Frank and Stan Chat with Chris Zarraga

About this podcast

Frank and Stan were pleased to welcome Chris Zarraga the Director of Schools North East (SNE), the largest regional organisation supporting schools in the country to their latest Podcast.

The Gents also become aware that SNE also supports a number of special schools. They discuss the origins of SNE and Chris’ career journey before we venture into what’s caught Stan’s eyes this week? He focuses on Martin’s Law and the implications it has for school leadership.

Chris then reflects on the importance of relationships and how this is always a key feature of the major events SNE organises.

Frank then closes the chat by considering the insight offered by Sam Gibbs in a recent TES article considering what effective CPD for teachers may look like. It’s a wide ranging chat with much reflection on previous experiences as senior leaders and why having a colleague or at least someone leaders can turn to when requiring personal and professional support.

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Spotify

Meet the Host

Frank and Stan

Frank Norris and Stan Johnson have been friends since 1995. Both have had successful and lengthy careers in education. Frank was a very senior HMI with Ofsted for 11 years and was CEO of the Coop Academies Trust for 6 years.

Stan was seconded to Ofsted for a year and then returned to headship before working as a senior adviser with Lancashire LA. He has latterly led a successful education consultancy in the North West. Prior to Covid-19 the two colleagues would meet in Manchester for a pint or two but the pandemic put an end to that.

On 1 May 2020, they recorded their first video chat as a way of recording their emotions and reactions to the pandemic. After putting the video on Youtube as a safe place to store their discussions they realised that some followers began to appear and were interested in their leadership perspectives. Now, with over 170 weekly episodes and usually an eminent guest joining them, they have a growing and increasingly influential following.