Heads Unscripted

Simon Gould

A fresh new chapter: introducing Heads Unscripted: Education Uncovered We are giving our podcast a refresh. When we first started, our focus was clear. We invited senior school heads to talk about their schools, their ethos and what life might look like for pupils who joined them. Those conversations have been hugely valuable for many Hurlingham families and others who are exploring senior school options. Over time, though, the conversations have started to widen. We have found ourselves talking less about individual prospectuses and more about leadership, philosophy and the bigger questions facing education today. What should school feel like for children growing up now. How do we lead with purpose in a time of pressure and change. What are the real challenges facing our sector and where might the answers come from. It feels like the right moment for the podcast to evolve too. Our series is now called Heads Unscripted: Education uncovered. The new name reflects the direction we are already travelling in. Heads Unscripted keeps our focus on people who lead, think and influence in education, but it frees us from simply asking heads to talk about their own schools. Education uncovered signals our intention to get under the surface of the issues, ideas and stories that are shaping children’s lives in classrooms today. You will still hear from senior school heads, but you will also hear from prep and primary leaders, researchers, psychologists, policymakers and others who care deeply about where education is heading. We want to unlock some of the challenges our sector is facing, explore what is working, and share those conversations with a wider audience than parents who are just at the senior school decision stage. This is a refresh rather than a complete reboot. The tone will remain open, thoughtful and practical. What changes is the scope. Heads Unscripted: Education uncovered will give us room to explore leadership, wellbeing, curriculum, community, AI, adolescence and more, while keeping the experience of children at the heart of every episode. Thank you for listening so far and for growing with us. We are excited about this next chapter and hope you will continue to join the conversation.

  1. Series 3 - Episode 2 - Whitgift School - Toby Seth

    03/10/2025

    Series 3 - Episode 2 - Whitgift School - Toby Seth

    Toby Seth is the newly appointed Headmaster of Whitgift School, one of the UK’s leading independent day and boarding schools for boys aged 10 to 18, based in South Croydon. He joins Whitgift with a track record of thoughtful, values-driven leadership, most recently as Head of Pocklington School in Yorkshire, and previously as Deputy Head at King’s Macclesfield Educated at Cambridge University, Toby brings both academic rigour and a modern, forward-facing mindset to his leadership. He began his teaching career in London, before holding leadership roles in a range of day and boarding environments including Goldolphin and Latymer, Wellington and Dulwich College, giving him a broad perspective on the independent sector. Toby is committed to combining intellectual stretch with strong pastoral care, and is passionate about preparing young people for the realities of a changing world. In this conversation, Toby Seth shares his insights on the school's community, educational approach, and future direction. He emphasises the importance of individual relationships between staff and students, the breadth of opportunities available for all boys, and the school's commitment to maintaining its heritage while embracing innovation and diversity. Seth discusses the support systems in place for students and outlines the school's strategies for preparing boys for future challenges, including the evolving landscape of education and societal expectations. “Heads Talks” is not affiliated with the “Heads Talk®” podcast. Credits: Produced, edited and mixed by Yusuf Johnson

    26 分鐘
  2. Series 3 - Episode 1 - Thomas's College - Will Le Fleming

    26/09/2025

    Series 3 - Episode 1 - Thomas's College - Will Le Fleming

    Today we welcome Will le Fleming who is the Founding Master of Thomas’s College in Richmond, an 11–18 day and boarding school rethinking the secondary journey with a three-year Sixth Form that begins in Year 11 and a hybrid pathway that blends GCSEs with Thomas’s Qualifications; Years 12 and 13 are reshaped to deepen scholarship, independence and readiness for life beyond school. Educated at Eton and Clare College, Cambridge, Will worked as a journalist and author before moving into teaching. He began at St Paul’s School, becoming Undermaster, then served as Deputy Head at St Paul’s Girls’ School. He went on to lead Fulham School as Headmaster and later became Head of The Abbey School in Reading, before his appointment to Thomas’s College. Alongside teaching, he is a published novelist. Will’s leadership blends rigorous scholarship with wellbeing, pupil agency and creative endeavour, fostering confident, curious and principled young people who achieve outstanding outcomes. In this conversation, Simon and Will discuss the innovative educational approaches at Thomas's College, emphasising the importance of a diverse school culture, student agency, and personal development. They explore the challenges of navigating academic choices and assessments, the need for reform in the current education system, and the role of technology in preparing students for an uncertain future. The conversation highlights the significance of kindness, confidence, and hope in education, advocating for a more holistic approach to learning. “Heads Talks” is not affiliated with the “Heads Talk®” podcast. Credits: Produced, edited and mixed by Yusuf Johnson

    42 分鐘

關於

A fresh new chapter: introducing Heads Unscripted: Education Uncovered We are giving our podcast a refresh. When we first started, our focus was clear. We invited senior school heads to talk about their schools, their ethos and what life might look like for pupils who joined them. Those conversations have been hugely valuable for many Hurlingham families and others who are exploring senior school options. Over time, though, the conversations have started to widen. We have found ourselves talking less about individual prospectuses and more about leadership, philosophy and the bigger questions facing education today. What should school feel like for children growing up now. How do we lead with purpose in a time of pressure and change. What are the real challenges facing our sector and where might the answers come from. It feels like the right moment for the podcast to evolve too. Our series is now called Heads Unscripted: Education uncovered. The new name reflects the direction we are already travelling in. Heads Unscripted keeps our focus on people who lead, think and influence in education, but it frees us from simply asking heads to talk about their own schools. Education uncovered signals our intention to get under the surface of the issues, ideas and stories that are shaping children’s lives in classrooms today. You will still hear from senior school heads, but you will also hear from prep and primary leaders, researchers, psychologists, policymakers and others who care deeply about where education is heading. We want to unlock some of the challenges our sector is facing, explore what is working, and share those conversations with a wider audience than parents who are just at the senior school decision stage. This is a refresh rather than a complete reboot. The tone will remain open, thoughtful and practical. What changes is the scope. Heads Unscripted: Education uncovered will give us room to explore leadership, wellbeing, curriculum, community, AI, adolescence and more, while keeping the experience of children at the heart of every episode. Thank you for listening so far and for growing with us. We are excited about this next chapter and hope you will continue to join the conversation.