In this episode, Anna Stokke is joined by Robert Peal, joint head teacher of West London Free School, one of England’s highest-performing non-selective schools. Robert is also the author of Progressively Worse and co-author, with Nick Gibb, of Reforming Lessons: Why English Schools Have Improved Since 2010 and How This Was Achieved. Anna visited West London Free School recently and invited Robert to join the podcast to share what makes the school so successful.

They discuss the school’s approach to behaviour, school culture, high expectations, and a knowledge-rich curriculum. They also talk about England’s school reforms and why ineffective educational fads have continued to resurface throughout history, despite weak evidence. Teachers, school leaders, and policymakers will find practical insights on how structure, high expectations, a knowledge-based curriculum, and effective teaching are the keys to improving student outcomes.

This episode is available in video at www.youtube.com/@chalktalk-stokke

TIMESTAMPS [00:00:22] Introduction [00:03:37] Inside West London Free School [00:07:21] Why Free Schools were established in England [00:12:33] Establishing behaviour expectations [00:17:04] House points and celebrating achievements [00:18:07] School sanctions [00:21:06] Silent corridors, and their role in the West London Free School [00:25:33] Parents’ response [00:29:10] Breakdown of the ‘House System’ [00:36:59] A knowledge-rich curriculum in practice [00:41:28] Training teachers on best teaching practices [00:46:35] Grouping students based on readiness [00:50:23] Formative assessments and summative assessments [00:54:53] Is socioeconomic background a good excuse for poor outcomes? [01:00:07] Final advice

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES

From decline to top rankings: How England transformed education with Nick Gibb https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-zps9p-18c1e97

The Finland myth, East Asia’s rise, and what makes education systems work with Montserrat Gomendio https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-7k52u-1a8a731

Rocking the times tables with Bruno Reddy https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-2pbdy-18f76df

Education myth busting with Daisy Christodoulou https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-z2q9q-14ce080

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-72-transcript

MUSIC Intro & Outro: Funk Jazz Big Band - ColorFilmMusic

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Inside one of England’s top-performing non-selective schools with Robert Peal (Ep 72)

Chalk & Talk

Inside one of England’s top-performing non-selective schools with Robert Peal (Ep 72)