We publish podcasts all year round, offering our perspective on a range of subjects and initiatives that directly affect independent prep and junior schools, as well as the views and experiences of our member Heads.

You can find all our publicly-available podcast episodes on the major podcasting channels, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

We also publish a private podcast for member Heads only and this can be found in the member area of our website, with restricted access.

The Road to Headship

Publication date: Thursday 12 December 2024

Overview: IAPS Head of Professional Development, Matt Evered, is joined by Head of Tranby Prep, Cath Sweeting, and Adam Hurst, Head of Dolphin School, as they discuss their journeys to Headship and provide useful advice for the aspiring Heads of the future.

Please click below to listen to this podcast:

 

Tim Smith's Journal Club: staff wellbeing

Publication date: Monday 18 November 2024

Overview: In this third instalment of the IAPS Journal Club series, host Tim Smith, Head at Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep is joined by Perran Gill, Head at Keble Prep, Rebecca Smith, Head at King Edward VI Preparatory School and IAPS CEO, Dominic Norrish.

Together, they discuss the importance of teacher wellbeing, considering the research literature and sharing tips and ideas that they have used at their own schools.

Articles:

Please click below to listen to this podcast:

 

SEND success: high-quality provision in independent schools

Publication date: Thursday 17 October 2024

Overview: In this episode, IAPS Deputy CEO Emilie Darwin is joined by Katharine Sharpe, IAPS SEND Subject Adviser & Assistant Head (Pastoral) and Head of Learning Support at Caterham Prep, and Gaelle Sullivan, Inclusion Director at BSA Group and Director at IELA (Inclusion & Equity Leadership Association). Together, they discuss the quality of SEND provision in independent schools and preview the forthcoming Independent Schools SEND Conference, in association with ISC.

Please click below to listen to this podcast:

Counting down to the IAPS Annual Conference

Publication date: Monday 9 September 2024

Overview: IAPS CEO Dominic Norrish, IAPS Deputy CEO Emilie Darwin and incoming IAPS Chair Tania Botting discuss what they are most looking forward to at this year's Annual IAPS Conference which takes place next week at Celtic Manor in Wales.

Please click below to listen to this podcast:

 

Meet the Keynote – Ian Symmonds

Publication date: Thursday 25 July 2024

Overview: In this episode, IAPS CEO Dominic Norrish talks to ed-futurist Ian Symmonds. They discuss the importance of independent schools leading the way in terms of AI in education and Ian outlines how he will address this topic at the IAPS Annual Conference in September, both in his keynote address and break-out seminar sessions.

Please click below to listen to this podcast:

 

Smartphones in schools: should they be banned or are restrictions sufficient?

 Publication date: Thursday 18 July 2024

Overview: Emilie Darwin explores the issue of smartphones in schools with Helena Grant, Head at Wycliffe Prep, Will Orr-Ewing from Smartphone Free Childhood and Neil Pollock from SchoolsMobile.

Please click below to listen to this podcast:

 

Highlighting the work of charity Tender

Publication date: Monday 8 July 2024

Overview: IAPS CEO, Dominic Norrish is joined by Kate Lexén and Jake Saunders from Tender, a charity that works with schools to promote healthy relationships with the aim of preventing domestic abuse and sexual violence. Together they talk about the importance of this work at a young age and the methods of engaging children with this topic.

Please click below to listen to this podcast:

 

Head-to-Head – Karen Coles interviews Angus McDonald

Publication date: Wednesday 26 June 2024

Overview: In the second instalment of our Head-to-Head series Karen Coles, Head of Sarum Hall School in London interviews Angus McDonald, Head of Wellesley Prep School in Hampshire. Together they cover numerous topics including the joys of education in both the independent and state sector, the focus on outdoor learning at Wellesley and the importance of taking risks.

Please click below to listen to this podcast:

 

In conversation with the Chair - Kate Jefferson

Publication date: Thursday 13 June 2024

Overview: In the second instalment of this series, IAPS Chair Andrew Nott interviews Kate Jefferson, Master at Westminster Under School, about her previous career in the state sector, her vision for Westminster Under School and her favourite podcasts.

Please click below to listen to this podcast:

 

Tim Smith's Journal Club - Human flourishing

Publication date: Wednesday 5 June 2024

Overview: Join host Tim Smith, Head at Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep for the second instalment in his Journal Club series, examining the phenomena of human flourishing and its implications for both pupils and school staff. Tim chairs an in-depth discussion with Paul Borrows, Head at Hunter Hall Preparatory School, Nisha Kaura, Head at The Abbey Junior School, and Dominic Norrish, IAPS Chief Executive.

Articles:

Please click below to listen to this podcast:

 

Cyber Security

Publication date: Thursday 23 May 2024

Overview: This episode aims to demystify the increasingly complex issue of cyber fraud and offers practical steps to help schools avoid becoming a victim of cyber criminals, featuring expert analysis and advice from Nic Clark of iSAMS and experienced educational IT director James Garnett. Hosted by Dominic Norrish, IAPS Chief Executive.

Please click below to listen to this podcast:

 

Head-to-Head – Tania Botting interviews Karen Coles

Publication date: Wednesday 8 May 2024

Overview: In the first of our Head-to-Head series Tania Botting, Head of Greenfield School in Woking and IAPS Chair Elect, interviews Karen Coles, Head of Sarum Hall School in London. Together they reflect on Karen's journey to Headship at Sarum Hall, initiatives at the school and her favourite part of the school day. We apologise for the sound quality in this episode but please persevere as the content is useful.

Please click below to listen to this podcast:

 

In conversation with the Chair - Ed Graham

Publication date: Tuesday 16 April 2024

Overview: In the first of a regular series, IAPS Chair Andrew Nott interviews Ed Graham, Head of St Andrew’s School Berkshire, about the challenges and rewards of Headship, balancing work and family life, and the importance of staff wellbeing.

Please click below to listen to this podcast:

 

Tim Smith's Journal Club - Smartphones and technology use

Publication date: Tuesday 27 February 2024

Overview: The first in a regular Journal Club series in which Tim Smith, Head at Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep, is joined by IAPS Chief Executive Dominic Norrish to explore pupils’ use of mobile phones and technology more generally. They are joined for the discussion by Belhaven Hill Head Olly Langton and Sarah Raja, Head at Rowan Prep.

Articles:

Please click below to listen to this podcast:

 

Prep Tech spotlight on AI

Publication date: Wednesday 24 January 2024

Overview: In the first instalment of a new educational podcast series, IAPS Chief Executive Dominic Norrish joins Lex Lang, Dave Presky and Matt Warne (the IAPS Digital Advisory Team) for a focused discussion on AI in education, following recent successful talks and workshops at the Headteachers' Conference and in Worcester earlier this term. 

Key topics include:

  • Pupils and AI: Insights into how students are using AI and innovations in the classroom.
  • Educators and AI: Benefits, challenges, and strategies for integrating AI, including staff training.
  • Future of Education with AI: Examining how AI will change educational practices and what skills may become less relevant.

This podcast addresses essential questions about AI's role in evolving school curricula, parent and community engagement and what it means to prepare our children for the future. 

Please click below to listen to this podcast: