Key Voices #121 - Review of the year with The Key
This 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.
Key Voices #120 - Ditching discriminatory hair policies: A Key Voices Takeover
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, about the decision making process the trust took to change their hair policy. They also ask about why he wanted to start a dialogue with other schools, and what further plans there are to examine bias and inequality across their uniform policy.
Key Voices #119 - LGBTQ+ Inclusion with Stonewall and The Key
This 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.
Key Voices #118 Applying mindfulness techniques during transition with Bovington Academy
This 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.
Key Voices #117 Launching an academy trust during a pandemic, part 3 with TEAM Education Trust
This 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.
Key Voices #116 - Careers after Covid with David Chapman
This 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.
Key Voices #115 - The power of local collaboration with Haringey Education Partnership
This 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.
Key Voices #114 - The future of remote governance
This 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.
Key Voices #113 - Rolling out the Early Career Framework
This 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.
Key Voices #112 - Race, identity and School Leadership with Viv Grant and Colette Morris
This 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.
Key Voices #111 - Day in, day out school improvement with Paul Ainsworth
This 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.
Key Voices #110 - School leadership, social media and pandemic parenting with Dr Victoria Carr
This 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.
Key Voices #109 - A culture of improvement: reviewing the research on teacher working conditions with David Weston
This 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.
Key Voices #108 - Managing stress with Maria Brosnan
This 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.
Key Voices #107- Headteachers at the heart of their communities with Derek Peaple
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 although school leadership itself has evolved, the role of the headteacher at the centre of the community has remained constant. We also hear more about how he developed computing and sport specialisms in his school.
Key Voices #106- Building evidence around the impact of EdTech products with Michael Forshaw
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.
Key Voices #105 - Launching an academy trust during a pandemic, part 2 with TEAM Education Trust
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 the difference working together as a trust has made to them and hear about the plans they have currently underway to further develop their work on a wellbeing charter.
Key Voices #104 - Reflections on the realities of school leadership with Kate Owbridge
This week we speak to Kate Owbridge, Executive Headteacher at Ashdown Primary School. She shares with us some of the lessons she has learned across 4 very different headships. Kate also includes some practical tips about engaging with school communities and school improvement. We briefly discuss engaging parents with remote learning, catch up and the challenges of leading a school community as they all return to school. We end with Kate enthusiastically explaining why she absolutely loves the work she does.
Key Voices #103 - ‘Exploring Ethnicity: School Business Leadership in England’ with ISBL and ABBLed
This 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.
Key Voices #102 - How can we achieve true equality for young people with SEND? With Simon Knight
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 leadership and his experiences of running the school during the pandemic. We also talk more broadly about the structural inequality that impacts the lives and life chances of young people with special educational needs. We discuss how the education sector, other parts of government and society as a whole, have much more work to do to make sure everyone has a place in society where they can contribute and feel valued.
Key Voices #101 - ‘Let’s talk about Flex’ with Emma Turner
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 schools can benefit from offering their staff opportunities to work differently. We also bust some common myths along the way. We consider how remote learning during the pandemic could actually accelerate the adoption of flexible working in education, a sector that still lags behind others when it comes to the number of people accessing flexible working.
Key Voices #100 - Priorities for action in education and youth with Loic Menzies
This 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.
Key Voices #99 - Challenges and opportunities of remote teacher training and development with Oxfordshire Teaching School Alliance and Oxfordshire Teacher training
This 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.
Key Voices #98 - Supporting trusts during the pandemic with Leora Cruddas
This week we talk to Leora Cruddas about her views on the role of trusts in the education system and how The Confederation of School Trusts (CST) has been supporting its members during COVID-19. We think about the various ways in which schools in trusts have potentially fared better over the past year and consider some of the longer-term consequences of the pandemic.
Key Voices #97 - Finding out what parents are thinking with Karen Wespieser MBE from Parent Ping
This 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.
Key Voices #96 - SEND governance: schools that work for all learners with Professor Adam Boddison
This 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.
Key Voices #95 - Practical advice for meeting the new RSE requirements with Josie Rayner-Wells
This 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.
Key Voices #94 - Launching an academy trust during a pandemic with TEAM Education Trust
This 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.
Key Voices #93 - Christmas 2020 review
This 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.
Key Voices #92- School leader wellbeing and how governors can support it with Dr. Helen Kelly
This 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.
Key Voices #91 - Teaching, learning and moving up the ladder with Jo Jukes
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.
Key Voices #90 - Collaboration, innovation and creativity with Desmond Deehan
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.
Key Voices #89 - Talking to young people about social media with Rubbi Bhogal- Wood
This 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.
Key Voices #88 - Teacher wellbeing and self-care with Adrian Bethune and Dr Emma Kell
This 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.
Key Voices #87 - Governance: challenge, chairing and COVID-19
This 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.
Key Voices #86 - ‘Back on Track’ with Mary Myatt
This 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.
Key Voices #85 - Combining teaching with parenthood with Emma Sheppard
This 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.
Key Voices #84 – Changing the story on school exclusion with The Difference
This 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 Alternative Provision and share their view on what mainstream education could learn from the expertise found in AP.
Key Voices #83 – Focussing on reading with Alex Quigley
This 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. We discuss the impact of technology and remote learning on children’s reading. We also consider the role of accountability in closing the reading gap and the different ways in which children with SEND might need support with reading.
Key Voices #82 – Social and emotional learning and the new normal with the Centre for Education and Youth
This 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.
Key Voices #81 - Research into the challenges of school business management during COVID-19
This 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.
Key Voices #80 – Recognising the teaching profession with The Chartered College of Teaching
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 College as an independent, evidence-informed voice of the profession.
Key Voices #79 - Examining the National Tutoring Programme with MyTutor, Action Tutoring and Nesta
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.
Key Voices #78 - How have schools coped with COVID-19? with Edurio
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.
Key Voices #77 – Mental health and the return to school with Tana Macpherson-Smith
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.
Key Voices #76 - Rehumanising headship with Darren Morgan
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.
Key Voices #75 – Keeping children safe during lockdown and beyond with MyConcern
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 all pupils return in September.
Key Voices #74 – Leading academy trusts: why some fail, but most don’t, with Sir David Carter and Laura McInerney
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.
Key Voices #73 - Rural schools, SRE, Pupil Voice and Ethical Leadership with The Revd Nigel Genders
This week we talk to The Reverend Nigel Genders, Chief Education Officer at The Church of England, about the Church of England’s role in running schools and teacher training establishments, and its vision for education.
Key Voices #72 Reviewing a year of Key Voices
This 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.
Key Voices #71 – A look at Oak Academy’s role in supporting remote learning
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.
Key Voices #70 - Reflections on a long career in governance with Fiona Millar
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.
Key Voices #69 – How to deepen engagement with the parent community with David Sammels
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.
Key Voices #68 - Using apprenticeships to develop the education workforce with Nick Heard
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.
Key Voices #67 - What impact will Covid-19 have on the teaching profession? with Dr Becky Allen
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 number of headteachers leaving the profession altogether.
Key Voices #66 – School business leadership during the covid-19 with ISBL, part two
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.
Key Voices #65 – ‘Making great practice common practice’; the role of peer review with Dr Kate Chhatwal OBE
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 has presented to share good practice across the country, rapidly and widely.
Key Voices #64 – The changing role of trusts with Michael Pain
This 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.
Key Voices #63 - Putting staff first with John Tomsett and Jonny Uttley
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 high quality staff development, research-informed practice, meaningful performance management and reduced workload can all play in establishing such a culture.
Key Voices #62 - Teacher and leader development with Claire Heald
This 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.
Key Voices #61 – Focussing on Alternative Provision with Debra Rutley and Eleanor Bernardes
This 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.
Key Voices #60 - Lessons in system leadership with Sir David Carter, Executive Director of System Leadership, Ambition Institute
This 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.
Key Voices #59 - Reflections on governance with Neil Collins
This 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.
Key Voices #58 – SEND policy, funding and inspection with Dr Adam Boddison
This 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.
This podcast was recorded in early February 2020. The Covid-19 resources from nasen mentioned at the beginning of this podcast can be found here.
Key Voices #57 - Staff wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond with Sinead McBrearty
This 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.
Key Voices #56 – School business leadership during Covid-19 with ISBL, part one
This 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 here.
Key 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.
Key Voices #54 - Being 10% braver with WomenEd Co- Founder, Vivienne Porritt
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.
Key Voices #53 - Careers education with Will Millard and Dr Sam Baars at CFEY
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.
Key Voices #52 – The role of teacher autonomy in retention and job satisfaction with Jack Worth
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.
Key Voices #51 – Building belonging with Cathal Lynch
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.
Key Voices #50 – What are teachers thinking? with Laura McInerney from Teacher Tapp
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.
Podcast #49 - Governing matters with Naureen Khalid
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.
Podcast #48 – Taking a school-led approach to mental health Dean Johnstone Founder and CEO Minds Ahead
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.
Key Voices #47 – The continued evolution of school business leadership with Stephen Morales
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.
Key Voices #46 - Looking ahead to 2020 and beyond
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.
Key Voices #45 – Approaches to assessment with Will Millard
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.
Key Voices #44 – Developing teaching and learning across a trust with Alan Eathorne and Stef Edwards
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.
Key Voices #43 - Leading a research school with Kate Atkins
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.
Key Voices #42 – Making flexible working work
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.
Key Voices #41 - Trends in safeguarding with MyConcern
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.
Key Voices #40 – Getting a better understanding of what influences school culture
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.
Key Voices #39 – Innovation in EdTech with Nesta
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.
Key Voices #38 – Making your school a great place to work
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.
Key Voices #37 – Spotlight on governance with Tiffany Beck
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.
Key Voices #36 – Trust expansion: overcoming growing pains
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.
Key Voices #35 – Surviving in teaching with Dr Emma Kell
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.
Key Voices #34 – SEND and Inclusion – Interview with Karen Wespiesser
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.
Key Voices #33 – Three things a school can do today to take action on mental health. Interview with Natasha Devon writer, speaker and mental health campaigner
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…
Key Voices #32 – How can schools promote recycling? Interview with Jackie Bailey from WRAP and Recycle Now
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…
Key Voices #31 – What are teachers thinking? Interview with Laura McInerney
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…
Key Voices #30 – Dealing with negative comments from parents on social media: Interview with Kaley Foran
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…
Key Voices #29 - Developing teachers: Interview with David Weston from the Teachers Development Trust
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.
Key Voices #28 - Changes to primary assessment: Interview with Bethany Eadie, Content Producer and former primary school teacher
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…
Key Voices #27 - Cloud technology in schools: Interview with Rich Harley, CEO of ScholarPack
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…
Key Voices #26 - The Year in Review
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…
Key Voices #25 - Child poverty and learning: Interview with Laurence Guiness, CEO of The Childhood Trust
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…
Key Voices #24 - The world of work: Interview with Makesa Mwanza and Kayleigh La Forte about The Key's work experience
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…
Key Voices #23 - Fuel for learning: Interview with Alex Cunningham, CEO of Magic Breakfast
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…
Key Voices #22 - Becoming good global citizens: Interview with James Granville Hamshar
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…
Key Voices #21: Leading SEN: An interview with Sabrina Hobbs, Principal at Severndale Specialist Academy
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…
Key Voices #20: Teacher training & recruitment: An interview with Sir Andrew Carter, CEO of South Farnham School Educational Trust
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…
Key Voices #19 - Creative curriculum: Interview with curriculum expert, Mary Myatt
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…
Key Voices #18 – Teacher recruitment: An interview with Gareth Thyer-Jones, Managing Director of Talented Teacher Jobs
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…
Key Voices #17 - Swimming targets: Interview with Jon Glenn of Swim England
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.
Key Voices #16 – An interview with Julia Clements, Children’s Psychologist from Place2Be
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…
Key Voices #15 - LGBT-inclusive curriculum: Interview with Stonewall Head of Education, Sidonie Bertrand-Shelton
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…
Key Voices #14 – GDPR compliance: an interview with Laura Tomkinson and Joy Corner, Team Managers for Data Protection at the ICO
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…
Key Voices #13 - Online safety: An interview with Tom Pinfield, Senior Education Officer at Childnet International
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…
Key Voices #12 - Ethical leadership: An interview with Carolyn Roberts, Chair of the Ethical Leadership Commission
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…
Key Voices #11 - Multi academy trusts: An interview with MAT expert Chris Kirk
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…
Key Voices #10 - Byron Court School: An interview with school leaders Anita Samani, Martine Clark and Jane Palmer
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…
Key Voices #9 - School 21: An interview with School 21 Headteacher, Oli de Botton
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…
Key Voices #8 - Primary School Leaders: An interview with Vikkey Chaffe
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…
Key Voices #7 - Ofsted (Part 2): An interview with Ofsted’s Deputy Director for Schools, Matthew Purves
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…
Key Voices #6 - Ofsted (Part 1): An interview with Ofsted’s Deputy Director for Schools, Matthew Purves
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…
Key Voices #5 - Governors for Schools: An interview with Louise Cooper, Chief Executive of Governors for Schools
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…
Key Voices #4 - The knowledge to act: An interview with The Key’s Chief Marketing Officer, Sarah Hernandez
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…
Key Voices #3 - GCSE scrapping, pupil strikes and violent pupils: the news this week
This week, we update you on schools funding teacher payrises, character education benchmarks, the scrapping of GCSEs and A Levels, pupil strikes, teaching violent and disruptive pupils, and more…
Key Voices #2 - Teacher pay rises, pupil mental health, recruitment standards: the news this week
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.
Key Voices #1 - Welcome to our podcast!
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.