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We Are In Beta PodcastThrough the BlackwallHello everyone,I would love to say it was all part of a brilliantly coordinated plan... but no one would believe it. Nor should they. It would be a whopping fib.Today is an auspicious day, which has served up three amazing coincidences đ¤ŻItâs exactly a year ago we opened up the We Are In Beta community đ
Last night we reached 10,000 members đToday we launch Series 4 of the podcastđď¸None of this would be possible without you engaging with our work.Thank you.We - schools - A...
2021-03-1802 min
Naylor's Natter Podcast- an education podcast .Aziza Ajak on venturing into school leadershipAziza Ajak is a Science teacher and a Vice PrincipalÂ
 @durham_uni BSc |@imperialcollege MSc |@UCL MA |@teachfirst2014 | NPQSL | Science teacher & Vice Principal @GoresbrookSc @teachfirst trustee
1)Could you start by telling listeners about your career journey to this point including your 10% braver more like 100% braver on your journey to assistant headship ?Â
 2) Your March 2018 blog âis it as simple as just saying thank you - how to value and develop individuals in resource limited schools . How can slt particularly now genuinely demonstrate valuing staff? Â
3) How do we get recruitment and new...
2020-07-0338 min
We Are In Beta PodcastWhite Ally. Patrick Ottley O'Connor, Exec. Principal, North Liverpool Academy & Pran Patel, teacher and equity activistHappy holidays, everyone!This is the second of two episodes today. If you havenât already, listen to the first here. Itâs also the final episode of 2019. And of Series 2! Thank you so much for listening!Picking up from the last episode on BAME leadership, 'Critical Mass' featuring Allana Gay, weâre talking about what it means to be a good ally to your BAME colleagues, what the purpose is and what it looks like when itâs not easy.We speak to Patrick Ottley OâConnor - Executive Principal, North Liverpool Academy - and Alla...
2019-12-2225 min
We Are In Beta PodcastCritical Mass. Allana Gay - Headteacher, Vita Et Pax Preparatory SchoolThis is an episode on BAME leadership in education. The first of a double bill today.The Swan Report (1985) and a recent report by the Runnymede Trust (2017) note that BAME educators have more difficulty progressing to leadership in the English education system.We went out to hear some stories from BAME leaders about what it was like for them getting to their positionâŚbut we made a mistake.Listen to learn what it was and what we did about it.This week, Allana Gay, Headteacher at Vita Et Pax Preparatory School, tells us...
2019-12-2230 min
We Are In Beta PodcastHe For She. Chris Hildrew - Headteacher, Churchill Academy & Sixth FormVivienne Porritt is one of the founders of the social equity group #WomenEd. Vivienne set us a challenge. She asked us to take a message to every man in education.Chris Hildrew is a contributor to the WomenEd book â10% Braverâ, and Headteacher at Churchill Academy & Sixth Form.In this weekâs We Are In Beta Podcast, he shares his journey to becoming a HeForShe ally, from his early years in school to a speech he heard given by Emma Watson at the United Nations.We learn how Chris has adopted some tips from Sheryl Sandbe...
2019-12-1531 min
We Are In Beta PodcastBlind Recruitment. Claire Cuthbert - CEO, Evolve TrustThese days things are going well for Claire Cuthbert. She always knew she wanted to be a teacher. When she became one, she progressed quickly.The time soon came for her to apply for headship - one at a start up school in a mining community. Both the interviewers and applicants for the position were all, as Claire describes âmiddle aged white males in grey suitsâ, and to be honest thatâs par for the course, but what happened next wasnât.To her surprise, Claire progressed to the second round but when it came down to the l...
2019-12-0826 min
We Are In Beta PodcastCommunity and Connection. Manny Botwe - Headteacher Tytherington SchoolThe countdown to Christmas begins. But before you put on that Christmas megamix on repeat, listen to this weekâs We Are In Beta podcast!Progress 8. Grades 9-4. Ofsted. RSCs.In the current accountability climate in schools, it can be easy to forget that students and their education are about more than numbers.But at what cost? What opportunities are we missing to connect? To create an important sense of community?When he was a student, Manny Botwe had a teacher with whom he shared a great relationship. This teacher took an in...
2019-12-0128 min
We Are In Beta PodcastUnconditional Positive Regard. Dave Whitaker & Luke Mitchell - Wellspring Academy TrustDeborah Firat - a parent and school governor - has seen first hand the difference it makes when teachers approach their pupils with unconditional positive regard. Her son Zack has autism and although he went to a good mainstream school, it didnât have the tools to maximise his potential.Dave Whitaker (Director of Learning at the Wellspring Academy Trust) and Luke Mitchell (Head of Behaviour Support) share what theyâve learned from years of experience and some guiding principles about how to support the most vulnerable learners.Dave, Luke and the staff at Spri...
2019-11-2429 min
We Are In Beta PodcastBehaviour Is Communication. Marie Gentles & Katie L'Aimable - Head and Deputy Headteacher - Hawkswood Primary PRUOver the course of their careers, the Headteacher of Hawkswood Primary PRU (Pupil Referral Unit), Marie Gentles and her deputy, Katie L'Aimable, have begun to see patterns that their mainstream colleagues donât.Theyâve gone from seeing studentsâ behaviour as isolated events to understanding that all behaviour is communication. Marie and Katie tell us what theyâve learned about what some behaviours are communicating and why understanding the root of behaviour is so critical.The results are astounding.(Lucy Mattison, Katie LâAimable & Marie Gentles of Hawkswood Primary PRU)đ Listen and subscribe on i...
2019-11-1736 min
We Are In Beta PodcastThe Jigsaw Puzzle. Sue Plant-Head of School, John Taylor Free School & Lucy Rose-Flexible Teacher TalentThis is the free We Are In Beta Podcast Newsletter - written by me, Niall Alcock. We - the education community - Are In Beta - always learning. Sign up to learn how school leaders are tackling big issues in schools.Last week we heard how Lisa Farmer, co-headteacher of Thomas Russell Infants School, found her co-head before co-headship was even a thing.This weekâŚHaving felt the pressure between parenthood and being a senior leader, when Sue Plant had the opportunity to become the Head of a brand new school, she was going to...
2019-11-1033 min
We Are In Beta PodcastTwo heads are better than one - Lisa Farmer, Co-Headteacher, Thomas Russell Infants School, Emma Sheppard - MTPT Project, The Shared Headship NetworkThis is the free We Are In Beta Podcast Newsletter - written by me, Niall Alcock. We - the education community - Are In Beta - always learning. Sign up to learn how school leaders are tackling big issues in schools.This week.Lisa Farmer had finally got her dream job as a headteacher. Soon after being given the job she discovered she was pregnant. Lisa and her husband were elated but she thought people expected her to step down from her new role.With no intention of doing so, Lisa began looking into...
2019-11-0341 min
We Are In Beta PodcastCall To Action: Going Phone Free. How to enact whole school behaviour change. Leann Swaine, Headteacher, East Barnet SchoolThis is the free We Are In Beta Podcast Newsletter - written by me, Niall Alcock. We - the education community - Are In Beta - always learning. Sign up to learn how school leaders are tackling big issues in schools.Series 2 of the We Are In Beta Podcast is here!This weekâŚLeann Swaine was the Associate Headteacher of East Barnet School when she wanted to make a change. One day she was in the school corridor when an event inspired her to go on the journey to make the school phone free. Eas...
2019-10-2729 min
We Are In Beta PodcastWe Are In Beta Series 2: trailer & sneak peekAs promised, Iâm super excited to share the trailer for Series 2 of the We Are In Beta Podcast and a sneak peak at what to expect.Last series, I asked each school leader how they were tackling a range of problems in their schools.This series, in each episode, weâre taking a deeper look at powerful stories beneath the big topics in education.đ Listen to the Series 2 Trailer via the player above or on Spotify | iTunes | Stitcher | Libsyn | TuneIn đSo whatâs coming up in the series?Each week, weâll be telling...
2019-10-2001 min
We Are In Beta PodcastWe Are In Beta - Series 2: TrailerWe Are In Beta opens its second series. Host Niall Alcock gives you a taste of what's new and what to expect from upcoming episodes. There's a new addition to the team too. Meet our new producer, Jay. Don't miss the first episode - out on October 27th 2019 - hit that subscribe button now. To get access the podcast before anyone else and extra goodies like our guests' research and book recommendations, the services they couldn't do without and links to the policies and documents they talk about in their episodes, sign up to the...
2019-10-2000 min
We Are In Beta PodcastJeremy Hannay, Headteacher, Three Bridges Primary School - Doing away with the Ofsted style of management: how to reduce high stakes accountability and increase teacher autonomyThis is the free We Are In Beta Podcast Newsletter - written by me, Niall Alcock. We - the education community - Are In Beta - always learning. Sign up to learn how school leaders are tackling the big issues in schools.This episode is one Iâve been really looking forward to releasing for a while.If youâre on Twitter, the chances are youâll have seen my guest be pretty vocal about the need to reduce high stakes accountability and increase teacher autonomy.Youâll probably have seen his latest news has (at...
2019-08-111h 00
We Are In Beta PodcastStephen Munday, Chief Executive, The Cam Academy Trust & Executive Principal, Comberton Village College & President of The Chartered College of Teaching: Doing the right thing and working togetherThis is the free We Are In Beta Podcast Newsletter - written by me, Niall Alcock. We - the education community - Are In Beta - always learning. Sign up to learn how school leaders are tackling the big issues in schools.Many of you have already taught your last lesson of the 2018-19 academic year! I wish you (and those of you, who have just a couple more days to go) a very restful and well-deserved summer break!The more I interview school leaders the more I ask myself: âWhat is it that stands out ab...
2019-07-2139 min
We Are In Beta PodcastLinda Emmett, Headteacher, All Saints Catholic College, Cheshire - How to create a culture of absolute joy on the journey out of special measuresThis is the free We Are In Beta Podcast Newsletter - written by me, Niall Alcock. We - the education community - Are In Beta - a constant state of learning. Sign up to learn how school leaders are tackling the big issues in schools.I called this podcast âWe Are In Betaâ because the education community never stops learning. The same is true for me. I am definitely âin betaâ. Iâm always learning. So I want to try something a little bit different this week.In previous editions of this newsletter, Iâve given you some clu...
2019-06-3032 min
We Are In Beta PodcastDr. Chris Tomlinson, Regional Director of Harris Secondary - the one budget you keep moving up: how to keep investing in staff development in schoolsHello from Brighton!Youâre reading the We Are In Beta Podcast newsletter. We - the education community - Are In Beta - always learning.Welcome to all you new subscribers. Thank you so much for joining us. If youâre reading this as a public post, catch up with previous interviews with inspiring leaders here.We donât often hear voices from within the Harris Federation, so Iâm really excited to release Episode #8 of the We Are In Beta Podcast, with Dr. Chris Tomlinson, Regional Director of Harris Secondaries (and soon to be CEO of...
2019-06-1641 min
We Are In Beta PodcastHannah Wilson, Executive Headteacher, Aureus Primary and Secondary - How to create a mentally healthy schoolThe We Are In Beta Podcast is back after a bank holiday break. Hope you had a good one!Welcome to all you new subscribers. Thank you so much for joining us.You can catch up with previous episodes here.I donât know anyone who has more projects on the go at any one time than this weekâs guest. She seems to magic up time in her day.Iâm really excited to release Episode #7, where the inspiring Hannah Wilson, Executive Headteacher of Aureus Primary and Secondary Schools, Oxfordshire, shares, amongs...
2019-06-0240 min
We Are In Beta PodcastClare Rees, Headteacher, Havelock Primary School - How to build trust in schools by creating a coaching cultureYouâre reading the We Are In Beta Podcast Newsletter. We - the education community - Are In Beta - always improving.Welcome to all you new subscribers too. Thank you so much for joining us. Check out previous episodes here.Itâs such a pleasure to see more and more you wanting to tune in to learn from inspiring school leaders like my guest this week, Clare Rees, Headteacher at Havelock Primary School.Clare has spent the last three years asking some big questions:How do you develop trust to move a sc...
2019-05-1247 min
We Are In Beta PodcastEd Vainker, Executive Headteacher, Reach Academy Feltham - Academic and rigorous or nurturing and cuddly? How to improve progress by investing in relationships with familiesTo stay up to date with interviews and updates from the We Are In Beta community and access links to all the resources, people and organisations guests mention sign up here In this episode of the We Are In Beta Podcast, Ed Vainker, Executive Headteacher, Reach Academy Feltham, shares his thoughts on: How he got into teaching How North America influenced his education philosophy Why Reach Academy Feltham may never have come to exist Why is he reluctant to shout from the rooftops about Reach Academyâs success Which strand of work runs through everything they do a...
2019-04-2840 min
FarmlandFarmLand: Season 2 - Episode 7On tonight's episode of FarmLand, Siobhan Ring geneticist at ICBF will give the inside track on the recently developed Dairy Beef Index and its potential for both dairy and beef farmers.
Niall Claffey visits dairy farmer Hughie Egan - who's milking 85 Kiwi-cross cows under a spring-calving system in Doon Co. Offaly - to discuss his plans for the 2019 breeding season.
Plus, with just shy of 50,000 online applications already submitted for the 2019 Basic Payment Scheme, Department of Agriculture official Brian Alcock talks about the department's initiative of online clinics that are taking place across the country.
2019-04-1800 min
We Are In Beta PodcastWill Smith, Chief Exec, Greenshaw Learning Trust - How to reduce workload and generate a feeling of relief in schoolsIn this episode of the We Are In Beta Podcast, Will Smith, Chief Exec at Greenshaw Learning Trust, shares his thoughts on: How acids and alkalis altered his life direction What everyone at Greenshaw is entitled to What impact changes to the Ofsted framework will have How he re-defines accountability The organisations that you probably think about that MATs are accountable to The leader mindset shift he thinks is required in the system His trustâs statement of intent around inclusivity The other side of the exclusions debate he thinks should be recognised How he works to embody the...
2019-04-0934 min
We Are In Beta PodcastEvelyn Forde, Headteacher, Copthall School - BAME leadership: how do we make it more representative in schools?In this episode of the We Are In Beta Podcast, Evelyn Forde, Headteacher at Copthall School, shares her thoughts on: how her daughters inspired her to make a change, how she overcame the odds to secure her dream role at Copthall, how she led the school to achieve exceptional results, how she improved teaching and learning through incremental coaching, what she is doing to improve staff wellbeing, which stakeholders she included in developing the schoolâs culture, which headlines do headteachers a disservice and why, how performance tables can actually deter schools from off-rolling rather than incentivise them, th...
2019-03-2240 min
We Are In Beta PodcastElroy Cahill, Headteacher, Kingsley Academy - leadership coaching and live lesson coachingIn this episode of the We Are In Beta Podcast, Elroy Cahill, the newly appointed headteacher at Kingsley Academy in Hounslow, shares his thoughts on: How one teacher transformed his view on education when he was going down the wrong road, What he thinks would be a grave error in relation to the new Ofsted framework, What Ofsted should do in circumstances of inappropriate off-rolling, Why he thinks morally driven leadership is important, Why is he thinks coaching is so important and where best to access it, often for free, His initial scepticism about a pilot project that ha...
2019-03-1025 min
We Are In Beta PodcastRob Carpenter, CEO, Inspire Partnership - education's curriculum opportunityIn this first episode of the We Are In Beta Podcast, Rob Carpenter, CEO of the Inspire Partnership - a group of 5 primary schools in southeast London, Medway and Kent shares his thoughts on: How the challenges he faced as a student led him to becoming a teacher What he believes great professional development to be How we can improve teacher retention Why school exclusions are on the rise and what we can do about it Why the new Ofsted framework offers schools an important opportunity How his partnership is helping students connect more deeply with the world...
2019-02-2645 min