Talking Head Podcast with Ross Garrod

What does it really take to transform a school where hundreds of students have never seen the sea? In this episode of Talking Head, host Ross Garrod speaks with Natasha Whiles, Executive Principal at Tove Learning Trust — the leader who arrived at Grace Academy and within three weeks had 600 children on coaches to Blackpool Beach.Despite serving one of the UK's most deprived communities, Natasha has driven radical transformation through immediate action and unwavering belief. She shares how literacy, oracy and cultural capital became the keys to unlocking potential across entire communities.You'll hear:- Why Natasha took 600 students to see the ocean for the first time- How she transformed a library where "books went to die" into a £60,000 space- The power of oracy education in closing the vocabulary gap- What schools can learn about embracing failure and leading with transparency🎓 Talking Head is the podcast where school leaders share what actually works.

What does it really take to help every student thrive? In this episode of Talking Head, host Ross Garrod speaks with Sarah Beagley, headteacher of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School (EGA) in Islington — a London school that Michelle Obama visited twice and described as "a transformative experience for me as First Lady."Despite serving one of the UK's most disadvantaged communities, EGA has been rated Outstanding across the board by Ofsted four times. Sarah shares the school's powerful approach — how belonging, ambition and trust drive both inclusion and exceptional academic success.You’ll hear:- Why belonging is the foundation for achievement- How EGA lifted the “ceiling” on what students believed was possible- The story behind Michelle Obama’s visit — and its lasting impact- What schools can learn about leadership, equity, and belief🎓 Talking Head is the podcast where school leaders share what actually works.

What does it really take to prepare students for a workforce that doesn't exist yet? In this episode of Talking Head, host Ross Garrod speaks with Alex Pett, leader of Logic Studio School — a 14 to 19 business and IT specialist school in Feltham with a sixth form four times larger than their year 11 cohort.Despite serving students who don't traditionally thrive in conventional education, Logic Studio School has created a professional environment that transforms outcomes. Alex shares how combining business education with workplace readiness and custom-built technology solutions creates students who are genuinely ready for employment.You'll hear:- Why cognitive load theory transformed Alex's approach to teaching and learning- How Logic Studio School bridges the gap between education and employment- The power of building custom tech solutions with Google scripts (and why expensive systems aren't always the answer)- What schools can learn about creating cultures of professionalism and workplace readiness🎓 Talking Head is the podcast where school leaders share what actually works.