The Schools Week Podcast

In this episode of The Schools Week Podcast, Sir Kevan Collins talks to Schools Week editor John Dickens about his role and the challenges of reform, MAT CEO pay and why he remains a passionate advocate for education as a force for social mobility. Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or just passionate about schools, this conversation offers a glimpse into the mind of one of the UK’s most inf...

Amanda Spielman discusses her roles at Ofqual and Ofsted—how pragmatism, accountability, and tough choices shaped a decade of education reform.  Presenter: Laura McInerney Editor and producer: Chris Garrington, Research Podcasts   Artwork and audiograms: Nicky Philips, Simon Kay, EducationScape This podcast series is sponsored by AQA . Introducing Stride, the next generation of maths ass...

Three school leaders with a front row seat of the policy reforms of the past decade talk about how Whitehall decisions have changed the classroom, for better and worse. Becks Boomer-Clark, CEO of Lift Schools, Dr Nic Crossley, CEO of Liberty MAT, and Andrew O’Neill, headteacher of All Saints Catholic College, talk to Schools Week editor John Dickens. Presenter: John Dickens Editor and producer: Ch...

"The last government lost focus, particularly where it comes to the disadvantage gap. There was a lot of complacency. I don't think the standards are as strong as they made out." The former National Schools Commissioner, Sir David Carter, reveals the highs and lows of leading the academy trust movement, the real story behind trust collaboration, and what believes are the next big ch...

Bridget Phillipson was appointed education secretary in July following Labour’s landslide general election victory. She joined Schools Week to talk about her plans for the future of education. Presenter: Freddie Whittaker Editor and producer: Chris Garrington, Research Podcasts   Artwork and audiograms: Nicky Philips, Simon Kay, EducationScape This podcast series is sponsored by AQA . Introdu...

Dr Mary Bousted and Dr Patrick Roach have been involved in the trade union movement in education for decades. They joined Schools Week to talk about the last 10 years of education policymaking. Presenter: Freddie Whittaker Editor and producer: Chris Garrington, Research Podcasts   Artwork and audiograms: Nicky Philips, Simon Kay, EducationScape This podcast series is sponsored by AQA . Introd...

Geoff Barton and Paul Whiteman ran the country’s two school leadership unions for most of the last decade. They joined Schools Week to talk about the last 10 years of education policymaking. Presenter: Freddie Whittaker Editor and producer: Chris Garrington, Research Podcasts   Artwork and audiograms: Nicky Philips, Simon Kay, EducationScape This podcast series is sponsored by AQA . Introduci...

Natalie Perera worked at the Department for Education for 12 years. Angus Walker was a special adviser to Gavin Williamson. Jonathan Simons worked in Downing Street under Gordon Brown and David Cameron. They spoke to Schools Week deputy and political editor Freddie Whittaker about the last 10 years of education policymaking. Presenter: Freddie Whittaker Editor and producer: Chris Garrington, Resea...

Justine Greening and Damian Hinds talk about the highs and lows of their time in office during immense “political flux”, and their battles to propel education up the agenda when politicians were so easily distracted by Brexit. Presenter: Freddie Whittaker Editor and producer: Chris Garrington, Research Podcasts   Artwork and audiograms: Nicky Philips, Simon Kay, EducationScape This podcast se...

Nick Gibb reveals what it was like to drive education reform while battling efforts to reverse progress – and why it’s wrong to blame him for all the curriculum changes! Get a behind-the-scenes look at his decade in office. Presenter: Laura McInerney Editor and producer: Chris Garrington, Research Podcasts   Artwork and audiograms: Nicky Philips, Simon Kay, EducationScape This podcast series...

In the inaugural episode of Turning the Pages on a Decade of School Reform, host Anna Trethewey introduces key figures behind the success of Schools Week : publisher Shane Mann, former editor Laura McInerney, and current editor John Dickens. Together, they delve into the origins of the newspaper, from its accidental beginnings as Academies Week to the pivotal decision that changed its name. Along...