Using Research to Improve Schools with Gareth Rein

Welcome back to Emma and Tom Talk Teaching, and our sixth season of podcasting!

In this first episode of the new academic year, we've got an interview with Gareth Rein, headteacher of St Peter's Roman Catholic Primary School in Cardiff. Gareth is a long-time friend of the podcast, but hasn't had his own episode - until now! When he took over the reins of his current school, Gareth was presented with a challenging situation: it was the middle of the Covid lockdown, the school was in special measures, and he was the sixth headteacher in a very short period of time. Where many school leaders might have seriously considered running for the hills, Gareth saw this as a once-in-a-career opportunity to really go for it.

A passionate advocate of using research to influence improvements, Gareth has set about realiseing his vision for the school, and today we talk about how research and professional learning have been a vital part of this, as well as his own approach to leadership.

Finally, Gareth gives the newest members of the teaching profession some top tips to set off with an open mind and an appetite for research and enquiry. Our very grateful thanks to Gareth for his hospitality and his time!

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Recorded at St Peter's RC Primary School, Cardiff on 9th June 2023