Future Terms Teach First

School leaders face hard decisions every day – with the last few years on another scale altogether. From responding to the demands caused by a global pandemic, to budgeting for skyrocketing energy bills – the impact of decision making in schools can leave leaders feeling overwhelmed. And for schools serving the poorest communities, the pressures can weigh even heavier.

In this panel, we’ll discuss the risks of getting things right or wrong for the people and communities we care about. When the stakes are so high, what can leaders do to manage their personal wellbeing and what support is out there to help them make the big calls?

Join the conversation on Twitter using #FutureTermsPanel

This panel aired on 1 December 2022. Read the blog.

Hosted by:

Clare Watson-Spence – Achievement Partner at Teach First (moderator)

On this panel:


Jonny Uttley – CEO of The Education Alliance, Yorkshire
Francisca Overare-Olabisi – Assistant Principal at Oasis Academy, Oldham
Laura Fordham – Associate Deputy Headteacher at Bedford Academy.

In the wake of the pandemic and its disruption to education, the connection between learning and the social, emotional and physical development of children has been clearly highlighted. We need to consider how our education system can support the development and wellbeing of all children and young people. Children simply cannot learn as effectively if they are suffering with poor mental health, or without space to learn social skills and develop emotional regulation.

In this Future Terms panel, we’ll discuss the great work schools are doing already to support whole child development, and what extra backing is needed to give every young person the rounded education they deserve. Join the conversation on Twitter using #FutureTermsPanel

This panel aired on 14 July 2022. Read the blog.

Hosted by:

Sarah Shreeve - Head of Early Years and Primary at Teach First (moderator)

On this panel:


Jenny Griffiths - Education Research Specialist at Teach First
Sabrina Hummel - Senior Researcher at Centre for Social Justice
Peter Leonard - Chief Executive at Family Links: The Centre for Emotional Health
Rhoda McPherson - Headteacher at Queen Elizabeth School

Hands up if you work in a school and want better work-life balance? While flexible or remote working has become the norm for many professionals since COVID-19, it's rarer to see the same opportunities available for school staff.

In this Future Terms panel, we explored how the education sector could improve the wellbeing and retention of teachers. From reducing teaching timetables to remote learning, from part-time hours to online parents’ evenings, our expert speakers will discuss the solutions that could make a positive and practical difference to the working lives of educators. Because, when teachers thrive, pupils thrive. Join the conversation on Twitter using #FutureTermsPanel

This panel aired on 19 May 2022. Read the blog

Hosted by:

Lorraine Halford - Co-chair of the Working Families Affinity Group at Teach First (moderator)

On this panel:

Amy Brookes - Co-founder of the Shared Headship Network and Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning at Lynn Grove Academy

Lucy Helan - Co-founder of the Shared Headship Network and Assistant Vice Principal at Greig City Academy

Lindsay Patience - Co-founder of Flexible Teacher Talent and part-time teacher at Putney High School

Jennifer Webb - Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning, and Research Lead at Trinity Academy Cathedral

Jack Worth - Lead Economist at the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER)

All children should be able to relate to – and feel inspired by – the adults around them. School staff provide some of our earliest adult role models. Yet to give one example, almost half of schools in England still don’t have any ethnic minority teachers.

The issue of diversity in our country’s classrooms is about more than race alone. Children can also benefit from access to a wide variety of role models with lived experiences of the issues related to neurodiversity, disability, LGBTQ+, gender and socio-economic background.

In this Future Terms event we explored why authentic representation is so vital in schools. A panel of experts share their experiences of inclusivity in the education sector, and discuss why recruiting a diverse workforce is only one small step in making the system work for every child.

Join the conversation on Twitter using #FutureTermsPanel

This panel aired on 24 March 2022. Read the blog.

Hosted by:

Jenny Mannion-Krase – Programme Welfare and Access Manager at Teach First (moderator)

On this panel:

Dominic Carnall – CEO at Just Like Us

Adrian Rollins – Deputy Head of School at Nottingham University Samworth Academy

Anuradha Roy – Digital Learning Coordinator at University of the Arts London

Work experience is a rite of passage for all teenagers, but is it adapting in sync with the modern world of work? In this Future Terms event, join experts from education and business as they examine whether young people are being effectively prepared for the job prospects that await them.

Is there a smarter way for schools and employers to prepare young people for their professional futures? And could a reimagined approach to work experience for Generation Z and beyond finally give every young person a fighting chance to find the right career path for them? Join the conversation on Twitter using #FutureTermsPanel

This panel aired on Thursday 3 February 2022. Read the blog

Hosted by:

Graihagh Crashaw - Director of School Leadership at Teach First

On this panel:


Oli de Botton - Chief Executive at The Careers and Enterprise Company
Swati Patel - Social Impact and Partnerships Manager at Sunbelt Rentals
Simon Wareham - Senior Leader (Student Progression) at Southmoor Academy

Can a price ever be put on making our education system work for every child? The government has announced its ambitions around 'levelling up'. But what will it mean for schools and educators, and should we be pushing them to re-imagine what pupil premium could look like?

As well as dissecting how schools could benefit from additional funding to level the playing field, this Future Terms panel event explores what else the government could do to support pupils in disadvantaged communities. Listen to dive deeper into the big questions around the future of pupil premium.

This panel aired on Thursday 9 December 2021.

Hosted by:

Marc Newall - Policy Manager at Teach First (moderator).

On this panel:


Rachel Arthur - Head of Computing at Teach First
Sam Freedman - Senior Adviser at Ark Schools; Senior Fellow at Institute for Government
Hussein Hussein - CEO at Cape Mentors
Fozia Ramzan - Federated Deputy Head Teacher at St Stephen’s Primary School