Episodes

  • Frank and Stan Chat No. 224
    May 16 2025

    Just the two gents this week and they consider governance, leadership and the 'fit and proper' test for football, rugby league and MAT leadership. With Salford City Reds facing a winding-up order for non-payment of taxes Stan considers how they got into this position while Frank considers the journey of his beloved Southend Utd which faced similar difficulties recently. They consider the importance of honesty and transparency in leadership and Frank is quick to highlight the work of Prof Marianne Jennings and her book The Seven Signs of Ethical Collapse'. By the way, she's agreed to join our chat, we just need to pin down a date.


    Frank then reflects on the recent chats with Rebecca Hanson and Aelwyn Pugh and explains why they were so impactful. The chat then considers CEO salaries and the redundancies one high profile MAT is facing and why it feels wrong when senior leaders earn so much.


    We hope you enjoy it.

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    40 mins
  • Frank and Stan Chat No. 223
    May 12 2025
    Every now and again Frank and Stan give full rein to our guest, especially if they want to share some insight that is challenging or even provocative. This is what happened when Aelwyn Pugh, a former highly experienced HMI joined us again for our weekly chat. Aelwyn had prepared a carefully considered his thoughts on the issue of social mobility and how it had enabled him to progress. He also reflected on the type of education he received and how it enabled him to challenge orthodoxy and helped him to better understand the world. He considers how Germany undertook a deeper soul-searching of their past and how this has ensured they view the world in a more rounded way. Throughout the chat Aelwyn is mindful of the vital role education plays in guiding and supporting young people. He is highly critical of some who view this important role as purely an examination machine. For him, education is so much more. It is a highly thoughtful chat with Aelwyn offering a compelling view of past education mistakes and how things can be improved.

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    37 mins
  • Frank and Stan Chat No. 222
    Apr 30 2025

    After a short break the Frank and Stan Chat returns with a familiar guest joining us again. Brian Lightman, the former leader of ASCL (for 6 years) and secondary Headteacher of two Welsh schools, author and education consultant returns to consider

    - the role of Facebook in deciding on which school to select

    - the dangers of the current Ofsted inspection proposals

    - the role of the RISE teams and they intersect with existing school improvement programmes and strategies

    - the lack of a clear vision for education, and

    - balancing the budget.


    The chat ends on a more positive note with better news on teacher recruitment and the possible push for more Drama teachers which may indicate a shift in focus coming through the Francis Curriculum Review.


    A great way to start the summer series of chats. Enjoy.

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    39 mins
  • Frank and Stan Chat SPOTLIGHT No.14
    Apr 25 2025

    Every now our channel is contacted by an individual who asks to be a guest. Some of these requests are rejected mainly because the issue to be covered has already had an airing in a previous chat. When Rebecca Hanson contacted us we felt she was going to bring a fresh perspective on a current issue in schools and she didn't disappoint.


    Rebecca works as a supply maths teacher in a number of inner city schools in the north of England. She also provides maths tuition for children who are struggling with maths and support for parents who are home educating. She previously spent years providing professional development for primary teachers and teaching assistants, before free sharing professional development and advice for teachers through her RebeccaTheMathsLady YouTube channel. She is also an experienced conference speaker, facilitator and workshop leader and has substantial experience in national-level education policy development and the press and live mainstream media.


    The chat covers Rebecca's recent experience of teaching in socially diadvantaged communities and why she feels too many students find mathematics irrelevant and uninteresting. She is clear who is to blame.


    It's a spiky chat but one many should watch/listen to.

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    47 mins
  • Frank and Stan Chat No. 221
    Apr 3 2025
    This week the two longtime friends chat about personal loss and how it impacts as life rolls by. They then consider how toxic social media has become and reasonable debate and discussion is proving increasingly difficult. This isn't helped when those who should be claiming the higher ground fall well short of the standards expected. A YouGov survey is then considered and how it is being used to influence responses to an important national survey on the future of inspection. Frank then reflects on the possible peerage for the former Chief Inspector and why it has irked him so much. He also considers why it is important that Ofsted only comments on evidence collected by its own inspectors gathered without fear or favour. No guest, just the two of us, just like old times. Enjoy.

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    37 mins
  • Frank and Stan Chat SPOTLIGHT No. 14
    Mar 27 2025

    This special SPOTLIGHT edition of the Frank and Stan Chat considers the work of Alan Braven and Anthony Benedict who have a new book being published 31 March called 'Educating Everyone - An introduction to Relational Inclusion in schools'. The book recognises the struggle schools face around funding, behaviour, attendance, increasing rates of exclusions, lack of SEN support and adequate suitable places and teachers leaving the profession. It identifies the present time as a transitional point in history where two camps have formed: the Behaviourists and the Relationalists. It introduces the reader to the idea of Relational Inclusion, tracking the origins of its concept and exploring current thinking around the causation of some of the issues raised, including epigenetics, automatic negative thinking and the deficit narrative.


    The chat enables the four colleagues to reflect on how their approaches to behaviour management, inclusion and relationships have changed over time and how they see the challenges now being faced by many children, young people, their families and those who teach.


    A fascinating and highly topical chat that also includes a generous 30% book discount using the code FRANKSTAN30 if bought through the Routledge website.


    Enjoy.

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    40 mins
  • Frank and Stan Chat No. 220
    Mar 20 2025

    This week the two gents are not joined by a guest. We find it hard to believe that some of our followers like it that way. We know, however, that our guests add so much to our weekly chats and we are grateful for their time and commitment. Anyway, today we cover two main issues

    1. The recent documentary on the failings within Thames Water and what the lessons are for leadership in education and elsewhere

    2. The Interim Francis Curriculum Review Report


    The chat meanders a little but it is punchy and direct in terms of our views.


    Also, Frank ends by plugging The Alternative Big Consultation survey he is running wioth Prof Colin Richards. The link is at the end of the chat, if you are on video. If you are downloading the chat as a podcast you can find the link at www.thealternativebiglisten.co.uk. It only takes 5 minutes


    Enjoy

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    39 mins
  • Frank and Stan Chat No.219
    Mar 14 2025

    This week Frank and Stan are joined by Rebecca Leek, the author of the recently published book 'The School Ready Governor'. Rebecca has written an insightful and easily accessible book that covers the history and development of the governor role, how effective governance manages to bridge the operational and strategic divide as well as encouraging governors/trustees to be brave and firm when things do not seem right.


    The chat includes Stan drawing attention to a mechanical device his father created that includes a 'governor' which he explains is a speed limiter or controller. Rebecca reveals that she intended to mention this in her book but decided to withdraw it before publication. Stan is experiencing the joy of trying to potty train his 2 year old grandson and considers the latest report that identifies what children are expected to be able to do before they start school. He makes the case for a degree of understanding on such matters.


    Rebecca then considers how she is managing supporting her father who is in a care home. She references the James Taylor song 'The Secret of Life' which includes the lyric 'the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time'. Frank is also an avid James Taylor fan so the conversation considers how he is abler to write uplifting lyrics when he was facing significant personal challenges. Rebecca also draws in the importance of spiritual development for children and young people.


    Finally, Frank remembers his brother Barry, who passed away nearly a year ago. He was a guest on the FRank and Stan Chat on two occasions and was keen to see teachers grabbing back more of the national assessment process.


    It's a positive and fascinating chat. We've already booked Rebecca again for a second chat. Still so much ground to cover.


    Enjoy.

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    40 mins