Edufuturists #291 Outstanding with Steve Baker

In this episode of the podcast, it is just Steve as Ben is away on his jetsetting adventures! But it's not just one Steve; we get a double Steve whammy as he is joined by Steve Baker, a seasoned educator and author. Steve lives in Anglesey, North Wales with his wife Sian. After a long career in education, from which he is semi-retired, he wrote his highly acclaimed non-fiction title, That Behaviour Book, which won book of the year in the Teach Secondary awards in 2023. As a life-long comedy fan, he’s now written his first hilarious novel, Outstanding.

In this episode, the Steves discuss the evolving landscape of education, the role of technology, and the pressures of inspections. They delve into the themes of Steve's new book, exploring the use of humour to address serious issues in education, the dynamics between teachers and inspectors, and the importance of leadership in fostering a positive school environment. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by educators and the need for a balanced approach to teaching and management.

Chapters
00:00 Introductions
01:27 Steve Baker's Background and Journey
02:52 The Book 'Outstanding' - Origins and Themes
05:54 The Purpose of Humour in Education
09:45 The Role of Inspectors and School Leadership
12:57 Responsibility in Education
16:35 Leadership Styles and Their Impact
20:27 Character Dynamics in Educational Inspections
24:00 Teaching Behaviour: Leading vs. Managing
30:00 The Chaos of Inspections and Regaining Control
33:42 The Pressure of OfSTED Inspections
37:20 The Reality of Educational Data
40:17 Navigating Teacher Recruitment Issues
44:15 Balancing Leadership and Educational Standards
47:52 The Importance of Adaptability in Education

Grab a copy of Outstanding

Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on XFollow us on LinkedInCheck out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touchGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2025