Rethinking Britain’s Education System

With instant access to information, AI-powered learning, and digital-first communication, how can Britain’s education system evolve to prepare young people for an unpredictable future? This panel, sponsored by Design District, explores the shifting landscape of education, questioning whether traditional learning models still serve the next generation.

Meet the Panellists

Host: Robert Elms

Broadcaster, writer and proud Londoner, Robert Elms has spent decades capturing the spirit of the capital. His long-running BBC Radio London show is a love letter to the city—celebrating its music, culture, history and ever-evolving style.

From documenting the ‘80s creative scene for The Face to penning four books including The Way We Wore, Elms continues to shape and reflect London’s cultural landscape.

This year, he returns to Urban Village Fete as host of Creative Conversations in Design District—leading a day of thought-provoking talks with some of the city’s most exciting creative voices.

Bethany Koby

Designer, entrepreneur and creative leader, Bethany Koby is the founder and Chief Vision Officer of Fam Studio—a global research and design consultancy creating playful, planet-conscious tools for learning and change. Her work blends future-thinking with family-focused innovation, shaping experiences that support young people from early childhood through to adolescence.

Previously the co-founder of award-winning edtech company Tech Will Save Us, Bethany also holds leadership roles with the Institute of Imagination and The Visionaries. Recognised as one of Wired’s “Designers That Matter” and Innovator of the Year, her work spans continents, communities and creative disciplines.

As a panellist at Creative Conversations, she brings bold thinking, deep experience and a passion for reimagining how we learn and grow in a fast-moving world.

Simon Fenton

Designer, educator and industry mentor, Simon Fenton is Deputy Principal at Escape Studios—one of the UK’s leading schools for animation, games and VFX.

With over a decade in the games industry, including as Senior Artist at Sony Computer Entertainment, Simon brings hands-on experience to creative education. For nearly 20 years, he’s been shaping degree programmes that connect fresh talent with the industries of tomorrow.

At Creative Conversations, he shares his perspective on the power of play, storytelling and the shifting creative skills landscape.

Topics include:

As social media, digital tools, and gaming shape how young minds engage with the world, we ask:

• Is the classroom outdated? How can schools keep up with a tech-driven future?
• Creativity vs. the algorithm—does digital learning inspire innovation or suppress it?
• Tech and inequality—is digital education bridging the gap or making it wider?
• Jobs of the future—what should young people really be learning?
• The power of play—why creative play is essential for learning and development.

From teacher recruitment challenges to the rise of vocational and interdisciplinary learning, this discussion will reimagine education for a world that never stops evolving.

Your ticket comes with 1 x non-alcoholic drink from Bureau Restaurant. Make sure you check into the talk early, retrieve your drink token, then grab your drink before finding a seat.

Go back to the full Urban Village Fete programme.