The School Leadership Podcast
Episodes
Understanding hygiene poverty and supporting students in schools
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Recent research suggests that nearly three million schoolchildren in the UK have experienced hygiene poverty in the past year. This means everyday ess...
Celebrating inclusive school cultures
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With the education sector facing an unprecedented recruitment and retention crisis, former head of science Jagdeep Pabla felt it was time to celebrate...
Calm leadership
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Head teacher Patrick Cozier talks to NAHT assistant general secretary James Bowen about the calm approach to school leadership he has developed over 2...
Battling burnout: tips and tools for school leaders
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Rowena Hicks, an experienced teacher and deputy head, as she shares her experience of burnout – a challenge faced by so many school leaders. Yo...
Putting well-being first: the school that changed children’s education by prioritising mental health
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Four years ago, Carr Mill Primary School in St Helens, Merseyside, embarked on a new whole-school approach to mental health that has delivered some re...
Allergies in schools: supporting leaders, teachers and students
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the wake of the tragic death of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died in 2016 from an allergic reaction to sesame seeds in the dough of a b...
Inspiring Leadership – part two
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How can you effectively manage conflict? What qualities define great leadership? In what ways should schools implement artificial intelligence? In thi...
Inspiring Leadership – part one
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore the art of decision-making, the importance of ‘botheredness’, the dynamics of people-pleasing, and much more. Join us ...
Rethinking teacher appraisal
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The removal of performance-related pay in 2024 marked a turning point in how schools approach teacher appraisal. But why was performance-related pay a...
Cybersecurity for school leaders
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do you keep your school’s IT systems and data safe? From ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ backups and the cloud to patching, passwords and multi-factor ...
Lessons in negotiation: tools to help school leaders build better relationships and calm a crisis
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, former Metropolitan Police hostage and crisis negotiator Nicky Perfect shares strategies to help school leaders deal with difficult e...
The future of school inspection: what school leaders need to know about Ofsted’s plans for reform
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Plans to change the way schools in England will be inspected were unveiled by Ofsted earlier this month. These would see schools graded on a five-step...
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: what school leaders need to know
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Published in December and currently making its way through parliament, the government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill would bring about ch...
How can we make school leadership sustainable?
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does being a leader in a primary or secondary school today really involve? How does the role vary across the UK? And how can we make it more sust...
So far, so good? What impact has the new government had on schools?
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A little more than four months on since the general election, NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman reflects on working with the new government so far,...
Reducing workload and improving well-being: one trust’s journey
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From ditching performance targets to allowing teachers time off – hear how a multi-academy trust is overhauling its policies in a bid to tackle work...
Extra episode: exploring staff absence protection for schools
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does a really good school staff absence insurance policy look like? How can schools support staff well-being and lower absenteeism? What does hav...
How do we improve education policymaking?
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's synthetic phonics, the curriculum or school inspection, how are our education policies actually made? Why do they often fail the sect...
Rethinking the curriculum: creating an inclusive primary education
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Where do you start to if you want to diversify the primary curriculum? Based on her experience as a primary head teacher, Sarah Wordlaw shares ideas a...
An election special
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the 4 July 2024 general election approaching, the School Leadership Podcast explores NAHT’s manifesto for education For Their Future with the u...
Top of the class? Insights from some of the world’s highest-performing school systems
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What can we learn from the world’s top-performing school systems? Join Geoff Masters, CEO of the Australian Council for Educational Research, and NA...
Rethinking leadership development
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Liz Robinson, CEO of multi-academy trust and charity Big Education, believes there’s a significant gap between what national professional qualificat...
What next for the school system?
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It is more than two decades since academies were first introduced to the English education system, and around half of all state-funded pupils now atte...
Inspiring leadership in 2024
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Inspiring Leadership Conference is back in Birmingham this June for its tenth year, with another uplifting programme of speakers and sessions spec...
Teacher Wellbeing Index 2023: a snapshot of the sector
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Content warning: please note this podcast episode mentions suicide. Loneliness, stress, not-fit-for-purpose inspections and burnout: Education Support...
Will AI transform education?
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Could AI reduce workload by cutting the time teachers spend on marking and lesson planning – is it a time-saver or time-waster? What are ‘hallucin...
Learning with parents
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Research suggests that by age 11, a disadvantaged child is on average nine months behind their peers in English and Maths – and that only 14% of thi...
The social model of disability
11 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
NAHT supports the social model of disability, which shifts the focus away from individuals, and onto the societal barriers that ‘disable’ people. ...
Inspiring Leadership in 2023
27 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From demystifying mindfulness to rethinking resilience, hear thought-provoking conversations with key speakers at this year’s Inspiring Leadership C...
Talking technology: edtech in schools
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How can schools decide what education technology (edtech) to invest in? Has the edtech agenda been overrun by technologists – and if so, how can it ...
An industrial action special
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode of the School Leadership Podcast, NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman talks about the upcoming industrial action ballot and w...
Life-friendly leadership
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What does life-friendly leadership look like in schools? And why do so many women aged 30 to 39 – more than any other group – leave teaching every...
The picture on pay
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman gives his analysis of the current dispute over pay for teachers and school leaders, and explains why the governme...
Talking about transition
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Experienced school leader and education advisor Dave Harris talks about what good school transition looks like, why it’s the elephant in the room an...
Schools and sustainability
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How can schools help tackle climate change? Are solar panels, heat pumps and retrofitting realistic solutions – particularly for older school buildi...
A Black History Month special: the anti-racist journey of a Manchester school
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hear Laura Morris, head of religious studies and citizenship at a secondary school in Manchester, reflect honestly on her school’s anti-racist journ...
Closing the writing gap
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How is writing like a game of chess? What difference does improved writing make, and how can teachers be supported to achieve this? Is reading the key...
Leading on assessment
02 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Effective assessment remains one of the most crucial aspects of high-quality teaching and learning. In this episode, three school leaders speak to NAH...
An Inspiring Leadership special
11 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of NAHT’s School Leadership Podcast brings you conversations with some of the key speakers at Inspiring Leadership Conference 2022, whi...
Coaching for the classroom
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
History teacher and coach Sam Moinet speaks to the School Leadership Podcast about his experiences in the classroom and of the mental health challenge...
Making sense of the metrics
25 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Husham Khan, author of the best-selling book Financial Intelligence for School Business Leaders, speaks to NAHT’s Natalie Arnett about the pressures...
In conversation with Ed Balls
11 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Former secretary of state for education and cabinet minister Ed Balls reflects on his experiences of – and views on – leadership in this April 202...
Ventilation in schools
08 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is the best way to ventilate a classroom, what do you need to know about CO2 monitors and are air-cleaning machines worth the investment? NAHT’...
Just Like Us
08 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As part of LGBT+ History Month in 2022, hear Dominic Arnall, chief executive at LGBT+ young people's charity Just Like Us, in conversation with NAHT’...
Talking with Tes
14 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tes editor Jon Severs talks to NAHT’s James Bowen about tackling covid guidance, teachers on Twitter and Tes being a voice the prof...
Doing the sums on school funding
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What does this autumn’s budget really mean for school spending? Will schools be better off in 2022, and beyond? And what will changes in the funding...
Educating for equality
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, hear primary head teacher and director of Educating for Equality Sabrina Edwards talk about her work supporting leaders on their jour...
Black History Month: Betty Campbell
12 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Geraldine Trotman, Black History Patron for Wales, reflects on the contribution of her lifelong friend, champion of multiculturalism and Wales' first ...
An equality, diversity and inclusion special
03 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, you’ll hear conversations that reflect on student and staff experiences of discrimination and explore how school leaders can take s...
A head teacher’s diary: leading a school through the pandemic
30 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In March 2020, head teacher Alan Garnett decided to start a weekly column for a local paper chronicling the experiences of his school community as it ...
The science of learning
06 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What does research say about the science of learning, and what does it mean for school leaders? In a conversation that takes in his experience of work...
Speech and language therapy in covid times
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, you'll hear two perspectives on children's speech and language. Speech and language therapist Anna Sellers, who works with children i...
Swimming and schools with Olympic medalist Steve Parry
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Former Olympic swimmer Steve Parry is the co-founder of Total Swimming Academies and believes every child should have the opportunity to learn and enj...
Football Beyond Borders
12 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Football Beyond Borders is an education and social inclusion charity which transforms the outcomes for disadvantaged young people who are passionate a...
Mental health, well-being and school leadership: tips and tools in covid times
10 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After a year that has seen school leaders “carrying the community” as they steer schools through the pandemic, Sinéad Mc Brearty, CEO of Educatio...
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion in schools
10 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Closing gaps, inclusivity and redressing imbalance wherever it may be is at the very core of the Global Equality Collective (GEC). Co-CEO and founder ...
From little acorns mighty oak trees grow
08 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Oak National Academy is the online classroom made for teachers by teachers. Created in April 2020 as a rapid response to the coronavirus outbreak, Oak...
Lockdown, learning and the great outdoors
19 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One of the unavoidable effects of the pandemic has meant that we have been forced to almost renegotiate our relationship with outdoor spaces. For lead...
What does effective remote learning look like?
21 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When the national lockdown took place earlier this year, many schools quickly turned to technology to bridge the gap and continue learning outside of ...
Reducing academic anxiety and supporting young people’s mental health
15 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Campaigner, activist and speaker; Natasha Devon MBE talks to James Bowen about the relationship between exam stress and mental health in children and ...
Planning for a full return to school this September – James Bowen answers your FAQs
27 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The past few months have been a rapidly changing picture for schools which hasn’t always been easy to interpret and then act on. It’s been our aim...
Schools and covid-19: your questions answered with Dr Matt Butler
16 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How can we minimise infection in schools and in the wider community? How can we protect the most at-risk groups? Should staff be wearing PPE? How ofte...
Technology in the classroom: a tool for learning or an enormous distraction?
03 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, NAHT head of policy James Bowen talks to education author and former teacher Daisy Christodoulou about technology in schools. We...
Episode 28 - Social mobility with Professor Sonia Blandford
15 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Sonia Blandford is one of the country's foremost experts on improving the education and aspirations of children from disadvantaged backgroun...
Episode 27 - Reconsidering resilience and its role in school leadership.
13 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We hear from Andy Wolfe, deputy chief education officer for the Church of England, about why it’s time to rethink resilience and what it means for s...
Episode 26 - What can we expect from the new inspection framework? (Part 2)
28 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It's the much awaited second part of our chart with Matthew Purves from Ofsted. Matthew gets into the specifics of what the new framework means for s...
Episode 25 - ‘What can we expect from the new inspection framework?’
15 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Deep dives and cultural capital. Ofsted is always an intense talking point and both this and next month, the School Leadership Podcast will keep you f...
Episode 24 - Graham Frost and Lord Redesdale
16 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This month, we’re talking about climate change and how schools are supporting their pupils to take an active interest in one of the most pressing is...
Episode 23 - The Difference
16 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
School exclusions is an issue right at the top of the government’s agenda currently, and it’s no wonder why. After a period of steady decline in t...
Episode 22 - Winston's Wish
26 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss a difficult, but vitally important topic – childhood bereavement. Shockingly, around 1 in 29 children will be bereaved of a parent or ...
Episode 21 - David Weston : Attaining the highest quality CPD in schools
04 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How effective is the professional development in your school? Are you confident that the CPD your teachers are engaging in is having a positive im...
Episode 20 - H is for Harry - Edward Owles, Jamie Taylor and Ed Vainker
04 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
As a profession, we've become accustomed to seeing school leaders, teachers and pupils becoming unexpected stars of the small screen. Documentaries li...
Episode 19 - The Shared Headship Network
05 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Shared Headship network is run by a group of committed school leaders who aspire to be head teachers one day in the future. Their aim is straightf...
Episode 18 - Panel debate, Edtech Festival.
27 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this year, Edge Director James Bowen joined a panel at the inaugural Edtech Podcast festival in London to discuss the vital issue of teacher w...
Episode 17 - Rob Webster
27 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Rob Webster is this months guest and is an Associate Professor at the UCL Institute of Education. Rob has worked on a number of research projects foc...
Episode 16 - Laura Mcinnerney, Becky Allen and Fiona Millar
11 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Once again this year we will bring you influential and interesting guests from the world of education. Whether it’s leadership experts, subject spec...
Episode 15 - Dr Jill Berry and the characteristics of effective middle leaders.
20 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jill is the former Head of Dame Alice Harpur School in Bedford. Since leaving headship in 2010, she has worked as an Associate for the National ...
Episode 13 - Speakers for Schools : Jimmy Wales, Fiona Miller and Ashley Hodges
21 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This month, our podcast is brought to you in partnership with our friends at ‘Speakers for Schools’ and in this episode we’ll speak with some ve...
Episode 14 - Professor Sonia Blandford; closing the attainment gap, the importance of Early Years and self-belief.
21 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest is Professor Sonia Blandford. Sonia is the Chief Executive of education charity Achievement for All and the author of the book, ‘Born to F...
Episode 12 - High challenge / Low threat - Mary Myatt.
28 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Education adviser, writer and speaker - that's Mary Myatt. Hear Mary talk fluidly about high challenge / low threat, the often difficult subject of un...
Feb 2018 - a Leadership Podcast update
26 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A quick steer on what you can expect from the podcast very soon; thanks for subscribing!
Episode 11 - From Ofsted to teacher workload : In conversation with Dr Becky Allen.
21 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This year in the podcast, we are looking forward to bringing you some of the most influential and interesting voices from the world of education, and ...
Episode 10 - The Chartered College of Teaching at a year old
04 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast we hear from Dame Alison Peacock on how the Chartered College of Teaching as it comes up for its one year anniversary. Edge direct...
Episode 9 - Effective literacy training and a school funding update
13 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this first podcast of the new school year we discuss effective literacy teaching, and find out what the evidence really tells us about this crucial...
Episode 8 - In partnership with Ambition School Leadership
26 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we focus on the crucial role middle leaders play in school improvement. We hear from a panel of middle leaders who reflect on what the...
Episode 7 - Maths mastery and fluency and data protection - what schools need to know.
25 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s podcast is a maths special. We’ll get to grips with big ideas such as mastery and fluency, and also discuss the government’s propos...
Episode 6 - Nicky Morgan and Ambition School Leadership
16 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Nicky Morgan was the secretary of state for education up until July of last year. In this episode we ask her what it’s really like to be the ministe...
Episode 4 - Daisy Christodoulou and an Early Years update
09 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Hello and Happy New Year. Welcome to the latest school leadership podcast brought to you by NAHT Edge and NAHT. In this first episode of 2017 we fi...
Episode 5 - The new Head of Ofsted
09 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Amanda Spielman succeeded Sir Michael Wilshaw as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector at the start of the year. Prior to becoming the new Ofsted chief, Ama...
Episode 3 - Fair Education Alliance, CPD, Progress 8 and Ebacc
09 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It's a very Merry Christmas from us here at NAHT and NAHT Edge, we're joined by Lewis Iwu, Director of the Fair Education Alliance. Lewis tells James ...
Episode 2 - The English Special with Pie Corbett
09 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
James Bowen hears from author, former Head teacher and Ofsted inspector Pie to get his views on the current English primary curriculum. Find out what ...
Episode 1 - Professor Dame Alison Peacock
09 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
James Bowen, Director of NAHT Edge helps to launch this brand new, sector - leading podcast with an exclusive chat with the newly appointed CEO of the...