As my son bumbles through early school years I'm often super proud - reading, writing, the ability to work out division, navigate society(!). Then alternately there are pangs of frustration when I hear they've been sat at desks writing all morning, cramming for 'quizzes' as they're euphemistically called at his school. So mindful that we're privileged to have a widely available, free and functioning education system - though arguably shorn of creativity, and certainly dangerously at risk of inadequate funding - I wanted to get into what education means for the next generation. Then wandering through the supermarket, considering all this one day, I bumped into my own junior school headteacher – Nicholas Allen. I met Nick on my first day at Ipswich Prep School, his own first day as a head. More than thirty years later he’s enjoyed a successful career leading Ipswich then Arnold House School and Newton Prep in London, also chairing the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools. For me, it’s the mark of a great head teacher that three decades on, Nicholas could remember all about my year group at school when I’d approached him. Nicholas was also kind enough to give me an hour of his time to record this episode – where we talked about how parents can stay involved in their kids primary schooling. how teaching has changed over the years and where it’s headed, and what are the hallmarks of a good educator. You’ll note Mr Allen has spent his years in the independent sector but I was keen to talk about wider education, not least as my son enjoys state schooling. So though we touched on private, with interesting answers, our chat stayed as broad as possible. Nine in ten kids are educated in the state sector and that's where the curriculum and regulations take their strongest hold. I hope this episode gives plenty of food for thought on education and how are teachers and school leaders are helping our children prosper, and what we can do to help them. Finally, I mention in the show a project I’ve been helping with which has great relevance – a podcast for the We Are In Beta startup, led by ex-teacher Niall Alcock, who is hoping to gather the knowledge and expertise of educators in one place to share within the school community and wider. To hear his podcast, search We Are In Beta at your podcast provider or visit his social media www.twitter.com/NiallAlcock So, happy Father’s Day and enjoy the show – and good luck to all your kids in exam season (and to all mums and dads racing away in sports day!) For more, do subscribe to the show, look for @fatherhood_pod on social media and visit facebook.com/fatherhoodpod