The ISA (Independent Schools Association) is a membership association of 785 independent school headteachers, providing networking, support, advice, and a range of services including high-quality training, and opportunities for students in the arts and sports. Our podcast, Independently Speaking, shares advice and information for our Members.
Does Structure Matter? Part 1: What Girls' Schools Offer in a Changing World
Does school structure truly matter, and what distinctive benefits emerge from single-sex versus co-educational environments?
In this first episode of our three-part series exploring single-sex and co-ed education, host Helen Stanton-Tonner (ISA Director of Education and Inclusion) is joined by Dr Stephen Burley, Head of King’s High School, Warwick. Together, they dive deep into the modern relevance of girls' schools.Whether you lead a girls', boys', or co-ed school across the independent or maintained sectors, this episode offers rich reflections on shaping cultures where young people don't just prepare for a predefined world, but develop the voice to create a better one.Enjoyed this episode? Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss Parts 2 and 3 of our series on school structures. For more information on the Independent Schools Association, visit isaschools.org.uk.
10 Sept 2026
Protecting Childhood: Balancing Ambition, Safety, and Play in Modern Education
Is modern childhood becoming over-scheduled, over-supervised, and overly focused on the future? In this episode of Independently Speaking, host Helen Stanton-Tonner sits down with leadership from Downsend School: Executive Head Bex Tear, Head of Junior School Sally Johnston, and Head of Little Downsend James McCarthy-Mitchell. Together, they explore how adult anxieties and social pressures shape young lives, and why structured environments must be balanced with unstructured play, risk-taking, and independence. From reframing "be careful" to "what’s your plan?" to integrating protected reading time and unhurried creativity, this insightful discussion provides a practical roadmap for educators and parents seeking to help children thrive today while preparing for an unpredictable tomorrow.
7 Jul 2026
Values-Led AI Strategy for School Leaders with Ben Whitaker
In this episode of Independently Speaking, host Helen Stanton-Tonner sits down with education consultant, speaker, and EduFuturists podcast host Ben Whitaker to confront one of the most pressing questions facing modern education: How do we thrive as humans in the age of artificial intelligenceMoving completely away from the "shiny penny" obsession with new apps and prompt engineering, Ben challenges school leaders to stop treating AI as an IT problem to be handled by a technical department. Instead, he reframes the AI revolution as a profound leadership and cultural challenge that requires deep, values-led thinking.Ben introduces his philosophy of "agency with guardrails", a concept born from parenting that balances autonomy with structure, and outlines how schools can foster managed risk-taking through pilot projects, rather than rushing to write rigid policies that become obsolete within months.
Who has been a guest on Independently Speaking: The ISA Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
James Wilding
Jawad Laouira
Leanne Kirby
Malcolm Weier
Melissa McBride
Podcast Authority Score: 10 / 100
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