From Disengaged to Employed: How BUSY Schools Work for Young People with Paul Miles

I started this podcast because I believe education needs more positive voices. More stories of people doing the hard, meaningful work that doesn't always make the headlines. On this the 60th episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Paul Miles, CEO of The BUSY Group, about the gap between traditional education and real-world outcomes and what can be done to help close it. Paul shares how BUSY schools support disengaged students through the mix of education, vocational training, and strong relationships—helping young people finish school and move into work or apprenticeships. We cover some big questions: • Why so many students disengage from school • The growing importance of trades and apprenticeships • What employers say is missing from school leavers • Why relationships matter more than content • How AI and changing work will shape education Paul also challenges the idea that school is only about learning content, arguing that education needs to focus just as much on preparing young people for life and work.