Responsible Innovation: A Foundation for Future Learning

At Epsom, we recognise that technology is shaping not only how we live but also how decisions are made across society. As AI, automation and other data-driven systems become more embedded in our daily lives, it’s vital that students not only use technology but also understand its consequences. Today’s students need more than technical skills; they need to think ethically, question assumptions, and understand the wider impact of the systems they use and create.

That is why responsible innovation, which we define as using technology wisely and ethically, is a core part of our curriculum. These themes are explored directly through our PSHE programme, where students examine fairness, digital ethics, and the human impact of automated systems. The aim is to help them recognise how technology shapes their lives and to develop the insight and judgement they need to make thoughtful and informed contributions, both during their time at school and as they move into adult life.

We don’t just want students to learn about these issues in theory. They need opportunities to apply them, test their ideas, and reflect. That is why, next term, these themes will also be explored during our Key Stage 3 bonding trips. While these trips support social development and teamwork, they also offer a context for deeper thinking. For example, during the Borneo residential, students may consider how conservation challenges connect with the use of technology, and how innovation can support or complicate efforts to protect natural environments. On campus, they will take part in structured projects that encourage ethical reasoning, systems thinking, and collaborative problem-solving.

Our framework is designed to grow with the student. From the early years, we introduce ways of thinking that encourage analysis, reflection, and responsibility. These ideas are revisited with increasing depth as students mature. By Year 7, learners are already beginning to evaluate how digital systems operate, explore questions of fairness and impact, and consider how their choices relate to the wider world. These are not one-off lessons but part of a sustained and coherent approach to learning that supports thoughtful and principled decision-making.

This is not an optional topic or a short-term initiative. It is a long-term commitment to building ethical reasoning into the way we teach, think, and learn. By approaching responsible innovation as both a mindset and a practice, we help our students build the clarity and confidence to engage with complexity, guided by values that matter. This prepares students not only for exams and university, but for the broader demands of adult life, where clear thinking, empathy, and ethical judgement matter most. As these conversations begin to take shape next term, we encourage parents to stay engaged and explore these themes together at home.

Dr Terence McAdams
Chief Education Officer