Key Voices 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.

To 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.

This 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.

This 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.

This 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 have a non-alcoholic beer in the staff room.

This 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.

This 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.

This 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.

This 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.

This 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.

This week we talk to Alan Eathorne, Headteacher, Husbands Bosworth CofE Primary School, and Stef Edwards, Trust Leader, Learn Academy Trust about how they have worked to build a collaborative culture and develop research informed practice.

We discuss how the trust has built relationships, capacity and ways of working across a group of 10 primary schools.

This podcast has been created in partnership with The Teacher Development Trust and is part of a series of interviews with school leaders who are working to develop great teaching.

This week we talk to Kate Atkins, Headteacher, Rosendale Primary and Research school and CEO Great North Wood Education Trust about how they have successfully used evidence informed practice at their school.

We discuss what it means to be a Research School and how to bridge the gap between academics and the classroom. Kate shares her advice on how to start involving staff in research and implementing new ideas. We also talk about the various approaches to teaching and learning they use at Rosendale including mixed attainment grouping and ReflectED the Metacognition programme they have developed. 

You can find out more about the work of the Rosendale Research school on their website.

This week we talk to Anna Trethewey, Executive Director at The Centre for Education and Youth about flexible working.

We consider the differences between part-time working and flexible working, the culture needed for it to be successful and the increasingly important role flexible working could play in teacher retention. We also explore the role tech can have in helping schools to arrange timetabling and deliver staff CPD more flexibly and how schools can go about trialling some of these innovative working practices.

This week we talk to Mike Glanville, Director of Safeguarding Services and Martin Baker, CEO of MyConcern about trends they are observing in safeguarding. We also explore the challenges of fulfilling the role of DSL in the face of increased complexity and scrutiny.

Mike and Martin, both former senior police officers and school governors, offer some practical advice about working with external agencies, how governors can support a school’s approach and share their thoughts about future changes to safeguarding policy and practice.

This week we talk to Dr Sam Baars, Director of Research at The Centre for Education and Youth about their report “Inside the black box: How high-performing schools create a positive culture.”

We discuss how during the study of several schools researchers got ‘under the hood’ of school culture, and uncovered some big trends around the impact of consistency, use of data, governance and parental engagement on shaping a positive culture. Sam also offers some suggestions on how school leaders can evaluate their own school culture.

This week we talk to Toby Baker, Programme Manager – Education, at Nesta about their work to close the gap between the creators of technology and the users in schools.

We discuss the use of EdTech in schools and how schools can participate in Nesta’s EdTech Innovation Test-bed project. For further details click here.

This week we talk to Mandy Coalter, CEO of Talent Architects and Former Director of People at United Learning.

We discuss the role HR can play in making your school a great place to work and employees’ changing expectations of the workplace. Mandy also shares some practical tips about recruitment, retention and flexible working.

This week we talk to Tiffany Beck, Senior Consultant at PLMR and Chair of Trustees for Maritime Academy Trust.

We discuss Tiffany’s career in governance and her own experiences of founding and building a trust, as well as exploring some of the challenges governors face in their roles.

This week we talk to Nicola West Jones, Head of Market Research at The Key about our recent report, “Trust expansion: overcoming growing pains.”

We learn more about trust leaders’ motivations, priorities and plans for growth as well as exploring the challenges and benefits associated with trusts taking on more schools.

To read the full report click here.

This week we speak to Dr Emma Kell, Educator and author of “How to Survive in Teaching without Imploding, Exploding or Walking Away” and Bethany Eadie Content Producer at The Key about the challenges facing the teaching profession.

We talk about what prompted Emma to write her book and she shares observations from her research and campaigning.

This week we speak to Karen Wespiesser. Director of Operations at The Driver Youth Trust and Founder of #UKEdResChat, and Ruth Gafson, Content Editor at the Key, about some of the challenges facing school leaders when trying to provide a high quality education for all pupils.

We talk about what makes a school inclusive, teacher training, the role of the SENCO and what governors can do to hold their schools to account.

We spoke to Natasha Devon, writer, speaker and mental health campaigner about her work in schools and as a campaigner. We talk about the mental health issues faced by pupils and school staff today, as well as Natasha’s advice on what a school can do to take action on mental health.

Also, in the news this week: The grace period Ofsted promised to schools to develop their curriculum plans will not include the way primary schools teach the three Rs, KS2 interim results indicate girls widen the gender gap and more…

We speak to Jackie Bailey, Project Manager at WRAP and Recycle Now about what more school leaders can do to help promote recycling in schools.

Also, in the news this week: outstanding schools will no longer be exempt from routine Ofsted inspections, a rise in teacher starting salaries and more…

We speak to Laura McInerney, Co-founder of Teacher Tapp, former editor of Schools Week and Guardian Education columnist about her polling app and the top concerns of teachers today

Also, in the news this week: a leaked document has revealed potential Tory plans for schools, legal challenges over changes to the teacher pension scheme and more…

We speak to Kaley Foran, Lead Content Editor at The Key about how schools can deal with negative comments posted by parents on social media

Also, in the news this week: 2019 GCSE results stay ‘stable,’ less than one in five teachers think Ofsted is reliable and more…

We speak to David Weston, CEO of The Teacher Development Trust about how schools make improvements to teaching and learning and develop their staff.

Also, in the news this week: the number of girls taking science A-levels has overtaken boys for the first time ever, more pupils gaining top A* grades in English and maths and a record number of students expected to take up places on degrees through clearing.

We speak to Bethany Eadie, former primary school teacher and current Content Producer at The Key to discuss the introduction of the Year 4 multiplication tables check and the reception baseline assessment.

Also, in the news this week: schools serving the most disadvantaged children are set to miss out under Boris Johnson’s pledge to “level up” funding, a secret document revealing governor fear for schools chaos after a no-deal Brexit and more…

We speak to Richard Harley, CEO of ScholarPack about cloud technology in schools and the future of management information systems.

Also, in the news this week – Boris Johnson repeats his pledge to increase school funding, poor pupils lag 18 months behind their peers and more…

Our Lead Content Editors Kaley Foran and Adam Wainwright discuss the biggest developments in education in the past academic year and look ahead to 2019/20.

Also, in the news this week – Gavin Williamson named the new education secretary, Ofsted survey finds that inspections themselves are a major source of stress and more…

We’re joined by Laurence Guiness, CEO of The Childhood Trust to talk about how school leaders can support children from impoverished backgrounds.

Also, in the news this week – Ofsted announces new mental health inspections, the DfE is consulting on bringing LA school spending reports ‘in line’ with academies and more…

We’re joined by Makesa Mwanza and Kayleigh La Forte to talk about The Key’s work experience week.

Also, in the news this week – 97% of primary school teachers would like to see high-stakes SATS tests scrapped, Ofsted looking at its complaints procedure and more…

We’re joined by Alex Cunningham, CEO of Magic Breakfast to talk about removing hunger as a barrier to education in UK schools.

Also, in the news this week – schools to be given more specificity about teaching LGBT content, the opening of the first ‘secure school’ and more…

We’re joined by James Granville Hamshar, headteacher of St. John the Baptist School in Woking to talk about careers guidance and supporting pupils to become good global citizens.

Also, in the news this week – DfE calls for schools to adopt 3-year pupil premium plans, reactions to the final RSHE guidance, and more…

We’re joined by Sabrina Hobbs, Principal at Severndale Specialist Academy, to talk about leading an SEN school and the importance of inclusion.

Also, in the news this week – 1 in 6 teachers want to work part time, schools advised to spend their pupil premium funding on developing teaching staff, and more…

We’re joined by Sir Andrew Carter, CEO of South Farnham School Educational Trust, to talk about teacher training, growing effective middle leaders and the future of school recruitment.

Also, in the news this week – Ofsted chief inspector calls for lifting of outstanding school exemption, off-rolling schools named in a nationwide survey, and more…

We’re joined by Mary Myatt, curriculum expert, to talk about the creative curriculum and what it means for schools.

Also, in the news this week – the rise in EHC plans, concerns about Ofsted’s inspection of behaviour and more…

We’re joined by Gareth Thyer-Jones, Managing Director of Talented Teacher Job, to talk about what schools can do to become more effective recruiters.

Also, in the news this week – protests over funding cuts for SEND services, Damien Hinds sets up group to help schools boost pupils’ character and resilience, concerns over new Ofsted framework, and more…

We’re joined by Jon Glenn, Learn to Swim & Workforce Director at Swim England, to talk about supporting pupils to meet swimming targets.

Also, in the news this week – two thousand pound ‘incentive’ payment for Maths and Physics teachers, the effects of mobile phones on pupils, new advice on A-level choices and swapping Mozart for Stormzy.

We’re joined by Julia Clements, Children’s Psychologist from Place2Be, to talk about supporting pupils’ emotional wellbeing during exam time.

Also, in the news this week – Ofsted published its new inspection framework, a quarter of teachers have witnessed off-rolling, and more…

We’re joined by Sidonie Bertrand-Shelton, Head of Education Programmes at Stonewall, to talk about LGBT-inclusive curriculum content and the government’s new guidance for teaching SRE.

Also, in the news this week – schools could be held responsible for excluded pupils’ results, Ofsted is considering creating a school reviews website, and more…

We’re joined by Laura Tomkinson and Joy Corner, Team Managers for Data Protection at the ICO, to talk about GDPR one year on and what schools should be doing to ensure they are compliant.

Also, in the news this week – parents want outstanding schools inspected more often, the government planning to tighten accountability around exclusions and more…

We’re joined by Tom Pinfield, Senior Education Officer at Childnet International, to talk about how to ensure that children and young people stay safe online.

Also, in the news this week – more than a half of schools not GDPR compliant, teachers using their own money to buy school resources and more…

We’re joined by Carolyn Roberts, Chair of the Ethical Leadership Commission and Headteacher of Thomas Tallis School in Blackheath, London, to talk about the importance of ethical leadership and the impact that headteachers can have on the positive behaviour of pupils.

Also, in the news this week – 50,000 children disappeared from school roll, teachers backing plans for a possible boycott of primary school tests and more…

We’re joined by Chris Kirk, education consultant and MAT expert, to talk about the multi academy trust landscape and the challenges MATs face.

Also, in the news this week – the launch of the DfEs free teacher recruitment service, cuts to pupil mental health spending and more…

We’re joined by Anita Samani, Martine Clark and Jane Palmer, school leaders at Byron Court School in Brent, to talk about effective strategies for improving staff wellbeing.

Also, in the news this week – a surge in primary school children in PRUs, a letter from councillors to the government urging an increase in school funding and more…

We’re joined by Oli de Botton, headteacher of School 21 in Stratford, to talk about oracy as part of a broad and balanced curriculum.

Also, in the news this week – knife crime among young people, a soar in unauthorised pupil absences and more…

We’re joined by Vikkey Chaffe, creator of Facebook’s 21,000-strong Primary School Leader group, to talk about networking and the benefits that it can bring to schools.

Also in the news this week, we will be updating you on the £5.7 billion shortfall in education funding, Ofsted potentially reconsidering its 150 minute notice inspections and more…

We’re joined by Matthew Purves, Ofsted’s Deputy Director for Schools, for the second half of our interview about the new Ofsted framework.

Also in the news this week, we will be updating you on The Chancellor’s Spring Statement, the creation of new special schools, and more…

We’re joined by Matthew Purves, Ofsted’s Deputy Director for Schools, to talk about the new framework and what it means for education leaders.

In the news this week, we will be updating you on career education in primary schools, inspection judgements for off-rolling schools, and more…

We are joined by Louise Cooper, Chief Executive of Governors for Schools, to talk about how to attract a wider diversity of volunteers into the governor role.

Also in the news this week, we will be updating you on new draft statutory guidance around sex and relationship education, a pilot scheme for a reception baseline assessment, teacher job-related stress, and more…

We’re joined by Sarah Hernandez, Chief Marketing Officer of The Key, to talk about what’s changed in our brand and how we got there.

In the news this week, we will be discussing teacher mental health, pay caps, flooring and coasting standards, and more…

This week we update you on proposed teacher pay rises, a new scheme to help pupils improve their mental health, concerns around declining recruitment standards, and more.

Welcome to Key Voices – a new ad-free podcast brought to you by The Key.  We will be bringing you a summary of the latest education news every Friday. We’ll also be creating a series of podcasts on a range of timely and important developments in education, and interviewing some key influencers along the way.

This episode covers changes to year 2 SATs marking, teacher payrises and recruitment and retention.