Teaching that fits every learner, and gives teachers their evenings back

Syed brings over 18 years of professional experience, as a teacher, senior leader and entrepreneur. He founded Lessonsmith while still teaching. Before teaching, he built Android apps, including one with 10,000+ downloads, so Lessonsmith is built by someone who both teaches and codes.

1. Now: Head of Computer Science and Curriculum Innovation, a London secondary school Still teaching every week, leading the department and bringing new ideas into the curriculum.
2. Head of Computer Science and EdTech lead, South Hampstead High School (GDST) Led EdTech across the school with Google Workspace, and trialled the first KS3 AI programme, which gave pupils hands-on experience of the team's innovations.
3. Director of Curriculum Innovation and AI, The UCL Academy Led a pioneering AI curriculum developed with industry partners, alongside partnerships with UCL.
4. Assistant Head, Rowan Sixth Form, Whitefield Academy At this SEND specialist school, led the sixth form, safeguarding, whole-school exams, and staff development and training in trauma-informed practice. Built partnerships with local businesses and organisations such as Project SEARCH, Mencap and OrganicLea for recruitment, apprenticeships and work experience for sixth formers.
5. Director of Learning, Computer Science and T-levels, The Leigh UTC Helped the DfE and Baker Dearing Trust shape the Digital T-level.
6. Advisory Board Member, R&D (Health and SEND), Emanations Aligning AI with pupils' needs and helping schools put AI to work in the classroom.

Since March 2018 he has run an online community for KS3 teachers. He's now studying for an MA in SEND and Inclusive Education, and speaks Urdu, Hindi, Farsi and English.

"Teachers don't need more tools. They need the right ones, built by people who understand the job."

Hassam brings over 6 years of experience in IT, end-user computing and cyber security, from universities to international enterprises. As our Security Partner and vCISO, with his company Mehdi Enterprises, he provides innovative security solutions for Lessonsmith from the secure desk virtual machines at our London head office, so schools' data never leaves Lessonsmith's own protected environment.

1. Security leadership: vCISO for Lessonsmith Leads our security: watching for attacks, responding to incidents, and keeping schools' and pupils' data safe in line with UK data protection law.
2. Email and domain security Specialist in DMARC, SPF and DKIM, the checks that stop criminals sending fake emails in an organisation's name, one of the most common ways schools are attacked.
3. Security, compliance and identity Microsoft certified in security, compliance and identity: protecting who can sign in to what, and keeping access under control.
4. Enterprise systems and secure desktops: Systems Limited and Talbots (United States) Consultant in end-user computing for medium to enterprise-level corporate networks: installing, configuring, integrating and troubleshooting Windows and macOS systems and deployments, with first and second-line support for staff and stores. Promoted from junior consultant within a year.
5. Networks: Cisco switches and routers Looking after the networks that keep organisations connected, and coordinating with vendors such as HP.
6. Education settings: Habib University Three years of IT and audio-visual support for a university, rising from management trainee to senior IT support officer, so he knows how learning environments work day to day.

He holds a bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Hamdard University, and is known for problem solving and troubleshooting under pressure. Read how we keep schools safe on our Trust page, and in Schedule 11 of our Data Processing Agreement.