Educating with Purpose with Stephen Tierney @leadinglearner

In this week's interview, Phil is in conversation with Stephen Tierney @leadinglearner about his new John Catt book 'Educating with Purpose' 

About the book:

The past decade in education focused on what works. The decade ahead must focus on what matters. In his second book, Stephen Tierney argues that it is time for the purpose of education to move to the centre of the debate.

Why we educate is a question from which all else evolves. A question for all times, it will resonate deeply with those who have experienced the Great Pause caused by the global pandemic in 2020. And it is a question that we need to answer, because that purpose will determine what schools and the education system as a whole will do next.

Proposing that the telos of education must be a life well-lived, Tierney argues for a re-purposing of education. He provides the theory of four philosophies of education - personal empowerment, cultural transmission, preparation for work and preparation for citizenship - alongside a powerful critique that challenges the current orthodoxy.

Available here:

https://www.johncattbookshop.com/educating-with-purpose-the-heart-of-what-matters

About Stephen:

Until recently I was CEO of the Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust. A trust in Blackpool including Christ the King and St. Cuthbert’s Catholic Acadamies – primary schools – and St. Mary’s Catholic Academy is an 11-18 school.  I chair the Headteachers’ Roundtable Group.

My first and probably only book is titled Liminal Leadership and is available via John Catt Ltd or Amazon.  Liminal Leadership is based on my reflections of thirty years of leading and learning; it is written for teachers and leaders who want to reflect on their current or future practice.

In September 2013, I became Executive Headteacher of St. Mary’s Catholic College and Christ the King Catholic Primary School.  These two Blackpool school’s first hard federated in January 2009.  Previously I had been the headteacher of St. Mary’s Catholic College from September 2000 and thirteen years of headship have been a real rollercoaster of a journey.  St. Mary’s is a hugely exciting place to work.  We know we need to go the extra mile with our students, staff’s generosity and willingness to work with and for students whilst supporting each other adds to the wonderful ethos that permeates the school.  Whilst at St. Mary’s I was very involved with the Specialist Schools & Academies Trust.

Prior to headship I was Deputy Headteacher at Our Lady’s Catholic High School, Lancaster and Head of Science at De La Salle in St. Helen’s.  My career started in Blackburn at Notre Dame Catholic High School in September 1988 with the school amalgamating the following year to form Our Lady & St. John’s Catholic High School.

I am fascinated by leadership, learning, pedagogy and the curriculum and these elements have been intertwined throughout my professional life so far.

TDT section 

This week Michelle is in conversation withBethan on CPD Leadership in 2020/21. This is a very important topic as we return to school next week.

Next week- John Tait with Bernie Kaye