Education Leaders

Grades give us comfort and numbers feel concrete. But what if our obsession with quantifying learning is actually getting in the way of understanding it? Today, we're rethinking assessment.Shane Leaning speaks with Amarbeer Singh Gill and Jennifer Curran from Ambition Institute about assessment in education. The conversation challenges our reliance on grades and numbers, exploring the limitations of traditional assessment methods and offering insights into more meaningful approaches to understanding student learning.Key Topics DiscussedThe difference between attainment and progress, and why they require different assessment approachesWhy grades can be misleading without shared understanding of their meaningThe false sense of security that numerical scores can provideThe importance of ongoing formative assessment in the classroomFinding the right balance between measuring learning and facilitating itHow school leaders can evaluate and improve their assessment practicesGuest LinksAmarbeer Singh Gill (Singh): @SinghAmarbeerGJennifer Curran (Jen): @jennimc_dResourcesProfessor Becky Allen's blog on progress Daisy Christodoulou's book "Making Good Progress"Article by Singh and Jen on assessmentEpisode PartnersThe International Curriculum Association's Global.Learn.Connect Netherlands: Learn moreThe University of Warwick's International Programmes | Learn more at warwick.ac.ukThank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on LinkedIn and Bluesky. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the essential role of sustainability in change management within education. Discover how continuous transformation can be embedded into an organization's culture. Uncover the importance of human connections and community support in making change last. Learn to normalize failure and foster experimentation to enhance resilience. Reflect on past initiatives to build stronger foundations for future growth. Finally, find strategies to integrate change into daily routines, making it a seamless part of the educational experience.

Ryan Parke (The Men's Coach) shares his personal experience with the suicide of a friend and explores the complexities of male mental health. He discusses the common belief that men don't talk about their feelings, which he challenges. Ryan and I particularly delve into the role of testosterone in men's health, debunking myths about its effects and emphasising the importance of lifestyle factors such as sleep, diet, exercise, and sobriety in maintaining healthy testosterone levels. He provides practical advice for improving men's health and wellbeing, ultimately advocating for a more nuanced understanding of male mental health issues.TakeawaysMen's mental health is often misunderstood; communication is not the only solution.Testosterone plays a crucial role in both physical and mental health.Lifestyle changes can significantly impact testosterone levels:Sleep is vital for testosterone production and overall health.Diet, particularly fat intake, affects testosterone levels.Regular exercise is more effective than antidepressants for mental health.Vitamin D is essential for testosterone production.Alcohol consumption can drastically lower testosterone levels.Understanding testosterone can motivate young men to prioritise their health.Resources Mentioned:The Men's Coach (Ryan's website) - themenscoach.co.ukOLLIE FoundationOver 1200 studies on male mental healthEpisode PartnersThe International Curriculum Association's Global.Learn.Connect Netherlands: Learn moreThe University of Warwick's International Programmes | Learn more at warwick.ac.ukThank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on LinkedIn and Bluesky. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Education Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Plans are worthless, but planning is everything" - Eisenhower's wisdom applies perfectly to school change. In this episode of the organizational change series, Shane explores the crucial delivery phase where planning meets reality.Key Points:The delivery stage comes after six previous stages in the change processWhy the model is front-loaded with preparation rather than implementationHow to choose the most appropriate option for your communityUnderstanding and acknowledging the consequences of changeThe importance of clear accountability in successful deliveryWhy buy-in should already be established before the delivery phaseResources Mentioned:Double Diamond ModelThe Fearless Organization by Amy EdmondsonRight Kind of Wrong by Amy EdmondsonJohn Kotter's Eight Step ProcessEducation Endowment Foundation Implementation GuideRelated Episodes:Previous episodes in the Change SeriesEpisode PartnersThe University of Warwick's International Programmes | Learn more at warwick.ac.ukThe International Curriculum Association's Global.Learn.Connect Netherlands: Learn moreThank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on LinkedIn and Bluesky. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Education Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This conversation explores the role of teacher educators, their unique challenges, and the dynamics of career transitions within the education sector. Dr. Ciara O' Donnell discusses the identity transformation that occurs during secondment, the impact of educational policies on teacher retention, and the skills required to effectively educate teachers. Our discussion highlights the importance of professional learning and the privilege of working with fellow educators to drive meaningful change in the education system.TakeawaysTeacher educators are a diverse and distinct group within the profession.Career dynamics and teacher life phases influence decisions to move into teacher education.Secondment can lead to identity transformation and disconnection from previous roles.Policies surrounding secondment can impact teacher retention negatively.Teacher educators often face challenges in navigating their roles and responsibilities.Effective teacher education requires understanding adult learning principles.Teacher educators play a vital role in bridging policy and practice.The role of a teacher educator is both a privilege and a challenge.Episode PartnersThe University of Warwick's International Programmes | Learn more at warwick.ac.ukThe International Curriculum Association's Global.Learn.Connect Netherlands: Learn moreThank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on LinkedIn and Bluesky. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Education Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane Leaning explores the delicate balance of learning enough to implement change without falling into analysis paralysis. He emphasises the importance of identifying knowledge gaps, questioning assumptions, and leveraging both internal and external expertise.The conversation also highlights the significance of assessing confidence in delivering change and knowing when to take action. Shane provides practical strategies for incremental learning and planning a change journey effectively.TakeawaysKnowing when you've learned enough to move forward with change can be tricky.Learning is not just about acquiring new skills; it's about questioning what we think we know.Identifying gaps in knowledge is crucial for effective change management.Incremental progress is more manageable than trying to become an expert overnight.Look beyond your usual circle for expertise and insights.Confidence in delivering change often signals underlying issues that need addressing.Learning can't just be front-loaded; it continues throughout the change process.Planning a change journey requires knowing the destination, waypoints, obstacles, and resources.Episode PartnersThe University of Warwick's International Programmes | Learn more at warwick.ac.ukThe International Curriculum Association's Global.Learn.Connect Netherlands: Learn moreThank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on LinkedIn and Bluesky. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.aHanIymP5cxBTuRPBLGtJoin Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we dive deep into school culture with Joel Abel, author of Teacher First Management. Joel shares practical insights on how to build and maintain intentional school culture, introducing his culture feedback loop model that connects results, actions, and beliefs. We explore why simply mandating actions isn't enough and how to create experiences that genuinely shift teacher beliefs and behaviors.Key Topics Covered:Why culture happens whether you plan it or notThe culture feedback loop modelHow beliefs drive actions in school settingsLeveraging diversity in international schoolsSupporting different teacher motivationsMoving beyond student-centered to teacher-first managementCreating sustainable cultural changeResources Mentioned:Teacher First Management - Joel's bookThe Culture Map by Erin MeyerEpisode PartnersThe University of Warwick's International Programmes | Learn more at warwick.ac.ukThe International Curriculum Association | Learn more at internationalcurriculum.com.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on LinkedIn and Bluesky. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Shane Leaning explores five powerful strategies for educational leaders to break out of their professional bubbles and gain fresh perspectives. Recording from London during a week of professional connections, Shane shares insights on how to enrich your practice by looking beyond school walls.Key Points:Why staying within our professional bubbles can lead to stale thinkingThe difference between "switching off" and "switching on differently"Five strategies to gain fresh perspectives and enrich your practiceHow to leverage both digital and in-person communitiesThe value of structured learning environmentsEpisode PartnersThe University of Warwick's International Programmes | Learn more at warwick.ac.ukThe International Curriculum Association | Learn more at internationalcurriculum.com.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on LinkedIn and Bluesky. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When some families see tutoring as non-negotiable and others as a last resort, how should international schools approach this complex topic? Sarah Capewell (founder of Aster Academy) and Arthur Moore (Professional Tutor of the Year 2024) unpack the challenges and opportunities around tutoring in international education.Key Discussion Points:Understanding tutoring as part of the broader educational landscapeCommon misconceptions about tutoring among teachers and school leadersThe role of cultural differences in tutoring expectationsBuilding effective school-tutor relationshipsNavigating communication between schools, parents, and tutorsThe current state of tutoring regulation and quality assuranceKey Takeaways:Tutoring should be viewed as an additional layer of support rather than a threat to classroom teachingClear school policies on tutoring can help teachers navigate parent requests and student needsCommunication between schools and tutors is crucial for student successCultural context significantly influences tutoring expectations and approachesDue diligence is important when selecting tutors due to limited industry regulationResources Mentioned:Aster Academy - Sarah Capewell's international tutoring businessT and Teaching Podcast - Arthur Moore's education podcastTutoring Tips Podcast - Arthur's tutoring-focused podcastEpisode PartnersThe International Curriculum Association | Learn more at internationalcurriculum.com.The University of Warwick's International Programmes | Learn more at warwick.ac.ukThank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Think you've got that next big project all sorted in your head? Hold that thought because today we're going to explore why sometimes those best answers often come when we dare to dream just a little bit bigger.In this episode of the organisational change series, Shane explores the 'develop' stage of the change process, where schools need to think big before narrowing down solutions. Through real examples and practical frameworks, learn why temporarily suspending practical constraints might lead to better solutions for your school.Key TopicsWhy schools need to think big before getting practicalThe power of "no limits" conversations in leadership teamsThe four Rs of de-implementation: reduce, remove, re-engineer, replaceHow one international school transformed their approach to student wellbeing through expansive thinkingThe crucial balance: adding new initiatives whilst taking things awayResources MentionedMaking Room for Impact by John Hattie, Dylan Wiliam, and Aaron HamiltonPrevious episode with Aaron Hamilton on De-implementationEpisode PartnersThe International Curriculum Association | Learn more at internationalcurriculum.com.The University of Warwick's International Programmes | Learn more at warwick.ac.ukThank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.