Independently Speaking: The ISA Podcast

Helen Stanton-Tonner is joined by Michelle Windridge, EYFS and SEND specialist, and National Education Lead at Twinkl , to explore one of the most pressing issues facing school leaders today: the long-term developmental...

School inspection can often feel like a stressful, parallel performance rather than a reflection of everyday school life. In this episode of Independently Speaking, host Helen Stanton-Tonner sits down with headteachers...

In this episode, Helen Stanton-Tonner is joined by Faith Hagerty, founder of The Acting Head , recorded live at the ISA Annual Conference in May 2026. Faith draws on her background as a trained actor, former headteacher...

With nearly 50% of independent school pupils coming from ethnic minority backgrounds, why is this diversity not reflected at the governing board level? Johan Jensen and Leah Morris ( Minority Ethnic Governors Network )...

In this episode of Independently Speaking, Helen Stanton-Tonner is joined by Justin Spanswick (Chief Operating Officer, Inspired Learning Group ), Henrietta Jordan (Schools' Director, Melrose Education ), and Hannah...

In this Spotlight episode of Independently Speaking, Helen Stanton-Tonner visits the legendary Summerhill School , founded in 1921 by A.S. Neill, and meets Zoë Neill Redhead, the principal and daughter of the founder...

This episode is also available as a video on YouTube . What does the white paper, Putting Children and Young People First, mean for specialist provision? In this roundtable episode of Independently Speaking, four...

In this episode, Helen Stanton-Tonner speaks with Francesca Ellsmoor, Executive Headteacher of Auckland College Independent School in Liverpool, about purpose-driven leadership in independent education. Francesca shares...

In this episode of Independently Speaking, Helen Stanton-Tonner speaks with Charles Bailey, newly appointed Headmaster at Worksop College and Ranby House. Charles reflects on his leadership journey, from varied roles at...

Join us as we take a tour of ArtsEd, a leading performing arts school in London, as we explore how world-class artistic training and strong academics come together to nurture creativity, confidence, and resilience in...

In this episode of Independently Speaking, Helen Stanton-Tonner, ISA Director of Education and Inclusion, is joined by Catrina Lowri, neurodivergent teacher, inclusion consultant, and founder of NeuroTeachers . They...

In this episode we visit More Than Ed, a specialist SEMH school in Doncaster supporting just 24 pupils through an exceptional 1:1 staffing model. More Than Ed offers a deeply personalised and flexible approach to...

In this School Spotlight episode, we visit Beech Lodge School, an innovative and nurturing setting in Maidenhead, specialising in supporting pupils with a range of special educational needs, including social, emotional...

In this episode of Independently Speaking, ISA Director of Education and Inclusion, Helen Stanton-Tonner, speaks with Aldaine Wynter, Director of International Mindedness, Diversity, and Inclusion at Washington...

In this episode, we visit Leighton Park School in Berkshire to explore how a values-led independent school is strengthening ties beyond its gates. Joined by Natasha (Tash) Coccia, Senior Assistant Head (Co-Curricular...