How can we make education inspiring again?

Megan Morris wrote this article on behalf of The View Magazine, UK.

Krish Patel, founder of Tales to Inspire, believes that stories have the power to change how we see education. His podcast and community project began in 2019, after a series of marathons and a chance meeting with a friend who had been living on the streets. Since then, Krish has shared more than 160 real-life stories from around the world, built a network of ambassadors, and launched the This is Us project to engage schools and workplaces directly.

At its heart, the project helps students and employees connect with people who have faced challenges and overcome them. In schools, ambassadors sit with pupils to listen to their experiences, struggles, and aspirations. Together, they write personal stories that are later collected into a book. This process helps children feel seen, gives them confidence, and shows them that vulnerability and resilience can go hand in hand.

Krish argues that the UK education system needs to “shift focus from system-serving to education-serving.” The current curriculum leaves little flexibility for teachers and sidelines creative subjects like art, music, and design. By contrast, education reforms in Hong Kong have offered students a wider choice of subjects, leading to greater participation in further education and a broader set of life skills.

In the UK, proposed legislation under the Labour Government risks tightening restrictions further. While designed to raise standards, these policies could prevent teaching assistants from covering classes, even in emergencies, and deter specialists from industry from sharing their expertise in schools. Krish and others argue that bringing real-world voices into the classroom should be central to education.

Funding also remains a major obstacle. Despite Labour’s pledges to increase education spending, a recent School Cuts coalition report found that the majority of schools will still face significant shortfalls, forcing staff reductions and limiting opportunities for students.

The This is Us project provides an alternative model. By taking students out of large classrooms and into one-to-one conversations, it shows them what they are capable of. Ambassadors share experiences of grief, discrimination, illness, and resilience, helping young people see themselves reflected in stories of perseverance and strength.

Tales to Inspire began with one story and has grown into a movement dedicated to lived experience. Looking ahead, Krish hopes to expand the This is Us project into prisons and wider communities, ensuring underrepresented voices are heard and valued.

You can learn more at Tales to Inspire.

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