Reed’s Between the Lines

This week on Reed’s Between the Lines , Mr Hoskins and Dr Smith sit down with the newly appointed Senior Prefect Team for 2026–27. Joining us are new School Captains Phoebe B and Monty J, alongside Deputy School Captains Jemima K, Sam R and Izzy R (Pupil Voice), and Adam H, Caleb M and Rosie T (ORs & Community). From public speaking and application letters to leadership ambitions, pupil-led ch...

In a new Reed’s tradition now entering its second year, the podcast microphones are wrested from staff hands as our departing Upper Sixth senior prefects take over Reed’s Between the Lines for one final conversation together.  School Captains Friso Boomsma and Kath Purves are joined by Deputy School Captains Sam Sharpe and Alexia Westwood (Pupil Voice), William Waller and Lucy Cooper (ORs), and Sa...

In this special episode, we bring you highlights from the Andrew Reed Lecture 2026: Entrepreneurship... Building Businesses that Matter . Hosted at Schroders/Cazenove Capital, the evening brought together Old Reedonians, parents/guardians, and aspiring founders for an engaging exploration of what it truly means to think and act entrepreneurially. Skillfully moderated by Radio X and TV presenter, T...

This week we had enormous fun welcoming Old Reedonian, Richard Dinnick — British screenwriter, novelist, comic-book writer, narrative games designer and audio playwright — for a wide-ranging conversation about storytelling in all its forms. A frequent guest at events such as the London Screenwriters’ Festival, Gallifrey One and even San Diego Comic-Con, Richard is also a member of BAFTA, the Write...

Happy New Year — and welcome back to Reed’s Between the Lines!  In this episode, we dive into the Insights Discovery model — a communication framework that has reshaped workplaces across the corporate world and is now finding fresh relevance in education. We explore how it’s being used at Reed’s, and what it can reveal about the way we communicate, collaborate, and work together as a school commun...

On the final day of the Autumn Term, Mr Hoskins and Dr Smith welcome an unbeatable Christmas duo — arguably even better than Wham — Mr Osgood and Tom L (U6). Together they chat about Christmas music, festive favourites, and reflect briefly on the wonderful Carol Services at Reed’s. A few special moments from those services have been clipped to frame the episode, opening with O Holy Night and closi...

This week, Mr Hoskins and Dr Smith are joined by the irresistibly charismatic Mr Kara. In this episode, we explore the fascinating path that brought him to Reed’s. Drawing on a remarkably diverse portfolio of experiences, he has become one of those rare,  transformative figures in school life — the sort of teacher who can shift a pupil’s whole outlook with a single, perfectly timed question.  Join...

Reed’s Between the Lines is honoured to welcome former diplomat and author Mr Tim Willasey-Wilsey CMG, who joins us to discuss his gripping new book, The Spy and the Devil . It recounts the extraordinary true story of Bill de Ropp, an MI6 agent who infiltrated Nazi Germany in the 1930s, befriended senior Nazi officials, and even met Hitler himself to relay vital intelligence as war loomed. A power...

This week, we’re joined by the true guardian of Reed’s history — Old Reedonian Andy Wotton, whose connection to the school has only grown since he left in 1975. A local day boy turned NatWest training lead, Andy returned to Reed’s with a passionate mission: to uncover, preserve, and honour the stories that have shaped our community. At the heart of this episode is remembrance, and specifically And...

This week, Mr Hoskins, Mr Ha, and Dr Smith are joined by Reed's School's very own renaissance woman — Ms Cathy Horton, Head of Library, alongside Reed's Art Scholar Seb G. From training as a musical instrument maker in London to a decades-long career as an illustrative cartographer, Ms Horton has charted an extraordinary path. Now, as a library leader and SEND expert, she brings tog...

The Guardian put it best when Keith Medlycott left Surrey after guiding them to eight major trophies in six seasons: “arguably the most successful manager cum coach in the history of county cricket.” In a brilliant twist of fortune, Medders has also spent the past 20 years shaping young players here at Reed’s. There’s nobody quite like him, and in this episode he joins us alongside our Head of Cri...

This week we launch a renewed Reed’s Between the Lines format with our brave intellectual guinea pig, Mr David Atkins, Senior Deputy Head. With almost no warning, he turns up armed with a fascinating, little-known corner of British political history from right on our doorstep: the Diggers of Cobham. Was Cobham really the Bastille of the Home Counties? What can seventeenth-century proto-communists...

We’re back! And what better way to kick off a new season of Reed’s Between the Lines than with the irrepressible double act of Ms Cramoisan and Ms Townsend — joined by our marvellous MFL ambassador Jasmine D (U6) — to serve up a smorgasbord of linguistic delights. From the Languages Bake-Off to a week of Duolingo challenges — yes, there’s money to be won — this episode has it all. And if you liste...

In our final episode of Season 4 — and the final one of the 2024–25 school year — Mr Hoskins, Mr Ha, and Dr Smith celebrate the Reed’s community at the heart of it all. We’re joined by an exceptional line-up: returning School Captains Friso B and Kath P, the ever-brilliant Mrs Matthews (aka Sharmaine!) on her specialist subject (our Old Reedonians) and two very special guests making the journey ba...

This year, the Between the Lines team heads down to Senior Sports Day on a glorious summer afternoon, soaking up the energy and excitement as our pupil athletes shine across track and field. Join us for a vibrant mix of roaming ‘vox pop’ interviews with students and staff, spontaneous moments of joy, and a front-row seat to the spirit and culture that make Reed’s so special. It’s lively, it’s unpr...

The conversation continues with Dr Smith, Mr Ha, Ms Jackson, and Mr Ognall — now joined by the long-awaited Dr W-G! In a nod to the podcast’s origins as a respectable outlet for neutral reportage and current affairs, the talkative team share some under-the-radar news stories from the past year that, in their view, deserved more airtime. To all of our listeners this year — across 12 countries and f...

🎉 Happy Birthday, Reed’s Between the Lines ! In this very special anniversary episode, Mr Hoskins, Mr Ha, and Dr Smith celebrate an extraordinary year at Podcast HQ — and we’re joined by some truly dedicated super-fans from across the listenership! Representing the pupils, we welcome Aled W (First Form); from the staff, the brilliant Ms Jackson; and flying the flag for our parent audience are the...

Mullens, Capel, Bristowe, and Blathwayt —names that evoke colours forever emblazoned in the heart of every Reedonian, both 'Old' and current. Mr Hoskins, Mr Ha, and Dr Smith are delighted to welcome the wonderful Heads of House at Reed’s: Mr Clapp Jr. for Mullens, Ms Souter for Capel, Mr Farmer for Bristowe, and our very own Mr Ha for Blathwayt. With that unique blend of competition and...

This week Mr Hoskins, Mr Ha, and Dr Smith sit down with the newly appointed Prefect Leadership Team. Joining us are School Captains Friso B and Kath P and Deputy School Captains leading Pupil Voice (Sam S and Alexia W), the Arts (Lauren K and Sam O), and Old Reedonians (Lucy C and Will W). Each shares what drives them in their new roles, what they hope to change, and what makes Reed’s truly specia...

In a brilliantly engaging episode of Reed's Between the Lines , Mr Hoskins, Mr Ha, and Dr Smith are pleased to welcome back Mr Waller and a crack team of young historians — Patrick L and Luke D from the Third Form, and Toby T and Keziah C from the Lower Sixth — to explore the continued impact of the Second World War in 2025, and how pupils today connect with this pivotal period of history. We...

In this very special episode, a collective of Upper Sixth Form usurpers have ousted the usual hosting trio and taken over for Leavers' Day 2025! Join Erin C, Archie J, Tula K, Maisie L, James M, Kosi O, Bella P, and Sam P for a healthy dose of Reed’s nostalgia—the moments, memories, and mayhem that made the last seven, five, or two years in our brilliant school community totally unforgettable...

Welcome back to another season of Reed's Between the Lines ! As we dive into the glorious summer term, Season 4 kicks off with a look at the amazing residential tours that ran over the holidays—each one offering unforgettable experiences and rare skills. While Mr Hoskins, Mr Ha, and Dr Smith were busy touring themselves, we’ve decided to bring in the real experts: Matty N (Third Form) on the...

The original lineup—Mr Hoskins, Mr Ha, and Dr Smith—return for the Season 3 finale, wrapping up one of the busiest terms in recent memory (though, as we quickly realise, they all as bustling as each other!). Tune in for a free-flowing conversation as we revisit some of our favourite moments from the term, with plenty of unexpected twists and turns along the way. Happy Easter holidays from all of u...

This week, Dr Smith is firmly in his element—talking all things music with Mr Hoskins and Mr Ha as they relive the magic of last Friday’s gala concert at Fairfield Halls. Joining them are seven talented pupils, one from each year group at Reed's, spanning First Form to Upper Sixth: Freddy U (First Form), Alfie C (Second Form), Harry C (Third Form), Horatio T (Fourth Form), Freddie B (Fifth Fo...

Join Mr Hoskins and Dr Smith (...and briefly Mr Ha!) as they dive into the distinctive teaching and learning philosophy at the heart of the Reed’s experience. We’re thrilled to welcome Ms St Gallay (Deputy Head – Teaching and Learning) and Mr Ross (Deputy Head – Curriculum), who join a fantastic panel of pupils: Orson W-G, Elena T, Kosi O, Archie J, Eleni I (all U6), plus Tim S and Matthew D-E (Fo...