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

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