Inside one of England’s top-performing non-selective schools with Robert Peal (Ep 72)
Show notes
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
Website: www.annastokke.com
FB: Chalk & Talk
IG: @chalkandtalkpodcast
Tiktok: @chalkandtalkpodcast
X: @rastokke
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c
Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social