Education podcasts from 5 recommended shows. Sign in to choose your own.
In this episode, we talk pupil voice with a focus on practical, tried and tested ideas and tips for embedding this work across all areas of school life. We speak with two expert educators, focusing on effective whole-school approaches to pupil voice and how we can make these activities genuine and impactful for our children. We ask our guests for a range of ideas and examples from their own work for how pupil voice…
Foundations for Writing Success What helps pupils become confident, capable writers? In this episode, hosts Alex Quigley and Chloe Butlin explore the foundations of effective writing instruction with expert and practitioner guests. Together, they unpack common misconceptions about teaching writing, discuss the relationship between reading, oral language and writing, and examine practical approaches that can support…
In this policy snapshot, Kathryn Morgan, ASCL Leadership and Workforce Specialist, is joined by Professor Samantha Twiselton, Independent Chair of the review of the Professional Development Standards, a process being led by the Chartered College of Teaching. They discuss how a refresh could make the standards a more practical, evidence-informed framework that balances national expectations with professional autonomy…
In this special edition, ASCL General Secretary Pepe Di'Iasio and Laura McInerney discuss the events which led up to the decision by ASCL Council on 9 October to pass a vote of no confidence in Ofsted's leadership.
Since September, schools in England have been required to be mobile phone-free environments by default. They are expected to ensure pupils do not have access to their phones during the school day, including breaktimes and lunchtimes, with head teachers able to decide how to implement the policy. Will the ban make a difference? What does the evidence tell us about smartphone use in schools? And what are the options…
In this episode, host Emma Harrison, ASCL Business Leadership Specialist, is joined by Claire Archibald, legal director in the education team at Browne Jacobson, to talk about all things data protection and data governance. They share practical insight into good practice for schools and trusts, and what it means for business leaders day to day.
Kathryn Morgan, ASCL Leadership and Workforce Specialist, is joined by Alex Quigley, independent consultant, educator, and author to have a thoughtful conversation on literacy, inclusion and adaptive teaching. They explore how anticipating barriers, checking understanding, and adapting in response can make inclusion part of everyday practice, and why literacy, SEND, curriculum and teaching should connect rather than…
ASCL Pensions Specialist Mel Moffat is joined by ASCL Deputy Director of Policy, Julia Harnden, to talk about the funding implications of the latest Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) and Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) valuations. October 2026 www.ascl.org.uk/PolicySnapshots
Deep dives into topical issues hosted by ASCL General Secretary Pepe Di'Iasio and Laura McInerney, education expert, co-founder of Teacher Tapp and former editor of Schools Week. In this episode, Pepe and Laura are joined by Tom Middlehurst, ASCL Deputy Director of Policy, to discuss vocational qualifications and Ofsted.
Deep dives into topical issues hosted by ASCL General Secretary Pepe Di'Iasio and Laura McInerney, education expert, co-founder of Teacher Tapp and former editor of Schools Week. In this episode, Pepe and Laura examine the PISA results, exam pressure for students' mental health and school lunches.
The Schools White Paper includes plans for an attendance target of more than 94%. In this episode, we talk best practice for reducing pupil absence and consider how primary schools might meet this ambitious goal. We speak to two experienced school leaders about the initiatives that have worked in their primary schools to improve attendance as well as pitfalls to avoid. We hear case studies of specific attendance…
This summer, an independent inquiry into white working-class education outcomes concluded that underachievement is driven not by low aspirations or individual failings, but by a complex set of systemic challenges. These include lower levels of belonging, higher rates of absence and too few clear pathways into further study, training and employment. The findings were based on polling exploring how different groups of…
Deep dives into topical issues hosted by ASCL General Secretary Pepe Di'Iasio and Laura McInerney, education expert, co-founder of Teacher Tapp, and former editor of Schools Week. In this episode, Pepe and Laura talk about plans for schools and colleges under Andy Burnham’s government.
On this podcast, we have Helen Davis, who's Head of National and Joint Inspection from HMI Probation, Lucy Hart, the Deputy Director and Multi-Agency Operations from CQC, Simon Alexander, the Associate Inspector from HMICFRS and Paul DInverno, Ofsted's HMI Specialist Advisor. We’re also joined by Sarah Jones and Tanya Fulcher from Norfolk County Council. Cait Mellow I'd like to welcome everybody to another episode of…
In this episode, host Emma Harrison, ASCL Business Leadership Specialist, is joined by Sophie Vipond, Director of External Affairs at the Climate Change Committee, and Paul Edmond, Chief Finance and Sustainability Officer at Heart Academies Trust, to discuss what climate change means for school and college estates and the practical steps leaders can take now.
How can education leaders manage their estates effectively in an increasingly demanding landscape? In this episode of Business Brunch, ASCL Business Leadership Specialist Emma Harrison and education estates specialist Tracy Field explore the growing responsibilities surrounding estate leadership, including compliance, accountability, strategic planning and capital programmes. Also, discover how ASCL and Tracey Field…
Deep dives into topical issues hosted by ASCL General Secretary Pepe Di'Iasio and Laura McInerney, education expert, co-founder of Teacher Tapp, and former editor of Schools Week. In this episode, Pepe and Laura are joined by ASCL Deputy Director of Policy, Tom Middlehurst, to examine 16-19 outcomes, progression, and Andy Burnham's focus on 'parity of esteem'. www.ascl.org.uk/EducationActually
What is professional supervision, and why are more school leaders turning to it for support? In this episode in NAHT’s podcast series, James Bowen, NAHT assistant general secretary, speaks to Faye McGuinness, director of programmes at Education Support, about the role of professional supervision and the charity’s programme for school leaders. They discuss the challenges school leaders bring to supervision sessions…
We want to make sure that Ofsted plays its part in ensuring children and young people in our social care system are happy, safe and able to reach their full potential. Take part by giving us your views: Improving the way Ofsted inspects children’s social care - GOV.UK Transcript: Tracey Metcalfe My name is Tracey Metcalfe and I'm the Assistant Regional Director for Social Care and Regulation in the North East…
Did you know Ofsted inspects out of school care for children under the age of 8? This can include activity-based clubs, wraparound care and holiday activities. Find out more about how we inspect in this podcast with guests Craig Jones from the School-Aged Childcare Association and Dan Super from Super Team Sports. Cait Mellow: Hello everybody and welcome to another edition of Ofsted Talks. This time we're talking…
In our series of Associates podcasts, ASCL Professional Leadership Communities Manager Sharon Ealing talks with ASCL Associates and Professional Associates— former heads, business leaders, CEOs and other senior leaders — about life beyond school and college leadership. In this two-part conversation, Sharon Ealing talks with ASCL Professional Associate Steve Playford about life after headship. In the second episode…
What does a culture of belonging really look like in schools – and where should leaders begin? In this episode of NAHT’s School Leadership Podcast, we’re joined by Hannah Wilson, founder of Belonging Effect and a leading voice in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). From ensuring adults’ experiences align with what we want for pupils to rethinking how schools communicate with their staff, this…
In our series of Associates podcasts, ASCL Professional Leadership Communities Manager Sharon Ealing talks with ASCL Associates and Professional Associates— former heads, business leaders, CEOs and other senior leaders — about life beyond school and college leadership. In this two-part conversation, Sharon Ealing talks with ASCL Professional Associate Steve Playford about life after headship. In the first episode…
ASCL Independent Sector Specialist Neil Smith considers how viable and desirable formalising relationships between independent schools and MATs might be. www.ascl.org.uk/PolicySnapshots
In this episode we ask two experienced school leaders one simple question – What makes a great headteacher? – and see where the conversation goes. Our two guests enjoy a wide-ranging discussion about what a great headteacher looks like from the perspective of each of the key stakeholders in the school community – pupils, staff, parents and others. The pupil lens: We talk kindness and honesty, but also the importance…
In this episode, Alex Quigley and Grace Coker explore problem solving in maths and why it is a priority. They are joined by Professor Camilla Gilmore (Professor of Mathematical Cognition at Loughborough University and Curriculum Specialist at Maths Horizons), Dr Helen Drury, (Dean of Maths Education at Purposeful Ventures and Co-Lead at Maths Horizons), and practitioners Tom Pole (Director of Tudor Grange Research…
Experienced school leader Joanna Povall speaks to NAHT assistant general secretary James Bowen about the transformative power of kind leadership. Sharing some candid reflections, she talks about how being honest, embracing feedback and recognising that ‘not everybody is like you’ can build trust, strengthen teams and create an inclusive school culture where everyone thrives. Joanna’s book Kind Leadership: Leading…
In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Helen Urbanowicz explore socioeconomic disadvantage in 16-19 education. Joined by David Robinson (Education Policy Institute), Ruth Kendrick (Group Director of Teaching and Learning, New City College) and Emma Mills (Head of Teaching and Learning Development, Truro and Penwith College), they unpack what the evidence says about widening attainment and participation gaps…
Emma Harrison, ASCL Business Leadership Specialist talks to James Browning, COO of Lift Schools about AI and all things digital. www.ascl.org.uk/podcasts/brunch
In this episode we discuss how we can improve the quality of teaching across the primary school, with practical advice and insights for school leaders. We begin by discussing the role of the curriculum in improving teaching quality, including the importance of inclusion and oracy. We focus too on the importance of planning teaching and learning – both short-term action planning and longer-term planning. Our panel…
