The best education podcasts to inform and inspire
Podcasts are an easy way to keep up with research, leadership thinking and classroom practice while you are doing something else. Whether you are a teacher, a school leader or simply interested in learning, the shows below cover pedagogy, leadership, wellbeing, research and global education, and the list includes the HeadteacherChat community's own podcast.
Top education podcasts for educators
EduPulse Podcast
Hosted by Adam Kohlbeck and Chris Passey, this podcast talks to frontline educators and school leaders about how cognitive science and psychology apply in the classroom. There is also a short coaching series.
Listen here: EduPulse Podcast
Thinking Deeply About Primary Education
Hosted by Kieran Mackle, this podcast interviews primary teachers and leaders about what they do and why they do it, which makes it useful for new and experienced staff alike. It has been running for over 200 episodes.
Listen here: Thinking Deeply About Primary Education on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify
Naylor's Natter
Hosted by Phil Naylor and subtitled "Just talking to teachers", this podcast has relaxed conversations with teachers, leaders and authors that mix research with classroom experience.
Listen here: Naylor's Natter
Joining the Dots
Matt Jessop and Al Kingsley interview educators, business leaders and policymakers about the connected challenges facing education and the new approaches needed to meet them.
Listen here: Joining the Dots on Apple Podcasts
The We Lead Well Podcast
Focused on staff wellbeing and retention, this podcast has weekly guest conversations about what helps teachers and leaders stay well in school.
Listen here: The We Lead Well Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe
Hosted by Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner, this podcast looks at classroom practice, effective CPD and the gaps in education within and between countries.
Listen here: Mind the Gap on TuneIn
Rethinking Education
Hosted by Dr James Mannion and David Cameron, this podcast has long conversations about building a more responsive and inclusive education system, with guests from schools, research and policy.
Listen here: Rethinking Education
From the HeadteacherChat community
The HeadteacherChat podcast brings school leaders and authors together for practical conversations. Episodes are on the School Leader Community YouTube channel.
Kind Leadership: Leading schools with empathy, honesty and impact
Joanna Povall, Principal of Wales International School, author of Kind Leadership and Tes International School Principal of the Year 2024/25, talks about why kindness is not weakness, why empathy, honesty and self-awareness matter, and the legacy leaders want to leave in their schools.
Watch here: Kind Leadership with Joanna Povall
Adaptive Teaching: Fostering Inclusive Culture for All
Andrew Young, Co-Director of Pathfinder Teaching School Hub and author of Adaptive Teaching: Culture to Classroom, looks at how leaders can make inclusion a whole-school responsibility. The key points are also in the members-only community post.
Watch here: Adaptive Teaching episode
Metacognitive Teaching with Anoara Mughal
Anoara Mughal, author of Metacognitive Teaching (Bloomsbury), explains how to help pupils think about their own learning.
Watch here: Metacognitive Teaching episode
Overcoming adversity for school leaders with Viv Grant
A conversation about how school leaders can deal with adversity.
Watch here: Overcoming adversity episode
Unlocking EdTech: Insights from the EdTech Playbook with Mark Anderson
Mark Anderson on using technology well in schools.
Watch here: Unlocking EdTech episode
Football and schools: Premier League Primary Stars and No Room for Racism
Nick Perchard from Premier League Primary Stars on how football inspires children to look after their wellbeing, and a conversation with the Premier League and Chelsea FC Foundation on tackling racism in schools.
Watch here: Premier League Primary Stars or No Room for Racism
Educating for net zero with E.ON
How E.ON's New Energy Academy is shaping sustainability in schools.
Watch here: E.ON episode
Three episodes worth a listen
The Future of School Inspection: Still Analysing Ofsted's Proposed Reforms
From Thinking Deeply About Primary Education (episode 215). A look at what Ofsted's proposed reforms could mean for schools.
Listen here: Episode on Spotify
Ep 99: Have Ofsted Completely Lost Their Minds?
From Teach Sleep Repeat. A candid conversation about Ofsted and the pressure inspection puts on teachers and leaders.
Listen here: Episode on Spotify
ERRR #098: Steve Capp on Effective School Leadership
From the Education Research Reading Room, hosted by Ollie Lovell. A conversation about what effective school leadership looks like in practice.
Listen here: Episode on Spotify
Final thoughts
This mix of shows suits quick CPD ideas on a commute as well as longer conversations on pedagogy and leadership, so there is something here for most teachers and school leaders.
Further reading on leadership and CPD:
What are your must-listen podcasts?
If you have a favourite education podcast that should be on this list, let us know in the comments.
Updated 10/10/2026
