EduTalk with Crown House Publishing

Paul Banks is our second volunteer for EduTalk, and we are very glad that he has offered to be involved. When the Government's White Paper states an ambition to have every school in a Trust, we really need to ask what the advantages and disadvantages are. Paul is an ideal person to have that conversation with, as the Chief Executive Officer of the Chelmsford Learning Partnership. He has the experience, but he also has objectivity, openness and balance. This makes for a rich conversation full of insight and genuine debate. Useful Links: Unfinished Business: The life and legacy of Sir Tim Brighouse

There are an increasing number of conversations about leadership in our schools, but they are getting quieter! In this conversation, we discuss Kind Leadership with Joanna Povall and the wonderful Jill Berry, whose book Making the Leap offers practical advice which will be invaluable to anyone considering headship. We also discuss Calm Leadership and Quiet Leadership, both recent titles in the Crown House Armory but, it should be noted that it is lively and inspiring leadership that is what comes through from this conversation! Mentioned in this podcast: Making the Leap by Jill BerryKind Leadership by Joanna PovallUnfinished Business edited by Mick Waters, Steve Munby and David CameronCalm Leadership by Patrick CozierQuiet Leadership by Andrew Marsh The Rethinking Education Podcast with James Mannion and David Cameron Teaching Autonomy by Sophie Smith -TongImperfect Leadership by Steve Munby The Teaching Life by Robin McPherson and Kate Jones The A-Z of School Leadership by David Woods and Tim Brighouse

Another very timely podcast from EduTalk. We all need to think about AI and how we use it in schools. This episode does exactly that. It covers many bases through Gemma Clark who is a primary school teacher and the author of Artificial intelligence in the Primary Classroom, Lord Jim Knight, formerly Minister for Schools and Learning with a remarkable track record beyond that and Priya Lakhani, the Founder CEO of CENTURY Tech, an artificial intelligence education technology company that develops AI-powered learning tools for schools, colleges, universities and employers across the world. Jim and Priya contributed chapters on AI to Unfinished Business - The Life and Legacy of Sir Tim Brighouse. The conversation is rich and deep and well worth your time! Priya's TED Talk can be found here: https://www.ted.com/talks/priya_lakhani_this_is_how_kids_should_be_learning_with_aiCareless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Careless-People-explosive-memoir-doesnt/dp/1035065924

If you are interested in a rousing conversation about class, inequality and what we really need to do to provide a better education for young people, regardless of their background, this is the podcast for you.Prepare yourself for true stories, passion, brilliant references and genuine radicalism. All of this is inspired by Andy Griffith and Matt Bromley's book The Working Classroom, wonderfully championed by Andy in this conversation.Other books mentioned in this episode:The Working Class by variousThe Magic of Metaphor by Nick OwenThe Tyranny of Merit by Michael J SandelThe Wire - HBO Tv seriesThe Best Job in the World by Vic GoddardMaking School Unmissable by Rachel Macfarlane and Paul JenkinsYou can access Professor Danny Dorling’s website here, which has lots of resources about inequalityAn introduction to Andy's course, mentioned in the episode, can be accessed hereThe Scholars' Programme document can be accessed here

It is always a pleasure to record the Crown House EduTalk podcasts, but this one is particularly special.We get the opportunity to talk to one of our educational heroes, Michael Fullan, who has been purveying common sense and inspiration based on sound research for decades. Added to that, we are joined by Fiona Millar, journalist, campaigner and someone who was at the heart of New Labour in its heyday. Fiona is always clear, direct, perceptive, well-informed and very smart.We also owe a special thank you to Richard Bustin, author of What Are We Teaching?, who holds his own in this elite company.If you are looking for a half-term report on the Government’s performance in education that comes with breadth, balance and insight, this is the podcast for you.Other publications mentioned in this episode:Unfinished Business edited by Mick Waters, Steve Munby and David CameronYouth matters: Your national youth strategyThe Curriculum and Assessment ReviewEvery Child Achieving and ThrivingThe New Meaning of Educational Change by Michael FullanFailed State by Sam Freedman

This is a different podcast for us in lots of ways. Nikos Savvas contacted us and expressed an interest in being on the show, and we do love a volunteer! Nikos was particularly intriguing because he is a Trust CEO, and someone who is established and successful in the education world and yet is still asking questions about that world. Like many of us, Nikos is concerned about threats to democracy and the rise of extremism in British society and has very clear ideas about what we need to do about it. It was an irresistible offer, because the issues are timely, pressing and important, and the perspective that Nikos has is important. He is not some radical offering a critique from outside the system. He is someone who is making change within his own Trust and who thinks that we need to be making these changes much more widely. Listen and enjoy! Books you may like to read: Unfinished BusinessAbout Our SchoolsThe Kindness PrincipleIndependent Thinking on Restorative PracticeThe Working Class

A brilliant opportunity to speak with Patrick Cozier!His book, Calm Leadership, is really useful for anyone involved in, interested in, or curious about school leadership.In a world where burnout is far too frequent, Patrick brings longevity in post and stability, and he is prepared to share how he has managed that. He is very open about the challenges that he has faced, both personal and professional, but he has worked really hard at finding ways to deal with them. He is full of advice and warmth and creates a realistic conversation, constructive and practical.Listen and enjoy! And listen out for the shameless Unfinished Business plug!

This is a timely podcast with Justin Robbins and Karen Dempster, based on their book The Four Pillars of Parental Engagement, which offers practical guidance for schools seeking to strengthen parent links. In under an hour, they outline the value of positive engagement and share actionable strategies. Helpful resources and a thoughtful discussion await below—listen in!. Free Four Pillars self-evaluation: https://tally.so/r/3jdbD1?mc_cid=0f033fb12b&mc_eid=UNIQID Free resources on our website: https://www.fit2communicate.com/blog-resources 'How to build communication success in your school – a guide for school leaders':https://www.amazon.co.uk/Build-Communication-Success-Your-School/dp/1138240877 'The four pillars of parental engagement’: https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/the-four-pillars-of-parental-engagement Our parental engagement masterclasses: https://www.fit2communicate.com/service-page/the-four-pillars-masterclass Our online guided programmes (just one for now but more in the pipeline): https://www.fit2communicate.com/product-page/online-programme-building-trusted-relationships-with-parents

This is not so much Part 2 of our tribute to Juliet Robertson, but more of a separate podcast in its own right.We found that Mark Paterson had so much to contribute to our first episode, that we never managed to fit it all in, so we invited him back!Mark is the curator at Aberdeen’s Cruikshank Botanical Garden, and you can hear the story of how he and Juliet met and how they worked so perfectly as a team. Between them they have made it a real centre of learning.On this episode Mark is joined by Mandy Tulloch, an outdoor learning specialist in Aberdeenshire who runs Mud Pie Adventures, weekly nature classes for 2 to 5-year-olds and works in four primary schools in Aberdeen, using their grounds to support children’s development and learning.Given that background we focus on outdoor learning, but, inevitably, we range more widely. It is another warm, lively conversation that really adds to our earlier tribute to Juliet. Find out more about some of the things we mention here:Mud Pie Adventures: https://www.mudpieadventures.co.uk/Cruikshank Botanical Garden: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/about/campus/old-aberdeen/cruickshank-botanic-garden/Juliet Robertson, awarded honorary degree by Queen Margaret University: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2024/20240702-outdoor-learning-trailblazer-juliet-robertson-awarded-honorary-degree-by-queen-margaret-university/

Part one of an exceptional edition of the Crown House EduTalk Podcast One that marks the amazing contribution of Juliet Robertson, one of the most effective and successful authors with whom we have ever been associated.Juliet wrote three books for us. Dirty Teaching and Messy Maths are both outdoor learning titles which have seen tremendous success and capture much of the wider work that Juliet did to promote outdoor educationBlood Lines our first poetry publication was a significant departure, both for Juliet and for us. It is a collection of poems describing her experience of living with terminal cancerWe believe that all of these books are remarkable, but we know that Juliet’s contribution to education went far beyond the printed word. She was a teacher, a headteacher, a trainer, a mentor and campaigner. Her website https://creativestarlearning.co.uk/ was a groundbreaking source of advice, resources and support and is now managed on her behalfJuliet’s death in December unleashed an outpouring of admiration, appreciation, love and grief and we wanted to honour that with our own tribute to her life in education as a friend, colleague and supporterIt took two podcasts to even begin to capture who Juliet wasThis first one features Ian Gilbert, founder of Independent Thinking. Juliet was an associate with Independent Thinking and part of the family of consultants that Ian values enormously. It also includes Dr Cathy Francis from the University of Aberdeen who knew Juliet from her time in teaching and who sees her as a seminal influence on education in Scotland and beyond. Finally, we have contributions from Juliet’s husband, Mark Paterson who brings a wonderfully deep personal element to the conversation. We are grateful to all who took time to share their memories and anecdotesThis is an episode full of joy, a genuine and moving celebration of an amazing educator and lovely person, please listen and then enjoy these links:The Last word: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002pqgs The Out of Doors Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002k306 The Juliet Robertson Interview with David Cameron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH4lshDoUWE The Taking Action with Juliet Robertson: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1uEnoyCz3mvuahdMhMCD6x?go=1&sp_cid=7cb39b058bbdaa10b9bfa681609d9317&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=94e1eada5c1a46c6

We’re already on episode 5 of the Crown House EduTalk podcast, and this is our very first, not to mention “Unfinished Business – the Life and Legacy of Sir Tim Brighouse” (something David Cameron never misses a chance to plug!).To make up for it, we have an outstanding guest addressing some of today’s most pressing education issues.Graham Chatterley brings a wealth of experience as a teacher, school leader, and supporter of disadvantaged children and young people. He draws on his book Changing Perceptions and his work with his company of the same name to discuss behaviour, relationships, attendance, and motivation.What also sets Graham apart is his perspective as a parent of a child with significant additional support needs. He understands SEND from both sides, offering remarkable insights into diagnosis, over-diagnosis, and school-parent relationships.This episode is full of thought-provoking ideas and practical advice—truly not to be missed.

There will, no doubt, be plenty of brilliant conversations about Becky Francis’s 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review, but this one certainly sets the standard! We have two outstanding guests, Rachel McFarlane and Hywel Roberts (whose website is now live), and they really live up to their reputations. This discussion doesn’t shy away from the big questions, probing major issues in the review and interrogating its fundamental assumptions. It remains positive throughout, recognising the outstanding work of Becky Francis and her team and the review’s promise for education in England. And it’s frequently, and gloriously, entertaining, packed with analogies you’d never expect in a conversation about curriculum and assessment. Above all, it offers a courageous and perceptive examination of what the review means for teachers and educators. It goes far beyond “what does this review mean for me and my stage or subject?” and questions whether this sort of systemic approach to change is the right one to take. And it never loses sight of the reality of classrooms or staffrooms. We think that it will also make you want to return to Rachel and Hywel’s books and those to which they have contributed, so here are the links: Obstetrics for Schools: https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/obstetrics-for-schoolsPowering Up Your School: https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/powering-up-your-school Oops: https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/oopsUncharted Territories: https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/uncharted-territoriesBotheredness: https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/botheredness

We are delighted to be speaking with Jon Coles in episode 3 of EduTalk.Jon’s career has been remarkable: he was the lead civil servant on the London Challenge and later held senior national roles as Director 14–19 and Director General for Schools and Education Standards. He is now the Chief Executive of United Learning.Jon is one of our many Unfinished Business: The Life and Legacy of Sir Tim Brighouse contributors and knew Tim well. In this episode, he builds on topics from our previous conversation with Mick Waters and Steve Munby, continuing the discussion on tackling inequity and inconsistency in our education system. He saw the London Challenge from the inside and carried that ambition for higher, more consistent standards into his later roles and into United Learning.Thoughtful, measured and reflective, Jon’s insights carry real weight. This is an episode well worth the time of anyone committed to a better future for all young people.

We promised to match the standard of our first Crown House EduTalk episode, which featured Andy Hargreaves (still available here), and we think we have!This episode features education legends, Mick Waters and Steve Munby, as well as our host, David Cameron. All are prolific educational speakers, and our listeners can purchase the books that they have published (and mentioned in this episode) with Crown House Publishing with a 10% discount using the EDU10 code at the checkout: https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/All have extensive careers to draw upon, but for this conversation, they focus on their roles as the editors of Unfinished Business: The Life and Legacy of Sir Tim Brighouse.Tim was a significant influence on them all, but as in the book, they note that his influence still rings true today. All three editors remind us about what we can learn from Tim’s work, especially regarding the London Challenge, at a time when equity remained elusive across schools, regions, and social and ethnic groups.Unfinished Business is a genuine effort to find a way forward while also looking back to see what has worked in addressing disadvantage and underachievement in London.As educators, we believe that this is a conversation that we really need to have, and we hope that it inspires you to ask the questions

Welcome to the very first episode of Crown House EduTalk!Each episode engages with authors and thinkers who are breaking new ground, informing practice, challenging our thinking or doing all three!This is certainly the case with our first guest, Andy Hargreaves.Andy’s career is simply remarkable. His new book, The Making of an Educator, is a powerful blend of autobiography intertwined with educational history and the great shifts in thinking that Andy has witnessed over the years, accompanied by his own challenging thinking, advice and ideas. It is a brilliant starting point for anyone who is new to Andy’s work and a superb bringing together of that work for those who have followed Andy’s career. It is also available to listeners with an exclusive discount using the code: EDU10, which will allow you to take 10% off your purchase at checkout from the Crown House Publishing website.The conversation ranges widely across all aspects of Andy’s thinking and ideas, and draws in his contribution to Unfinished Business - The Life and Legacy of Sir Tim Brighouse, which is also available to listeners with a 10% discount using the code above.Essentially, you get the insights of two huge educational figures, two generous and marvellous human beings and lots to take away and apply in your own role.We are setting the bar pretty high here, but we are confident that we can keep matching this standard, time and time again!