The IAPS Podcast

In the latest instalment of our Head-to-Head series, Maxine Scully, Head at Notting Hill Prep, talks with Head at Cranmore School in Surrey, Barry Everitt. Together they discuss Barry’s journey from his early career as a professional rugby player into teaching, senior leadership roles and Headship. He talks about the leadership skills required for Headship, how he is using his executive coaching t...

Head of Professional Development at IAPS, Katherine Bluck hosts this AI-focused podcast with guest speakers Bianca Farthing, PhD researcher and Founder of AI Edify, Lex Lang, Deputy Head of Innovation and Partnerships at Caterham Prep School and a member of the IAPS Digital Advisory Team, and Ian Silk, Head at Bedford Preparatory School. This conversation was recorded ahead of the AI Conference wh...

In the second episode of this series, former IAPS member Bill Toleman hosts a conversation with ISC Chief Executive, Julie Robinson. Together they talk about Julie’s career and how she has been able to take many of the skills gained from teaching and Headship and use them in her high-profile role representing the sector.

In the first episode of this new series that looks at prep schools outside the UK, IAPS Head of International Nick Robinson speaks with Emma Navin, Head of St George's British International Junior School in Rome, and Adam Larby, Head of The King's School Tudor House in New South Wales, Australia. Together they discuss what great school leadership looks like, concerns that affect all school leaders...

In the first episode of our new series 'Taking the Reins', experienced IAPS Member Head Nina Kingsmill Moore talks to Adam Mallins, in his first year as a Head at Chandlings Prep School in Oxford, about his unique journey into Headship and the choices that shaped his path. Drawing on his varied career experiences, Adam reflects on how a clear sense of purpose has guided his leadership approach, sh...

In this episode, Katherine Bluck, IAPS Head of Professional Development, is joined by Emma Lewry, an Early Years specialist and Louise Wakefield, Head of Pre Prep at St Faith’s Cambridge, to discuss the impact of play -based learning and continuous provision. Together, they explore how play supports children’s cognitive, social and emotional development, and challenge the idea that it lacks academ...

Focusing on executive leadership this episode is hosted by IAPS Director of International Nick Robinson, with guest speakers Guy Ayling, Headmaster and Principal of the Mount Kelly Foundation in Devon, and Director of Prep Schools for the Mill Hill Education Group, Leon Roberts. Together they discuss their respective journeys to executive leadership, the lessons they have learnt along the way and...

Building on our recent Excellence Visit to Dumpton School, IAPS Head of Strategy Katie Walker speaks with the school’s Head Christian Saenger and Annabel Billinger, Director of Character Education at Cheam School. Together, they reflect on the work they have led in their schools, how these initiatives came about, and the ways they secured buy-in from both staff and parents, highlighting the import...

In the latest episode of our series celebrating Significant Strengths in member schools, Kate Bevan, Chair of the IAPS Education Committee and Head of Junior School at Notting Hill and Ealing High School, is joined by Lotte Goldthorpe, Director of Sport and Activities at Belmont Mill Hill Prep. Together, they explore the initiatives that earned Belmont recognition from ISI for its outstanding focu...

In the latest instalment of the IAPS Journal Club series, host Tim Smith, Head at Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep, is joined by Head of Pre-Prep at Wells Cathedral School, Rebecca Perdrix; Will Goldsmith, Head at Packwood; and Katherine Bluck, IAPS Head of Professional Development. Together, they explore what curiosity actually is, the importance of schools scaffolding it for the benefits of wider lea...

Welcome to a new regular series of the IAPS Podcast: Life After Headship, hosted by former IAPS member Bill Toleman. In this inaugural episode Bill is joined by Cathy Braithwaite, who served as Head of Gresham’s Prep School until summer 2025. She is now part of the University of Cambridge’s Better Futures Programme and will, later this year, relocate to Hong Kong to become the founding Head of a n...

In this episode of the IAPS Podcast, published jointly with AMCIS, IAPS Head of Professional Development Katherine Bluck and Sophie Lodge, Head of Marketing and Communications at Beaudesert Park School, join Katie Henderson, Head of Marketing & Admissions at Banstead Prep School, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, particularly focusing on parental expectations and m...

In this episode of the IAPS Podcast, Head of Professional Development Katherine Bluck is joined by Victoria Bagnall, Co-Founder and Director of Training and Development at Connections in Mind, and Lisa Pinkerton, Head of Education at Widgit. Together, they delve into practical strategies and fresh ideas for creating learning environments where every student feels supported and empowered. From lead...

In this episode of The IAPS Podcast, Chair Tania Botting is joined by Elaine Rawlings, Head of Primary at the British School Al Khubairat. Together, they explore Elaine’s journey to becoming a Head in Abu Dhabi, draw parallels between her school and those in the UK, and highlight the benefits of IAPS membership to an international school. This conversation sets the stage for our Middle East Leader...

In this episode of the IAPS Podcast, Chief Executive Dominic Norrish, leads an insightful discussion with Rhian Thornton, Head at Upton House School, and IAPS Subject Adviser for Computing, Curriculum Design and Digital Innovation, Matt Warne, Head of Computing and Digital Learning at RGS The Grange. Together, they explore how Upton House has become a leader in technology integration recognised by...

In the latest episode of our series celebrating Significant Strengths in IAPS schools, Kate Bevan, Chair of the IAPS Education Committee and Head of Junior School at Notting Hill and Ealing High School, is joined by Euan Burton-Smith and Natalie Sandford, Head and Deputy respectively at The Mount School in Huddersfield. Together, they explore the initiatives that earned The Mou...

In this episode, Nick Robinson, IAPS Director of International and a former IAPS Head, chats with Duncan Bailey, Headmaster of Runnymede College Prep in Madrid, who shares his journey into international headship and reflects on the unique value that both he and his pupils find in being part of the IAPS community. As Runnymede College prepares to host our upcoming Madrid Symposium on Thursday 20 No...

In this episode, recorded live at our Annual Conference in Brighton, we continue Tim Smith’s Journal Club series! Tim, Head at Hampton Pre-Prep and Prep, sits down with Christabel Westall, Headmistress at Terra Nova School, for a thought-provoking conversation on the concept of ‘glorious failure’. Together, they explore a series of research papers and discuss what schools can do to ensur...

In this episode recorded live at our Annual Conference in Brighton, Katherine Bluck, IAPS Head of Professional Development, and Anna Bunting, Managing Director at Perry Uniform, explore innovative ways to achieve designer-quality school uniforms at affordable prices. They delve into the importance of hero items, balancing basket prices, and the role of uniforms in branding and marke...

In this episode, Chief Executive Dominic Norrish is joined by members of the IAPS team to explore what members can look forward to at our Annual Conference, at the Brighton Centre from 17-19 September. They discuss the engaging programme of keynotes and highlight the opportunities to connect with fellow educators, participate in thought-provoking s...

Welcome to the next episode of the Annual Conference podcast, featuring guests who will be presenting keynotes or seminar sessions in Brighton.  In this episode Katherine Bluck, IAPS Head of Professional Development is joined by Dave Walker, Boarding & Education Director at the Boarding Schools Association, and Sophie Bradshaw, Head at Dulwich Cranbrook. Together, they delve into the evol...

Welcome to the next episode of the Annual Conference podcast, featuring guests who will be presenting keynotes or seminar sessions in Brighton.  In this episode, IAPS Head of Professional Development, Katherine Bluck sits down with Shaheen Myers, Founder and Managing Director of Balance:ed, who will be delivering the closing keynote at the IAPS Annual Conference on Friday 19 September. T...

Welcome to the next episode of the Annual Conference podcast, featuring guests who will be presenting keynotes or seminar sessions in Brighton. In this episode, recorded for the Enterprising Schools Podcast, Dorothy McLaren, CEO of the Schools' Enterprise Association, and IAPS CEO Dominic Norrish discuss the importance of non-fee income for independent schools and explore...

We’re delighted to share this conversation featuring our CEO, Dominic Norrish, on the Head Talks podcast, hosted by IAPS Member Head Simon Gould. In this episode, Simon and Dominic discuss the vital role of early education in shaping a child’s future. Their conversation explores the evolving educational landscape, from the rise of AI to the growing importance of emotional regulation and holistic h...

Welcome to our new podcast series themed around our Annual Conference, featuring guests who will be presenting keynotes or seminar sessions in Brighton.  This episode focuses on the development and work of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, who will deliver a Conference seminar session on the afternoon of Thursday 18 September.   IAPS Head of Professional Development, Katherine Bluck, talk...