Changing Conversations

Amanda Corrigan is deputy head of the School of Education at the University of Strathclyde. She is passionate about developing the best teachers to support Scotland’s children and young people. She chats with Sarah and Billy about what really matters in becoming a great teacher, and they all share advice for teachers new to the profession and those further into their career. Amanda tweets @ajcorri...

Ali MacLachlan is CEO of The Wood Foundation, a charity aiming to help enable and empower social and economic change in Scotland and Africa. This conversation is about Generation Change - our young people, our future. Ali is passionate about active citizenship and inspiring a love of learning in our children and young people, and discusses how wellbeing and purpose are core to this and to how she...

There is a window for positive change in education at the moment and connections lie at the heart of it. In this conversation, Sarah and Billy hear from Professor Alan Daly, author of 'Social Network Theory and Educational Change.' Alan's enthusiasm is infectious and he is passionate about how formal and informal networks can be a driving force for school improvement. Find out more about Alan here...

Graeme Armstrong is best-selling author of 'The Young Team', a book set around gang culture in Airdrie in the west of Scotland. The novel mirrors many of Graeme’s own experiences growing up involved with drugs, drink and violence. in this conversation he openly shares his views on his motivation and hopes for the book, reflections on his educational experiences and his hopes for a better future fo...

David Price OBE is a bestselling author, speaker and international expert on how organisations learn, innovate and make themselves fit for the future. In this episode David delves into various themes from his most recent book 'The Power of Us' and challenges us to think differently to innovate, collaborate and cooperate. Sarah, Billy and David also discuss what the future could look like for the e...

One year on from the launch of the podcast, Sarah and Billy close off season 2 with reflections, hopes and a sneak preview into some future episodes of Changing Conversations.

Claire Lavelle runs The Hive of Wellbeing, promoting and supporting the wellbeing of educators across Scotland. Claire’s understanding and perspective is much sought after and in this episode she reflects on how teachers can navigate the end of term and recover during the holiday, while also considering the big questions that still rumble along for many. http://www.thehiveofwellbeing.co.uk/

Guy Claxton is a cognitive scientist by training and writer of over 30 books on psychology and education. Guy is fascinated by learning and how we can get better at it. He has written extensively about learning and the mind, and in this episode he shares insights from his latest book 'The Future of Teaching and the Myths That Hold us Back'. Professor John Hattie refers to this book as "a timely to...

Following two very popular previous episodes with Michael Fullan on the podcast, this was a live event on April 28th 2021 with various audience members in attendance from around the globe. Michael delivers a presentation on his 'Right Drivers for Whole System Success' paper and responds to questions provided by the audience. The video of this event is available by sending us a direct message via o...

Professor Rowena Arshad, former Head of Moray House School of Education, has had a long and distinguished career in education and has made a significant contribution to the area of race equality. In this important conversation with Billy and Sarah, Rowena shares her considerable knowledge and challenges us all to consider how we tackle discrimination and promote diversity. In March 2021 she oversa...

Deb Master has a varied career in education. Formerly a teacher she is now based at the Centre for Educational Leadership at the University of Auckland. She has worked closely with Professor John Hattie and has led change in assessment at systems level. Deb talks candidly about how we can create the conditions for improvement, and what really matters in organisational development.

Kevin Brack is Head Teacher of Craigour Park Primary in Edinburgh. In this episode we explore and dig deeper into what wellbeing really is. Kevin's insight, depth and breadth of exploration and understanding is powerful and will provide much food for thought.

Viviane Robinson is distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Auckland.  Viviane's work has focused on school improvement, leadership and the relationship between research and practice. A leading voice in her field internationally, she has received various awards for her work. In this episode Sarah chats to Viviane about her book 'Reduce Change to Increase Improvement', delving into th...

Darren Leslie is a teacher, blogger, author and podcaster (Becoming Educated). He is passionate about professional learning, deepening his own practice and supporting others to do the same. He also co-hosts #ScotEd. In this conversation, Darren generously shares the knowledge and insight he has gathered on his own learning journey and considers how teachers can strive for excellence through person...

Jim Knight has spent more than 20 years studying instructional coaching, professional learning and communication. Jim shares his insight into how his practice has evolved and considers how professional learning might develop in the future. You can find out more about Jim and his work by reading his books: The Impact Cycle, Instructional Coaching and Better Conversations. Find out more: https://www...

A year on from deciding to create Changing Conversations, Sarah and Billy reflect on key themes of change and improvement, emphasising the need to rethink pre-pandemic assumptions. They look forward to forthcoming conversations with interesting contributors, and announce the star guest for the first ever Changing Conversations Live event. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3eaEaWv

Julie and Paul McNeil are co-authors of recent publication 'Mission Dyslexia.' An ambassador for Dyslexia Scotland, Paul is passionate about ensuring young people have the best opportunities in life regardless of their needs. Julie and Paul speak with Billy and Sarah about their passion for making a difference, their hopes as parents of dyslexic children and what they would like to see change in t...

Shirley Clarke is a leading voice on the practical application of formative assessment, and is passionate about the difference this can make to educational outcomes. Find out more about Shirley's work https://www.shirleyclarke-education.org/

Celebrating #IWD2021 in conversation with Lena Carter and Christine Couser of WomenEd Scotland. We explore what the the 'choose to challenge' theme for IWD means and how we can choose to challenge in the wider educational context. Connect with WomenEd Scotland on twitter @WomenEdScotland .If you would like to join the conversation there a WomenEd event on Saturday 13th March: https://www.eventbrit...

Fiona is PT Art & Design at Kirkintilloch High School. You can find her on twitter @TeachArtDesign where she shares insights into her learning, teacher and leadership. A self-confessed 'edugeek', she connected with Darren Leslie to create and co-host #SctoEd2020. Here, Fiona shares her passion for learning at all ages and reflects on her professional learning journey as a teacher in Scotland.

Billy and Sarah reconnect with Michael Fullan, a leading voice globally in education and systems change. They discuss Michael's latest paper , which intends to provide a "comprehensive solution to what ails the current public school system and its place in societal development - a system that is failing badly in the face of ever complex fundamental challenges to our survival . . . as a species." T...

Jim Thewliss is General Secretary of School Leaders Scotland and a former secondary head teacher. In this episode Jim chats with Billy and Sarah about the role professional associations continue to play in the Covid-19 recovery process, why the need for empowerment is stronger than ever, and what needs to change with the qualifications system. Follow SLS @LeadersScotland and https://www.sls-scotla...

Kate Middleton is a teacher, author (as KJ Walton) and illustrator with 4 published books.  She started writing stories for her pupils to help them understand and explore mindset. She then went on to write a book for teachers and most recently for parents and carers.  Kate combines a deep theoretical understanding with practical insight and experience.  Kate's latest book 'Mindset G...

We team up with the GTCS in this episode to continue the conversation with Professor Graham Donaldson following his lecture in January 2021 where he reflected on 10 years since his influential report on 'Teaching Scotland's Future.' The conversation is wide ranging and is a must-listen for educators everywhere.

During the lockdown of 2020 James Cook and Anita Le Tissier formed Scottish Educators Connect. This collaborative learning community now has over 50 members who meet regularly to read and explore the work of many leading educationalists. Their energy and enthusiasm for grass-roots professional learning and peer-to-peer support comes through in this episode, along with their humour! Connect with Ja...