The day before he retired, Sir Paul Tarn sat down for one final 90-minute conversation.

He rarely does interviews. He never gives this long. And in what became a powerful and candid discussion, he didn’t hold back.

In this final interview before stepping away from headship, Sir Paul reflects on his journey into education at 31, the lessons learned over decades of leadership, and what truly drives impact in schools.

We discuss:

• Why teaching is still the best job in the world
• The real conversation around standards
• Impact and expectations for white working class boys
• The funding debate and whether there is actually enough money in education
• Why sharing everything matters
• Educational exchange and collaboration
• The role of data in driving improvement

This isn’t soundbites. It’s depth. It’s conviction built from experience. It’s a leader speaking freely at the end of a chapter.

Whether you agree with him or not, this is a significant conversation in the education space.

If you care about schools, standards, leadership and the future of education, this is one to watch.

Huge thank you to our sponsors:

Gadget Line - https://gadgetlinefilms.com/education/

Edurio - https://home.edurio.com/

Access Education - http://www.theaccessgroup.com/education

Dreams 2 Reality - www.dreams2-reality.com

Listen on the go or watch in full when you’re ready.

🎙 The School Podcast
Hosted by Cameron Parker

Like, comment and share your thoughts below.

#SirPaulTarn #TheSchoolPodcast #Education

In this episode Amjad Ali joins the conversation with Cameron Parker on The School Podcast.

At a time when education can feel increasingly complex and overloaded, Amjad argues for clarity, simplicity and intentional practice. Drawing on his experience working with teachers and schools across the world, he challenges common assumptions around standards, differentiation and research.

This is a thoughtful and practical conversation about removing unnecessary complexity from teaching while maintaining high expectations for every pupil.

For classroom teachers, middle leaders and trust leaders alike, this episode offers grounded insight and actionable thinking that prioritises impact without increasing workload.

Huge thank you to our sponsors:

Gadget Line - Edurio - Access Education - Dreams 2 Reality

#schoolpodcast #cameronparker #amjadali

In this powerful episode of The School Podcast, we sit down with Miriam Manderson to explore an extraordinary journey — from her upbringing and the devastating loss of her mum, to becoming a headteacher and leading school culture through some of the most challenging years education has ever faced.

Miriam speaks openly about:

Growing up and the experiences that shaped her mindset
Losing her mum and how grief influenced her leadership
Building strong culture and values in schools
Stepping into headship and the realities of the role
Leading staff and students through Covid
What school leadership really looks like behind the scenes

This is an honest, human conversation about resilience, responsibility, and leadership, with lessons for teachers, school leaders, aspiring heads, and anyone working in education.

🎧 Whether you’re in the classroom, SLT, or thinking about headship, this episode is packed with insight, reflection, and real-world experience.

👉 Watch the full episode and join the conversation

📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with anyone in education who needs to hear this.

Huge thank you to our sponsors:

Gadget Line - Edurio - Access Education - Dreams 2 Reality

#schoolpodcast #cameronparker #fromhoodtoheadship

In this episode of The School Podcast, Adrian Rogers, CEO of Chiltern Learning Trust, shares why great leadership is about people, not just systems.

We explore how education has changed over the years, why building the right team matters more than ever, and how leaders can stay genuinely connected to what’s happening in their schools — not just what reports and data say.

Adrian also reflects on the danger of leadership echo chambers, the importance of listening to different voices, and how trust leaders can keep perspective, challenge assumptions, and make better decisions at scale.

This conversation is essential viewing for school leaders, MAT leaders, and anyone interested in leadership, culture, and the future of education.

Huge thank you to our sponsors:

Gadget Line - Edurio - Access Education - Dreams 2 Reality

#schoolpodcast #cameronparker #adrianrogers

In this episode, Sam Sheedy shares what it’s really like to lead a school with extreme leadership turnover — and the lessons he learned about visibility, relationships, and sustainable leadership.

A powerful conversation for headteachers, senior leaders, governors, and anyone working in education who wants to build trust, stability, and long-term impact.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of The School Podcast
📌 Leadership | School Culture | Visibility | Trust

Huge thank you to our sponsors:

Gadget Line - Edurio - Access Education - Dreams 2 Reality

Like, comment, share & subscribe for more school and leadership conversations.

#SamSheedy #Headteacher #SchoolPodcast

In this live episode of The School Podcast, former headteacher, Ofsted inspector and founder of Courageous Leadership Diana Osagie shares what it really means to lead with courage in education and beyond.

She unpacks:
Her journey from failed A-Levels to executive headteacher
What courageous leadership actually is
Why leaders must build a tribe and stop leading alone
How low expectations get baked into schools and teams
The role of discomfort, resilience and real relationships in leadership

👉 If you’re a headteacher, senior leader or manager feeling stretched, stuck or called to “more”, this one is for you.

Huge thank you to our sponsors:

Gadget Line - Edurio - Access Education - Dreams 2 Reality

Like, comment, share & subscribe for more school and leadership conversations.

#DianaOsagie #CourageousLeadership #SchoolPodcast

In this episode, Cameron dives even deeper into the real stories and lessons that come from working inside UK schools every week.

Episode 2 delivers another dose of honesty, energy, and insight straight from the frontline.

No fluff. No fancy theories. Just genuine reflections, practical wisdom, and mindset shifts you can apply immediately — whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or someone who simply cares about making a difference.

Tune in for more real talk, more learning, and more reasons to stay committed to the work that matters.

Huge thank you to our sponsors:

Gadget Line - Edurio - Access Education - Dreams 2 Reality

#CameronParker #SundaySchool #TheSchoolPodcast

Former National Schools Commissioner Sir David Carter joins The School Podcast to unpack over 40 years in education, what academies got right and wrong, how to build a culture that’s lived not laminated, and why supporting SEND and underserved pupils should drive every decision.

Key Takeaways:

• How academies changed pace, autonomy and accountability
• Leadership mistakes to avoid such as bloated middle tiers
• Behaviour that works: exclusion as a last resort, catch them doing good, visible SLT
• How to engage late or non attending pupils with empathy
• Why alumni networks and vocational pathways matter
• Balancing work and life for long term retention
• The one system fix Sir David would make: properly resource SEND


Sponsors:
Edurio - Gadget Line - Dreams to Reality - Access Education

#DavidCarter  #SchoolPodcast #CameronParker

In this episode of The School Podcast, host Cameron Parker sits down with Nadine Bernard — headteacher, mother of three, founder & CEO of Aspiring Heads, and author of Your Leadership Matters: Empowering Those from the Global Majority and Allies.
Together, they dive deep into:
✅ Balancing leadership, motherhood, and well-being
✅ The story behind founding Aspiring Heads and supporting future Black leaders
✅ Overcoming adversity and discrimination in education
✅ Why nurture doesn’t mean lowering standards
✅ Building schools rooted in empathy, high expectations, and community
✅ The importance of representation, confidence, and self-care
💬 “My value is not defined by what others say about me.” – Nadine Bernard

Thank you to our sponsors: Edurio - Access Education - Gadget Line Films - Dreams 2 Reality 🎧 

Listen to The School Podcast on Spotify & Apple Podcasts .
 
#NadineBernard #cameronparker #schoolpodcast

In this podcast Omar Al Hashimi an experienced educator and thought leader, explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the world of education. He shares his insights on the opportunities and challenges AI brings to classrooms and explains why teachers and schools should embrace AI rather than resist it because it’s here to stay.

Discover how AI can enhance learning, support teachers, and prepare students for the future.
Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments below!

🎙️The School Podcast — Real conversations. Real schools. Real impact.

Thank you to our sponsors: Edurio - Access Education - Gadget Line Films - Dreams 2 Reality 🎧 

Listen to The School Podcast on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 

#education #artificialintelligence #SchoolPodcast #CameronParker