Two Mr Ps in a Pod(Cast)

*This week, Lee is joined by Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, for a wide ranging and honest conversation about the biggest challenges facing education today.* They discuss why every teacher and support staff member should be in a union, the benefits that go far beyond workplace protection, and Daniel shares his own journey from primary teacher and PRU maths teacher to leading Europe's largest education union.

*The conversation tackles the growing funding crisis in schools*, with Daniel explaining why partially funded pay rises are leaving schools facing impossible choices. They debate teacher and support staff pay, redundancies, falling pupil numbers, class sizes and why investment in education should be viewed as an investment in the country's future rather than a cost.

*Lee and Daniel also take a deep dive into Ofsted*, discussing why so many teachers have lost confidence in the inspection system. They explore the impact inspections have on workload, wellbeing and school culture, why reform has failed to win over the profession and what a more supportive accountability system could look like.

*The pair reflect on the first year of the Labour government*, discussing Bridget Phillipson's time as Education Secretary, whether teachers have seen the change they hoped for, and why there remains a growing disconnect between government messaging and the reality experienced by staff working in schools every day.

*Behaviour, SEND and teacher workload are all firmly under the spotlight.* Lee and Daniel share their views on the causes of worsening behaviour, the impact of social media, unmet needs, SEND funding, curriculum pressures and why improving teacher retention starts with making the profession manageable again.

*Finally, Daniel outlines his vision for the future of education*, including smaller class sizes, better funding, greater professional autonomy, more creativity in the curriculum and a profession that once again feels valued. He also explains why union reps remain at the heart of improving schools and encourages more teachers and support staff to get involved in shaping the future of education.

📬 Want your story or question featured on the pod? Submit it here:

👉 forms.gle/sWCUVURZjtn6GeN16

Here’s where you can catch the show 👇

🎭 October 2026

25th October - Norwich, Epic Studios 🏰

26th October - London, Soho Walthamstow 🎤

27th October - Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre 🌳

28th October - Eastbourne, Devonshire Park 🌊

29th October - Colchester, Charter Hall 🏺

30th October - Southampton, O2 Guildhall ⚓

31st October - High Wycombe, Swan 🎶

🎭 February 2027

14th February - Blackpool, Grand Theatre 🎡

15th February - Carlisle, The Sands Centre 🏞️

16th February - Chester, Storyhouse 🐎

17th February - Crewe, Lyceum Theatre 🚂

18th February - Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall 🏹

19th February - Stoke, Victoria Hall 🏺

20th February - Stockton, Globe Theatre 🌐

🎟️ Tickets at 2mrpspodcast.com/live

See you on the road again soon 👏🎤
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the lads wrap up the final full episode of the school year by reflecting on another academic year in education, thanking listeners for their support and debating the annual calls to shorten the six week summer holidays. They discuss why children and staff desperately need the break, the pressures on working parents and why better holiday provision, rather than less time off, is the real answer.

There's a passionate discussion about Ofsted after schools are still being inspected during the final week of term. Lee shares his frustrations with the inspection system, why he believes it continues to drive teachers out of the profession and explains why meaningful reform will only happen if the culture around inspection changes completely.

The conversation also turns to politics following Bridget Phillipson's departure as Education Secretary. Lee reflects on interviewing her at the Department for Education, responds to criticism he received online and explains the balancing act between holding decision makers to account while still being able to keep teachers' voices in the room.

The lads can't avoid reliving England's heartbreaking World Cup exit either. They analyse where it all went wrong against Argentina, question Thomas Tuchel's tactics, reflect on the emotional rollercoaster of tournament football and discuss the darker side of the game, including the rise in domestic abuse following England defeats.

Away from football, Lee shares some proud family news after attending his children's end of year awards, including one of the triplets being appointed Head Girl. The blind ranking also returns for one last time this season, with the pair deciding the perfect ways for teachers to spend their summer holidays.

Finally, the listener stories provide the perfect end to another school year. There are hilarious tales of bizarre hospital visits, unforgettable end of year gifts, awkward staff celebrations and chaotic nights out featuring everything from giant bags of Hula Hoops and Yorkshire puddings to skinny dipping, karaoke disasters, nightclub encounters with parents and enough staff party confessions to remind everyone why schools are never short of unbelievable stories.

​

📬 Want your story or question featured on the pod? Submit it here:

👉 forms.gle/sWCUVURZjtn6GeN16

Here’s where you can catch the show 👇

🎭 October 2026

25th October - Norwich, Epic Studios 🏰

26th October - London, Soho Walthamstow 🎤

27th October - Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre 🌳

28th October - Eastbourne, Devonshire Park 🌊

29th October - Colchester, Charter Hall 🏺

30th October - Southampton, O2 Guildhall ⚓

31st October - High Wycombe, Swan 🎶

🎭 February 2027

14th February - Blackpool, Grand Theatre 🎡

15th February - Carlisle, The Sands Centre 🏞️

16th February - Chester, Storyhouse 🐎

17th February - Crewe, Lyceum Theatre 🚂

18th February - Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall 🏹

19th February - Stoke, Victoria Hall 🏺

20th February - Stockton, Globe Theatre 🌐

🎟️ Tickets at 2mrpspodcast.com/live

See you on the road again soon 👏🎤
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

n this special episode, Mr P sits down with the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson.

A few weeks ago I asked you one simple question: if you could ask the Education Secretary anything, what would it be? Over 1000 of you replied. Teachers, TAs, SENCOs, SEND parents, school leaders, the response was overwhelming. So I took your most liked questions directly to Bridget Phillipson. From the vital role of support staff to the ongoing SEND crisis and the recent SATs marking debacle, we tried to cover as many topics in the short time available and reflect on the two years she’s been in the role.

Here’s where you can catch the show 👇

🎭 October 2026

25th October - Norwich, Epic Studios 🏰

26th October - London, Soho Walthamstow 🎤

27th October - Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre 🌳

28th October - Eastbourne, Devonshire Park 🌊

29th October - Colchester, Charter Hall 🏺

30th October - Southampton, O2 Guildhall ⚓

31st October - High Wycombe, Swan 🎶

🎭 February 2027

14th February - Blackpool, Grand Theatre 🎡

15th February - Carlisle, The Sands Centre 🏞️

16th February - Chester, Storyhouse 🐎

17th February - Crewe, Lyceum Theatre 🚂

18th February - Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall 🏹

19th February - Stoke, Victoria Hall 🏺

20th February - Stockton, Globe Theatre 🌐

🎟️ Tickets at 2mrpspodcast.com/live

See you on the road again soon 👏🎤
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the lads are counting down the final days until the summer holidays, with another hot week in school and England's World Cup semi final dominating absolutely everything. Adam admits the tournament has been the perfect distraction from a difficult few months at home, while both share their hopes, nerves and excitement ahead of England's biggest match in years.

The conversation also turns to Jude Bellingham, with Lee sharing a message from one of Jude's former primary school teachers that perfectly sums up why he's become such a respected figure on and off the pitch.

There's plenty of light hearted discussion too, including a thread celebrating the tiny everyday moments that somehow make life better. The blind ranking returns with a debate over the best ways to celebrate the end of the school year. From quiz nights and bottomless brunches to Jacob's Tables, themed evenings and simply heading to the pub after school, the lads reveal how they'd rank the perfect staff celebration.

As always, the listener stories don't disappoint. There are tales of disastrous staff parties, drunken mishaps, medieval tunnels, embarrassing job interviews, parents' evening confessions that leave teachers speechless, and enough awkward school moments to make every listener grateful they weren't involved.

Finally, the episode finishes with another collection of wonderfully ridiculous anonymous confessions. From Ofsted style bedroom performance reviews and bizarre acts of revenge over school attendance rewards, to fake DVDs being exposed by the police during a classroom visit, it's another reminder that teachers really do experience situations you simply couldn't make up.

​📬 Want your story or question featured on the pod? Submit it here:

👉 forms.gle/sWCUVURZjtn6GeN16

Here’s where you can catch the show 👇

🎭 October 2026

25th October - Norwich, Epic Studios 🏰

26th October - London, Soho Walthamstow 🎤

27th October - Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre 🌳

28th October - Eastbourne, Devonshire Park 🌊

29th October - Colchester, Charter Hall 🏺

30th October - Southampton, O2 Guildhall ⚓

31st October - High Wycombe, Swan 🎶

🎭 February 2027

14th February - Blackpool, Grand Theatre 🎡

15th February - Carlisle, The Sands Centre 🏞️

16th February - Chester, Storyhouse 🐎

17th February - Crewe, Lyceum Theatre 🚂

18th February - Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall 🏹

19th February - Stoke, Victoria Hall 🏺

20th February - Stockton, Globe Theatre 🌐

🎟️ Tickets at 2mrpspodcast.com/live

See you on the road again soon 👏🎤
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the lads return still battling the heat as another sweltering week hits schools across the country. The episode features a fascinating behind the scenes look at Lee's visit to the Department for Education, where he took four pupils to Westminster and the DfE for a day they'll never forget. From private tours of the Houses of Parliament to interviewing the Education Secretary and seeing the famous red ministerial box up close, it's a brilliant reminder of what young people can achieve when given incredible opportunities. Lee reflects on just how proud he was of the children and why experiences like these restore your faith in education.

There's also discussion around a new national survey highlighting how much the public values teachers, why appreciation means more than expensive gifts and how a simple thank you can make all the difference as another busy school year draws to a close.

Football fans are in for a treat too, as the lads relive England's dramatic victory and discuss why this squad feels different. They celebrate the resilience, passion and togetherness shown by the team before taking on a brand new blind ranking challenge, deciding which England legends would make the best pupils in the classroom.

Elsewhere, the thread of the week looks back at things that happened in schools years ago that simply wouldn't be allowed today. From blackboard dusters flying across classrooms and teachers publicly humiliating pupils, to smoking demonstrations, terrifying swimming lessons and some truly unbelievable stories from the 1980s and 1990s, it's equal parts hilarious and horrifying.

Finally, the Sports Day stories continue with another collection of wonderfully chaotic tales. Expect over competitive parents, broken bones, collapsing gazebos, wardrobe malfunctions, beer hidden in backpacks, bribery attempts, cocaine discoveries, parents arriving in full athletics gear and enough sporting disasters to make any PE coordinator question why they ever agreed to organise Sports Day in the first place.

📬 Want your story or question featured on the pod? Submit it here:

👉 forms.gle/sWCUVURZjtn6GeN16

Here’s where you can catch the show 👇

🎭 October 2026

25th October - Norwich, Epic Studios 🏰

26th October - London, Soho Walthamstow 🎤

27th October - Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre 🌳

28th October - Eastbourne, Devonshire Park 🌊

29th October - Colchester, Charter Hall 🏺

30th October - Southampton, O2 Guildhall ⚓

31st October - High Wycombe, Swan 🎶

🎭 February 2027

14th February - Blackpool, Grand Theatre 🎡

15th February - Carlisle, The Sands Centre 🏞️

16th February - Chester, Storyhouse 🐎

17th February - Crewe, Lyceum Theatre 🚂

18th February - Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall 🏹

19th February - Stoke, Victoria Hall 🏺

20th February - Stockton, Globe Theatre 🌐

🎟️ Tickets at 2mrpspodcast.com/live

See you on the road again soon 👏🎤
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices