The IAPS Podcast

In the latest episode of our Journey through Headship series, IAPS Chair Tania Botting talks to Nick Robinson, Head of Prestfelde School and former Head of Prep at West Buckland School. Together, they explore Nick’s unique path from Olympic swimming coach to school leadership, reflecting on the milestones, challenges, and memorable moments as he completes his final term at Pres...

In the latest episode of this focused series, Kate Bevan, new Chair of the IAPS Education Committee and Head of Junior School at Notting Hill and Ealing High School, talks to Graeme McCafferty, Head at Rosemead Preparatory School, and his Academic Deputy Head, Katie Simmons.  Together, they discuss Rosemead’s significant strength of "a highly...

In this episode Phil Barr, Vice-Chair of the IAPS Sport and Pupil Experience Committee and Head at St John’s Beaumont, explores the role of Esports in prep schools with James Luxford, Esports Co-ordinator at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, and Elliot Mack, Co-Founder and CEO of Daigon Esports. Together, they discuss how Esports have been introd...

In this episode, IAPS Chair Tania Botting speaks with three Heads who are new to IAPS. Ross Wolverson, Head of Junior School at Queen Elizabeth’s School Bristol; Claire Petrie, Head at Kimbolton Prep School; and Simon Lilley, Head of Senior Prep at Hurstpierpoint College outline the career paths which led them into Headship, what they love about&nb...

In this episode Katherine Bluck, IAPS Head of Professional Development, is joined by three Heads of IAPS girls’ schools; Claire Boyd, Head at Glendower Prep School; Kate Bailey, Headmistress of Godstowe School; and Sarah Raja, Headmistress at Rowan Preparatory School, to discuss the benefits of all girls’ prep schools and their place and importance in society today. 

IAPS Consultancy podcasts provide case studies of real issues in member schools where our team of expert consultants have been able to work with the Head to find workable, cost-effective, solutions. In this episode, Tim Wheeler, Chief Operating Officer of IAPS Consultancy, is joined by Neill Lunnon, Head at Tower House School, and IAPS consultant Ali Chugg to explore the support she provided in de...

In this episode Jeremy Banks, Head of Caldicott Preparatory School and IAPS Boarding Rep, is joined by Kate Bailey, Head of Godstowe School, and Ben Evans, Head of Windlesham House, to investigate how boarding can benefit a child’s education and the school itself. They share their own personal experiences and look at the sense of community and fun that boarding brings to their schools.

IAPS Consultancy podcasts provide case studies of real issues in member schools where our team of expert consultants have been able to work with the Head to find workable, cost-effective, solutions. In this first episode, Tim Wheeler, Chief Operating Officer of IAPS Consultancy, explores the specific assistance that St Hugh’s School needed with preparing for inspection, in discussion with Head Dav...

In the first episode of this new regular series, IAPS Chair Tania Botting talks to former Head of Bute House and former interim Head of The Study Prep, Helen Lowe, about her journey through Headship. Helen talks about her background in theatre and leadership style based on walking the walk as well as talking the talk.

In this episode Johan Jensen, Founder and CEO of All-in Education, talks to Fergus Llewellyn, Head of Cumnor House Sussex, about the support he has received and the work that has taken place at the school to make it a more inclusive and diverse environment for staff and pupils.

In the latest instalment of the IAPS Journal Club series host Tim Smith, Head at Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep, is joined by Gareth Jones, Head at Bilton Grange Preparatory School in Rugby, and Claire Fletcher, Head at Phoenix House International School in Tokyo, with closing remarks from IAPS CEO Dominic Norrish. Together, they explore research looking at belonging in schools, in respect of both pu...

In the second instalment of this focused series, Dominic Floyd, Chair of the IAPS Education Committee, talks to members of staff from Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School (RPPS) including Head, Carl Howes, Deputy Head, Sam Challenor and Head of RS, Lauren Fisher-Manuel. Together, they discuss the strength of EDI at RPPS and how inclusion and belonging is embedded in the school values and everyday s...

In this instalment of our Head-to-Head series Olly Langton, Head of Belhaven Hill School in Dunbar, Scotland, interviews Hilary Phillips, Head of Hanford School in Dorset. Together, they look at the importance of play, the benefits of a girls’ school education and Hilary’s skateboarding skills!

Dominic Floyd, Chair of the IAPS Education Committee, talks to two members of staff from St Neot's Prep, Bronwyn Kidd, Deputy Head and Emily Regent, Director of Studies. They discuss the pastoral care at St Neot's, exploring the work they have done to focus on this area and how it impacts positively on academic outcomes.

In this episode, IAPS Deputy CEO, Emilie Darwin is joined by Mel Sanderson, Managing Editor of The Good Schools Guide and three IAPS Heads: Judith Fremont-Barnes, Head of St Pauls’ Cathedral School, Jonny Timms, Head of Walhampton and Gareth Davies, Head of Gayhurst School. Together they discuss the strengths of independent prep education in the new era of VAT.

This music-themed episode is hosted by Jack Hardman, from our Premier Partner M:Tech, and features discussion with Mimi Munro, IAPS Music Subject Adviser, and Amy Evetts, Head of Music at Headington Rye Oxford Prep School. Together they delve into the topics of music composition, technology and fostering creativity in the classroom. Packed with practical tips and ideas, this is a valuable resource...

In the latest instalment of our Head-to-Head series Angus McDonald, Head of Wellesley Prep School in Hampshire, interviews Olly Langton, Head of Belhaven Hill School in Dunbar, Scotland. Together they discuss the benefits of a small independent prep school, the joys of Headship and incorporating the location and surroundings of Belhaven into its curriculum.

IAPS Head of Professional Development, Matt Evered, is joined by Head of Tranby Prep, Cath Sweeting, and Adam Hurst, Head of Dolphin School, as they discuss their journeys to Headship and provide useful advice for the aspiring Heads of the future.

In this third instalment of the IAPS Journal Club series, host Tim Smith, Head at Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep is joined by Perran Gill, Head at Keble Prep, Rebecca Smith, Head at King Edward VI Preparatory School and IAPS CEO, Dominic Norrish. Together, they discuss the importance of teacher wellbeing, considering the research literature and sharing tips and ideas that they have used at their own...

In this episode, IAPS Deputy CEO Emilie Darwin is joined by Katharine Sharpe, IAPS SEND Subject Adviser & Assistant Head (Pastoral) and Head of Learning Support at Caterham Prep, and Gaelle Sullivan, Inclusion Director at BSA Group and Director at IELA (Inclusion & Equity Leadership Association). Together, they discuss the quality of SEND provision in independent schools and preview the fo...

IAPS CEO Dominic Norrish, IAPS Deputy CEO Emilie Darwin and incoming IAPS Chair Tania Botting discuss what they are most looking forward to at this year's Annual IAPS Conference which takes place next week at Celtic Manor in Wales.

In this episode, IAPS CEO Dominic Norrish talks to ed-futurist Ian Symmonds. They discuss the importance of independent schools leading the way in terms of AI in education and Ian outlines how he will address this topic at the IAPS Annual Conference in September, both in his keynote address and break-out seminar sessions.

Emilie Darwin explores this issue with Helena Grant, Head at Wycliffe Prep, Will Orr-Ewing from Smartphone Free Childhood and Neil Pollock from SchoolsMobile. https://smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk/schools-guide

IAPS CEO, Dominic Norrish is joined by Kate Lexén and Jake Saunders from Tender, a charity that works with schools to promote healthy relationships with the aim of preventing domestic abuse and sexual violence. Together they talk about the importance of this work at a young age and the methods of engaging children with this topic.

In the second instalment of our Head-to-Head series Karen Coles, Head of Sarum Hall School in London interviews Angus McDonald, Head of Wellesley Prep School in Hampshire. Together they cover numerous topics including the joys of education in both the independent and state sector, the focus on outdoor learning at Wellesley and the importance of taking risks.