We were really privileged this week to be joined (virtually - for the first time, apologies that this doesn't have quite the same high standard of audio recording as previous weeks!) by Keith Bates, from Keith Bates Behaviour.

Keith is an expert in inclusive practice and behaviour, he has worked for a number of years in Norfolk, most recently as Director of Inclusion in a Multi-Academy Trust, but has recently relocated to Cardiff. Keith joined us down the line from Cardiff, where he joined us for our weekly "what's in the news, and what's caught your eye?" check in.

Keith, Alex and Kevin chatted at such length that it was decided that we'd roll Keith's answering of our usual tricky questions over to next week's episode. So, joining us next week will also be Keith Bates, who will answer our usual questions!

Massive thanks to Keith for joining us this week. Together the group discussed:
- Keith's recent Blog for Adele Bates reflecting on the report "Who is losing learning?" a fascinating insight into this report neatly summarised by Keith - look it up on Adele Bates' website: https://adelebateseducation.co.uk/blog/;
- Amanda Spielman's round of exit interviews as she leaves her role as Chief Inspector of Ofsted;
- Ormiston Academies decision to go mobile phone free in their schools;
- Schools taking unique approaches to retention and recruitment - in this discussion, a school offering their teachers a lie-in once a week!

Look out for next week's follow-up with Keith Bates, and get in touch via Twitter or email!

Contact us with feedback, views or correspondence at iblametheteachers@gmail.com or on X @iknowwhoiblame.

This week, Kevin and Alex were joined in the Norwich studio by Jonathan and Lucy Coy from Headteacher Chat. Headteacher Chat has become a phenomenal community of school leaders, with over 70,000 online followers and 10,000 subscribers. You can find Jonathan and Lucy online at www.headteacherchat.com.

Alex and Kevin chatted the recent GCSE results day, shocking statistics in the recent rise in anxiety in school aged children and a continuation of the difficulties faced in Norfolk around the SEND funding for schools.

They also repeatedly got the X / Twitter handle for the podcast wrong, which should be @iknowwhoiblame, sorry!

Double guests means double length episode, perhaps listen to this one both on your way to school, and then again on the way home! Jonathan and Lucy faced our dreaded questions - these are the questions that all guests on the pod will get asked, and some fascinating insight and chat arose from their answers. If you want to be a future guest facing the questions, why not get in touch, anyone working in education would be a pleasure to chat to!

Contact us with feedback, views or correspondence at iblametheteachers@gmail.com or on X @iknowwhoiblame.

I Blame the Teachers is an education podcast brought to you from Norfolk, UK by Kevin Lee (ex-headteacher), Julie Church (ex-headteacher) and Alex Griffiths (current headteacher). Kevin, Julie and Alex bring years of experience and expertise in the field of primary education to their discussions each week.

Why 'I Blame the Teachers'? For too long, teachers have faced the brunt of blame for children's issues, parent concerns and societal problems. Teachers quietly take the blame and continue doing the great job that they are doing in schools to educate the next generation. We are arriving to debunk this blame and look at why teachers and blamed and how things are right now in the world of primary education starting here in Norfolk in the UK.

In this episode, series 1 episode 1, Kevin, Julie and Alex consider the recent general election in the UK, consider the implications some of the new political players will bring to the local school system, including Rupert Lowe (Reform MP for Great Yarmouth) the new MP in the constituency where this episode was recorded.

Contact us with feedback, views or correspondence at iblametheteachers@gmail.com or on X @iknowwhoiblame.