Spotlight on Arts – Creative Journeys and Reimagined Education with Dan Edwards
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In this episode of Spotlight on Arts on Soar Sound, John Coster and Rob Watson are joined by Dan Edwards, founder of 52 Stone, to trace a life shaped by creative experimentation, educational reform, and a deep-rooted commitment to Leicester’s cultural future.
Dan’s journey defies linearity. From co-founding the innovative media platform Citizen 598 to stepping into leadership roles in education—including five years as a headteacher—Dan’s career has consistently centred on people, stories, and the power of imagination. Now, with 52 Stone, Dan is building a not-for-profit production company with a dual purpose: to develop high-quality TV and film content from Leicester, and to cultivate opportunities for young people and emerging creatives through alternative educational provision.
The conversation delves into Dan’s reflections on teaching, particularly the limitations and possibilities within a system driven by outcomes and standardisation. He speaks candidly about the challenge of bringing creativity into structured school environments, and how the freedom to reshape cultural expectations—of both pupils and their families—became a crucial part of his role. From “Fancy Friday” glitter cannon assemblies to rebranding what school can feel like, Dan’s approach was rooted in affirming children’s sense of belonging and potential.
We also explore what happens when lived experience—working in clubs, promoting music, even performing as a living statue—filters into educational leadership. Dan brings a rare mix of pragmatism and creative flair, which now shapes the vision for 52 Stone: a platform that blends content creation with social responsibility, aiming to keep talent in the city and open doors to the creative industries that are often closed to those from working-class backgrounds.
The episode ends with a critical question: are we only just beginning to see the real cultural shift that comes when digital-native generations become the educators and producers of their own futures? If so, what do we need to do now to support them?
This conversation is a reminder that education and creativity are not opposing forces—they are mutually reinforcing when rooted in real lives and real places. Dan’s story is not just one of personal reinvention, but of collective possibility.
Listen to the full episode now on Soar Sound DAB, or via our podcast feed, and join the conversation about what it means to make creative work that is both locally grounded and nationally ambitious.
