
Frank and Stan Chats
Frank Norris and Stan Johnson have been friends since 1995. Both have had successful and lengthy careers in education. Frank was a very senior HMI with Ofsted for 11 years and was the CEO of the Coop Academies Trust for 6 years. Stan was seconded to Ofsted for a year and then returned to headship before working as a senior adviser with Lancashire LA. He has latterly led a successful education consultancy in the North West.Prior to Covid-19 the two gents would meet in Manchester for a pint or two but the pandemic put an end to that. On 1 May 2020, they recorded their first video chat as a way of recording their emotions and reactions to the pandemic. After putting the video on Youtube as a safe place to store it they realised that some followers began to appear. Now, with over 110 episodes and having chatted to Professors, CEOs, journalists, teachers, former HMI, education thinkers and Frank's Key Stage 1 leading daughter they have a loyal following and a rapidly increasing number of viewers. The reach of the Frank and Stan Chat stretches from Bogota to Ottawa to Greece and their first Live Edition was recorded in front of nearly 200 Headteachers in York in spring 2022.The Chats are not undertaken to attract followers or for financial reward (nothing is received and nothing will be received). It is a way of airing views on education matters between two professional friends. The chats have helped them get through the pandemic and they are delighted that they have been enjoyed by others and appear to have helped others through it as well.If you fancy being a guest then just reach out. We never post a video unless the guest is comfortable with it. So, it is a relatively risk free environment.Thank you. Frank and Stan
Episodes
8 episodes
Frank and Stan Chat No. 223: the Aelwyn Pugh Returns Again Edition
Every now and again Frank and Stan give full rein to our guest, especially if they want to share some insight that is challenging or even provocative. This is what happened when Aelwyn Pugh, a former highly experienced HMI joined us again for o...
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Season 7
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Episode 1
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37:24

Frank and Stan Chat No. 222: The Brian Lightman Returns Edition
After a short break the Frank and Stan Chat returns with a familiar guest joining us again. Brian Lightman, the former leader of ASCL (for 6 years) and secondary Headteacher of two Welsh schools, author and education consultant returns to consi...
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Season 6
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Episode 33
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38:31

Frank and Stan Chat SPOTLIGHT No. 14: The Rebecca Hanson Edition
Every now our channel is contacted by an individual who asks to be a guest. Some of these requests are rejected mainly because the issue to be covered has already had an airing in a previous chat. When Rebecca Hanson contacted us we felt she wa...
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Season 6
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Episode 32
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47:15

Frank and Stan Chat No. 221: The Survey Edition
This week the two longtime friends chat about personal loss and how it impacts as life rolls by. They then consider how toxic social media has become and reasonable debate and discussion is proving increasingly difficult. This isn't helped when...
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Season 6
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Episode 31
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37:02

Frank and Stan Chat No. 220: The Just The Two Of Us Edition
This week the two gents are not joined by a guest. We find it hard to believe that some of our followers like it that way. We know, however, that our guests add so much to our weekly chats and we are grateful for their time and commitment. Anyw...
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Season 6
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Episode 29
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38:30

Frank and Stan Chat No. 219: The Rebecca Leek Edition
This week Frank and Stan are joined by Rebecca Leek, the author of the recently published book 'The School Ready Governor'. Rebecca has written an insightful and easily accessible book that covers the history and development of the governor rol...
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Season 6
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Episode 28
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40:16

Frank and Stan Chat No. 217: The Ross McGill 'Teacher Toolkit' Returns
Due to Frank's personal circumstances, it has been necessary to move some planned weekly chats around. This has meant that the chat with amazing Rebecca Leek, author of 'The School-Ready Governor', planned for the end of this week has been dela...
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Season 6
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Episode 24
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45:49

Frank and Stan Chat No. 215: The Kerry Harrison Edition
The latest chat is with Kerry Harrison, the Digital Skills Coordinator for the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub. Frank worked with Kerry when he was chair of the Blackpool Education Improvement Board and she was a key figure in engaging sch...
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Season 6
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Episode 23
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31:22
