Penfold's Sandbox
Building Possibility Through Education.
I advise schools, ministries and education technology companies on AI in education, alternative education and learning technology. Based in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
27+
Publications
8
h-index
289
Citations
Selected work
Corporate Training
International Skills Development Ltd, Hong Kong
Flexible learning and performance support for Hong Kong and international companies.
Tourism & Hospitality
European Union / IBF International Consulting
EU-funded competency-based training programmes for seven wellness occupations (2022–23).
International Development
Department of Tourism, Philippines
Philippine tourism was growing fast.
International Development
EU-Vietnam ESRT Programme / GOPA Consulting
EU-funded Environment and Social Responsible Tourism programme (2012–14).
My sandbox spans 60 years – across education leadership, immersive technology research, government policy, and humanitarian service. At this stage of my life I want to capture what I have learned, and share some of the things I have done, written, and created, with others – including with my ten-year-old son, Jacob. Life is fragile and we never know how many days we have left, so I hope what I am sharing is of value to someone, and a legacy for Jacob as he grows up and understands more about his dad's life and work.
More about mePaul is, above all, a genuine people person. His leadership is grounded in kindness, empathy, and an instinctive understanding of what schools truly need to function well: trust, care, and strong relationships.
– Ronan Coupiac, IGCSE / EAL / French Teacher at Saint Maur International School
Four Pillars of a Sandbox
From special-needs classrooms to international school leadership – six decades shaping how people learn.
Pioneering immersive learning, virtual worlds, and AI in education – 27+ publications and 289 citations.
National tourism HR strategies, occupational standards, and curricula across Asia and the Caribbean.
Refugee education on the Thai-Cambodian border – the conviction that education is about human dignity.
Currently
Regional representative for Thailand and Myanmar, supporting learner-centred alternative education.
See servicesRegular articles and briefings on AI in schools, published here and on LinkedIn.
Read the blogBuilding school management and curriculum tools for schools and educators.
View toolsLast updated: September 2026
Trusted Across Sectors
In the Field
In Their Words
I had the pleasure of working under Paul Penfold during my time at BCIS, where he served as Head of School. Paul brought a strong balance of professionalism, energy, and genuine care to the role, creating an environment where both staff and students were encouraged to grow and succeed.
Joshua Sly
Commercial Operator | Analytics & E-commerce | DASH Insight Founder
Paul possesses a rare ability to immediately recognise the strengths, value, and potential within people. He has an exceptional instinct for understanding where individuals will thrive within a school environment and creates opportunities that allow both staff and students to flourish.
Razeenah Waja
Educator & Teacher Development Specialist | Curriculum Design | AI in Education
A Sandbox for Life
The "sandbox method" is an analogy for self-education and skills: carve out a specific hobby, project, or career skill – a space to experiment, play, and fail without risking your livelihood or reputation. Penfold's Sandbox is exactly that.
Six decades of trying, learning, and reimagining what education can be – without fear of failure.