Simon Breakspear

B Psych (Hons), B Teach, MSc. (Oxon)

Simon is an expert in learning, innovation and leadership. He is obsessed with seeking out ‘next practice’ ideas and is committed to generating creative, collaborative and entrepreneurial solutions to the most daunting educational challenges of our time.

Simon is a passionate educator. After successfully completing a year of Medicine at UNSW, Simon left to pursue a career engaging and investing in young people through education. He went on to complete a first class honours degree in Psychology at UNSW, whilst speaking to over 20,000 students across Australia on the areas of leadership, independent learning and success in the global labor market. Simon taught at a city school in Sydney, and at 24 held the position of Year 12 Coordinator. He is also the co-author of the Centre For Skills Development whitepaper “Talent Magnets” (2008) which explored tactical strategies to respond to the teacher shortage crisis.

As a consultant and researcher Simon continues to expose himself to the best educational thinking on the planet. In 2008-09 Simon completed a MSc. in Comparative and International Education at the University of Oxford (with Distinction) as a Commonwealth Scholar. He is currently completing his PhD at the University of Cambridge as a Gates Scholar. Simon’s research and engagement with cutting-edge conferences internationally, has equipped him with an understanding of both the trends impacting education and the practices of the highest-performing education systems worldwide.

Simon delivers keynotes and consults to educational leaders and practitioners to help stimulate fresh thinking and challenge the status quo. He has worked extensively to help principals understand the need to create innovative, collaborative, inspiring and challenging school cultures in order to retain talented teachers, train future leaders and deliver improved educational outcomes. He challenges educational policy-makers to put teacher and leader quality at the heart of the 21st century education reform agenda.