Welcome to a new regular series of the IAPS Podcast: Life After Headship, hosted by former IAPS member Bill Toleman. In this inaugural episode Bill is joined by Cathy Braithwaite, who served as Head of Gresham’s Prep School until summer 2025. She is now part of the University of Cambridge’s Better Futures Programme and will, later this year, relocate to Hong Kong to become the founding Head of a new school. Cathy reflects on her decision to step away from Headship in the UK, the process of exploring new professional possibilities and how she has embraced the opportunities that come with a significant career change.

In this episode of the IAPS Podcast, published jointly with AMCIS, IAPS Head of Professional Development Katherine Bluck and Sophie Lodge, Head of Marketing and Communications at Beaudesert Park School, join Katie Henderson, Head of Marketing & Admissions at Banstead Prep School, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, particularly focusing on parental expectations and market dynamics.

In this episode of the IAPS Podcast, Head of Professional Development Katherine Bluck is joined by Victoria Bagnaall, Co-Founder and Director of Training and Development at Connections in Mind, and Lisa Pinkerton, Head of Education at Widgit. Together, they delve into practical strategies and fresh ideas for creating learning environments where every student feels supported and empowered. From leadership approaches to classroom techniques, this conversation is packed with insights for educators who want to make a real difference.

In this episode of The IAPS Podcast, Chair Tania Botting is joined by Elaine Rawlings, Head of Primary at the British School Al Khubairat. Together, they explore Elaine’s journey to becoming a Head in Abu Dhabi, draw parallels between her school and those in the UK, and highlight the benefits of IAPS membership to an international school.

This conversation sets the stage for our Middle East Leadership Symposium on Thursday 22 January, which The British School Al Khubairat will host. This unique event will provide the opportunity to network with professionals from leading international schools, as well as listen to and engage with leading UK educational speakers.

In this episode of the IAPS Podcast, Chief Executive Dominic Norrish, leads an insightful discussion with Rhian Thornton, Head at Upton House School, and IAPS Subject Adviser for Computing, Curriculum Design and Digital Innovation, Matt Warne, Head of Computing and Digital Learning at RGS The Grange. Together, they explore how Upton House has become a leader in technology integration recognised by ISI and share practical strategies for driving digital innovation in prep schools.

In the latest episode of our series celebrating Significant Strengths in IAPS schools, Kate Bevan, Chair of the IAPS Education Committee and Head of Junior School at Notting Hill and Ealing High School, is joined by Euan Burton-Smith and Natalie Sandford, Head and Deputy respectively at The Mount School in Huddersfield.

Together, they explore the initiatives that earned The Mount recognition from ISI for its outstanding focus on wellbeing. Euan and Natalie share their practical strategies that not only support pupils’ emotional wellbeing but also enhance academic progress and attainment.

In this episode, Nick Robinson, IAPS Director of International and a former IAPS Head, chats with Duncan Bailey, Headmaster of Runnymede College Prep in Madrid, who shares his journey into international headship and reflects on the unique value that both he and his pupils find in being part of the IAPS community. As Runnymede College prepares to host our upcoming Madrid Symposium on Thursday 20 November, this conversation offers a timely insight into how the IAPS network can support International schools in fostering excellence and connection across borders.

In this episode, recorded live at our Annual Conference in Brighton, we continue Tim Smith’s Journal Club series! Tim, Head at Hampton Pre-Prep and Prep, sits down with Christabel Westall, Headmistress at Terra Nova School, for a thought-provoking conversation on the concept of ‘glorious failure’. Together, they explore a series of research papers and discuss what schools can do to ensure children leave equipped to cope with failure in their lives.

Articles:

The Exaggerated Benefits of Failure, Lauren Eskreis-Winkler, Kaitlin Woolley, Eda Erensoy, Minhee Kim - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38856918/

The Biological Benefits of Failure on Learning and Tools to Manage the Fallout, Lauren Margulieux, James Prather, Masoumeh Rahimi - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10648-025-10013-7

Overcoming a Sense of Academic Failure Workbook, Emily Troscianko and Rachel Bray - chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/sitefiles/overcoming-a-sense-of-academic-failure-workbook-june-2023.pdf