Rethinking Education

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

In this joyful and thought-provoking episode, we’re joined by Tom Veck and Andy Hawkings from Rocktopus – the world’s greatest rock band for kids (and educators, as it turns out). At the last Rethinking Education conference, Tom and Andy did something truly remarkable: in front of a live audience of 500 people, they wrote a brand new song on the spot. With lyrics provided by the audience and four chords chosen entirely at random, they created a tune that’s both hilarious and haunting – and just wait until you hear it. Fair warning: it’s an absolute earworm. But this episode is more than a musical moment. Tom and Andy – both former teachers – use the lyrics of the song as a springboard for a fascinating conversation about the perks and peculiarities of the English education system. We explore the power of creativity, the limits of conformity, and what it might take to build a system that helps everyone to thrive. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, policymaker or student, this one’s for you. In this episode: A live songwriting experiment with audience participation Why music and creativity matter more than ever in education Stories from the classroom – and why Tom and Andy left teaching Reflections on control, compliance and how to do things differently We have a narrow curriculum which squeezes out the arts - so let’s rethink education There is a lack of imagination and not enough fun - so let’s rethink education Children should be self directed showing us their way let them lead Transferable skills should be the core of what we teach learn for life So let’s trust Let’s be brave Let’s do what’s right and not what is required Let’s have fun Let’s explore Let’s bring back the love forget the fear of being fired! We're forced to rank the children as OFSTED ranks the schools - so let’s rethink education We have a lack of agency - we're trapped inside the system - so let’s rethink education A place of transformation that embraces community school is the heart A place to dream a place to play a Place to think and love feeling free So let’s trust Let’s be brave Let’s do what’s right and not what is required Let’s have fun Let’s explore Let’s bring back the love forget the fear of being fired! 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

Kulvarn Atwal, headteacher of Highlands and Uphall Primary in East London, is a champion of distributed leadership and author of 'The Thinking School.' He explores the innovative concept of slice teams, showcasing how diverse groups of staff and students can collaboratively lead change in schools. Kulvarn emphasizes the importance of including student voices in decision-making, which fosters a culture of respect and responsibility. His insights reveal how this approach can create sustainable improvements in educational environments.

Warwick Mansell, an independent journalist and founder of Education Uncovered, joins clinical psychologist Naomi Fisher, author of Changing Our Minds. They dive into the implications of the Schools Bill on children's rights and home education. Warwick discusses how the academies system fosters inequality and secrecy, while Naomi raises concerns about increased state control over homeschooling. They explore the disconnect between educational policies and the real needs of students, emphasizing the need for reforms that prioritize well-being and parental rights.

In today’s episode, I bring you a fascinating conversation with John Tomsett and Mary Myatt – two people who’ve done so much to shape thinking about curriculum and leadership in schools over recent years. Mary Myatt is an education adviser, writer and speaker. She started out as an RE teacher and has written extensively about curriculum, leadership and school improvement – books like High Challenge, Low Threat, The Curriculum: Gallimaufry to Coherence and of course the original Huh. John Tomsett taught in state schools for over three decades, including 18 years as a headteacher. He’s written widely about leadership and mental health in schools, including Love Over Fear, Mind Over Matter, and Putting Staff First. He’s also one of the leading figures in the evidence-informed education movement and former leader of Huntington Research School in York. This conversation centres around their latest collaboration, AP Huh, which is part of their brilliant Huh series. The idea behind the Huh books is simple but powerful: to elevate the conversation around curriculum design by listening closely to the people doing the work – subject leaders, senior leaders, teachers, and in this case, those working in alternative provision. The term Huh comes from the Egyptian god of endlessness, creativity and regeneration – and that spirit runs through everything they write. The Huh books are deeply rooted in the real world of schools, but they always look to what’s possible, what’s better – what could be. Together, John and Mary bring a huge depth of experience, a deep moral commitment to young people, and a keen eye for what actually works. This was a really enjoyable conversation – and I hope you get as much out of it as I did. LINKS Buy AP Huh - https://www.johncattbookshop.com/products/alternative-provision-huh Follow John - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-tomsett-38ba74b3/ Follow Mary - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymyatt/ Follow James - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mannion/ 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. SUPPORT THE RETHINKING ED PODCAST: Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/repod Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/repod

Lewis Wedlock is an academic, mental health professional and masculinities educator from Bristol, England. He has spent the last five years working with thousands of young men across the UK in secondary and higher education, engaging them in topics such as feminism, allyship, accountability, sexism, misogyny and VAWG. He has designed and delivered several interventions for schools looking to transform their masculinity school cultures, and has worked with hundreds of educators to support them in the journey towards supporting and empowering young men within their school spaces. His debut book “Masculinities in Schools” is due to be published by Sage in June. LINKS Lewis’s TEDx talk ‘The crisis of masculinity’ - https://www.ted.com/talks/lewis_wedlock_the_crisis_of_masculinity Lewis’s book ‘Masculinities in school’ - https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/masculinities-in-schools/book291711 Lewis on bringing teachers on the journey towards anti-misogyny work in schools - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7313467595809046529/?originTrackingId=vFhKtaFiTryFt2v9NuWMIA%3D%3D Lewis on safeguarding women and gender-fluid teachers in conversations relating to anti-misogyny work - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7312383310528143360/?originTrackingId=%2B%2FDoao0qRka%2BXELJ%2BeWPdw%3D%3D Lewis on why we need to rethink showing Adolescence in schools - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7310952725276446720/?originTrackingId=qEDxB5LuRYqggVUxMjo%2F%2FA%3D%3D Follow James - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mannion/ 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. SUPPORT THE RETHINKING ED PODCAST: Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/repod Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/repod

In this special episode, Dr James Mannion and The Real David Cameron take a look at the education systems in the four nations of the United Kingdom and ask: what can we learn from one another? Graham Donaldson has been central to development in Scotland as chief inspector, advising government as well as leading on quality assurance. And remarkably he has also been central to the development of Curriculum for Wales in the role of chief adviser to the Welsh Government. Tony Gallagher, from Queens University Belfast, has made a massive contribution to education in Northern Ireland and internationally. He is best known for his work on education in divided societies, a subject that, sadly, continues to be of vital importance. Lena Carter is the headteacher of two schools in Scotland, Glassary and Tayvallich, in Argyll and Bute, a challenge that Lena embraces with real energy, passion and a tremendous commitment to meeting every pupil’s needs. And Lucy Kirkham teaches geography at Bassaleg Comprehensive school near Newport in Wales. Lucy has a considerable track record in Environmental Education and has been a real driving force behind a series of conferences where young people can engage with the climate emergency on their terms. LINKS Follow Graham - https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-donaldson-b8a9ba43 Follow Lena - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-carter-27748a39/ Follow Lucy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-kirkham-9b8699279/ Follow Tony - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-gallagher-a845ab9/ Follow David - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-cameron-72061a15/ Follow James - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mannion/

This episode features an astonishing conversation by two remarkable educators, Hywel Roberts and Tim Taylor. Tim kindly stepped in as a guest host for this episode, to explore some of the big ideas that underpin Hywel’s excellent book, Botheredness: Stories, stance, pedagogy. LINKS Buy Botheredness - https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/botheredness Follow Hywel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hywel-roberts-67ba032b/ Follow Tim - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-taylor-50358439/ 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. SUPPORT THE RETHINKING ED PODCAST: Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/repod Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/repod

Joining the conversation are Debra Kidd, an author focused on hopeful learning environments, and Clare Whyles, a dedicated deputy head with 25 years at St. Ebbe’s Primary School. They dive into the essential roles of compassion, creativity, and community in education, sharing insights on fostering hope and well-being. The impact of storytelling in engaging students and the need for curricular innovation are also highlighted, alongside personal reflections on collaboration and resilience in schooling. Together, they envision a vibrant and joyful educational landscape.

Welcome to this episode in which we get to know our new cohost, The Real David Cameron! David Cameron is an incredible educator, public speaker and human being whose work I have admired for many years now. He has been a teacher, a senior manager in schools and in local authorities, most recently as Director of Children’s Services for Stirling Council. He was President of the Association of Directors of Education Scotland and has been centrally involved in virtually every major development in Scottish education over the last 40 years. More recently he has been an independent speaker and consultant working across the UK and internationally. LINKS About David: https://therealdavidcameron.net/about Buy Unfinished Business: https://amzn.to/49G5Uid Buy Making Change Stick: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Change-Stick-Implementing-Improvement/dp/1398387487 Subscribe to James’s Substack newsletters (which alternate fortnightly) Rethinking Education: https://drjamesmannion.substack.com Making Change Stick: https://makingchangestick.substack.com Repost about the book launch to be in with a change of winning prizes: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rethinkingjames.bsky.social/post/3lffz7ygg722y Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7283574500909088768/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjamesmannion/post/DEqIRjlMHEv X: https://x.com/RethinkingJames/status/1878060170397286715 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 hosted by Dr James Mannion and produced by Sophie Dean. You can contact James at https://www.rethinking-ed.org/contact. SUPPORT THE RETHINKING ED PODCAST: Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/repod Buy James a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/repod