Frank and Stan Chats

Frank Norris and Stan Johnson

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 the 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 gents 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 it they realised that some followers began to appear. Now, with nearly 180 episodes and having chatted to Professors, CEOs, journalists, teachers, former HMI, education thinkers and Frank's Key Stage 1 leading daughter they have a loyal following and a rapidly increasing number of viewers. The reach of the Frank and Stan Chat stretches from Bogota to Ottawa to Greece and their first Live Edition was recorded in front of nearly 200 Headteachers in York. The Chats are not undertaken to attract followers or for financial reward (nothing is received and nothing will be received). It is a way of airing views on education matters between two professional friends with a focus on leadership. We are honoured to be invited to host the weekly chats on the Leader-connect website www.leader-connect.co.uk. The chats helped the gents get through the pandemic and they are delighted that they have been enjoyed by others and appear to have helped in developing leadership thought and actions. If you fancy being a guest then just reach out. We never post a video unless the guest is comfortable with it. So, it is a relatively risk-free environment. Thank you. Frank and Stan. PS. We were honoured to be identified as one of the Top 50 education and leadership podcasts in THE WORLD!!! We can't believe it, but it appears to be true. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 6d ago

    Frank and Stan Chat No. 299

    This week, it is just Frank and Stan chatting for a change. No guest! It is like old times. We consider some recent research into the teaching of mathematics produced by the Nottingham University School of Mathematics Education. It suggests that many pupils feel the curriculum is progressing too quickly. This includes around 10% of the higher attainers! No wonder we are continuing to have many adults saying they can't do maths! Frank then reflects on his music education and considers why some pupils have the opportunity to engage in music while others never seem to get the chance. It was great to be back to where the Frank and Stan Chat started in May 2020; just two experienced educators sharing their thoughts and views. Next week, we hit the 300th edition. Who would have thought this when the chat started in May 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Frank and Stan Chat No. 299

  2. Oct 22

    Frank and Stan Chat No. 298

    One of the major benefits of attending national conferences is that you often meet inspiring colleagues. When Frank attended an Association of Education Advisers conference in Manchester he had no idea he would end up chatting with Emily a Headteacher of a small independent alternative provision. The discussion focused on values, principles and aspiration and was fascinating in terms of how her career had led to her current exciting role. Then Emily dropped into the conversation that she was deaf! The conversation continued but I wanted to know more about her career journey, where she had taught and had she been deaf since birth etc. Well, all of these questions are answered in this inspiring chat. It made me realise even more how lucky I was to teach, to lead and to be able to work alongside inspiring people. In terms of the regular chat issues I referenced a recent article in the TES involving Prof Peter Etchells where he encourages us all to step back and reflect on the use of digital devices. Emily considers how effective the Access to Work scheme is in reality. She also tells us more about her love of riding and the struggles she has faced in setting up and leading an independent school. If you listen to only one Frank and Stan Chat this year (we obviously hope you will listen to them all) then this is the one that will leave your heart uplifted and filled with promise. Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Frank and Stan Chat No. 298

  3. Oct 16

    Frank and Stan Chat NO. 297

    With Stan unavailable this week, it is left to Frank to manage proceedings. The chat is fortunate to be connected with some amazing guests, and this week we welcome back Andy Buck, author, speaker, former headteacher, director at National College and Trust Managing Director. He is also the founder of Leadership Matters, BASIC 4 Schools and Cadogan Press. I'm always left wondering what I did with my career when I review the significant achievements of others. Anyway, Andy provides an interesting outline of his career and how he was encouraged by senior colleagues to take the next step forward and upward. He reflects on the reasons for stepping down and how exciting his current work is. Andy considers the importance of Lucy Powell's speech emphasising the importance of oracy and her commitment to reform at Ofsted. Frank then reflects on two recent visits when he met CEO Beryce Nixon and Headteacher Jonathan Berry and considers the power of understated (or not flashy) leadership, that is firmly rooted in shared piorities, honesty, respect and trust. Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Frank and Stan Chat NO. 297

  4. Oct 8

    Frank and Stan Chat No. 296

    Dave McPartlin is the Headteacher of Flakefleet Primary School in Fleetwood. He is an extraordinary colleague who has driven improvements at his school for the benefit of his pupils, but also for the local community. We last visited the school in November 2023, when he was just about to open a community cafe. We were delighted to walk around the school, chat with staff and pupils and finish off the visit by recording our weekly chat there. Dave is probably best known for leading his school to the Britian's Got Talent final...and winning. But, it would be totally wrong to make this his greatest achievement because he has committed his career to working in some of the most socially and economically challenging areas of the North West and has made a significant impact in raising aspirations and outcomes. He has used the recognition he has gained to comment on important education issues. This week, Stan considers the rather mixed messages being offered around the importance of attendance while Dave comments on the woes at Ofsted. Frank completes the chat by considering what Trust and Governing Boards can learn from the problems currently being experienced at Manchester City FC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Frank and Stan Chat No. 296

  5. Oct 1

    Frank and Stan Chat No. 295

    No guest has appeared three times in a year on the Frank and Stan Chat. Dame Kathy August is the exception. She has worked for over forty years in the public sector (Education) with three Headships and Director posts in LEAs. She was Principal of one of the first city Academies in Moss Side, Manchester, which opened in 2003 and became outstanding in 2008/09. Following this, she was Deputy Chief Executive and Acting Chief Executive of a large multi-academy trust and then helped a new trust establish itself in the East of England. She was awarded a DBE for services to education in 2014. More recently, she was a Board member at Ofsted and has written two books on school improvement and leadership. Her recent collaboration with Tom Clark saw the publication of the brilliantly informative and insightful book 'Voices of the Education Vanguard'. During the discussion, Kathy misquoted the description of John Patton. It was in fact, ‘arrogance mixed with lack of confidence’ The chat covers Stan's reflections on research undertaken by 'ICT Mr. P' on why teachers are leaving the profession. We all reflect on toxic leaders and the culture they sadly promote. Kathy then considers the PM's speech, and Frank closes the discussion with thoughts on the shift in approach that is required when a school is retracting, as against a period of expansion. A highly enjoyable chat. We are pleased to report that Kathy is keen to join us again in the autumn of 2027. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Frank and Stan Chat No. 295

  6. Sep 29

    Frank and Stan Chat Live

    The second Live Edition of the Frank and Stan Chat took place at Lacey Green Primary School in Wilmslow last week. We were a tad nervous about the technology but it all worked well. We asked delegates to submit questions in advance, but neither of us had sight of them. We randomly selected them and asked the author of the question if they fancied joining us. Some chose to. The discussion was fascinating. We are keen to give the live version of our chat another go, if someone will have us! Let us know what you think. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Frank and Stan Chat Live

  7. Sep 24

    Frank and Stan Chat No.294

    In February, Mel McMorrow was a guest on the chat. She had just published an amazing book called 'You've got me today!'. It draws on her extensive experience working in some of the most challenging secondary schools in the North West. We were keen to invite her back and were a little surprised when she informed us that she would like Sarah Highfield to join as well. Frank has seen their incredible work first-hand when he was the CEO at the Coop Academies Trust. Mel was the teaching and learning guru at one of the academies and Sarah was second in the Maths department. The big news they shared was that they had recently started a tutoring business and they were really enjoying it. So, that's what they offered for the 'What's caught your eye' section. Stan discussed the Seldon and Bunting report on AI and Frank reflected on some wise words offered by Christian Schiller in 1946. There is always a varied mix of topics on the Frank and Stan Chat. Enjoy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Frank and Stan Chat No.294

  8. Sep 18

    Frank and Stan Chat No. 293

    This week, the Frank and Stan Chat is delighted to have Mark Phillips, a former HMI with expertise in music education, rejoin us after a highly enjoyable and well received guest appearance last year. Stan gets things moving by reflecting on the recent ITV documentary 7Up. He considers how many significant life changes and developments take place between the ages of 7 and 21 and how they play out in later life. Mark then considers the difference between knowledge of music and participation in music. He explains why engagement is so important and why some schools struggle to create a high-quality music experience for pupils. Frank then draws on some recent social media covering the OECD PISA results. He reads an X message from Prof Andy Hargreaves's (a frequent guest on the chat), where he explains why we need to 'get a grip on these bigger issues, together, and stop rearranging the nationalistic deckchairs on the glocal Titanic'. We also explain how we are going to manage the second Live Edition of the Frank and Stan Chat in Cheshire on Thursday. It's going to be an interesting ride. Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Frank and Stan Chat No. 293
See All (167)

About

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 the 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 gents 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 it they realised that some followers began to appear. Now, with nearly 180 episodes and having chatted to Professors, CEOs, journalists, teachers, former HMI, education thinkers and Frank's Key Stage 1 leading daughter they have a loyal following and a rapidly increasing number of viewers. The reach of the Frank and Stan Chat stretches from Bogota to Ottawa to Greece and their first Live Edition was recorded in front of nearly 200 Headteachers in York. The Chats are not undertaken to attract followers or for financial reward (nothing is received and nothing will be received). It is a way of airing views on education matters between two professional friends with a focus on leadership. We are honoured to be invited to host the weekly chats on the Leader-connect website www.leader-connect.co.uk. The chats helped the gents get through the pandemic and they are delighted that they have been enjoyed by others and appear to have helped in developing leadership thought and actions. If you fancy being a guest then just reach out. We never post a video unless the guest is comfortable with it. So, it is a relatively risk-free environment. Thank you. Frank and Stan. PS. We were honoured to be identified as one of the Top 50 education and leadership podcasts in THE WORLD!!! We can't believe it, but it appears to be true. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Frank Norris and Stan Johnson
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    167
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Frank and Stan Chats
  • Show Website
    Frank and Stan Chats