Superhead

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The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators.

Duration

15 minutes

Genre

Factual
Factual

Station

Radio 4

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	A Delight In Class	20240923	20251008 (R4)	John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 1, John goes back to the beginning, hearing the story of Trevor's emergence as one of the original 'Superheads'. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original 'Superhead'. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
01	A Delight In Class	20240923		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 1, John goes back to the beginning, hearing the story of Trevor's emergence as one of the original 'Superheads'. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original 'Superhead'. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
01	A Delight In Class	20240923		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 1, John goes back to the beginning, hearing the story of Trevor's emergence as one of the original 'Superheads'. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original 'Superhead'. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He made his name in Islington, taking on a once notorious local comprehensive school and bringing it rapidly up the league tables. His reputation allowed him to launch a school improvement company on a large scale, Lilac Sky. He was charming, slick and corporate; his star rose and rose. Averre Beeson added a large academy trust to his improvement firm and, at the height of his influence in the early 2010s. he was running over 20 schools at once, in various forms. His schools were distinctive and surprising - painted uniformly in his brand colour, lilac, and known for investing in teacher well-being above all else, from good salaries and well kitted out staff rooms to lavish awards dinners complete with champagne at high end venues. But in 2016, his empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed. The trust was taken over by the government, and the accounts were made public, with the close financial links between Averre Beeson's companies and the academy trust he had founded sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. [LISTEN NOW]
02	Lots Of Untapped Potential	20240924	20251015 (R4)	John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 2, John hears from an insider who describes Trevor's ill fated spell at the helm of an education experiment, when an American firm became one of the first private companies to run a British school, and appointed him as Headteacher. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
02	Lots Of Untapped Potential	20240924		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 2, John hears from an insider who describes Trevor's ill fated spell at the helm of an education experiment, when an American firm became one of the first private companies to run a British school, and appointed him as Headteacher. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original 'Superhead'. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW] John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 2, John hears from an insider who describes Trevor's ill fated spell at the helm of an education experiment, when an American firm became one of the first private companies to run a British school, and appointed him as Headteacher. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original 'Superhead'. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
03	Needs Improvement	20240925		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 3, John hears how Lilac Sky took over schools in Kent and raised questions from local campaigners. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original 'Superhead'. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
03	Needs Improvement	20240925	20251022 (R4)	John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 3, John hears how Lilac Sky took over schools in Kent and raised questions from local campaigners. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
03	Needs Improvement	20240925		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 3, John hears how Lilac Sky took over schools in Kent and raised questions from local campaigners. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original 'Superhead'. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
04	Disruptive In Class	20240926		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 4, the trust becomes suddenly mired in scandal. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Simon Jarvis Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
04	Disruptive In Class	20240926	20251029 (R4)	John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 4, the trust becomes suddenly mired in scandal. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Simon Jarvis Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
04	Disruptive In Class	20240926		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 4, the trust becomes suddenly mired in scandal. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Simon Jarvis Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
05	Lacks Personal Responsibility	20240927	20251105 (R4)	John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 5, John puts the details of the scandal to Trevor himself. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Simon Jarvis Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
05	Lacks Personal Responsibility	20240927		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 5, John puts the details of the scandal to Trevor himself. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Simon Jarvis Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW] John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 5, John puts the details of the scandal to Trevor himself. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Simon Jarvis Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	A Delight In Class	20240923	20251008 (R4)	John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 1, John goes back to the beginning, hearing the story of Trevor's emergence as one of the original 'Superheads'. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original 'Superhead'. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
01	A Delight In Class	20240923		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 1, John goes back to the beginning, hearing the story of Trevor's emergence as one of the original 'Superheads'. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original 'Superhead'. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
01	A Delight In Class	20240923		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 1, John goes back to the beginning, hearing the story of Trevor's emergence as one of the original 'Superheads'. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original 'Superhead'. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He made his name in Islington, taking on a once notorious local comprehensive school and bringing it rapidly up the league tables. His reputation allowed him to launch a school improvement company on a large scale, Lilac Sky. He was charming, slick and corporate; his star rose and rose. Averre Beeson added a large academy trust to his improvement firm and, at the height of his influence in the early 2010s. he was running over 20 schools at once, in various forms. His schools were distinctive and surprising - painted uniformly in his brand colour, lilac, and known for investing in teacher well-being above all else, from good salaries and well kitted out staff rooms to lavish awards dinners complete with champagne at high end venues. But in 2016, his empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed. The trust was taken over by the government, and the accounts were made public, with the close financial links between Averre Beeson's companies and the academy trust he had founded sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. [LISTEN NOW]
02	Lots Of Untapped Potential	20240924	20251015 (R4)	John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 2, John hears from an insider who describes Trevor's ill fated spell at the helm of an education experiment, when an American firm became one of the first private companies to run a British school, and appointed him as Headteacher. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
02	Lots Of Untapped Potential	20240924		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 2, John hears from an insider who describes Trevor's ill fated spell at the helm of an education experiment, when an American firm became one of the first private companies to run a British school, and appointed him as Headteacher. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original 'Superhead'. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW] John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 2, John hears from an insider who describes Trevor's ill fated spell at the helm of an education experiment, when an American firm became one of the first private companies to run a British school, and appointed him as Headteacher. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original 'Superhead'. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
03	Needs Improvement	20240925		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 3, John hears how Lilac Sky took over schools in Kent and raised questions from local campaigners. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original 'Superhead'. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
03	Needs Improvement	20240925	20251022 (R4)	John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 3, John hears how Lilac Sky took over schools in Kent and raised questions from local campaigners. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
03	Needs Improvement	20240925		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 3, John hears how Lilac Sky took over schools in Kent and raised questions from local campaigners. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Tom Brignell Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original 'Superhead'. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
04	Disruptive In Class	20240926		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 4, the trust becomes suddenly mired in scandal. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Simon Jarvis Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
04	Disruptive In Class	20240926	20251029 (R4)	John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 4, the trust becomes suddenly mired in scandal. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Simon Jarvis Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
04	Disruptive In Class	20240926		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 4, the trust becomes suddenly mired in scandal. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Simon Jarvis Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
05	Lacks Personal Responsibility	20240927	20251105 (R4)	John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 5, John puts the details of the scandal to Trevor himself. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Simon Jarvis Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]
05	Lacks Personal Responsibility	20240927		John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 5, John puts the details of the scandal to Trevor himself. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Simon Jarvis Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW] John Dickens has been investigating Trevor Averre-Beeson for the best part of a decade. Averre-Beeson was once one of the most prominent examples of the generation of “Superheads ? that Tony Blair and Michael Gove backed in turn to help transform failing schools in Britain. He built an education empire around a large academy trust, Lilac Sky. But in 2016, that empire suddenly and rapidly collapsed, sparking a scandal that sent shockwaves through the world of education. John Dickens explores the inside story behind the rise and fall of one of Britain's most charismatic educators, and investigates whether the rapid growth - and precipitous collapse - of Lilac Sky exposes weaknesses in regulation that the government has failed to fully reckon with. In Episode 5, John puts the details of the scandal to Trevor himself. Producers: Robert Nicholson and Charlie Towler Sound Design: Simon Jarvis Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 The rise and fall of the original Superhead. The rise and fall of one of Britain's most influential educators. [LISTEN NOW]