House Captains

What if rhythm and movement are not extras in education, but some of the most powerful tools we have to support children's development? In this episode, Kate Williams, Professor of Education and founder of RAMSR (Rhythm and Movement for Self-Regulation), examines the science of self-regulation and why music may play a far greater role in learning than we often realise. Drawing on her work as a...

What does it mean to make impact visible in schools? In this episode, Cale Birk, renowned educator, author, speaker and facilitator, explores his Observable Impact Model and the behaviours that help schools move from aspiration to action. Cale discusses how leaders can turn broad goals into clear, observable practices by asking what we would actually see if learning, engagement, leadership and col...

Walk into award-winning school makerspace, The Shed, and you’ll see everything from robots and sock puppets to model volcanoes and sewing projects. Most importantly, you’ll see students who are happy, curious and deeply engaged in what they are doing. In this episode, Steven Allan, Educational Technologies Lead Teacher at ESF Bradbury School, reflects on the vision behind The Shed - the space he c...

In this thoughtful conversation, Anna Smakowska, Principal of ESF Jockey Club Sarah Roe School, reflects on the meaning of inclusion, the complexity of diverse learning needs, and the shifting balance between knowledge and skills in the fast-changing world of education. With information now easily and instantly accessible, she argues that communication, independence, and social interaction are bec...

Early Years teacher Brenda Yuen is a champion of change. She is excited by the transformation reshaping education and the possibilities it brings. But she also recognises a simple truth: there are only so many hours in a school day, and the life of a teacher is already full. In this episode, the Primary Years Programme Coordinator at ESF Hillside International Kindergarten reflects on leading thro...

In this episode, Kirun Goy challenges educators to think differently about how learning actually takes hold in classrooms. A Harvard Leadership facilitator, keynote speaker, and co-founder and host of the BrainTool podcast, Kirun draws on behavioural and cognitive science to explore how habits, tools, and learning environments shape students’ ability to think deeply, remember clearly, and learn wi...

Drawing on his global experience as an author, trainer, and researcher, Kendall Zoller explores how shifts in the way educators think, talk, and work together can directly enhance student learning. He highlights why school leadership should be as intentional with adults as teachers are with students - designing clear purposes, structures, and processes that foster meaningful communication and coll...

What happens when learning moves beyond the classroom - and far outside the comfort zone? In this episode, Rod Field, founder and CEO of Higher Ground, reflects on why creating his organisation was not simply an aspiration but a calling he felt compelled to follow. Rod shares insights from one of the projects he is most proud to lead: Limitless, ESF’s six-week experiential learning programme in ru...

How can thoughtful design and emerging technologies help every learner thrive? In this episode, renowned educationalist and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) expert Beth Stark reflects on how intentional approaches can create classrooms where every learner’s unique strengths and needs are supported, and each student is equipped to succeed. Drawing on her global experience, she discusses the powe...

Belinda Greer is in a position most education leaders would envy.   As CEO of the English Schools Foundation (ESF), she leads 22 schools that are full, with long waiting lists and students who consistently achieve above the global average in their academic results. So why is she driving change? In this launch episode, Greer argues that standing still means falling behind. She sets out a bold visio...