Leading With...

What happens when a school faces tragedy? In this episode of Leading With, Becky Dawson speaks with headteacher and PhD researcher Amanda Wilson about leading through critical incidents involving students. Together, they explore crisis leadership, communication, emotional wellbeing and the support school leaders need when navigating their most challenging moments. A thoughtful conversation packed...

How can we inspire children to reconnect with nature in an increasingly digital world? In this episode, we’re joined by Ben Faulks, best known as Mr Bloom, to explore the power of nature based learning in the early years. Ben shares the story behind Mr Bloom’s Nursery, explains how his beloved baby fruit and vegetable characters encourage empathy, creativity and communication, and discusses why ge...

What does staff wellbeing really mean and how can school leaders create cultures where staff can thrive? In this episode, Becky Dawson is joined by teacher, coach and author Emma Kell to explore the difference between wellbeing, wellness and "well-doing", why culture matters more than token gestures, and how leaders can support staff while protecting their own wellbeing. Together, they dis...

How can schools build confidence in science, create a culture of curiosity and prepare pupils for an increasingly complex world? In this episode, Ashleigh Morris and Sarah Hutson are joined by Professor Lynne Bianchi to explore the future of science education. Together, they discuss teacher confidence, meaningful CPD, the role of AI in the classroom, and why science must become a strategic priorit...

What happens when children move from Reception into formal classrooms with desks, worksheets and less play? In this episode of Leading With , Michelle Windridge speaks to Ruth Lue-Quee about why play based learning is essential for children’s development, the “cliff edge” into Year 1, and what schools can do differently to help children truly thrive. A must listen for school leaders and educators.

Why do so many children struggle with writing, even when they can read confidently? In this episode of Leading With, Nicola Romaine is joined by Dr Tim Mills, lead drafter for primary English in the revised national curriculum, to unpack the research behind writing, cognitive load, sentence structure and motivation. From handwriting and spelling to AI, working memory and why writing is actually ha...

What does effective intervention actually look like in secondary maths? In this episode of  Leading With , Pete Mattock is joined by guests from UCL to explore how university partnerships and structured tutoring programmes are helping schools tackle the maths attainment gap. From confidence and attainment to sustainability and implementation, this episode looks at what it really takes to make inte...

Your teachers are already using AI. Are you leading it or catching up? In this episode of Leading With , Alex Russell OBE and Dr Sarah Alcock unpack what’s really happening in schools right now. With most teachers already using AI, leadership can’t afford to sit back. This episode explores how to move from awareness to whole school implementation without losing control. AI is already in your class...

In this episode of Leading With , we unpack the phrase “not ready for phonics” and why it might be holding children back. Focusing on Reception, we explore what strong foundations really look like, why waiting isn’t the answer, and how early identification and targeted support can close gaps before they widen. A must-listen for school leaders and EYFS teachers looking to take a more confident, eff...

In this episode, Michelle Windridge speaks with Laura Shepherd, an experienced EYFS lead and Influencer, about her recent Ofsted inspection experience. They explore what Ofsted 2026 really looks like in practice, from leadership pressure to the realities of data, provision and professional judgement. Laura shares honest insight into how inclusion is approached, what inspectors are really looking f...

What if a child isn’t “bad at maths” but struggling with something we’re not spotting? In this episode of Leading With , Pete Mattock is joined by Rob Jennings to explore dyscalculia, a widely misunderstood learning difficulty affecting how learners understand and work with numbers. We cover what dyscalculia is, how it differs from maths anxiety, why it’s often missed, and what school leaders can...

How do children develop a love of reading before they can even read? In this episode of Leading With , Tracie Butterfill speaks with Jo Tregenza, President of the UK Literacy Association, about why talk, play and relationships are the true foundations of literacy in the early years. Discover practical ways educators and families can build language rich environments, support reading for pleasure an...

In this episode of the Leading With Podcast, Jon Cripwell, National Education Lead for Primary Maths at Twinkl, speaks with Gráinne Hallahan, Head of Community at Teacher Tapp, about what teachers across the UK are really experiencing in schools. Using insights from Teacher Tapp data, they explore workload, behaviour, CPD, AI in classrooms and what school leaders can learn from the real voices of...

Play is not a luxury. It is the foundation. In this episode of Leading With , Tracie Butterfill speaks with Amber Ogunsanya-William, inclusive play advocate and NSPCC Champion for Childhood, about why play builds resilience, belonging and achievement. From growing up in an adventure playground to influencing national conversations on childhood, Amber shares why protecting play is essential if educ...

What does it really take to lead phonics across more than 50 schools, without losing the joy of reading? In this episode of Leading With, Laura Brogan, National Phonics and Early Reading Lead at Twinkl, is joined by Kali Jauncey- Childs, National Early Years and Phonics Lead at Oasis Community Learning Together, they discuss leading phonics across a multi academy trust, embedding joy into early re...

In this episode of Leading With, Michelle Windridge, National Education Lead for School-Based EYFS, is joined by Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Ofsted, to discuss how inspection is evolving and what that means for schools. Sir Martyn reflects on the new Ofsted framework, its focus on collaboration, inclusion and supporting improvement, particularly for the most vulnerable chil...

How can school based funding support early years expansion? In this episode of Leading With, Michelle Windridge, National EYFS Lead for Schools at Twinkl, is joined by Alex Armstrong, Headteacher, and Anna Hughes, EYFS Lead, from Bloemfontein Primary School to discuss using school based nursery grant funding to open a baby room and expand early years provision. They share practical insight into fu...

Reading starts long before children enter the classroom. In this episode of the Leading With podcast, Laura Brogan speaks with early years educator and Phun Phonics creator Jasmeen Basi about the brain science behind early reading. They explore neuroplasticity, play based phonics, dyslexia, and why the early years are a critical window for developing reading skills, confidence and access to the wi...

How do we help pupils move beyond memorising formulas and start thinking like mathematicians? In this episode of Leading With , host Pete Mattock is joined by Dr Tom Crawford, mathematician, public engagement lead at the University of Oxford, and creator of Tom Rocks Maths. Tom shares insights from his viral GCSE maths experiment, his work with Oxford and Cambridge admissions, and his experience a...

This episode of the Leading With podcast explores how school leaders can use AI as a thinking partner rather than a replacement, focusing on its real impact on teacher workload, assessment, leadership decision making and the future shape of education

Join John Cripwell, National Education Lead for Primary Maths at Twinkl, and Stuart Parker-Tyreman, Twinkl’s Chief Education Officer, as they explore what truly closes the attainment gap. Drawing on decades of leadership across PRUs, special schools and multi-academy trusts, Stuart explains why pupil premium alone won’t shift long-term outcomes, how belonging underpins attendance and behaviour, an...

Join Twinkl's National English Lead, Nicola Romaine as she speaks with Kiran Satti, Deputy Principal and Curriculum Lead for Early Reading at Oasis Community Learning, about how early reading can transform outcomes for disadvantaged children. Discover why belonging, language play and safe relationships matter long before phonics, and how culture sits at the heart of closing the attainment gap....

What happens when eight thousand children walk into an arena, look up and realise they are part of one choir? The impact reaches far beyond the music- it touches confidence, culture and the kind of aspiration schools work hard to build every day. Twinkl National Arts Lead Karen Stretch and CEO of Young Voices, Ben Lewis, explore explore the essential role teachers play, the widening gap in arts ac...

What happens when we keep adding to the curriculum, but nothing ever gets taken out? Stuart Parker-Tyerman unpacks why the “curriculum bag” is close to bursting and what leaders can do about it.

What if the biggest barrier to maths success is not ability, but anxiety? Dr Thomas Hunt shares two decades of research into how emotions shape mathematical learning and what school leaders can do about it.