Rethinking Education

In this enlightening discussion, Tara Elie, a former secondary drama teacher turned behaviour specialist and positive psychology practitioner, challenges traditional notions of belonging in education. She emphasizes that mattering – the feeling of being valued and adding value – is crucial for staff wellbeing and student engagement. Tara shares insights from her research, explaining how low mattering leads to burnout and disengagement. The conversation highlights practical ways for school leaders to promote mattering, linking it to a more inclusive and psychologically safe school culture.

As 2025 draws to a close, James and David come together for a wide-ranging Christmas conversation that reflects on a turbulent year in education – and looks ahead to where hope, change, and renewal might yet be found. Kicking off with a powerful metaphor drawn from winter sea swimming, the discussion explores why schools currently feel so ‘choppy’, from behaviour and attendance to widening inequality and system-level pressures. Along the way, we reflect on what really matters in education – relationships, belonging, and being known – and why these often get squeezed out by accountability and assessment. The episode revisits key debates sparked by the Curriculum and Assessment Review, including the future of GCSEs, the limits of ‘manageable change’, and the uneasy separation of curriculum, assessment, and pedagogy. A detour into restorative justice, inspired by Punch and the story of Jacob Dunne, deepens the conversation about connection, responsibility, and what happens when people are truly seen. The parallels with schooling – and with how society treats its most vulnerable young people – are stark. The episode closes on a hopeful note, spotlighting examples of schools doing brave, relational, and imaginative work within the current system, and outlining plans for the podcast in 2026: fewer trench wars, more light-shining on practice that actually helps children and young people thrive. James also shares upcoming programmes and projects focused on oracy, behaviour, botheredness, and learning beyond subjects – all grounded in the belief that meaningful change is possible when we start with relationships and implementation. In this episode, we explore: - Why education feels ‘choppy’ – and what the winter swim metaphor reveals - Behaviour, discipline, and the limits of coercive models - Restorative justice, Punch, and the power of being known - What the Curriculum and Assessment Review did – and didn’t – make possible - GCSEs, adolescent development, and the problem of high-stakes exams at 16 - Why relationships matter more than systems – and what the evidence says - Examples of hopeful practice already happening in schools - What’s next for the podcast in 2026 Support #repod The Rethinking Education podcast is brought to you by Crown House Publishing. It is hosted by Dr James Mannion and David Cameron, and produced by Sophie Dean. This podcast is a labour of love, with the emphasis on both the labour and the love. If you’d like to support the podcast and convey your appreciation for these conversations, you can: Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/repod Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/repod

Lisa O’Loughlin, Principal and CEO of Nelson and Colne College Group, and Jon Hutchinson, Director of Curriculum and Teacher Development at the Reach Foundation, share their insights from the Curriculum and Assessment Review panel. They discuss the challenges of balancing ambition with political constraints and the importance of post-16 education. The conversation highlights the growth of oracy and the arts in the curriculum, while acknowledging the complexities of assessment reform. Their perspectives provide a rare glimpse into the evolution of England's educational landscape.

Dave Whitaker, Chief Education Officer at Wellspring Academy Trust and author of The Kindness Principle, talks about transforming school cultures. He emphasizes the importance of kindness and compassion over zero-tolerance policies, arguing that all children can thrive in inclusive environments. Whitaker discusses the need for gradual culture change and the role of relationships in effective teaching. He critiques short-term educational reforms and advocates for a curriculum that supports human development and local collaboration.

In this rich crossover conversation, Chris Braitch and Dr James Mannion interview one another about trauma, healing, and the deep structural shifts needed in education. Chris Braitch is a father of three whose mission is to move himself and others towards connection and compassion. He works as an emotional health coach, a leadership coach with Compassionate Leaders Global, and is the founding director of Seen & Heard, a not-for-profit supporting the wellbeing of past and present pupils of the private school system - many of whom have experienced institutional neglect, emotional harm or abuse. After two decades in global sales and marketing, Chris realised that his life had been shaped by powerful, unexamined forces: early separation, boarding school culture, unresolved childhood experiences, and profound personal grief. Through coaching, men’s groups, the Emotional Freedom Technique, and a life-changing spiritual awakening, he discovered a new sense of purpose rooted in authenticity, service, and compassion. This journey transformed his parenting, his perspective, and the work he now offers to others. James shares the origins of the Rethinking Education Podcast, his work with the Learner Effectiveness Programme, slice teams, implementation science, and the Education Policy Alliance, and explores why so many top-down reforms fail to shift what actually happens in classrooms. Together, they explore: - The “myth of privilege” and why suffering in elite institutions is so often minimised - How early separation and boarding school cultures shape adult hypervigilance, self-protection, and leadership - The emotional and spiritual turning points that redirected Chris’s life - How Seen & Heard supports former pupils, works with schools, and campaigns for safer legislation - Why spoken language (oracy) is an overlooked equity issue - Why the system keeps “locating the problem in the child” - How learner-effectiveness, self-regulation, and holistic education can transform outcomes - The cultural assumptions baked into British schooling and politics - Why compassion-centred leadership matters now more than ever This is a deeply human, hopeful conversation about trauma, awareness, systemic change, and learning to live - and lead - with compassion. LINKS - Chris’s not for profit supporting the wellbeing of past pupils of boarding and independent day schools and their families – https://seenheard.org.uk - Chris’s not for profit supporting the wellbeing of present pupils of boarding and independent day schools and their families – https://seenheardschools.org.uk - Chris’s coaching business where I support men and women through 1-2-1’s and groups – https://growthwave.uk The Compassionate Leader Pathway Course - designed to help people lead with purpose, perform with clarity and live with integrity. https://compassionateleadersglobal.com CREDITS - The Rethinking Education podcast is brought to you by Crown House Publishing. It is hosted by Dr James Mannion and David Cameron, and produced by Sophie Dean. - Outro track: How it is and how it should be by Grit Control SUPPORT THE PODCAST: This podcast is a labour of love, with the emphasis on both the labour and the love. If you’d like to support the podcast or convey your appreciation for these conversations, you can: Become a patron: https://patreon.com/repod Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/repod

Nick Covington and Kate McAllister on Restoring Humanity to Education What does it mean to restore humanity to education? In this rich and wide-ranging three-way conversation, James is joined by Kate McAllister – co-founder of The Human Hive and lead educator at The Hive in the Dominican Republic – and Nick Covington, co-founder of the Human Restoration Project in the US. Together, we explore: The dehumanising effects of traditional schooling models What human-centred education looks like in practice – both inside and outside the mainstream Self-regulation, executive function and building trust with students The role of flow in learning, and why it's missing from most education policy discussions The Third Coast Learning Collaborative – a US-wide, government-funded project using project-based learning, portfolio assessment, and student-led exhibition The power of authentic audience and interdisciplinary learning How progressive educators can embrace data to strengthen their case for change The importance of courageous school leaders and communities of practice We also talk about Ozzy Osbourne's funeral procession, mangled chicken coops, flow states, poetry circles, grant funding, and catapults launching frisbees across middle school campuses. Education doesn’t have to be this way. Across the world, a quiet revolution is taking place – one built on trust, flow, curiosity and care. This episode offers a glimpse of what’s possible when we restore humanity to learning. LINKS Follow Nick - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-covington/ Follow Kate - https://www.linkedin.com/in/misskatemcallister/ Follow James - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mannion/ Human Restoration Project - https://www.humanrestorationproject.org/ The Hive – Dominican Republic - https://www.thehiveadventure.com/ The Third Coast Learning Collaborative - https://www.thirdcoastlearning.org/ Ron Berger on 20 years of 'An ethic of excellence' - and ending the trad-prog debate! - https://www.rethinking-ed.org/ron-berger Gallup Student Poll data on engagement, hope and belonging: https://msnpro1.gallup.com/report-generator/GSP/1.3/En-US?districtId=229403046&schoolId=229403048&cohortId=231774178 Outro track: ‘How it is and how it should be’ by Grit Control: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1ud69RIV1eOV9poMR7AORI DON'T BE A STRANGER The Rethinking Education podcast is brought to you by Crown House Publishing. It is hosted by Dr James Mannion and David Cameron, and produced by Sophie Dean. Drop us a line at https://www.rethinking-ed.org/contact. CONVEY YOUR APPRECIATION FOR THE POD :) Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/repod Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/repod

In this reflective discussion, the hosts emphasize that human development goes beyond traditional subject learning. They argue for prioritizing personal growth and wellbeing in schools, warning against a knowledge-heavy curriculum. Their conversation touches on the significance of creativity in education, the impact of technology on attention spans, and the idea of an inclusive, holistic curriculum. They also highlight insights from recent conferences and advocate for teaching strategies that promote critical thinking and democratic participation.

Jaz Ampaw-Farr, author of 'Because of You, This Is Me' and advocate for trauma-informed education, shares her powerful insights and personal journey. She discusses the urgent need for a new vocabulary in education and the transformative role of everyday heroes, particularly teachers. The conversation highlights the importance of listening to lived experiences, the complexities of sharing trauma narratives, and how educators can foster resilience and connection in their students. Jaz's reflections spark hope and challenge traditional educational narratives.

In this wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation, we're joined by teacher and researcher Richard Bustin, author of the fascinating new book What Are We Teaching? We delve deep into some of the biggest questions in curriculum and pedagogy today – from the concept of powerful knowledge to the ongoing tensions between progressivism and traditionalism in education. What does it mean to teach in a way that builds pupils' capabilities – not just their test scores? And how can we balance a knowledge-rich curriculum with professional teacher autonomy? Richard brings a rare blend of classroom insight, research rigour, and philosophical curiosity to this conversation. We discuss: What powerful knowledge is – and isn’t How geography “went woke” Whether the progressivism vs traditionalism debate is helpful or reductive Why a focus on capabilities might offer a richer way forward The risks of top-down curriculum mandates And why teacher professionalism and trust matter more than ever This is a rich and energising listen for anyone who cares deeply about what – and how – we teach. Richard Bustin is a secondary geography teacher and doctoral researcher with a focus on curriculum studies, powerful knowledge, and geo-capabilities. His book What Are We Teaching? (2025) is a compelling invitation to examine the deeper messages embedded in our teaching and to reclaim the professional agency of teachers as curriculum-makers. Links and resources: Follow Richard https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-bustin-165b7019b/ What are we teaching? https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/what-are-we-teaching Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with a friend or colleague. You can also support the podcast on Patreon: https://patreon.com/repod Outro track: ‘How it is and how it should be’ by Grit Control: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1ud69RIV1eOV9poMR7AORI The Rethinking Education podcast is brought to you by Crown House Publishing. It is hosted by Dr James Mannion and David Cameron, and produced by Sophie Dean.

In this powerful and practical conversation, Dr James Mannion and The Real David Cameron are joined by the inspirational Amjad Ali – teacher, leader, inclusion expert, founder of Try This Teaching and author of A Little Guide for Teachers: SEND in Schools – to explore what it would take to fix the SEND crisis. With over 20 years of experience across a wide range of educational settings, Amjad brings a wealth of knowledge and deep compassion to the question of how we can better serve learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Together, we explore: Why the SEND system is currently under such immense pressure The barriers that children, families and teachers face every day What inclusion really means – and how to move beyond tokenism Practical ideas to create more equitable, compassionate classrooms The mindset shifts needed at every level of the system This is a must-listen episode for anyone who wants to make education more inclusive, sustainable, and humane – not just for SEND learners, but for everyone. LINKS Follow Amjad - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amjadalitrythisteaching/ Outro track: ‘How it is and how it should be’ by Grit Control: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1ud69RIV1eOV9poMR7AORI DON'T BE A STRANGER The Rethinking Education podcast is brought to you by Crown House Publishing. It is hosted by Dr James Mannion and David Cameron, and produced by Sophie Dean. SUPPORT THE RETHINKING ED PODCAST: Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/repod Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/repod