
NAEL Cymru
The National Academy for Educational Leadership (Leadership Academy) is an arm’s length body, its primary role is to fulfil its responsibilities set within the context of the Welsh Government’s strategic aims.
Latest episodes

Mar 22, 2021 • 10min
In conversation - Head-To-Head
Special Edition Podcast
Do you want to find out more about Head-To-Head?
We had a chat with three headteachers from across Wales to find out why they regularly attend Head-To-Head in our special edition in conversation podcast. Join Ian Gerrard (Ysgol Aberconwy), Karen Lawrence (Ysgol Llanfaes) and Sue Roberts (Leadership Development and Quality Assurance Adviser – Schools and Academy Associate) as they share their experiences, the benefits and why they think others should attend the sessions.

Feb 12, 2021 • 55min
Leadership Unlocked: Dr Beatriz Pont
The National Academy for Educational Leadership Wales webinar series Leadership Unlocked is a professional learning programme exploring leadership in Wales and its educational context. Each webinar is guided by a notable guest speaker.
These webinar recordings are designed for teachers in senior leadership roles from schools, youth and further education colleges and aims to support them in their roles as system leaders. Recorded and delivered digitally via the Zoom online platform.
Dr Beatriz Pont is Senior Policy Analyst with the OECD. Beatriz has worked on education policy reforms and school leadership internationally throughout her career, and has worked with countries such as Greece, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Sweden and Wales.

Feb 9, 2021 • 53min
In conversation with Professor Stephen Heppell
Our latest episode is a special edition In conversation podcast with Professor Stephen Heppell and current educational leaders in Wales. The group, featuring Rhian Hindley (Ysgol Sychdyn), Edward Jones (Pencoed Comprehensive School), Sue Roberts (Academy Associate & Leadership Development and Quality Assurance Adviser – Schools) and Gayle Shenton (Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Castell Need) discuss and explore that ‘Learning has escaped’, well-being first and the legacy of the COVID-Kids.
This podcast was inspired by the many questions raised in Stephen’s Leadership Unlocked webinar in November 2020.
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Mae ein pennod ddiweddaraf yn rhifyn arbennig, podlediad Mewn trafodaeth gyda'r Athro Stephen Heppell ac arweinwyr addysgol presennol yng Nghymru. Mae'r grŵp, sy'n cynnwys Rhian Hindley (Ysgol Sychdyn), Edward Jones (Ysgol Gyfun Pencoed), Sue Roberts (Cynghorydd Datblygu Cydymaith ac Arweinyddiaeth yr Academi a Sicrhau Ansawdd – Ysgolion) a Gayle Shenton (Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Castell Nedd) yn trafod ac yn archwilio bod 'Dysgu wedi dianc', lles yn gyntaf a chymynrodd y Plant Coronafeirws.
Ysbrydolwyd y podlediad hwn gan y cwestiynau niferus a godwyd yn gweminar Datgloi Arweinyddiaeth Stephen ym mis Tachwedd 2020.

Feb 2, 2021 • 1h 18min
Leadership Unlocked: Steve Munby
The National Academy for Educational Leadership Wales webinar series Leadership Unlocked is a professional learning programme exploring leadership in Wales and its educational context and each webinar is guided by a notable guest speaker.
These webinar recordings are designed for teachers in senior leadership roles from schools, youth and Further Education colleges and aims to support them in their roles as system leaders. Recorded and delivered digitally via the Zoom online platform.
Steve Munby is a self-employed consultant and speaker on leadership and on system reform, working with governments and with groups of schools around the world. He has spent his whole career in education, commencing as a secondary school teacher in Birmingham, England. He later became Director of Education for Knowsley Local Education Authority, Merseyside, UK.
Steve was Chief Executive of the National College for School Leadership in England for 8 years and then Chief Executive of Education Development Trust, an international education charity.
Steve has worked as a keynote speaker/consultant in North America, Africa, Australasia, Europe and Asia. Steve is also the facilitator for the ARC summits (education systems from around the world committed to equity, excellence, well-being and social justice). He is Visiting Professor at University College London Institute for Education and is Chair of the Teaching Awards Trust in the UK.

Dec 7, 2020 • 1h 12min
Leadership Unlocked: Professor Mick Waters
The National Academy for Educational Leadership Wales webinar series Leadership Unlocked is a four-part professional learning programme exploring leadership in Wales and its educational context. Each webinar is guided by a notable guest speaker including; Professor Stephen Heppell (CEO Heppell.net and Professor, The Felipe Segovia Chair of Learning Innovation at Universidad Camilo José Cela, Madrid), Professor Laura McAllister CBE, FLSW (Professor of Public Policy, Cardiff University), Major Marcus Heslop (British Army) and Professor Mick Waters (Professor of Education at Wolverhampton University).
These webinar recordings are designed for teachers in senior leadership roles from schools, youth and Further Education colleges and aims to support them in their roles as system leaders. Recorded and delivered digitally via the Zoom online platform.
Professor Mick Waters is an associate with the Centre for Developmental and Applied Research with Wolverhampton University. Prior to this, Mick worked as Director of Curriculum at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in England and had a leading role in helping schools to rethink their approach to curriculum design and influencing national policy on aspects of the national curriculum. He has worked at national policy level with the Welsh Government offering advice and support and has been instrumental in the development of the professional standards for teaching and leadership. Mick also previously worked for the City of Manchester as their Chief Education Officer and in Birmingham Local Education Authority driving forward a school improvement agenda.

Nov 27, 2020 • 1h 41min
Leadership Unlocked: Professor Laura McAllister CBE, FLSW
The National Academy for Educational Leadership Wales webinar series Leadership Unlocked is a four-part professional learning programme exploring leadership in Wales and its educational context. Each webinar is guided by a notable guest speaker including; Professor Stephen Heppell (CEO Heppell.net and Professor, The Felipe Segovia Chair of Learning Innovation at Universidad Camilo José Cela, Madrid), Professor Laura McAllister CBE, FLSW (Professor of Public Policy, Cardiff University), Major Marcus Heslop (British Army) and Professor Mick Waters (Professor of Education at Wolverhampton University).
These webinar recordings are designed for teachers in senior leadership roles from schools, youth and Further Education colleges and aims to support them in their roles as system leaders. Recorded and delivered digitally via the Zoom online platform.
Laura is Professor of Public Policy and the Governance of Wales at Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre. Her research centres on Welsh politics, devolution, electoral reform, and gender. Laura works extensively in external roles and is very committed to the impact of research and its benefits for citizens. She works very closely with the National Assembly for Wales on both constitutional and political matters. Laura was also a former international footballer for Wales women's national football team.

Nov 16, 2020 • 1h 37min
Leadership Unlocked: Major Marcus Heslop
The National Academy for Educational Leadership Wales webinar series Leadership Unlocked is a four-part professional learning programme exploring leadership in Wales and its educational context. Each webinar is guided by a notable guest speaker including; Professor Stephen Heppell (CEO Heppell.net and Professor, The Felipe Segovia Chair of Learning Innovation at Universidad Camilo José Cela, Madrid), Professor Laura McAllister CBE, FLSW (Professor of Public Policy, Cardiff University), Major Marcus Heslop (British Army) and Professor Mick Waters (Professor of Education at Wolverhampton University).
These webinar recordings are designed for teachers in senior leadership roles from schools, youth and Further Education colleges and aims to support them in their roles as system leaders. Recorded and delivered digitally via the Zoom online platform.
Major Marcus Heslop is a regular serving officer in the Royal Tank Regiment. Born into a military family, his entire life has been shaped by public service and the Army values and Standards. A 31-year career thus far seen him deploy globally on operations. Progressing from a very young Trooper at the age of 16 to the rank of Major his career has given him unique experiences and the opportunity to lead soldiers in some of the most challenging environments. The strong identity and organisational culture of the British Army have allowed him to develop as a person, leader and manager. He is an experienced leader who is passionate about Leadership, coaching and mentoring those around him. Major Heslop has helped numerous organisations explore Leadership and uses his own experiences as a lens for promoting further learning and assisting teams in maximising their potential.

Nov 11, 2020 • 1h 45min
Leadership Unlocked: Professor Stephen Heppell
The National Academy for Educational Leadership Wales webinar series Leadership Unlocked is a four-part professional learning programme exploring leadership in Wales and its educational context. Each webinar is guided by a notable guest speaker including; Professor Stephen Heppell (CEO Heppell.net and Professor, The Felipe Segovia Chair of Learning Innovation at Universidad Camilo José Cela, Madrid), Professor Laura McAllister CBE, FLSW (Professor of Public Policy, Cardiff University), Major Marcus Heslop (British Army) and Professor Mick Waters (Professor of Education at Wolverhampton University).
These webinar recordings are designed for teachers in senior leadership roles from schools, youth and Further Education colleges and aims to support them in their roles as system leaders. Recorded and delivered digitally via the Zoom online platform.
Stephen was a schoolteacher for more than a decade and has been a professor since 1989. He has worked with governments around the world, international agencies, schools and communities. Stephen has been at the forefront of digital technology in education for as long as there have been computers. He has a global reputation for innovative thinking and for identifying practices that make a difference.