John Cosgrove former headteacher, author and freelance writer joins Frank and Stan as they unpick the decision of the PM to miss part of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy.
As usual, we move the chat towards an education scenario and Stan compares the decision to missing the leavers’ assembly because of a less-than-important appointment. John then considers why education doesn’t appear to feature in the various leader debates that have taken place and what this may mean for the future direction of education policy.
Frank then asks others to consider whether 16 year old’s should have the vote and links this to the conscription/community work furore.
It’s a good’ un. Enjoy.
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.
