Leading With...

What happens when eight thousand children walk into an arena, look up and realise they are part of one choir? The impact reaches far beyond the music- it touches confidence, culture and the kind of aspiration schools work hard to build every day.

Twinkl National Arts Lead Karen Stretch and CEO of Young Voices, Ben Lewis, explore explore the essential role teachers play, the widening gap in arts access, and why large scale cultural experiences can change expectations for pupils who need it most. Ben also reflects on what strong culture looks like, how leaders can protect it, and why joy and playfulness matter just as much as rigour.

An inspiring listen for school leaders interested in culture, creativity and the transformative impact of meaningful arts education.

What happens when we keep adding to the curriculum, but nothing ever gets taken out? Stuart Parker-Tyerman unpacks why the “curriculum bag” is close to bursting and what leaders can do about it.

What if the biggest barrier to maths success is not ability, but anxiety? Dr Thomas Hunt shares two decades of research into how emotions shape mathematical learning and what school leaders can do about it.

Are schools spending too much time on assessment that does not actually improve learning? Tracey Baxter shares practical advice for science leaders on how to make assessment purposeful, confidence-building and efficient.

What does effective phonics look like and how can schools bring parents on the journey? In this episode of Leading With…, Laura Brogan speaks with Amy McElhatton, one of the UK’s leading phonics consultants and the educator behind The Phonics Fairy. They discuss common misconceptions, why books must match sounds, the role of parents, and what leaders can do to support every child to succeed.

Could the behaviour policies most schools rely on be holding back the very children who need support the most? Gareth K Thomas draws on lived experience to show how trauma-informed practice builds trust and improves outcomes.

What is school really for? In this episode of Leading With…, Sam Denno speaks with Sammy Wright, Secondary Headteacher and author of Exam Nation. Sammy, reflects on disadvantage, the exam system and the narratives shaping education today. Together they explore how markets, accountability and outdated measures can distort schools, and why leaders need to rethink the stories we tell about success, opportunity and community.

Welcome to Leading With…, a brand-new podcast created by school leaders, for school leaders. Hosted by Twinkl’s National Education Leads, this series is your space for honest conversations, practical strategies, and fresh ideas to support the realities of leadership in schools.

In this trailer, discover what you can expect from upcoming episodes. From curriculum changes and staffing to inspections, wellbeing, inclusion, and AI, Leading With… brings you expert voices and lived experiences from across the sector- all in 30-minute episodes designed to fit into your busy day.