Shows
Key VoicesKey Voices #144 - Leading a trust through a cyber attack and reflections on the role of the CEO with Sir Dan MoynihanThis week we talk to Sir Dan Moynihan, CEO of the Harris Federation about leading the trust through a major cyber attack last year. We also talk about some of the systems that underpin the Harris Federation’s school improvement and efficiency models, as well as hearing Sir Dan’s reflection on the role of the CEO.
We talk about:
How the cyber attack happen and how the story unfolded including how they got support to negotiate with the hackers
How prevalent such attacks are and how all schools should assume they will be targeted...
2022-02-1048 minKey VoicesKey Voices #143 - Inclusive leadership with The DifferenceThis week we talk to Shaun Brown, Programmes Director at The Difference and Mohamed Abdallah, Head of The Difference Inclusive Leadership Course about their pioneering inclusive leadership training. We discuss the theory that underpins the learning and how to overcome some of the barriers schools can face when being truly inclusive in their approach.
We talk about:
Mohamed and Shaun’s experiences in mainstream and alternative provision
What The Difference does as an organisation
Why the inclusive leadership course exists and how it is different from other training available
The theory that underpins the course...
2022-02-0359 minKey VoicesKey Voices #142 - The role of trusts as talent architects with Mandy CoalterThis week we talk to Mandy Coalter, Founder of Talent Architects about her recent paper on the role trusts can play in making schools great places to work. She also explains how policymakers should consider trusts more when making policy that impacts the education workforce. Mandy also talks about how schools and trusts are broadening their understanding of what can be achieved for pupils when you take a strategic approach to recruiting, retaining and developing your people.
We talk about:
Mandy’s career and why she founded Talent Architects
How trusts can create additional capaci...
2022-01-2742 minKey VoicesKey Voices #141 - Pupil Learning Experience and Well-being with EdurioThis week we talk to Iona Jackson, Head of Research at Edurio and Anna Menzel, a university student who got involved with Edurio’s research when she was still at school. We hear about what they discovered during the course of their surveys and their thoughts about what makes a difference to pupil well-being. Anna also shares her insights into being there for her friends as a “first responder” to their problems and her reflections on mental health while at school.
We talk about:
Why Edurio decided to design and run the survey
How Anna got i...
2022-01-2054 minKey VoicesKey Voices #140 - Creating a culture of flexible working in your school as part of school improvement strategy with Asma Maqsood-ShahThis week we talk to Asma Maqsood-Shah, Principal at High Hazel’s Academy in Sheffield and part of United Learning Academy Trust, about how she overcame her doubts about introducing flexible working at her school and how creating a flexible culture contributed hugely to the school’s improvement journey. We discuss the initial issues the school faced, how they adopted flexible working and what some of the benefits have been.
We talk about:
Asma’s background and career to date
The school’s history, context and issues with staff turnover, absence and morale
Why Asma was in...
2022-01-1348 minKey VoicesKey Voices #139 Getting into governance with Governors for SchoolsThis week we talk to Hannah Stolton, Chief Executive at Governors for Schools and Nisadha Bandhara, Chair of Governors at Webster Primary School in Manchester. We discuss what makes a good governor, trends in governor recruitment and Nisadha’s own experience taking over the chair at her school. Hannah and Nisadha also share advice for prospective governors and make the case for volunteering.
We talk about
The work of Governors for Schools
Nisadha’s experiences of governor recruitment and becoming Chair of a Single Academy Trust
Governors for Schools’ new ‘All Pupils Every Ambition’ campaign
The s...
2021-12-1642 minKey VoicesKey Voices #138 - ‘Doing’ behaviour in a way that works for you with Adele BatesThis week speak to Adele Bates, behaviour and education specialist, keynote speaker and author. We talk about her ideas around behaviour and her new book ‘Miss, I don’t give a s**t: Engaging with challenging behaviour in schools.’ Adele talks about the importance of finding your own authentic way to ‘do’ behaviour, shares a range of tools and techniques for those working in schools to add to their “toolbox” and considers some powerful ways schools can develop their whole school behaviour policy.
We talk about:
Adele’s surprisingly long and varied teaching career
Why Adele decided to...
2021-12-091h 12Key VoicesKey Voices #137 - Engaging all parents in their children’s learning with Tom Harbour from Learning with ParentsThis week we talk to Tom Harbour, CEO of Learning with Parents about how schools can make engaging parents in their children’s learning inclusive. Tom tells us why he was motivated to set up an organisation focussed on parental engagement. Tom shares what he has learned about how to break down all possible barriers and help every parent access ways to support their children at school.
We talk about:
Why Tom set up Learning with Parents and how it has developed
The various different strands to Learning with Parents’ work
What Tom and his tea...
2021-12-0245 minKey VoicesKey Voices #136 - Exploring the role of the senior mental health lead with Andy Mellor from Carnegie Centre of Excellence in Mental HealthThis week we talk to Andy Mellor, Strategic Lead for the Carnegie Centre of Excellence in Mental Health in Schools based at Leeds Beckett University, and the National Wellbeing Director for Schools Advisory Service about mental health and wellbeing. We discuss the emerging role of the senior mental health lead and the various aspects of this role and associated training. We also consider the need for whole-school preventative approaches, as well as support for those most acutely affected by mental health difficulties. Andy also shares some successful strategies from his own time as a headteacher.
...
2021-11-2552 minKey VoicesKey Voices #135 - Responding to behaviour curiously and collaboratively with Sarah Dove from Phoenix Education ConsultancyThis week we speak to Sarah Dove, Director of Phoenix Education Consultancy about her diverse experience of supporting children outside of mainstream schooling in a variety of different contexts. We discuss what prompted Sarah to write her book ‘Behaving together in the Classroom’. Sarah shares what she’s seen change in the last 20 years of working in education, the changes she’d like to see in the future and what she learnt from conducting her own surveys into pupils' experiences of remote learning.
We talk about:
The different types of settings Sarah has worked in
Sarah’s...
2021-11-1842 minKey VoicesKey Voices #134 - Thinking bigger and differently about the future of education with Claire Oatway and Sam SmithThis week we speak to Claire Oatway, a Leadership and Strategy Consultant, and Sam Smith, Headteacher at Stoke Damerel Primary Academy about some work they did together to imagine the future of schooling. Claire created an immersive representation of what a completely AI and technology enabled school could look like. This was then passed on to Sam and her team, who used it as a jumping off point for thinking more about how they could prepare their pupils for the future, and embrace technology in their curriculum and practices.
We talk about:
Sam and Cla...
2021-11-1146 minKey VoicesKey Voices #133 - Exploring the need for Maths tutoring with Thorntree Academy, Third Space Learning and CFEYThis week we talk to Mike Foster, Assistant Head at Thorntree Academy in Middlesbrough, Tom Hooper, Founder and CEO of Third Space Learning and Baz Ramaiah, an associate at The Centre For Education and Youth (CFEY). We hear more about CFEY’s report ‘A Space for Maths: Exploring the need for maths tutoring and the potential role of Third Space Learning’, the importance of early maths achievement and getting children confident with numeracy. Mike tells us about his school’s experience of using Third Space Learning and we discuss what makes for a really effective maths tutoring intervention.
2021-11-0448 minKey VoicesKey Voices #132 - ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion amongst Academy Trust CEOs’ with Forum strategyThis week we talk to Nav Sanghara, CEO of The Woodland Academy Trust and Alice Gregson, Chief Operating Officer at Forum Strategy about Forum Strategy’s recent publication ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion amongst Academy Trust CEOs’. We discuss why the research was conducted and the challenges that persist when it comes to tackling the lack of diversity at senior levels within trusts. We also delve into some of the more positive findings emerging from the research, and discuss the recommendations and potential solutions raised in the report.
We talk about:
Alice and Nav’s careers and...
2021-10-2849 minKey VoicesKey Voices #131 - ‘The Next Big Thing in School Improvement’ with Professor Becky Allen, Matthew Evans and Ben WhiteThis week we speak to Professor Becky Allen, Co-Founder of Teacher Tapp, Ben White, Assistant Headteacher of a secondary school in Kent and Matthew Evans, Headteacher of a secondary school in Gloucestershire, about a book they wrote together entitled, ‘The Next Big Thing in School Improvement’. We discuss the main themes of the book, namely: the complexity of the school system, the limits of our knowledge and the problems that arise when an approach to school improvement (that might well be effective in some contexts) becomes a generalised “fad” and actually has limited impact.
We talk about...
2021-10-2153 minKey VoicesKey Voices #130 - The role of technology in teaching reading with Bentley Church of England Primary SchoolThis week we talk to Katy Pinchess, Headteacher at Bentley Church of England Primary School about her school’s approach to reading. Katy shares how they have used a digital tool (Lexplore) that uses artificial intelligence and eye-tracking technology to dig further into exactly what children find challenging about reading. We also talk about other ways in which Katy has built a strong reading culture at her school, discuss briefly her recent experience of an Ofsted inspection and hear her observations of how pupils are adjusting to being back in school.
We talk about:
Readi...
2021-10-1443 minKey VoicesKey Voices #129 - Review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges with OfstedThis week we talk to Anna Trethewey, Head of Strategy and Andrew Cook, HMI and Regional Director North West, both from Ofsted about Ofsted’s rapid evidence review into peer-on-peer sexual abuse. We talk about how the review was conducted, the findings that emerged and how schools can start to take steps to respond to this issue. We also discuss the nature of the challenge in more detail and the importance of taking a deep and considered approach to building a safe and inclusive culture. We also touch on the role that governors can play in supporting schools with thi...
2021-10-0748 minKey VoicesKey Voices #128 - A spotlight on the Early years with Dr Helen Edwards from TapestryThis week we talk to Dr Helen Edwards, Co-Founder of Tapestry about changes happening in the Early Years (the new Early Years Framework and updated Development Matters). Helen shares some really useful tips for governors visiting the EYFS. We also reflect on the impact of the pandemic and the opportunity it presented for those working in the early years to embrace technology, particularly as a way to maintain the connection between their setting and home, and consider what the future might look like.
We talk about:
The changes to the EYFS Framework, Development Matters an...
2021-09-3043 minKey VoicesKey Voices #127 - School leadership and adult ego development with Dr Neil Gilbride“Heck! The reason this job is so hard is not just because we believe it to be so, but because a lot of the expectations of what headteachers have to do day-to-day... are implicitly demanding of a very high stage of adult ego development.”
This week we speak to Dr Neil Gilbride, Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Gloucestershire. We discuss his research into School Principals at Different Stages of Adult Ego Development: Their Sense-Making Capabilities and How Others Experience Them. Neil tells us about why and how he conducted the research, what it te...
2021-09-231h 08Key VoicesKey Voices #126 - Wellbeing, curriculum and flexibility with Kat HowardThis week we talk to Kat Howard, Head of Professional Learning at David Ross Education Trust Teaching School Hub, Author and Founder of Litdrive. We talk about some of the key themes of Kat’s books: Stop Talking About Wellbeing and Symbiosis. We also talk about some of the lessons that can be learned from remote learning for both teaching and flexibility in schools, and how to have meaningful conversations about curriculum development.
We talk about:
Why we should stop talking about wellbeing
Some of Kat’s observations coming from another sector outside education
The oppor...
2021-09-1650 minKey VoicesKey Voices #125 - Lessons in leadership with Diana OsagieThis week we talk to Diana Osagie, ex-headteacher, coach and leadership specialist . We talk about Diana’s experiences of headship and the work she is doing to support female leaders thrive. Finally, Diana shares some super practical advice for new headteachers and the governing bodies supporting them.
We talk about:
The fact that no-one teaches school leaders to be leaders
Some of the lessons Diana learned from her time in headship
Diana’s thoughts about why and how women lead differently
The power of coaching
Covid-19 and how to manage and empower your team in a crisis
...
2021-09-0949 minKey VoicesKey Voices #124 - Exams, policy-making and trusts with Sir Jon ColesThis week we talk to Sir Jon Coles, CEO of United Learning. Jon shares his thoughts on this year’s exam arrangements and what could happen next year. As well as, why it is so hard to make good policy and how he feels the pandemic has really emphasised the benefits of being part of a large trust.
We talk about :
This year’s exam results and what they could mean for future cohorts
The various options for next year’s exams and the considerations that would need to be made depending on which way forwa...
2021-09-0231 minKey VoicesKey Voices #123 - Work ready and world ready with Aspirations Academy Trust and Ian Livingstone CBEThis week we talk to Steve and Paula Kenning, Managing Directors of Aspirations Academy Trust, and Ian Livingstone CBE, a games industry veteran, who is working with the trust to found a new academy in Bournemouth - the Livingstone Academy. We talk about the principles underpinning the work of the Aspirations Academy Trust and hear about how Steve and Paula have worked with Ian to found a different and exciting new school.
We talk about:
Steve and Paula’s experiences building a trust and developing their educational philosophy
Ian’s background, the work he has done...
2021-08-1944 minKey VoicesKey Voices #122 - ‘Equality, diversity and inclusion among school staff’ with EdurioThis week we talk to Iona Jackson, Head of Research at Edurio and Amy Ferguson, Deputy Headteacher of an Independent Special School. We discuss Edurio’s recent research report on Equality, diversity and inclusion among school staff. Iona tells us about the report’s main findings and Amy shares her reflections, and suggestions as to what schools can do practically to become more inclusive.
We talk about:
What the terms equality, diversity and inclusion actually mean
The main findings of the report: notably how less than half of respondents felt their school was diverse and that w...
2021-08-0546 minKey VoicesKey Voices #121 - Review of the year with The KeyThis week we talk to Kaley Foran, Lead Content Editor and Nicola West-Jones, Head of Market Research at The Key. We talk about the continuing challenges thrown up by COVID-19 and how schools have been tackling them, as well as thinking about what issues are on the horizon. We also consider how different governance has been during another extraordinary period for schools.
We talk about:
Learnings from lockdown
School leaders’ impressive ability to make the right decisions for their pupils and their communities
The changing role of the DfE against a potentially more confident and emp...
2021-07-2247 minKey VoicesKey Voices #120 - Ditching discriminatory hair policies: A Key Voices Takeover“It’s the best thing you can do for the relationship between staff and students. Do it with the students, don’t assume for them… try asking the students what they want and finding a compromise that works from both perspectives.”
This week Key Voices has been taken over by students at Townley Grammar School. They share their thoughts about their school changing its hair policy and talk passionately about the difference it has made to them and their peers. They also interview Desmond Deehan, CEO of Odyssey Trust for Education, which Townley Grammar is part of, abo...
2021-07-1548 minKey VoicesKey Voices #119 - LGBTQ+ Inclusion with Stonewall and The KeyThis week we talk to Sidonie Bertrand-Shelton, Head of Education & Youth, (she/her) and Katherine Fowler, Content Editor at The Key (she/her) about being in an LGBTQ+ inclusive school. We talk about the importance of high-quality age-appropriate Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) as well as making sure that you embed gender and LGBTQ+ inclusivity throughout your curriculum.
We talk about:
The changes to RSHE and how schools can respond in an age-appropriate way and deal with any opposition from the local community
Why it is important for all young people, but particularly thos...
2021-07-0841 minKey VoicesKey Voices #118 Applying mindfulness techniques during transition with Bovington AcademyThis week we talk to Major Pat Burgess, MBE, The Armour Centre Bovington and Sara White, Principal at Bovington Academy (part of The Aspirations Academy Trust). Major Pat has been delivering mindfulness sessions to pupils at Bovington Academy to help them deal with anxiety and prepare for their transition to secondary school. We hear about how the army and the school work in partnership and the benefits of applying mindfulness techniques in a school setting.
We talk about:
Bovington Academy’s context and high mobility (circa 70%)
Their experience of the pandemic, with many children atten...
2021-07-0134 minKey VoicesKey Voices #117 Launching an academy trust during a pandemic, part 3 with TEAM Education TrustThis week we speak to Sarah Baker, CEO, Alison Bingham, Director of Development and Rachel Watson, Associate Principal and Director of Education and Achievement from TEAM Education Trust, in the final instalment of our series of podcasts covering their first year as a trust. We talk about what they feel they have learned and achieved, their plans for further development and Sarah shares her top tips for first time CEO’s.
We talk about:
The resilience and adaptability of their staff during the pandemic
How proud they are of what has been achieved this year
...
2021-06-2444 minKey VoicesKey Voices #116 - Careers after Covid with David ChapmanThis week we speak to David Chapman, Vice Principal at Aston University Engineering Academy (AUEA) about his experiences running careers information advice and guidance at the longest-running University Technical College (UTC) in the country. We talk about how he met some of the challenges of running a careers programme during COVID-19 and the importance of contextualising learning and involving parents in the careers process.
We talk about:
The purpose of UTCs and the history and context of AUEA
David’s own career journey
The impact of the pandemic on delivery of careers information advice and gui...
2021-06-1740 minKey VoicesKey Voices #115 - The power of local collaboration with Haringey Education PartnershipThis week we speak to James Page, CEO of Haringey Education Partnership (HEP). HEP is a not-for-profit, schools-led school improvement company established by Haringey schools in partnership with the local authority. We talk about what education partnerships do and how HEP helps local schools work together in a high challenge, high support, high trust environment for the good of all pupils. We also hear about some of the recent work HEP has been doing on school improvement, curriculum and BAME achievement.
We talk about:
How being genuinely schools-led is central to the way HEP works...
2021-06-1045 minKey VoicesKey Voices #114 - The future of remote governanceThis week we speak to Shaun Paskin, Partnerships Manager for the Midlands at Governors for Schools, Linda Unternahrer, Lead Content Editor at The Key and Gulshan Kayembe, Education Consultant about remote governance. We discuss what we have all learned from doing governance remotely during the pandemic and think about how going forward, a blended approach might actually allow those involved with governance to innovate and fulfil their roles more effectively.
We talk about:
The roles and responsibilities of governors and wide range of complex issues they get involved with
The importance of governors understanding a sc...
2021-05-2748 minKey VoicesKey Voices #113 - Rolling out the Early Career FrameworkThis week we talk to Gareth Conyard, Deputy Director of the Developing Teachers and Leaders Division of the Department for Education, and Jacqueline Gilbert, Deputy Head at Park View Community School about the Early Career Framework (ECF). We hear from Jacqueline about her experiences as lead mentor for a group of Early Career Teachers (ECTs) as part of the early roll-out. We learn more about why the ECF is being introduced and how it works in practice for schools.
We talk about:
The rationale for the introduction of the ECF and how it will work...
2021-05-2053 minKey VoicesKey Voices #112 - Race, identity and School Leadership with Viv Grant and Colette MorrisThis week we talk to Viv Grant, Founder of Integrity Coaching and Colette Morris, Headteacher at Christ Church Primary School. Viv has created a programme called Race, Identity and School Leadership and Christ Church Primary are participating in it. Colette and her staff have been working with Viv to explore their own racial identities, bring about long-lasting change and impact whole school leadership, learning, policy and practice with regards to race equality.
We talk about:
The history of work that has been going on in schools regarding race and how this conversation is now st...
2021-05-1344 minKey VoicesKey Voices #111 - Day in, day out school improvement with Paul AinsworthThis week we talk to Paul Ainsworth, School Improvement Director at Infinity Academies Trust. Paul talks to us about the philosophy that sits behind his book No Silver Bullets: Day In, Day Out School Improvement. He focuses on the importance of incremental and sustained improvement rather than magic ideas to revolutionise how schools work. We also talk about Paul’s career to date, his role as a system leader and how multi academy trusts can be an effective vehicle for school improvement.
We talk about:
Paul’s diverse school leadership experience
Why Paul wanted to wri...
2021-05-061h 03Key VoicesKey Voices #110 - School leadership, social media and pandemic parenting with Dr Victoria CarrThis week we talk to Dr. Victoria Carr, Headteacher at Woodlands Primary School. Victoria tells us about her current role, as well as her previous diverse teaching experiences, and how she balances work and study with being a parent and an army reservist. We also talk about some of the issues around using social media as a school leader and her thoughts about what might change as a result of the pandemic.
We talk about:
Victoria’s current school, its improvement journey and her recent experience of Ofsted
The fascinating career journey Victoria has been...
2021-04-2952 minKey VoicesKey Voices #109 - A culture of improvement: reviewing the research on teacher working conditions with David WestonThis week we talk to David Weston, CEO at the Teacher Development Trust about his recent report reviewing the evidence around the impact teacher working conditions have on other aspects of a school. David explains how teacher working conditions link to effective CPD and tentatively to school improvement and better pupil outcomes. David also tells us about how the findings of the research reviewed in the report, underpin the Teacher Development Trusts (TDT) curriculum for their NPQs and ultimately, how schools can make sure both their teachers and pupils continue to thrive and learn.
We tal...
2021-04-2241 minKey VoicesKey Voices #108 - Managing stress with Maria BrosnanThis week we talk to Maria Brosnan, an educational leadership and well-being specialist. We discuss in some detail what happens in the body when we experience stress, plus Maria shares some practical techniques that can help us manage our response. We also consider coaching as a way of resolving issues, the importance of sleep and the ongoing impact of anxiety linked to the pandemic.
We talk about:
Maria’s background in well-being and her work in schools
Why school staff can sometimes find it hard to practice genuine self-care
The physiology of what happens to ou...
2021-04-1551 minKey VoicesKey Voices #107- Headteachers at the heart of their communities with Derek Peaple“Schools are about communities of humans coming together in real-time to talk to each other and to build relationships. We might have learned a bit more about how we can learn efficiently and effectively, but ultimately it is still about those relationships and being available to those people - learning with them, learning for them and learning from them.”
This week we talk to Derek Peaple, Former Headteacher at Park House School, Head of Education at SafeToNet and Director of Operations at Aspire 2Be about his career in teaching and headship. He shares his thoughts on how...
2021-04-0845 minKey VoicesKey Voices #106 - Building evidence around the impact of EdTech products with Michael Forshaw“79% of schools want clear proof the solution works, but only 8% trust the claims made by the suppliers*, so there is this big trust issue.”
*Teacher Tapp Survey December 2019
This week we talk to Michael Foreshaw, Founder and CEO, EdTech Impact about how he is helping schools make more granular comparisons of EdTech products before they buy, and helping EdTech suppliers focus more deeply on the impact of what they do. We discuss the changes resulting from the pandemic and think about the future ways in which the EdTech sector might develop.
We t...
2021-04-0145 minKey VoicesKey Voices #105 - Launching an academy trust during a pandemic, part 2 with TEAM Education Trust“The pandemic has given us the confidence to change, potentially in quite a quick way, to be creative in what we do and to focus on the most important things which, at the end of the day, are the children, the families and the staff.”
This week we talk to senior leaders at TEAM Education Trust: Sarah Baker, CEO, Alison Bingham, Director of Development, Rachel Watson, Associate Principal and Director of Education and Achievement, and Alan Brown, Principal, Model Village Primary. We look back at the year gone since the start of the pandemic, think about t...
2021-03-2550 minKey VoicesKey Voices #104 - Reflections on the realities of school leadership with Kate Owbridge“Nobody has asked me about how I, as an individual person, am feeling about the whole pandemic... because I am the headteacher and that is my job and that is what I do… I am the face of the school and that’s how I have to present. I don’t tend to share my opinion and feelings on a personal level, they tend to be more on a professional level because actually, it is not about me It’s about the children, the families and the staff.
This week we speak to Kate Owbridge, Executive He...
2021-03-1846 minKey VoicesKey Voices #103 - ‘Exploring Ethnicity: School Business Leadership in England’ with ISBL and ABBLedThis week we talk to Cheryl Campbell, Business, Finance and Operations Director at Thomas Tallis School, Founder of ABBLed (Association BAME Business Leaders in Education) and Stephen Morales, CEO at ISBL, about the recently released ‘Exploring Ethnicity: School Business Leadership in England’ report. We acknowledge that the report found very limited BAME representation in the school business profession and look at practical ways it can be increased. We also think about the lack of visibility of the school business profession and the ways in which that could be addressed.
We talk about:
Cheryl’s journey...
2021-03-1146 minKey VoicesKey Voices #102 - How can we achieve true equality for young people with SEND? With Simon Knight“It’s been brutal. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my career in terms of the intensity, speed of thought, emotional demands, holding a community together as best you can, while not really knowing the answers to the questions you are being asked. But at the same time, what’s been really clear is the strength of the community we work within and work for.”
This week we talk to Simon Knight, Joint Headteacher at Frank Wise School and National SEND Leader at Whole School SEND. We talk about his route into special school lead...
2021-03-0442 minKey VoicesKey Voices #101 - ‘Let’s talk about Flex’ with Emma Turner
“The pandemic has shone so many lights on possibilities for how we could really harness flexible working. Historically, the infrastructure and organisational structures that we had within education were so deeply ingrained, that nobody dared challenge them… It’s thrown everything up into the air and has said, there is no aspect of our work... that we can’t explore doing in a different way.”
This week we talk to Emma Turner, author and Research & CPD Lead, about her book Let’s talk about Flex. We hear about Emma’s experiences of working flexibly and how...
2021-02-251h 14Key VoicesKey Voices #100 - Priorities for action in education and youth with Loic MenziesThis week, in our 100th episode of the podcast, we talk to Loic Menzies, CEO, Centre for Education and Youth (CFEY). We look back on Loic’s time creating and building the organisation as work begins around appointing his successor. We think about what has changed and shifted in education during the 12 years he has been running CFEY and look ahead to the forthcoming publication of his book “Young People on the Margins: Priorities for Action in Education and Youth”. We also consider what is needed to make sure all children and young people get the best start in life.
2021-02-1840 minKey VoicesKey Voices #99 - Challenges and opportunities of remote teacher training and development with Oxfordshire Teaching School Alliance and Oxfordshire Teacher trainingThis week we talk to Adam Arnell, Director, Oxfordshire Teaching Schools Alliance, Patrick Garton, Director Oxfordshire Teacher Training and Robbie Haddock, Associate Teacher. We discuss how their teacher training and CPD have had to adapt to provide a compelling remote offer. We consider the ways in which teachers training this year have benefited as well as some of the challenges they have faced. We look forward to the introduction of the Early Career Framework and think about how schools might want to prepare for it.
We talk about:
How Oxford Teaching Schools Alliance have de...
2021-02-111h 05Key VoicesKey Voices #98 - Supporting trusts during the pandemic with Leora Cruddas“However hard it’s been, and it has been very difficult most of the time, schools never stopped, not once, to put themselves first. At every moment they have done their civic duty. I think they are exceptional. I think they are a national treasure.”
This week we talk to Leora Cruddas, CEO of The Confederation of School Trusts (CST), about her views on the role of trusts in the education system and how CST has been supporting its members during COVID-19. We think about the various ways in which schools in trusts have potentially fared bet...
2021-02-0440 minKey VoicesKey Voices #97 - Finding out what parents are thinking with Karen Wespieser MBE from Parent PingThis week we talk to Karen Wespieser MBE, Chief Operating Officer at Parent Ping and Teacher Tapp. Karen talks about the Parent Ping app, why it matters to collect survey information from parents and some of the findings to date. We also hear a little bit about Teacher Tapp’s growing international work.
We discuss:
The Parent Ping model and the benefits of daily polling especially during a period of such rapid change
Why it matters in policymaking and education to have parents’ voices heard
What they are uncovering about how different types of parents...
2021-01-2830 minKey VoicesKey Voices #96 - SEND governance: schools that work for all learners with Professor Adam BoddisonThis week we talk to Professor Adam Boddison, CEO of nasen about his new book The Governance Handbook for SEND and Inclusion: Schools that work for all learners. We consider what every governor needs to know about SEND, the legislation schools need to comply with and how they can understand the quality of provision for children with SEND in their school.
We talk about:
Why it is important for all governors to know about their school’s responsibilities around SEND
What every governor needs to know about SEND
The difference between the Social and Medica...
2021-01-2144 minKey VoicesKey Voices #95 - Practical advice for meeting the new RSE requirements with Josie Rayner-WellsThis week we talk to Josie Rayner-Wells, National RSHE advisor, about the new Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) requirements that came into effect in September 2020 but that schools still might be working to respond to. Josie gives very practical advice about how to consult parents, pupils and staff on RSE and move their provision on. Reassuringly she explains how schools that feel stuck in their progress on parental consultation can use remote methods to their advantage and take some more creative and potentially fruitful approaches.
We talk about:
Josie’s hugely varied experience working and t...
2021-01-1852 minKey VoicesKey Voices #94 - Launching an academy trust during a pandemic with TEAM Education TrustThis week we spoke to Sarah Baker, CEO, Leanne Noone, Chief Financial Officer, Alison Bingham, Director of Development and Rachel Watson, Director of Education and Achievement at the TEAM Education Trust about their experiences of launching in June 2020. We recorded this episode in December, 6 months into their first year as a trust. We will be returning to them at Easter and in the Summer as they share what they have been learning on their journey.
We talk about:
Why they decided to set up their own trust rather than join an existing one
The values and vi...
2021-01-0750 minKey VoicesKey Voices #93 - Christmas 2020 reviewThis week I give a quick rundown of episodes this term and send my best wishes to everyone listening to the podcast for 2021.
If you’ve only recently discovered Key Voices, this will provide you with a handy snapshot of some recent episodes to get you started.
A huge thank you to all our wonderful guests for finding the time to talk so honestly with us during this year like no other and thank you very much for listening.
Information about all of our Key Voices episodes can be f...
2020-12-2408 minKey VoicesKey Voices #92- School leader wellbeing and how governors can support it with Dr. Helen KellyThis week we talk to Dr. Helen Kelly, retired school principal, researcher and writer. Helen tells us about the 20 years she spent teaching and leading in international schools and the importance of school leader wellbeing as a strategic issue for governing boards. Helen explains the impact stress has had on her physical health and her decision to retire early, while also sharing the findings of her international research into school leadership.
We talk about:
Helen’s career prior to teaching and her work in international schools
The changing nature of school leadership and how stress...
2020-12-1757 minKey VoicesKey Voices #91 - Teaching, learning and moving up the ladder with Jo Jukes“It is hard work but it is so worth it.”
This week I talk to Jo Jukes, Trust Curriculum Research Lead at The Education Alliance Academy Trust. Jo tells me about her 20 years in teaching and how adopting an evidence-informed approach to teaching has made a difference to her. She candidly describes a time she felt less happy and confident professionally and what that was like. We also talk about trust leadership, performance management and remote learning. We end with Jo sharing her thoughts about why teaching is such a brilliant profession.
We discus...
2020-12-1042 minKey VoicesKey Voices #90- Collaboration, innovation and creativity with Desmond Deehan“There are the leaders that make you aspire and the leaders that make you perspire.”
This week I talk to Desmond Deehan, CEO, Odyssey Trust for Education. The trust is an unusual collaboration between a girls grammar school and a local secondary modern. Desmond has taught in a wide range of schools and his leadership style is heavily influenced by thinking creatively and trying new things.
We discuss:
Desmond’s background and career in teaching and the ideas that have influenced him
How participating in a BBC 2 documentary kick-started the collaborat...
2020-12-031h 00Key VoicesKey Voices #89 - Talking to young people about social media with Rubbi Bhogal- WoodThis week we talk to social media educator Rubbi Bhogal-Wood. Rubbi explains her approach to working with young people to help them navigate social media with clarity, intention and purpose. We reflect on why it can be hard for teachers and parents to support young people when we have our own issues with social media and the tech evolves so rapidly.
Rubbi shares some of the insights she has gathered from her conversations with pupils about how and why they use social media. She expresses concern that some children don’t feel they can talk to t...
2020-11-2641 minKey VoicesKey Voices #88 - Teacher wellbeing and self-care with Adrian Bethune and Dr Emma KellThis week we talk to Adrian Bethune and Dr Emma Kell about their new book A Little Guide for Teachers: Teacher Wellbeing and Self-care. They share their ideas about how to put learning about wellbeing into practical action including having difficult conversations with yourself and other people. We consider the different aspects of wellbeing and the need for everyone to take a personalised approach.
We talk about why individual action is important because system-wide change happens slowly and ultimately, individuals make up the system they work in. We also discuss how important it is for sch...
2020-11-1951 minKey VoicesKey Voices #87 - Governance: challenge, chairing and COVID-19This week we talk to Pete Crockett, Retired Headteacher and Governor and
Linda Unternahrer, Senior Content Editor at The Key about a number of topics to do with governance. We discuss how governors can balance both support and challenge during COVID-19 and what holding senior leadership teams to account looks like at other times. We also think about ways in which how governors can support senior leaders with difficult issues, yet ultimately avoid getting too involved in operational decision making.
We consider how governance is changing, in some ways for the better, in this...
2020-11-1246 minKey VoicesKey Voices #86 - ‘Back on Track’ with Mary MyattThis week we talk to Mary Myatt, Education Thinker and Writer about her book Back on Track: Fewer Things, Greater Depth. Mary explains why she wrote the book and she shares her thoughts about how best to help children catch-up lost learning. We then dig deeper into her ideas about curriculum and teaching. We focus particularly on understanding why subjects are being taught, the importance of teaching concepts thoroughly and using high-quality texts and materials. She also expresses concern about some practices, particularly around administration, assessment and tracking that divert teachers attention away from focussing on pupils’ learning.
2020-11-0554 minKey VoicesKey Voices #85 - Combining teaching with parenthood with Emma SheppardThis week we talk to Emma Sheppard founder of the Maternity Teacher Paternity Teacher Project. Emma tells me about why she set up the project, and its mission to empower teachers to engage with professional development while on parental leave if they want to.
2020-10-2946 minKey VoicesKey Voices #84 - Changing the story on school exclusion with The DifferenceThis week we talk to Jamie Rogers, Head of Recruitment and Community at The Difference, and Hammad Ali, Senior Leader at The Pendlebury Centre in Stockport - part of the second cohort of Difference Leaders. They explain what The Difference aims to do, why and how they both got involved, and we hear from Hammad’s first-hand experiences as a Difference Leader. We consider how wellbeing, inclusion and managing behaviour are especially important in all schools at the moment as pupils deal with the anxieties and challenges posed by COVID-19. Jamie and Hammad dispel some of the myths around Alt...
2020-10-2247 minKey VoicesKey Voices #83 - Focussing on reading with Alex QuigleyThis week we talk to Alex Quigley, author of both ‘The Reading Gap’ and ‘The Vocabulary Gap’. Alex speaks in more detail about these “gaps” and the impact they are having on our education system.
2020-10-1538 minKey VoicesKey Voices #82 - Social and emotional learning and the new normal with the Centre for Education and YouthThis week we talk to Will Millard, Head of Engagement at The Centre for Education and Youth (CFEY). We start by attempting to define social and emotional learning (SEL), emphasising its increased importance in a post-COVID world. We discuss the evidence linking SEL to improved academic outcomes and consider issues such as parental involvement and how cultural differences impact the teaching of SEL.
2020-10-0828 minKey VoicesKey Voices #81 - Research into the challenges of school business management during COVID-19This week we talk to Nicola West Jones, Head of Market Research at The Key, and Stephen Morales, CEO at the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL), about The Key's latest research examining how the role of the school business professional (SBP) has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
We dig into the findings around changes to working hours and wellbeing. We also examine how many SBPs felt the focus of their work had shifted to spend more time on health and safety, and premise management. We hear about what SBP’s thought about the advi...
2020-10-0154 minKey VoicesKey Voices #80 - Recognising the teaching profession with The Chartered College of Teaching“We’ve been speaking out about [issues that affect the sector] in a way that is always respectful, always calm. Nevertheless, we’ll quite often have cut through and we’re hearing back from government and HMCI, so we know that our voice is being heard”
This week we talk to Professor Dame Alison Peacock, CEO, and Cat Scutt, Director of Education and Research, from the Chartered College of Teaching. We learn more about the purpose of the College and the benefits of membership. Given the fierce debates around education in recent months, we consider the role of the Coll...
2020-09-2432 minKey VoicesKey Voices #79 - Examining the National Tutoring Programme with MyTutor, Action Tutoring and Nesta“This is all about making tutoring a tool of schools rather than an add on.”
This week we speak to James Grant, Co-Founder and Managing Director of MyTutor, Susannah Hardyman, Founder and CEO of Action Tutoring and Jed Cinnamon Senior Programme Manager at Nesta, about the National Tutoring Programme and its proposed role in helping students “catch -up” learning lost as result of COVID-19.
Jed covers the principles behind the programme, timelines schools should be aware of and how the provision of support via academic mentors and tuition partners will work. Suzannah and...
2020-09-1742 minKey VoicesKey Voices #78 - How have schools coped with COVID-19? with Edurio“When you are dealing with emotional uncertainty between the DfE guidance and the staff you are responsible for, you become a sponge of emotion.”
This week we talk to Ernest Jenavs, Founder of Edurio, and Nicola West Jones, Head of Market Research at The Key who joins us to share some of the insights she has picked up from her conversations with school leaders over the last 6 months.
Our conversation covers findings from Edurio’s survey of pupils, parents and staff conducted over the summer, looking into how English schools responded to COVID-19. This r...
2020-09-1047 minKey VoicesKey Voices #77 - Mental health and the return to school with Tana Macpherson-Smith“I am working with a lot of children who are already thinking to themselves it will be impossible for them to go back to school...“
This week we talk to Tana Macpherson-Smith, Founder of Clear Minds about how children might be feeling about the return to school. Tana shares some practical ideas for whole-school approaches to mental health and wellbeing, as well as how teachers can identify and monitor individual pupils who may be struggling.
With an alarming 50% of all adult mental health illness being already set in place by the age of 14, Tana talks...
2020-09-0343 minKey VoicesKey Voices #76 - Rehumanising headship with Darren Morgan"If you are a school teacher, school leader, headteacher, whoever you are - you have to accept that sometimes you'll go home and not everything has been done."
This week we talk to Darren Morgan, Headteacher at Kings Road Primary School in Trafford. Darren explains his career path to headship, the school improvement journey he and his team have been on at his current school and how he has developed team spirit and staff morale.
We also discuss how Darren adapted his working practices during lockdown and how he achieved a work-life balance th...
2020-08-2756 minKey VoicesKey Voices #75 - Keeping children safe during lockdown and beyond with MyConcern"I think sometimes people are looking to remove all risk for staff and that is just not possible, it is about how you manage and mitigate potential risk. "
This week we talk to Martin Baker, CEO and Mike Glanville, Director of Safeguarding Services, at My Concern. Martin and Mike share what they have been learning from supporting Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) over the last 6 months. They talk about how remote learning has affected the role of the DSL and offer some practical tips for schools on how to prepare for a potential increase in safeguarding workload when al...
2020-08-2052 minKey VoicesKey Voices #74 - Leading academy trusts: why some fail, but most don't, with Sir David Carter and Laura McInerney“Those lessons, like speaking with parents when you need to get on the front foot, how you set up your governance. How were you supposed to know that if you are an academy trust leader… and no-one was sharing learnings about what had failed?”
This week we speak to Sir David Carter, Executive Director of System Leadership at Ambition Institute and Laura McInerney, Co-founder of Teacher Tapp about their new book Leading academy trusts: why some fail but most don’t. We discuss why things might go wrong in trusts and who gets to learn from those failures...
2020-08-131h 00Key VoicesKey Voices #73 - Rural schools, SRE, Pupil Voice and Ethical Leadership with The Revd Nigel Genders“We need to find more ways to make sure that we as a church in education hear what young people have got to say, they’ve got a lot to say and we need to hear it”
This week we talk to The Reverend Nigel Genders, Chief Education Officer at The Church of England. We discuss the Church of England’s role in running schools and teacher training establishments, and its vision for education.
We consider the challenges small rural Church of England primary schools face and how they are collaborating to support each other. We also c...
2020-08-0636 minKey VoicesKey Voices #72 Reviewing a year of Key VoicesThis week our podcast presenter, Caroline Doherty, gives a whistlestop tour of this year’s episodes of KeyVoices. If you’ve only recently discovered the podcast, this episode will provide you with a handy snapshot of what it’s all about.
Caroline groups the episodes together around particular themes, so if you are interested in a particular topic, such as mental health, trust development, governance or SEND for example, you can find out which episodes might be most relevant to you.
Thank you to all our wonderful guests this year and thank you...
2020-07-3011 minKey VoicesKey Voices #71 - A look at Oak Academy’s role in supporting remote learning“This isn’t the national curriculum online, this is a resource bank that will support you if you need it how you need it.”
This week we talk to Anne Heavey, Specialist education lead, Oak National Academy and Director of Whole School SEND, and David Thomas, Curriculum Director, Oak National Academy and Principal at Jane Austen College, about their work to create and develop the Oak Academy offer.
2020-07-2345 minKey VoicesKey Voices #70 - Reflections on a long career in governance with Fiona Millar“There were no league tables when I started and there are going to be no league tables this year! That opens up a space, I think, for a different kind of conversation. I just hope there’ll be the will to have that conversation when this immediate period is over.”
This week we talk to writer, journalist and campaigner Fiona Millar. We discuss how her role as a governor has helped her write about education over the years in a meaningful way. She also considers how governance has changed since she began as a parent governor in 1992.
We...
2020-07-1629 minKey VoicesKey Voices #69 - How to deepen engagement with the parent community with David Sammels“I’m really excited about the fact that families have caught up with their children and with each other.”
This week we talk to David Sammels, Headteacher at Mayflower Community Academy. We discuss the impact remote working and learning has had on staff and pupils.
Dave shares his “5 waves” of parental engagement and explains how Mayflower has developed its own communication channels with parents during school closure. This includes a daily newsletter, a daily livestream on Twitter called “Tea at Two'' where the community can come together to discuss issues, and online courses for parents delivered by...
2020-07-0933 minKey VoicesKey Voices #68 - Using apprenticeships to develop the education workforce with Nick HeardN.B This episode was recorded in early March during a residential training session of level 7 senior leadership masters and we’ve updated the introduction briefly to reflect some changes over the past few months.
This week we talk to Nick Heard, former school leader and Learning Experience Manager at The National College of Education, and two participants on the senior leadership masters course - Rachel Lisserman, Head of Year 10 at Northampton School for Girls, and Dane Carton, Vice Principal at St Martin’s Catholic Academy in Hinckley.
Nick explains how the Apprenticeship Levy works and...
2020-07-0249 minKey VoicesKey Voices #67 - What impact will Covid-19 have on the teaching profession? with Dr Becky Allen“This contrast between the experience of the head and experience of the rest of the teaching body has really become so polarised during lockdown. And it really is a worry what will happen for school leadership in the near future.”
This week we talk to Dr Becky Allen, Co-Founder of Teacher Tapp. She explains what Teacher Tapp data reveals about the likely impact Covid-19 will have on the teaching profession. In particular, we look at the different levels of stress and workload experienced by teachers and leaders, and the very real danger of a significant numb...
2020-06-2559 minKey VoicesKey Voices #66 - School business leadership during the covid-19 with ISBL, part two“You know your schools incredibly well, the sector incredibly well, and your pupils incredibly well. Take confidence in the decisions you are making, and the autonomy you have to do what you think is best for your school.”
This week we speak to Stephen Morales, CEO of the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL), Russell Dalton, COO Diocese of Worcester Multi Academy Trust and Kaley Foran, Lead Content Editor at The Key.
We discuss how schools have coped with the practicalities of reopening to more pupils following an easing of lockdown measures, and potential ways forw...
2020-06-1856 minKey VoicesKey Voices #65 - ‘Making great practice common practice’; the role of peer review with Dr Kate Chhatwal OBE“I think it's a really brave thing for a school to open itself up to scrutiny from peers, but it's also a really important thing to do if you are looking to drive your school forward”
This week we talk to Dr Kate Chhatwal, Chief Executive of Challenge Partners. Kate explains the ways in which Challenge Partners’ network uses peer review to support schools to improve, provide high-quality CPD for those undertaking the review and benefit the school system as a whole. We consider the challenges schools are facing at the moment as well as the opportunities lockdown...
2020-06-1138 minKey VoicesKey Voices #64 - The changing role of trusts with Michael PainThis week we talk to Michael Pain, Founder of Forum Strategy, about supporting trust leaders. Michael discusses the importance of bringing ideas and experiences from the worlds of health, charity and business into education, and the need for trust leaders to have peer-to-peer support, particularly as they navigate challenging situations.
Michael also shares some of the issues that the Forum Strategy’s regional networks have been tackling over the lockdown period. Finally, we look to the future, considering how the role of the CEO continues to evolve. We discuss the impact the current crisis might have on acce...
2020-06-0433 minKey VoicesKey Voices #63 - Putting staff first with John Tomsett and Jonny UttleySorry, interference has slightly impaired the sound in some parts of this podcast.
This week we talk to John Tomsett, Headeacher at Huntington School and Jonny Uttley, CEO, The Education Alliance about the book they co-authored ‘Putting staff first’. We discuss some practical ways that leaders can create a school culture that nurtures staff so they can better support their pupils. We also talk about the role of high quality staff development, research-informed practice, meaningful performance management and reduced workload can all play in establishing such a culture.
Finally, we consider the qualities required to lead...
2020-05-2950 minKey VoicesKey Voices #62 - Teacher and leader development with Claire HealdThis week we talk to Claire Heald, Standards Director and Executive Principal at Inspiration Trust. Claire shares how she and her team designed and implemented a comprehensive teacher and leader development programme across their 14 schools.
We also hear more about how Inspiration Trust has responded to the coronavirus pandemic, and in particular, how their CPD offer has changed to support staff with delivering remote learning. Finally, we consider the recent increased recognition for the work of the teaching profession, and the impact the pandemic may be having on recruitment and retention longer term.
2020-05-2231 minKey VoicesKey Voices #61 - Focussing on Alternative Provision with Debra Rutley and Eleanor BernardesThis week we talk to Debra Rutley, Executive Headteacher, and Eleanor Bernardes, Head of Development and Opportunities at Aspire Alternative Provision.
We learn more about how the work of Aspire began and continues to develop in collaboration with local mainstream schools. We hear about Debra’s “leading with love” philosophy and how Aspire’s model focuses on high quality education first and foremost, with appropriate additional support rather than the other way around. We also hear Eleanor’s reflections, as someone relatively new to alternative provision, about what working at Aspire is like.
We also discuss the i...
2020-05-1427 minKey VoicesKey Voices #60 - Lessons in system leadership with Sir David Carter, Executive Director of System Leadership, Ambition InstituteThis we talk to Sir David Carter about the challenges of being a school or trust leader through a national crisis, and how accountability systems will need to adapt in the future to reflect the ‘next normal’.
We delve into his experience as a trust CEO turned senior civil servant and how school leaders can productively input into policy making. We also consider what makes a good trust leader and why recent weeks might have helped trusts demonstrate what can be achieved when groups of schools work together.
The article from McKinsey that Sir David menti...
2020-05-0738 minKey VoicesKey Voices #59 - Reflections on governance with Neil CollinsThis week we talk to Neil Collins, Director of GovernorHub, the collaborative working platform for governors. Following news this week that GovernorHub will join The Key, Neil talks us through the story of how GovernorHub came to be and shares his own experiences as a governor.
We also consider how governance is adapting during school closures and the crucial role governors must play in supporting their schools through these most challenging of circumstances.
If you want to know more about video meetings in GovernorHub, referenced in this podcast, you can find more information here.
2020-05-0124 minKey VoicesKey Voices #58 - SEND policy, funding and inspection with Dr Adam BoddisonThis week we talk to Dr Adam Boddison, CEO of National Association for Special Educational Needs (nasen). We cover a range of topics including how SEND is being inspected under the new inspection framework and how schools can improve the status of SEND in their schools. We also discuss SEND funding in more detail and Adam shares some low cost ways schools can maximise their funding and outcomes.
We also look ahead to the government’s forthcoming SEND review publication and consider what it might include as well as discussing future reforms that Adam would like to see...
2020-04-2836 minKey VoicesKey Voices #57 - Staff wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond with Sinead McBreartyThis week we speak to Sinead McBrearty, CEO of Education Support about the kinds of issues education staff are coming to them for help with at the moment. We discuss practical ways to look after your colleagues’, and your own, wellbeing as schools continue to tackle the demands of the current situation.
We go on to talk more broadly about the factors contributing to the number of education professionals experiencing either behavioural, psychological or physical symptoms due to their work (as reported in the 2019 Education Support Wellbeing Index). We also discuss what could be done at both a n...
2020-04-2347 minKey VoicesPodcast #56 - School business leadership during Covid-19 with ISBL, part oneThis week we talk to Stephen Morales, CEO of the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL), Stephen Mitchell, interim CEO at Oak Multi Academy Trust and Kaley Foran, Lead Content Editor at The Key. We discuss some of the unprecedented situations school business leaders have been tackling in the past few weeks. We also consider issues schools might have to navigate when pupils and staff do eventually return and what successful leadership looks like in challenging times.
ISBL’s Covid-19 resources can be found here.
The Key’s Covid-19 resource hub can be found...
2020-04-1749 minKey VoicesKey Voices #55 - Reflections on 40 years in Special Education and mental health with Barry Carpenter (CBE, OBE, PhD)This week we speak to Barry Carpenter, former headteacher, former National Director at The Department for Education and the UK’s first Professor in Mental Health in Education.
This podcast was recorded in early April 2020. We talk to Barry about the Covid- 19 pandemic and the likely impact on pupil, teacher and parent mental health as a result of school closures. We also discuss Barry’s long and varied career in education, and the positive shift he’s seen in the increased expectations on SEND pupils. Barry speaks about his own daughter who has Down’s Syndrome and her achiev...
2020-04-0941 minKey VoicesKey Voices #54 - Being 10% braver with WomenEd Co- Founder, Vivienne Porritt
We are sorry that interference has very slightly impaired the sound in some parts of this podcast.
This week we talk to Vivienne Porritt, Co-Founder and Strategic Lead of #WomenEd about the gender pay gap in teaching and how it could be addressed. We also discuss how #WomenEd has grown to become a global grassroots movement entirely led by volunteers that support and empower women.
At the end of this week’s podcast, we also hear from some of the delegates who attended the recent London Unconference on 7th March, on what #WomenEd means to them.
2020-03-1337 minKey VoicesKey Voices #53 - Careers education with Will Millard and Dr Sam Baars at CFEYTo celebrate, National Careers Week, we talk to Will Millard Head of Engagement and Dr Sam Baars, Director of Research at CFEY about careers education. In particular, they discuss the findings of two recent CFEYreports Careers education: What should young people learn and when? and Effective work experience: Let’s talk about WEX.
We consider how schools can evaluate their careers education and work experience programmes. Will and Sam also share some examples of good practice and ways in which schools and companies can have more impactful interactions with each other.
2020-03-0535 minKey VoicesKey Voices #52 - The role of teacher autonomy in retention and job satisfaction with Jack WorthThis week we talk to Jack Worth, lead economist at National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) about the report he recently authored on the impact of teacher autonomy. We delve deeper into what “autonomy” means and why teachers often feel less autonomous compared with other professionals.
We look at the different levels of teacher autonomy experienced by teachers at different stages of their careers and in different types of schools. We consider how teachers feeling less autonomous relates to their levels of job satisfaction, workload and their propensity to stay in the profession. We also...
2020-02-2728 minKey VoicesKey Voices #51 - Building belonging with Cathal LynchThis week we talk Cathal Lynch, strategic director for leadership and school improvement at Washwood Heath Multi Academy Trust, and author of Building Belonging: A systematic approach to school improvement and emotional wellbeing. Cathal shares his fascinating experiences of establishing and leading a school for pupils with social and emotional mental health needs. He explains how working closely with educational psychologists and occupational therapists not only developed his understanding of, and practice with pupils, but also informed his approach to school improvement.
Cathal explains more about the school improvement framework he has created, emphasising the imp...
2020-02-1348 minKey VoicesKey Voices #50 - What are teachers thinking? with Laura McInerney from Teacher TappThis week we are joined by Laura McInerney, Co-founder of Teacher Tapp, former editor of Schools Week and Guardian Education columnist, for our termly Teacher Tapp Key Voices.
We delve into what recent Teacher Tapp results tell us about teachers’ deepest motivations for working in schools. Laura also shares what she has been learning from Tappers about attitudes to flexible working and how that might affect teacher supply at a system level. We also chat about how the character you played in your school nativity might have impacted your career trajectory and whether it is okay to hav...
2020-02-0729 minKey VoicesPodcast #49 - Governing matters with Naureen KhalidThis week we talk to Naureen Khalid, one of the founders of UK GovChat, Trustee of a MAT and Chair of a Local Governing Board. We discuss the skills that matter on the governing body and the need for governors to get a broader understanding of education beyond their own school, by using things like social media, training and events.
We also look in detail at the role of governors in supporting and challenging school leaders, and the vital importance of the relationship between the chair of governors and the headteacher.
2020-01-3033 minKey VoicesPodcast #48 - Taking a school-led approach to mental health Dean Johnstone Founder and CEO Minds AheadThis week we spoke to Dean Johnstone, Founder and CEO of Minds Ahead. In the podcast, we consider why we are seeing a growing number of pupils experiencing mental health issues, and delve deeper into the specific challenges being faced by schools today.
Dean explains more about how Minds Ahead are pushing for system-wide change, how schools can take an active leadership role in mental wellbeing, and where the boundaries lie between the education and health systems.
2020-01-2334 minKey VoicesKey Voices #47 - The continued evolution of school business leadership with Stephen MoralesThis week we talk to Stephen Morales, CEO of The Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL). We discuss the challenging and evolving role of the school business professional and the development of ISBL from its predecessor organisation The National Association of School Business Managers.
We also examine the impact of government policy over the last few years including encouraging schools to consider Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning and the introduction of School Resource Management Advisors. And finally, we look ahead to what the future might hold for those working as school business professionals.
2020-01-1740 minKey VoicesKey Voices #46 - Looking ahead to 2020 and beyondThis week we talk to our Lead Content Editors Kaley Foran and Adam Wainwright about the education pledges made in the Conservative manifesto, and consider what they might mean for the sector in the coming year.
2019-12-1944 min
Key VoicesKey Voices #45 - Approaches to assessment with Will MillardThis week we talk to Will Millard, Head of Engagement at The Centre for Education and Youth about his research into assessment. In particular we discuss how schools can redress the balance so classroom teachers can focus on the activities that are most valuable for teaching and learning.
Will shares his experiences of how attitudes to assessment are shifting and gives some practical examples of how schools can test pupils understanding, while balancing teacher workload. He also talks about some examples of the different approaches to assessment he saw on a recent research trip to British Columbia.
2019-12-1232 min