The 17 Questions series introduces inspiring people from across education and gives them the opportunity to share their experiences, ideas and advice. Each interview explores their career, expertise and views on the challenges facing schools, teachers and pupils. The aim is to provide honest, practical insights that educators can learn from and enjoy.
17 Questions with Dr Will Van Reyk, Co-founder of Pedagogue: Putting Pedagogy at the Heart of AI in Schools
Will Van Reyk is an experienced teacher, historian and school leader with a particular interest in artificial intelligence in education. After developing the Leading with AI course at St Paul’s Girls’ School, he spent more than a year working with Angus Griffin and Aatish Thakerar to turn the internal programme into something that could be…
17 Questions with Lewis Matheson: Teaching Physics Beyond the Classroom
Lewis Matheson has taken physics teaching far beyond the classroom. A former Head of Physics and Head of Science, he is the founder of Physics Online, which has grown from a collection of videos made for his own students into a major source of support for GCSE and A Level Physics students. Through videos, revision…
17 Questions with Alex McLusky, Founder of Beyond the Prospectus
Alex McLusky is the founder of Beyond the Prospectus, an independent education consultancy helping families find the right school for their child. Drawing on nearly 25 years of experience as a teacher, tutor and parent, she encourages families to look beyond league tables, reputations and glossy marketing. In this interview, Alex discusses school culture, pupil…
17 Questions with Maria Bateson: Making Science Visible, Practical and Memorable
Maria Bateson is an experienced science teacher, KS5 leader and Chartered Science Teacher with a passion for practical work and creative classroom modelling. She is actively involved with the Association for Science Education and helps to shape science education through research, collaboration and professional development. In this interview, Maria shares her teaching journey, classroom strategies…
17 Questions with Nathan Burns: Making Metacognition Work in the Classroom
Nathan Burns, widely known as Mr Metacognition, helps teachers and schools make metacognition practical, clear and useful in the classroom. In this interview, he shares his thoughts on independent learning, questioning, confidence and how schools can develop metacognitive practice. Question 1 What first interested you in metacognition? I remember first coming across metacognition in one…
17 Questions with Thandiwe Banda: Inspiring the Next Generation Through Science and STEM
Thandiwe Banda is an experienced science teacher with a strong interest in STEM enrichment, biology and chemistry education.Her career has included leading science departments, supporting trainee teachers and working with organisations including the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Biology. In this interview, Thandiwe shares her thoughts on science teaching, enrichment, leadership and helping…
17 Questions with Laura Spargo
Laura Spargo is a primary English specialist and education consultant with 17 years’ experience in teaching, leadership and mentoring across the UK, Spain and Dubai. She works with schools and educational organisations to develop meaningful English curricula, deliver professional development and build teachers’ confidence through practical, research-informed approaches. Laura also shares ideas and reflections on…
17 Questions with Amy McRae Johnson
Amy McRae Johnson has built her career around international education, school growth, admissions and marketing. She has also helped to build a new international school from the ground up and has seen first-hand what makes schools grow and thrive. In this Teach17 interview, Amy shares practical lessons on reputation, recruitment, retention and what really matters…
17 Questions with Director of Teacher and Learning Becky Ridings
Becky Ridings is an experienced teacher and educational leader with a strong interest in teaching and learning, metacognition and developing effective classroom practice.In these 17 questions, she shares her thoughts on great teaching, feedback, workload, EdTech and the importance of getting the basics right. Connect with Becky Ridings on LinkedIn Question 1 What first attracted…
17 Questions with Greg Bookman: Rethinking Recruitment and Retention in Education
Greg Bookman is the founder of Lime Tree Education Search and has worked in education recruitment for more than two decades. Drawing on his experience as a recruiter, school governor and parent, he helps schools make more thoughtful and sustainable decisions about recruitment, retention and staffing. Question 1 What first attracted you to education recruitment?…
17 Questions with Zhelyo Vasilev: The Physics Teacher Behind ZPhysics
Zhelyo Vasilev is an experienced physics educator, former Head of Physics and Computer Science, and the creator of ZPhysics. Through his videos, online lessons and resources, he supports students studying physics from GCSE and A-level through to university entrance and Physics Olympiad level. Question 1 How did your career in education begin? I did my…
17 Questions with Hannah Carter: Honest Leadership, School Culture and the Purpose of Headship
Hannah Carter is an experienced headteacher, qualified executive coach and published author with a strong commitment to authentic, values-led leadership. In this interview, Hannah discusses trust, attendance, recruitment, wellbeing and why children must remain at the heart of education. Question 1 What inspired you to become a teacher? I think it would be hard to…
17 Questions with Peter Mattock: Making Mathematics Visible, Connected and Meaningful
Peter Mattock is an experienced maths teacher, leader and author. In these 17 questions, he discusses effective maths teaching, problem-solving, teacher development and the importance of helping pupils make sense of mathematics. Question 1 How has your career in maths education developed over time? It started much the same way as any other. I completed…
17 Questions with Huw Curnow: Physics Teaching, Leadership and Captain Physics
Huw Curnow is an experienced physics teacher, Head of Physics and the creator of Captain Physics. In this interview, he discusses effective physics teaching, practical work, educational videos and making difficult ideas easier to understand. He also shares his thoughts on leadership, flexible working, artificial intelligence and the future of physics education. Question 1 How…
17 Questions with Founder and Director of Education Boutique Lucy Alexandra Spencer
Question 1 What first inspired you to become a teacher? I’ve always believed that education is about people before it’s about subjects. Long before I ever stood at the front of a classroom, I was fascinated by the idea that one adult could completely change the direction of a child’s life simply by believing in…
17 Questions with Deputy Headteacher Claire Harley on School Leadership, Educational Research and Teacher Agency
Claire Harley is a deputy headteacher, history educator and doctoral researcher with a strong interest in school improvement and research-informed practice.In this Teach 17 interview, she reflects on leadership, curriculum, assessment, teacher development and educational research. She also shares thoughtful ideas about professionalism, SEND provision and the importance of keeping school improvement both challenging and…
17 Questions with Katie Estruch, Founder of Miss Estruch Biology: Teaching, Revision and Building an Education Business
Question 1 How has your career in biology education developed over time? I have been teaching since I left university, where I studied biology at the University of Nottingham. Throughout my career, I progressed from classroom teacher to head of biology, head of science, study skills coordinator, and many other roles. Just before the pandemic,…