Head-to-Head Podcast

Are you considering taking the step into Headship?  Hear from Sally Appadu, as she shares her journey from deliberating headship, to securing and embracing her new role as Headteacher. She reflects on the importance of being guided by strong values and ethics, developing her leadership style and nurturing professional relationships. Sally shares successes from her first term including fosteri...

How do you facilitate effective Early Years improvement across your Trust? Be Inspired! Listen to Nursery World Winner for Outstanding Contribution, Helen Bingham, as she shares her experiences in her role as EYFS MAT Lead for Aspire Academy Trust. Hear how she strategically supports colleagues outside the EYFS, enables improvement in practice across the EYFS teams and consider Trust wide conversa...

A Moment to Pause and Reflect Phil Armstrong Senior Education Lead at Early Excellence joins the podcast to reflect on his own experiences through this autumn term alongside that of the schools and settings he has worked with. He shares aspects of best practice and successful school improvement, explains the educational research journey that he is currently undertaking and considers the emerging p...

What are the Golden Threads and Cornerstones of your Curriculum? Be inspired! Listen to Executive Head, Lynsey Hadfield and Deputy Head Lizzy Battersby as they talk through the conception of their curriculum. Hear how it is underpinned by the culture, vision and beliefs of the setting and reflect on how they have achieved a progressive curriculum which enables and celebrates success for every chil...

Have you dipped your toe or taken a plunge into your EYFS?  Hear from Liam Ambrose, Headteacher at Kenninghall Primary School as he reflects on his recent ‘on the ground’ experiences of teaching in his EYFS. Originally trained in secondary, Liam shares his insights and experiences of getting to know, understand and value the EYFS. He explains how it has supported his thinking as a School Lead...

Do your school values connect cohesively to your whole school curriculum? Listen to Lucy Hughes, Headteacher at Arlies Primary School, as she explains her approach to developing core values to best support the school context, drive the school’s curriculum and impact on her pupil’s life habits. Hear about meaningful enrichment opportunities and successful strategies to support subject leaders in th...

Striving for Excellence Hear from Sally Appadu, Deputy Headteacher at Lillian-De-Lissa Maintained Nursery School as she celebrates their development journey, striving for excellence. Sally reflects on her inspection experience, on the crucial importance of a shared vision, an embedded whole school approach and effective systems for her context. A great listen for any Headteacher and Leadership Tea...

More than just PE lessons – how considered, connected and impactful is your PE curriculum? Hear from the team at Haytor View Primary School and Nursery, Newton Abbot, as they share the development of a whole school community strategy for Physical Education, Health and Well-Being.

Are you working on ways to connect your school curriculum?                                                         &nbsp...

Does your vision and strategic approach enable and empower everyone? Listen to Emily Morris, Headteacher at Eastway Primary School, as she shares some of her most impactful school development initiatives. Hear about an overhaul to the school curriculum, nurturing leaders of learning, successfully engaging with families and much more as Emily reflects on her school’s development journey. An insight...

Worried about Ofsted inspection stories that you’ve heard? Listen to Emma Johnson, Headteacher at Ravenshead Primary School, as she and her colleague Alex Sutcliffe take us through their inspection experience. Sharing insights into the professional conversations, discussions and some of the processes, as well their personal reflections and top tips. A must listen episode for any Primary School Hea...

Is your whole team confident in articulating your ‘3 I’s’? Listen to James Marshall, Headteacher at St Peter’s Primary Academy as we explore his inspection experience. James notes the value of professional conversations as a crucial underpinning support for his team and subject leader, Sophie Wood, shares her involvement in deep dives. An invaluable listen for Primary Heads and School Leaders.

Are you in the ‘inspection window’, expecting ‘the call’? Hear from Ryan Cousins, Headteacher at Kilnhurst Primary Academy as he shares his reflections about his Ofsted inspection and explains the processes. His colleague, Karen Mapin, also joins us to share a detailed insight into her deep dive experience. A ‘not to be missed’ episode for any Primary Headteacher and School Leader.