About this podcast

Frank has known Mick for close on 20 years and had been keen to invite him to be a guest on the chat. He’s a major figure in education, bringing a wealth of varied experience aligned with a strong academic background.

His collaboration with Tim Brighouse, ‘About our schools; Improving on previous best’ is a seminal book. In this chat he doesn’t disappoint. Stan opens the conversation, considering the difficulty (or not) of GCSE mathematics and why progress appears to slow in secondary schools.

Mick then explains why he is such a strong supporter of ‘The Open School’ movement. Frank then considers why truth matters and why a strong ethical approach to leadership is essential for being honest with those being served and those being led. It was a privilege spending 40 minutes chatting with an education colossus.

Enjoy.
Listen On:

Meet the Host

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.

More from this presenter

We Will Help - Get In Touch

Looking for Leadership Support?