Heads & Tales

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’ll Ever Need . Jade traces her journey from high-achieving student to global educator, reflecting on Minerva University, active learning and the emotional realities of modern adolescence. She also makes the case for why authenticity, wellbeing and r...

In this episode of  Heads & Tales , Henry Faber speaks with  Robert Tomalin , Principal of Oeiras International School in Lisbon. From his own journey through the UWC movement to leading a truly international IB school, Robert reflects on diversity, service learning, leadership and why community remains the defining strength of any school. He also makes a compelling case for why publishing exa...

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 capital’s most distinctive international schools, the difference between American and British approaches to education and what schools can do to balance academic rigour with human connection in an AI-obsessed world.

Up next on Heads & Tales is journalist and author Jenny Anderson, whose book The Disengaged Teen has reshaped how educators and parents understand adolescent learning. Tapping into the minds of 68,000 students, Jenny explains why so many teens switch off from school, the four modes they cycle through and what parents and teachers can do to help them rediscover their drive and purpose.

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 AI to a crisis of unhappiness in schools, Seldon argues that the future of education hinges on rediscovering what makes us truly human. His episode is one of meaning, humility and hope, told with the unquestionable authority of a man who has dedicated...

In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber hosts Jane Lunnon, Head of Alleyn’s School. From expanding Alleyn’s network of schools to launching pioneering AI and wellbeing programmes, Jane shares her philosophy on leadership, creativity and courage, and why she believes schools should be places of joy, curiosity and connection.

In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber is joined by Steve Marshall-Taylor, Headmaster of Brighton College. Steve reflects on what it means to lead a community built on both tradition and innovation, from the unifying power of whole-school moments to the quiet resilience that defines great teaching and leadership. He talks about Brighton’s growing boarding culture, the global reach of it...

In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber speaks with Naheed Bardai, Principle of UWC Atlantic College. From rescuing an Afghan student during the Taliban takeover to launching an innovative new curriculum, Naheed shares how this radical Welsh boarding school is preparing teenagers for the complex, interconnected world of 2060.

In this episode of Heads & Tales, Walter hosts BJ Fogg, Stanford researcher, founder of the Behaviour Design Lab and author of the bestseller  Tiny Habits . From mentoring the co-founder of Instagram to disrupting traditional schools of thought, BJ shares stories and practical tips for anyone trying to change behaviour – at home, at school or at work.

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 could work to his new mission tackling childcare, Brett reflects on two decades of reform, the future of teacher recruitment and why early years deserve far more attention.

In this episode of  Heads & Tales , Walter Kerr speaks to Alison Derbyshire, the first female Head of Dulwich College Seoul. From topping the IB rankings in Korea to tackling the  hagwon  culture, Alison reflects on balancing rigour with wellbeing, leading an all-female team and rethinking what success should mean for students in Korea today.

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 brand abroad, Neil reflects on global expansion, cultural reciprocity and the lessons of a long career in the education sector.

In this episode of Heads & Tales , Henry Faber speaks with Rachel Bailey, Headmistress of Benenden School in Kent. From leading a thriving community of over 550 girls to championing individual passions and personal growth, Rachel shares thoughtful perspectives on empowering young women.

In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber speaks with Grant Ferguson, Director of Verbier International School in Switzerland. From merging two schools in a world-famous ski resort to balancing academic rigour with mountain exploration, Grant shares candid insights on leadership, holistic education and why small schools can deliver on a big scale.

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 cost to rethinking college prep and teacher development, Will shares what it takes to lead with clarity, culture and trust. A sharp, honest look at school leadership in one of the world’s most competitive education markets.

In this episode of  Heads & Tales , Henry Faber speaks with Simon Lockyer, Principal of the British School of Milan. Reflecting on his first year in international education after a long UK-based career, Simon discusses leadership, school culture, the IB curriculum and the importance of naughty students. From campus moves to post-COVID parenting dynamics, he brings thoughtful insight to the cha...

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 Education Director of Inspired Education Group, an ever-expanding network of 120 schools across six continents that oversees the education of over 90,000 students. He shares his insights on curriculum innovation, AI's role in education and what the future holds of...

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 Department for Education. With over a decade at the Education and Skills Funding Agency – formerly responsible for deploying £40 billion each year – Mike brings a dual perspective on both policy and practice of education in the UK.

With Walter Kerr at the hosting helm, our next episode of Heads & Tales features Stephen Lehec, Headmaster of Kingston Grammar School. Once one of the country's youngest secondary heads, Stephen has spent his career celebrating the role of education not just as an academic pursuit, but as a stimulus for social mobility, confidence and personal growth.

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 University. Amongst many other feathers in his cap, Ben is a devout education reformer and Silicon Valley superstar in a previous life.

In the latest episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber sits down with Alastair Land, Headmaster of Harrow School since 2019 - a true titan of independent education with a career spanning the very best of British schooling. 

In the latest episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber sits down with Clare Fernyhough, founding partner of Smartphone Free Childhood, the grassroots movement that's taken the parenting world by storm.

In the latest episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber is joined by James Priory, Headmaster at Tonbridge School since August 2018. James brings a compelling story to independent education - from his beginnings as an assisted place beneficiary at King Edward's Birmingham to becoming the first internally appointed headmaster at Portsmouth Grammar School in almost 200 years.

In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber speaks to Tomas Duckling, the newly appointed Headmaster of Dubai College. From boarding schools in the Swiss Alps to one of the Middle East’s most academically ambitious institutions, Tom reflects on the values that have shaped his career: kindness, joy and character. He shares stories of transformative mentorship, early leadership challenges and...

Henry is joined by Professor Dr Ger Graus OBE – education trailblazer and provocateur – best known as the first Global Director of Education at KidZania. A true internationalist with roots in the Netherlands and a career forged in the UK, Ger’s impact on global education has been both profound and unconventional.