Heads & Tales
Episodes
Guðmundur Hegner Jónsson
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Guðmundur Hegner Jónsson is the founding principal of Lisbon International School, a new values-driven school housed in a converted 1905 pasta facto...
Toby Seth
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Toby Seth is Whitgift's 30th headmaster, back in his South London roots having been educated at Dulwich College. A linguist by training with a degree ...
Toby Seth
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Toby Seth is Whitgift's 30th headmaster, back in his South London roots having been educated at Dulwich College. A linguist by training with a degree ...
Jesse Elzinga
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse Elzinga has been head of Sevenoaks since 2020, leading one of the UK's flagship IB schools. A dual US-UK citizen raised on a farm outside Detroi...
James Monaghan
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
James Monaghan is the CEO and founding principal of GEMS School of Research and Innovation, the group's new flagship in Dubai which opened in Septembe...
Helen Pike
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Helen Pike is the first female master in Magdalen College School's 500-year history. Originally from Preston and the first in her family to attend uni...
Richard Jones
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Jones never planned to be a teacher. He studied economics, worked in recruitment, rented out custom-wrapped camper vans to backpackers, and on...
Henry Faber & Walter Kerr
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week marks Oppidan's 10th birthday, and we're turning the microphone around. Chief of Staff Adam Goodbody, who has worked alongside the founders ...
Dr Mary Asabea Ashun
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Mary Ashun is CEO of Ghana International School, one of West Africa's leading international schools, where she's spent over 12 years building what ...
Dr Kelly Fradin
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Kelly Fradin is a pediatrician, childhood cancer survivor and author of Advanced Parenting. Now chair of pediatrics at Atria in New York, she's spe...
Dr Michel Khoury
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Michel Khoury went from M&A at the notorious investment bank Bear Stearns to building a global education empire. After returning to Lebanon to ...
Erica Corbin
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Erica Corbin is the Head of Cathedral School of St. John the Divine, the K-8 Episcopal school on Manhattan's Upper West Side now approaching its 125th...
Robert Millar
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rob Millar has been at Shrewsbury International Bangkok since 2010 – long enough to see the city's British school market explode from a handful of i...
Jo Duncan
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jo Duncan became a headmistress at 34 with no senior leadership experience because someone saw something in her she hadn't seen herself. Now leading W...
Tom Ferguson
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Up next on Heads & Tales, we're joined by Tom Ferguson, Head of Dwight School Seoul. Speaking from South Korea, Tom reflects on a leadership journ...
Gareth Parker-Jones
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Heads & Tales, we're joined by Gareth Parker-Jones, Head Master of of Rugby School – one of the UK's most historic schools an...
Matthew Shanks
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded from his office beneath a poster reading “Work hard and be nice to people,” Matthew Shanks joins Walter Kerr for the first episode of 202...
Peter Hyman
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Peter Hyman shares his unique journey from political strategist to educator, discussing the evolution of education in the UK, the imp...
Simon Henderson
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our next guest on Heads & Tales needs little introduction. As Head Master of Eton College for the last decade, Simon Henderson is at the helm of o...
Jade Bowler
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heads & Tales, Walter Kerr speaks with Jade Bowler, creator of the Unjaded Jade platform and author of The Only Study Guide You...
Robert Tomalin
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber speaks with Robert Tomalin, Principal of Oeiras International School in Lisbon. From his own journ...
Matt Horvat
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber is joined by Matt Horvat, Head of the American School in London. Matt reflects on leading one of the...
Jenny Anderson
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Up next on Heads & Tales is journalist and author Jenny Anderson, whose book The Disengaged Teen has reshaped how educators and parents understan...
Sir Anthony Seldon
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Anthony Seldon is a man of many guises – historian, author and without doubt one of the most influential educators in the UK. From the impact of...
Jane Lunnon
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber hosts Jane Lunnon, Head of Alleyn’s School. From expanding Alleyn’s network of schools to launch...
Steve Marshall-Taylor
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber is joined by Steve Marshall-Taylor, Headmaster of Brighton College. Steve reflects on what it means ...
Naheed Bardai
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber speaks with Naheed Bardai, Principle of UWC Atlantic College. From rescuing an Afghan student during...
BJ Fogg PhD
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heads & Tales, Walter hosts BJ Fogg, Stanford researcher, founder of the Behaviour Design Lab and author of the bestseller Tin...
Brett Wigdortz
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Walter Kerr is joined by Brett Wigdortz OBE, visionary founder of Teach First and co-founder of Tiney. From the early battles to prove Teach First cou...
Alison Derbyshire
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heads & Tales, Walter Kerr speaks to Alison Derbyshire, the first female Head of Dulwich College Seoul. From topping the IB ra...
Neil Hampton
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Walter Kerr speaks to Dr Neil Hampton, CEO of Rugby Schools Group. From opening a new campus in Lagos to growing the UK education bra...
Rachel Bailey
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber speaks with Rachel Bailey, Headmistress of Benenden School in Kent. From leading a thriving communit...
Grant Ferguson
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber speaks with Grant Ferguson, Director of Verbier International School in Switzerland. From merging tw...
Will Campbell
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Henry Faber is joined by Will Campbell, founding Head of Franklin School in New Jersey. From building a high-performing school at half the typical cos...
Simon Lockyer
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber speaks with Simon Lockyer, Principal of the British School of Milan. Reflecting on his first year i...
Mike Lambert
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode of Heads & Tales, we're joined by a bona fide big fish of the education world. Michael Lambert is the Global Educat...
Mike Pettifer
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Heads & Tales, we're joined by Mike Pettifer, CEO of the Woodard Academies Trust and a former senior civil servant at the Depa...
Stephen Lehec
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With Walter Kerr at the hosting helm, our next episode of Heads & Tales features Stephen Lehec, Headmaster of Kingston Grammar School. Once one of...
Ben Nelson
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Beaming in from San Francisco, next to join us on Heads & Tales is the bold and uncompromising Ben Nelson, founder of Minerva Project and Minerva ...
Alastair Land
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber sits down with Alastair Land, Headmaster of Harrow School since 2019 - a true titan of indepen...
Clare Fernyhough
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber sits down with Clare Fernyhough, founding partner of Smartphone Free Childhood, the grassroots...
James Priory
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber is joined by James Priory, Headmaster at Tonbridge School since August 2018. James brings a co...
Tomas Duckling
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber speaks to Tomas Duckling, the newly appointed Headmaster of Dubai College. From boarding schools in ...
Dr Ger Graus OBE
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Henry is joined by Professor Dr Ger Graus OBE – education trailblazer and provocateur – best known as the first Global Director of Education at Ki...
Julie Robinson
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the wake of the UK government's much-debated VAT in private schools policy, our next Heads & Tales guest needs no introduction. Julie Robi...
Zubair Junjunia
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fresh from his Forbes 30 Under 30 feature, Zubair Junjunia joins Heads & Tales to talk about founding ZNotes at 16, building a global student-led ...
Chris Balme
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Next up is Chris Balme; educator, author and passionate advocate for reimagining middle school education. As the founding principal of Hakuba Internat...
Blake Spahn
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our next guest on Heads & Tales is Dr. Blake Spahn, co-founder and Chancellor of Dwight Global Online School. With a PhD from Oxford and a deep-...
Alan Williamson
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The fiftieth episode: what an honour it as been for us to even briefly tap into the wisdom and stories of 50 Heads & Tales guests, all of whom hav...
Will Le Fleming
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Next up in the Heads & Tales hot seat is Will le Fleming, the soon-to-be founding master of Thomas's College, a new co-ed secondary school in ...
Lindsey MacDonald
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber is joined by Lindsey MacDonald, who heads up Magic Breakfast – a charity tackling one of the...
Matt Jones OBE
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Next up on Heads & Tales is Matt OBE, headteacher of Ark Global Academy, on his journey from footballer to advocate of equal opportunities in educ...
Tom Campbell
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber is joined by Tom Campbell, the CEO of E-ACT, a trust overseeing 38 schools and 25,000 pupils. With o...
Emma McCrea
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber is joined by Emma McCrea, Head of Curriculum at Oak National Academy. Emma is a powerhouse...
Dr Mary Bousted
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our next guest on Heads & Tales needs no introduction to our education-inclined followers. Dr Mary Bousted is one of few who can honestly say they...
Fiona Aubrey-Smith
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is Dr Fiona Aubrey Smith, named in 2024 as one of the Top 5 Visionary Women in Education. Fiona is the founder of PedTech and Dire...
Mohamed Abdallah
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Next up on Heads & Tales, we’re thrilled to welcome Mohammed Abdallah. Known for his work empowering young people and families, he spent over a ...
Bill Watkin CBE
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Next up on Heads & Tales is Bill Watkin CBE. After cutting his teeth as a foreign language teacher in some of the country's most challenging schoo...
Barnaby Lenon CBE
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Amongst many other educational feathers in his cap, Barnaby Lenon is the ex-head of Harrow, Professor of Education at the University of Buckingham a...
Katy Granville-Chapman
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Katy Granville-Chapman wears many guises. Amongst many other titles and feathers in her cap, she is the Deputy Head Teacher at Wellington College, co-...
Sam Hart
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're back with a brilliant new episode featuring Sam Hart, Headmaster at Giggleswick. Take a listen to find out why he's not passing VAT on t...
Jonathan Harper
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A true champion of the development of young people, next up in the Heads & Tales hot seat is Jonathan Harper FRSA. Once a reluctant leader, Jonath...
Liz Robinson
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Next up on Heads & Tales, we are excited to welcome Liz Robinson, the CEO of Big Education. Liz brings with her a wealth of experience and experti...
Su Wijeratne
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are delighted to have Su Wijeratne, Head of Latymer Upper School, on Heads & Tales as she dives into the cornerstones of her career i...
Aatif Hassan
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you follow the state of education in the news, you're probably familiar with Aatif Hassan and his burgeoning enterprise, Dukes Education. Si...
Louisa Mitchell
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode, we are joined by Louisa Mitchell. Louisa is CEO of AllChild, formerly West London Zone, whose mission is to ensure every c...
Jodh Dhesi
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Next up on Heads & Tales is Jodh Dhesi, CEO of The King Edward VI Foundation, a family of schools in Birmingham including one in particular that J...
Anne-Marie Canning MBE
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Anne-Marie Canning MBE's story is a truly inspiring one. From early days at a struggling school in Doncaster to studying and working at leading un...
David Hieatt
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
They say never meet your heroes, but Walter Kerr didn't listen. A maverick by his own admission and pioneer of brand storytelling, David Hieatt is...
Cherie White
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode, we are joined by Cherie White. Cherie is the CEO of Think for the Future, a social enterprise that is driven to make an im...
Ali Henderson
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest instalment of Heads & Tales, we were joined by Ali Henderson, the CEO of Royal National Children's SpringBoard Foundation. Ali&#...
Robin Davies
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode, we unravel the fascinating career trajectory of Robin Davies, the newest addition to the founding team at Charterhouse, La...
Oli de Botton
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Back with our first episode of 2024, we have Oli de Botton. Oli is the CEO of The Careers & Enterprise Company – our national body for careers e...
Justin Pinnells
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 23 brings Justin Pinnells, Academic Director of CATALYST by Winchester College. An articulate and sophisticated thinker, Justin’s episode in...
Dr Joe Spence
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Heads & Tales, we are delighted to be joined by a giant of the education world, Joseph Spence, Master of Dulwich College. Check out h...
George Whitefield & Charles Astor
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’re thrilled to bring you the dynamic duo behind Sharky & George for episode 22 of Heads & Tales. Featuring: 🎈 The real reason they s...
Sharath Jeevan OBE
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sharath Jeevan OBE, the Executive Chairman of Intrinsic Labs. Sharath was awarded an OBE in the 2022 Queen's New Year's Honours for founding a...
Will Orr Ewing
16 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Will Orr-Ewing, Founder of Keystone Tutors and Arka Learning. Will is a friend of Oppidan and an expert on all things 1:1 support. This episode includ...
Helen Demetriou
16 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’re thrilled to have Dr Helen Demetriou, Associate Professor at the University of Cambridge, on Episode 19 of Heads & Tales. Including: •Why...
James Dahl
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We are delighted to have James Dahl, Master of Wellington College. Including: •the big lie he told on the 3rd day of his teaching career •his take...
Haili Hughes
26 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are delighted to welcome Haili Hughes, Principal Lecturer in Mentoring and Professional Development at the University of Sunderland. It’...
Sandra Davis
19 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’re back with a brilliant new episode featuring Sandra Davis Partner in Family Law at Mishcon de Reya LLP. Sandra has over 40 years' experienc...
Gifty Gansah
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 15 and we are thrilled to welcome Gifty Ghansah, Principal of the African Science Academy, which was founded by Tom Ilube and the African Gift...
Ed Kirwan
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 14 features Ed Kirwan, Founder of Empathy Week which helps schools enable every student and teacher to feel seen, heard and understood by deve...
Will Goldsmith
07 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 13 is a belter with William Goldsmith who has been Head of Bedales School since September 2021, having initially joined the school as Deputy H...
Joe Seddon
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s Episode 12 and we have an amazing conversation with Joe Seddon, Founder and CEO of Zero Gravity, a technology company that supports low-income ...
Colin Bell
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 10 is an in - depth interview with Colin Bell, CEO of COBIS - Council of British International Schools. Originally joining COBIS in 2010, Coli...
Vikas Pota
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’ve got an incredible conversation with Vikas Pota, Founder & CEO of T4 Education. T4 is a digital platform he established as a resp...
Tom Ravenscroft
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 8 and we are thrilled to welcome Tom Ravenscroft - Founder & CEO of Skills Builder Partnership. The Skills Builder Partnership brings toge...
Olly Newton
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 7 of Heads & Tales and the big guests keep on coming with Olly Newton, Executive Director of the Edge Foundation. Edge is an independent, ...
Dame Sally Coates
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 6 of ‘Heads & Tales’ is one of our biggest yet, featuring Director of Secondaries at United Learning, Dame Sally Coates. Featuring: 🪟...
Ed Fidoe
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s Episode 5 and this one is special: an in-depth chat with Ed Fidoe, currently CEO at the LIS: The London Interdisciplinary School. Before LIS, E...
Anthony Wallersteiner
05 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Headmaster of Stowe, Dr Anthony Wallersteiner. It was a rollicking and revealing conversation, including: 👎🏻 Why he was hopeless at prep school ...
Julia Martin
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Episdoe three is an in-depth interview with the CEO of ISEB, Julia Martin. Featuring: 🚀 How she got into the assessment industry 📚 How Exams w...
Emilie Spire
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most exciting young founders in education, Emilie Spire of Noala. Featuring: 👨👩👧👦 The family story that launched Noal...
Andrew Nott
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our first guest is Andrew Nott, Chairman of IAPS and Educational Consultant.