Frank and Stan Chats

By: Frank Norris and Stan Johnson
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  • Summary

  • 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

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    © 2023 Frank and Stan Chats
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Episodes
  • Frank and Stan Chat No. 204

    Frank and Stan Chat No. 204
    Nov 15 2024

    A regular guest to the chat returns this week as we welcome Carolyn Eyre to discuss developments, insights and future changes to safeguarding arrangements. Carolyn worked in the Local Authority safeguarding arena for many years, first in Education Welfare services before becoming Child Protection coordinator for a large local authority. More recently, she was Head of Health, Safety & Wellbeing for the authority - combining also the roles of Senior Allegations Manager and Safer Recruitment lead officer. Carolyn is well known for her work with FE colleges and is regularly invited to speak at national conferences on topics ranging from 'partnership working' through 'creating a safe school culture' to the 'preventive curriculum'. Carolyn has a particular interest in the protection of children and young adults with disabilities; her knowledge and understanding of the complexities of safeguarding vulnerable groups has won her many friends in the special school sector nationally. She has been the safeguarding adviser to NASS and its members for more than 12 years. As a member of the Safer Recruitment Consortium task group, Carolyn was heavily involved in re-writing the national Safer Recruitment training materials launched in September 2014 and delivers T4T events nationally. So, she knows her stuff!


    The chat starts with Stan considering the reliability of Ofsted subject reviews which have been heavily criticised this week for the way research evidence appears to have been manipulated to offer a preferred view on pedagogy., Carolyn then explains the significant changes to the VAT arrangements for Independent Special Schools, many of which are not-for-profit organisations and support some of the most vulnerable young people. She then considers the many changes to safeguarding arrangements that are going to be introduced for Early Years settings next year. Frank then reflects on a chat he had with a prominent CEO of a charity where it became clear that more needed to be done to support the literacy and numeracy skills of adults.


    It's an enjoyable chat. We have already booked Carolyn for this time next year for another chat.


    Enjoy!


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    41 mins
  • Frank and Stan Chat No. 203

    Frank and Stan Chat No. 203
    Nov 8 2024
    This week the two gents chat with Maxine O'Neill, a Headteacher of a special school in Liverpool and her brother Prof Adam Boddison. They are co-authors of the book 'The Secret Life of SENCOs' and provide a clear insight into the practical and strategic challenges faced by school leaders and the government in improving SEND provision. The chat covers several themes from their book as well as the attention given to SEND by the Secretary of State this week and as Adam points out the focus on SEND funding in the recent Chancellor's budget statement. Stan reflects on the ability of academies to revert back to LA control. He believes it would be very difficult and challenging. Adam considers the National Audit Office report on SEND funding and how it is leading government thinking. Maxine brings us all down to earth by explaining the varied jobs she has had to undertake this week due to some severe staff shortages due to illness at her school. It's an illuminating chat and we believe will offer insight and a high degree of optimism for the future. Enjoy.

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    34 mins
  • Frank and Stan Chat SPOTLIGHT No.11

    Frank and Stan Chat SPOTLIGHT No.11
    Nov 6 2024
    In the 11th SPOTLIGHT Edition of the Frank and Stan Chat we meet Phil Naylor, an experienced senior leader, author and advocate for working in the most challenging schools. His new book 'Some schools are harder than others' draws on the experiences of many brilliant teachers and leaders in some of the most disadvantaged communities across the country. Phil interviews these colleagues to help better understand why they are successful and what have they done that's made such a difference. Phil is honest and open about his own experiences and provides a useful insight into the qualities required to be successful in tough schools.

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    35 mins

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