About Furze Smith Consulting

Furze Smith Consulting was established in 2022 to meet the growing need for innovative strategy and creative thinking in the education system. The education system no longer suits learners’ needs. With experience in systems innovations including hybrid learning, learner profiles, and expertise in the science of learning, we are uniquely placed to bring together schools, industry, and educational institutions to create solutions to these complex problems. We specialise in bringing strategy from the boardroom to the classroom, especially in small and regional schools.

Furze Smith Consulting is lead by Leon Furze. With over 15 years’ experience in education, Leon has been a Head of English, Head of Digital, Year Level Coordinator, and Director of Learning and Teaching. Leon is currently Non-Executive Director on the boards of two national not for profits: Young Change Agents and Reframing Autism.

Leon grew up in Stoke on Trent, England and has seen firsthand the positive impact education can have on people from low socio-economic backgrounds. After studying a BA(Hons) in English and American Literatures and a Post Graduate Certificate of Education, Leon taught in North-East London and then moved to regional Australia.

Leon completed his Master of Education at The University of Melbourne in 2016 with a specialism in Student Wellbeing, and a final thesis which explored the relationship between teacher professional learning, efficacy, and burnout. In December 2022 he will commence his PhD studies exploring the impact of Artificial Intelligence natural language generation on education. He works as a sessional academic for the University of Melbourne, and is part of the University’s New Metrics for Success research partnership, exploring ways to address problems faced by the education system.

In recent years Leon has published multiple books for educators, including the popular Practical Reading Strategies. He is a consultant, speaker, and professional learning facilitator and works with schools and organisations with a focus on strategy and crafting compelling narratives. In 2022 Leon founded Furze Smith Consulting to expand his work in this sector, including work with industry, government, and not for profits.

Furze Smith Consulting is a family run business based in Regional South West Victoria. Emily Furze-Smith graduated from the University of Melbourne with a BA in Philosophy and Politics and a Graduate Diploma in Education. She has taught in secondary and primary schools in the UK, Australia, and South Korea.

Our clients are global and diverse, from communities of educators in the US, to universities in the UK, and schools and organisations across Australia.

For more about our services, click here.

Our values

Learning

Learning is at the core of everything we do. We are always learning how best to solve the complex issues faced in the education sector. We never take knowledge for granted and always test assumptions, research, and seek clarity.

Creativity

Complex problems require creative solutions. We explore problems from every angle, brainstorming solutions, testing, and trialling new ideas. We bring together expertise from across sectors to explore unique possibilities.

Connection

Connection is at the heart of education. By bringing together the whole ecosystem of individuals, schools, and organisations we leverage the power of networks to drive change in the education system.

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