The fiftieth episode: what an honour it as been for us to even briefly tap into the wisdom and stories of 50 Heads & Tales guests, all of whom have played their part in shaping the education sector around the world. And what better way to celebrate this global outreach than to introduce our latest guest Alan Williamson, CEO of UAE education powerhouse Taaleem.

Next up in the Heads & Tales hot seat is Will le Fleming, the soon-to-be founding master of Thomas's College, a new co-ed secondary school in London that opens its doors this coming September. Will has worn many hats throughout his career, including as a journalist, museum educator and published author (look out for his book, Central Reservation) before his present tenure as head at The Abbey School in Reading.

In the latest episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber is joined by Lindsey MacDonald, who heads up Magic Breakfast – a charity tackling one of the most overlooked barriers to education: hunger. Every morning, far too many children arrive at school without a proper meal, and Lindsey's mission is a simple one: to make sure that no child in the UK is too hungry to learn.

Next up on Heads & Tales is Matt OBE, headteacher of Ark Global Academy, on his journey from footballer to advocate of equal opportunities in education.

In this episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber is joined by Tom Campbell, the CEO of E-ACT, a trust overseeing 38 schools and 25,000 pupils. With over 20 years of experience in educational leadership, Tom’s career spans from leading a school in special measures at the tender age of 29 to implementing transformative cultural strategies in schools across the UK. A passionate advocate for innovation, strategy and community-centered education, Tom shares the lessons and inspirations that have shaped his career.

In the latest episode of Heads & Tales, Henry Faber is joined by Emma McCrea, Head of Curriculum at Oak National Academy. Emma is a powerhouse in the education sector, recognised for dedication to evidence-informed teaching and transformative curriculum design.

Our next guest on Heads & Tales needs no introduction to our education-inclined followers. Dr Mary Bousted is one of few who can honestly say they have reshaped the history of their industry, having dedicated her life to championing the rights, voices and professionalism of educators. As the former joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, Mary spearheaded the largest and most powerful education union in Europe, representing the status quo of over half a million members.

Our guest this week is Dr Fiona Aubrey Smith, named in 2024 as one of the Top 5 Visionary Women in Education. Fiona is the founder of PedTech and Director of One Life Learning and she works closely with schools and trusts, professional learning providers and EdTech companies. 

Next up on Heads & Tales, we’re thrilled to welcome Mohammed Abdallah. Known for his work empowering young people and families, he spent over a decade leading pioneering inclusive practice at Dunraven School.

Next up on Heads & Tales is Bill Watkin CBE. After cutting his teeth as a foreign language teacher in some of the country's most challenging schools, Bill now oversees the education of over half a million 16 to 19-year-olds as CEO of the Sixth Form Colleges Association. Earlier this year, in a car packed with relatives and some other obscure objects (tune in for the full story), he arrived at Windsor Castle to be awarded a CBE for the resounding impact he's had on the education of young people across the country.