Our guest this episode is Claire Boyd, Head of Glendower Preparatory School, a leading independent girls’ school in Kensington, London. Claire is now in her third headship within the independent sector, and with a background in educational leadership and curriculum development, she brings a wealth of insight into what truly matters in primary education. Claire is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of the Early Years and Key Stage 1, and is keen to champion the role these formative stages play in shaping a child’s lifelong learning journey. She is also a strong proponent of play as a cornerstone of early childhood development—believing it to be essential for lifelong learning and success.
During the episode Claire and Simon explore how these formative stages shape children’s emotional and intellectual growth, their learning behaviours, and their emerging sense of agency. They discuss the importance of nurturing environments, the strength of teacher-parent relationships, and how neuroscience can inform thoughtful curriculum design. They also reflect on the balance between academic rigour and the development of human skills, the transformative power of play, and why we must look beyond exam results when defining success in education. Claire offers insightful advice for parents as they navigate their child’s early learning journey.Credits:
Produced, edited and mixed by Yusuf Johnson
