Podcast
HFL Education
Hosted by HFL Education · ENGLISH
HFL Education (formerly Herts for Learning) is a not-for-profit organisation providing all the services, training and resources needed to deliver a great education to every child.
25episodes
Episodes
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The HFL Education Business Services Podcast - Why are there so many juxtapositions in education?
Yesterday00:20:26Tap to summarizeCatherine Loake is joined once again by Carol Bennett to explore the growing contradictions within the education system and the impact these tensions are having on school leaders.The conversation examines the increasing fragmentation across education policy and practice, from school place planning and financial accountability to inclusion, SEND provision, Ofsted, falling rolls, and the competing expectations placed on education professionals.Bite-sized listening for headteachers, CEOs, school business leaders and governors, the series helps leaders step back from day-to-day pressures, reflect on the bigger picture, and explore practical ways to lead their organisations sustainably and strategically.Host: Catherine Loake (Director of Business Services)Guest: Carole Bennett (CEO)Created by: Rachel Lodge, Paul Hayward, Biljana MiljkovicQuestions? Email podcast@hfleducation.org.HFL Education (formally Herts for Learning) is a not-for-profit organisation providing all the services, training and resources needed to deliver a great education to every child.
Transcribe →The HFL Education Business Services Podcast - When Staff Resist Change; what can school leaders do?
1w ago00:19:33Tap to summarizeChange is a constant in school, but not all change is created equal. While curriculum developments are often embraced, changes to systems, processes, and back-office functions can prove far more challenging.In this episode, Catherine Loake, Director of Business Services at HFL Education, is joined by HR expert Hena Mahmood to explore why change can feel so difficult in school settings, and what leaders can do to make it more successful.Drawing on extensive experience supporting schools and trusts, Hena highlights the human side of change, how change effects culture and the importance of communication.Successful change is not just about having the right strategy, but about taking people with you, creating a shared purpose, communicating clearly, and investing time in listening and support. With realities of modern headship, how can leaders navigate change when there is resistance?Bite-sized listening for headteachers, CEOs, school business leaders and governors, the series helps leaders step back from day-to-day pressures, reflect on the bigger picture, and explore practical ways to lead their organisations sustainably and strategically.Host: Catherine Loake (Director of Business Services)Guest: Hena Mahmood (Service Development Lead)Created by: Rachel Lodge, Paul Hayward, Biljana MiljkovicQuestions? Email podcast@hfleducation.org.HFL Education (formally Herts for Learning) is a not-for-profit organisation providing all the services, training and resources needed to deliver a great education to every child.
Transcribe →The HFL Education Business Services Podcast - Insourcing vs Outsourcing: What Works Best in Education?
2w ago00:13:03Tap to summarizeTo insource or to outsource? That is the question. In this episode, Catherine Loake, Director of Business Services at HFL Education, is joined by Jackie Keegan, Head of Financial Services, to unpack the realities behind insourcing and outsourcing in schools and trusts.Drawing on over 27 years of experience Jackie explores why there is no one-size-fits-all answer, why flexibility is key and how school leaders can rethink traditional service models, shift towards outcome-focused conversations with suppliers, and find the confidence to do things differently.Practical and thought-provoking, this episode encourages leaders to stay agile and continually review how services are delivered ensuring the best outcomes for pupils while maintaining financial sustainability.Bite-sized listening for headteachers, CEOs, school business leaders and governors, the series helps leaders step back from day-to-day pressures, reflect on the bigger picture, and explore practical ways to lead their organisations sustainably and strategically.Host: Catherine Loake (Director of Business Services)Guest: Jackie Keegan (Head of Financial Services)Created by: Rachel Lodge, Paul Hayward, Biljana MiljkovicQuestions? Email podcast@hfleducation.org.HFL Education (formally Herts for Learning) is a not-for-profit organisation providing all the services, training and resources needed to deliver a great education to every child.
Transcribe →The HFL Education Business Services Podcast - How do school leaders manage financial pressure?
3w ago00:11:34Tap to summarizeAs financial pressures across education continue to intensify, more and more schools are finding themselves approaching, or already in, deficit.In this episode, Catherine Loake, Director of Business Services at HFL Education, is joined by Lisa Holroyd, Head of Academies Finance, to explore what school leaders can do when finances become unsustainable.Together, they unpack the reality behind the “perfect storm” facing schools: rising costs, increasing SEND needs, falling pupil numbers, and shrinking funding. With many schools feeling they’ve already cut everything they can, this episode tackles the difficult question — what’s left to do?Bite-sized listening for headteachers, CEOs, school business leaders and governors, the series helps leaders step back from day-to-day pressures, reflect on the bigger picture, and explore practical ways to lead their organisations sustainably and strategically.Host: Catherine Loake (Director of Business Services)Guest: Lisa Holroyd (Head of Academies Finance)Created by: Rachel Lodge, Paul Hayward, Biljana MiljkovicQuestions? Email podcast@hfleducation.org.HFL Education (formally Herts for Learning) is a not-for-profit organisation providing all the services, training and resources needed to deliver a great education to every child.
Transcribe →The HFL Education Business Services Podcast - Tech in Schools; friend or foe?
4w ago00:21:27Tap to summarizeTechnology in schools can be a powerful tool, or a significant burden. In this episode, Catherine Loake, Director of Business Services at HFL Education, is joined by Zoran Dimitrijevic, Head of Technology in Schools, to explore why some schools thrive with technology while others struggle.They unpack the two critical ingredients for success: a clear strategy and governance framework, and choosing the right IT delivery partner. With growing cyber threats, evolving digital expectations, and increasing financial pressures, getting this balance right has never been more important.This honest and jargon-free episode offers school leaders clear guidance on navigating complex technology decisions; helping them move from being burdened by IT to truly benefiting from it.Bite-sized listening for headteachers, CEOs, school business leaders and governors, the series helps leaders step back from day-to-day pressures, reflect on the bigger picture, and explore practical ways to lead their organisations sustainably and strategically.Host: Catherine Loake (Director of Business Services)Guest: Zoran Dimitrijevic (Head of Technology in Schools)Created by: Rachel Lodge, Paul Hayward, Biljana MiljkovicQuestions? Email podcast@hfleducation.org.HFL Education (formally Herts for Learning) is a not-for-profit organisation providing all the services, training and resources needed to deliver a great education to every child.
Transcribe →The HFL Education Business Services Podcast - How can school leaders do more with less?
Apr 1500:17:29Tap to summarizeSchool leaders are under unprecedented pressure. With growing responsibilities, rising costs, and limited budgets, the challenge of delivering high-quality education while maintaining financial stability has never been greater.In this episode, Catherine Loake, Director of Business Services at HFL Education, sits down with CEO Carole Bennett to explore how school leaders can navigate the reality of “doing more with less.”The HFL Education Business Services Podcast is a series of short, practical conversations designed for busy school leaders navigating an increasingly complex landscape.Hosted by Catherine Loake, Director of Business Services at HFL Education, each episode brings together expert insight, real-world experience, and honest discussion about the pressures facing schools today.Bite-sized listening for headteachers, CEOs, school business leaders and governors, the series helps leaders step back from day-to-day pressures, reflect on the bigger picture, and explore practical ways to lead their organisations sustainably and strategically.Host: Catherine Loake (Director of Business Services)Guest: Carole Bennett (CEO)Created by: Rachel Lodge, Paul Hayward, Biljana MiljkovicQuestions? Email podcast@hfleducation.org.HFL Education (formally Herts for Learning) is a not-for-profit organisation providing all the services, training and resources needed to deliver a great education to every child.
Transcribe →Why is RE so vital to young people?
Feb 7, 202300:14:51Tap to summarizeListen to Shammi Rahman, HFL Education’s Race Equality Adviser and Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England discuss the importance of RE for young people and bringing communities together in our special 2-parter podcast episode.HFL Education (formally Herts for Learning) is a not-for-profit organisation providing all the services, training and resources needed to deliver a great education to every child.
Transcribe →HFL Education interview the Children’s Commissioner for England on Race Equity
Feb 7, 202300:21:48Tap to summarizeIn our first episode Shammi and Rachel about how vital RE is. Now listen to them discuss the Child Q case, race equity and advice to young people and headteachers.HFL Education (formally Herts for Learning) is a not-for-profit organisation providing all the services, training and resources needed to deliver a great education to every child.
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Reading Fluency: How and Why with the Education Endowment Foundation
Sep 14, 202200:44:50Tap to summarizeFor our first podcast episode of the 2022/23 academic year, HFL Primary English Advisers, Kathy Roe and Juliet McCullion discuss all things Reading Fluency with special guests from the renowned Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). Sarah Green is the former EEF Content Specialist for Literacy. She leads literacy in her Trust and works as Assistant Headteacher across mainstream and special secondary schools within The Prospere Learning Trust, South Manchester. She is also a Voice21 National Oracy Leader and an Evidence Lead in Education with Manchester Communication Research School. During her seventeen years in education, Sarah has taught English across a range of schools with a particular focus on improving literacy, oracy and SEND provision. Alex leads the development and quality assurance of EEF tools, resources and training. He manages the coordination of multiple campaigns to ensure engagement with EEF evidence. Prior to joining the EEF in 2018, he worked as an English teacher for 15 years. He was director of the Huntington research school in York. You may well be familiar with his celebrated books such as ‘Closing the Vocabulary Gap’ and ‘Closing the Writing Gap’. Find out more about HFL’s Reading Fluency Project. The EEF Fluency tools, some of which were designed in collaboration with HFL, can be found here : https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/literacy-ks2 HFL Education (formally Herts for Learning) is a not-for-profit organisation providing all the services, training and resources needed to deliver a great education to every child.
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That's like my mummies! - LGBTQ+ awareness, pride, and representation in education
Jun 27, 202200:36:06Tap to summarizeAt Herts for Learning we are committed to supporting and welcoming individuals from all backgrounds and lived experiences to feel connected, authentic and have a sense of belonging within our diverse community while supporting our core purpose. In this podcast we discuss LGBTQ+ issues in schools and settings, including how teachers can implement a framework and what resources are available. We examine concerns raised around teaching children and young people the topic of LGBTQ+, and the let 'children be children' debate; also, the recent 'Don't say gay' bill being implemented across the USA, and what the impact similar legislation would have on UK LGBTQ+ pupils.This episode was presented by Charlie Firmin, Content Marketing Assistant at Herts for Learning (HfL), who identifies as a gay woman and uses the pronouns she/her.Charlie was joined by Karin Hutchinson, Lead Wellbeing Advisor for HFL. Karin identifies as heterosexual and uses the pronouns, she/her. She began her working life as a teacher but left the classroom when the Thatcher government established Section 28 prohibiting the "promotion of homosexuality" by local authorities. She was instructed by her employers at the time to discontinue her pastoral support for a sixth former who was beginning their journey in identifying as gay. Since 1997, she has worked in a range of roles involving a focus on equality in education and has led significant work on LGBT diversity and inclusion in Hertfordshire schools since 2003.Also joining Charlie was Michael Gray, who identifies as a gay man and uses the pronouns he/him. Michael has been working in primary education for over ten years including a time as a Primary English Adviser at HfL. He is now working at Gamlingay Village Primary School (GVP) in Cambridgeshire where he is the soon to be assistant head . He is also the diversity lead for the Cam Academy Trust, of which GVP is a part of.For more information about Herts for Learning’s services towards supporting LGBQT education and other Wellbeing services, visit: https://www.hertsforlearning.co.uk/teaching-andlearning/pupil-wellbeing or contact wellbeing@hertsforlearning.co.uk. To read more about Charlie and her experiences, read our latest blog, “Proud to be part of something more” visit https://www.hertsforlearning.co.uk/blog/proud-be-part-something-moreTo read blogs from Michael Gray and others from our company on topics that support equality, diversity and inclusion, visit https://hfl.mobi/HfLPrideHFL Education (formally Herts for Learning) is a not-for-profit organisation providing all the services, training and resources needed to deliver a great education to every child.
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