School leaders face hard decisions every day – with the last few years on another scale altogether. From responding to the demands caused by a global pandemic, to budgeting for skyrocketing energy bills – the impact of decision making in schools can leave leaders feeling overwhelmed. And for schools serving the poorest communities, the pressures can weigh even heavier.

In this panel, we’ll discuss the risks of getting things right or wrong for the people and communities we care about. When the stakes are so high, what can leaders do to manage their personal wellbeing and what support is out there to help them make the big calls?

Join the conversation on Twitter using #FutureTermsPanel

This panel aired on 1 December 2022. Read the blog.

Hosted by:

Clare Watson-Spence – Achievement Partner at Teach First (moderator)

On this panel:

In the wake of the pandemic and its disruption to education, the connection between learning and the social, emotional and physical development of children has been clearly highlighted. We need to consider how our education system can support the development and wellbeing of all children and young people. Children simply cannot learn as effectively if they are suffering with poor mental health, or without space to learn social skills and develop emotional regulation.

In this Future Terms panel, we’ll discuss the great work schools are doing already to support whole child development, and what extra backing is needed to give every young person the rounded education they deserve. Join the conversation on Twitter using #FutureTermsPanel

This panel aired on 14 July 2022. Read the blog.

Hosted by:

Sarah Shreeve - Head of Early Years and Primary at Teach First (moderator)

On this panel:

Hands up if you work in a school and want better work-life balance? While flexible or remote working has become the norm for many professionals since COVID-19, it's rarer to see the same opportunities available for school staff.

In this Future Terms panel, we explored how the education sector could improve the wellbeing and retention of teachers. From reducing teaching timetables to remote learning, from part-time hours to online parents’ evenings, our expert speakers will discuss the solutions that could make a positive and practical difference to the working lives of educators. Because, when teachers thrive, pupils thrive. Join the conversation on Twitter using #FutureTermsPanel

This panel aired on 19 May 2022. Read the blog

Hosted by:

Lorraine Halford - Co-chair of the Working Families Affinity Group at Teach First (moderator)

On this panel:

Amy Brookes - Co-founder of the Shared Headship Network and Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning at Lynn Grove Academy

Lucy Helan - Co-founder of the Shared Headship Network and Assistant Vice Principal at Greig City Academy

Lindsay Patience - Co-founder of Flexible Teacher Talent and part-time teacher at Putney High School

Jennifer Webb - Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning, and Research Lead at Trinity Academy Cathedral

Jack Worth - Lead Economist at the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER)

All children should be able to relate to – and feel inspired by – the adults around them. School staff provide some of our earliest adult role models. Yet to give one example, almost half of schools in England still don’t have any ethnic minority teachers.

The issue of diversity in our country’s classrooms is about more than race alone. Children can also benefit from access to a wide variety of role models with lived experiences of the issues related to neurodiversity, disability, LGBTQ+, gender and socio-economic background.

In this Future Terms event we explored why authentic representation is so vital in schools. A panel of experts share their experiences of inclusivity in the education sector, and discuss why recruiting a diverse workforce is only one small step in making the system work for every child.

Join the conversation on Twitter using #FutureTermsPanel

This panel aired on 24 March 2022. Read the blog.

Hosted by:

Jenny Mannion-Krase – Programme Welfare and Access Manager at Teach First (moderator)

On this panel:

Dominic Carnall – CEO at Just Like Us

Adrian Rollins – Deputy Head of School at Nottingham University Samworth Academy

Anuradha Roy – Digital Learning Coordinator at University of the Arts London

Work experience is a rite of passage for all teenagers, but is it adapting in sync with the modern world of work? In this Future Terms event, join experts from education and business as they examine whether young people are being effectively prepared for the job prospects that await them.

Is there a smarter way for schools and employers to prepare young people for their professional futures? And could a reimagined approach to work experience for Generation Z and beyond finally give every young person a fighting chance to find the right career path for them? Join the conversation on Twitter using #FutureTermsPanel

This panel aired on Thursday 3 February 2022. Read the blog

Hosted by:

Graihagh Crashaw - Director of School Leadership at Teach First

On this panel:

Can a price ever be put on making our education system work for every child? The government has announced its ambitions around 'levelling up'. But what will it mean for schools and educators, and should we be pushing them to re-imagine what pupil premium could look like?

As well as dissecting how schools could benefit from additional funding to level the playing field, this Future Terms panel event explores what else the government could do to support pupils in disadvantaged communities. Listen to dive deeper into the big questions around the future of pupil premium.

This panel aired on Thursday 9 December 2021.

Hosted by:

Marc Newall - Policy Manager at Teach First (moderator).

On this panel:

No school has perfect behaviour all the time. But what makes some secondary schools stand out when it comes to pupil behaviour? Is 'no excuses' the answer or is restorative justice the best approach? And most importantly, what affects schools in disadvantaged communities when it comes to tackling behaviour and reducing unnecessary exclusions? Join the conversation on Twitter using #FutureTermsPanel

This panel aired on Thursday 11 November 2021.

Hosted by:

Jennifer Owen-Adams - Head of Programme Support, Teach First (moderator).

On this panel:

In classrooms across the country, countless young people are silently struggling with their mental health. And, as a result of the greatest educational upheaval since the Second World War, evidence is indicating that the pandemic has only made this worse.

What role can schools play to support young people through this? And should it even be the responsibility of schools at all?

Join our final Future Terms panel of the year as our expert panellists unpick this crucial topic and dive deeper into the growing crisis of the mental health of the next generation. Join the conversation on Twitter using #FutureTermsPanel

This panel aired on Thursday 8 July 2021.

Hosted by:

Sarah Bibi - PhD Researcher at The University of Manchester and Teach First trustee (moderator)

On this panel:

Over the last year, school staff and students have rapidly reacted to an ever-changing and uncertain picture. If the experience has taught us anything, it's that a school is much more than just a building.

This panel will explore how schools can create a culture that supports learning and the wellbeing of both students and staff as we look to a future beyond the pandemic. We'll consider the things we’ve learnt in the last year that we want to hold on to, and what are the things to leave behind. How can we build inclusive schools that great teachers and leaders want to work in, and that achieve great outcomes for pupils? Join the conversation on Twitter using #FutureTermsPanel

This panel aired on Thursday 24 June 2021.

Hosted by:

Bridget Clay - Director of School Leadership at Teach First (moderator)

Speakers:

This September’s shake-up of the support given to newly-qualified (early career) teachers will mean big things for schools and trainees alike.

With the induction period being extended from one year to two, in-school mentors will have more responsibilities than ever. Yet, after a year in which the development of new teachers was hugely disrupted, this will inevitably result in challenges.

Speaking to participants who were part of the early roll out of Teach First’s Early Career Framework programme – as well as those involved in its design – we’ll also explore the resources available to support schools and trainees, and how the programme offers a huge opportunity to reinvigorate in-school mentoring. Join the conversation on Twitter using #FutureTermsPanel

This panel aired on Thursday 27 May 2021.

Hosted by:

Faye Craster, Director of Teacher Development at Teach First (moderator)

On this panel: