserve.

London primary headteacher with over ten years of headship leading an inclusive school. I work across networks and partnerships to challenge thinking and influence change. I speak at conferences, forums and round tables and focus on belonging and inclusion.

To help organisations doing good in the world communicate their message with clarity, creativity and confidence – using design to inspire curiosity, spark conversations and create meaningful impact.

Marianna is the Creative Director of Toffee Design, an award-winning graphic design and illustration studio working with museums, charities and purpose-led organisations. With over 15 years of experience, she specialises in transforming complex ideas into engaging visual stories that inform, inspire and connect with audiences of all ages. Known for her collaborative and intuitive approach, Marianna helps organisations uncover what makes them unique and translate it into bold, meaningful design that captures attention and communicates with impact.

To equip young people with the self-awareness, emotional understanding, and tools to build a strong sense of self, so they can navigate challenges, support themselves and others, and grow into confident, compassionate individuals.

Jo Chadwick is Co-founder of The Happy Confident Company, where she develops evidence-based tools, programmes, and strategies that help children understand themselves, express what they feel, and build a strong sense of who they are. Working closely with experts, specialists, and with children and young people themselves, she ensures everything created is grounded in science and genuinely engaging. As a neurodiversity advocate, her work is rooted in a vision of a more human society, where emotional awareness, compassion, and connection shape how we grow, learn, and support one another.

To support neurodivergent women, girls and their families by providing education, resources and community, helping them develop a positive sense of self.

I'm a neurodivergent mum in a neurodivergent family, and also author of Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person: A Parent’s Handbook to Supporting Newly Diagnosed Teens and Pre-Teens.

To support the development of education systems where both staff and students can belong, and thrive.

Beth is a Doctoral Researcher in Education at the University of Hertfordshire, exploring how school leaders respond to increasing pressures around wellbeing and social justice, and what this means for policy and practice. Alongside her research, she works as Head of Business Development and an Associate Assistant Educational Psychologist at Brimstone Psychology, supporting schools and organisations with wellbeing, inclusion and system-level change. With experience across mainstream and specialist settings, including roles as a Teaching Assistant and SEND Lead, Beth brings a grounded understanding of the realities schools face. Her work focuses on bridging research and practice to create more equitable, context-sensitive approaches to education.

To change the pedagogy (science of teaching) for every child in KS1 and beyond, moving towards play-based, autonomy and ownership rich teaching and environments that offer limitless learning where ALL children belong, find joy and love learning.

Emma is the creator of the C.O.O.L curriculum, a continuous provision based framework for EYFS, KS1 and beyond. C.O.O.L brings the structure for teachers and leaders to implement high quality, purposeful play-based provision into their classrooms. Emma, is an experienced school leader, she has been Headteacher of three Primary schools, and School Improvement and Early Years Lead for a Primary MAT. She is an Early Years specialist, now consultant, supporting schools to develop autonomy, independence and play-based learning in KS1 and beyond.

To help educators, organisations and individuals find clarity, move forward with confidence and keep curiosity and play at the heart of everything they do.

Lily Bracegirdle is the founder of Curiosity at Play, working with teachers, practitioners and small organisations through workshops, consultancy, CPD and bespoke content. An EYFS and music education specialist with a background in arts management, UX research and curriculum design, she brings a unique cross-sector perspective to every project. Lily is also the host of the Curiosity at Play podcast, exploring playful and human-centred approaches to learning.

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