New Cross-sector Lab podcast episode: Roger White reflects on ASDAN’s origins

ASDAN has released a new episode of the Cross-sector Lab podcast featuring former Chief Executive, Roger White, in conversation with ASDAN Chief Executive, Melissa Farnham. Together, they reflect on ASDAN’s origins and the challenges facing education at the time of its development.

The discussion explores how, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, changes to the education system, including the raising of the school leaving age to 16, left many young people disengaged. Many learners had expected to leave school at 15 and struggled with a curriculum and examination system that did not reflect their strengths. As a result, a significant number were labelled as failures despite having valuable skills and potential.

Roger describes how this frustration led to a collaborative, teacher‑led movement that focused on recognising communication, initiative and wider personal skills. Early ASDAN programmes were developed by practitioners who understood their learners and trusted in their professional judgement. While some school leaders and local authorities initially resisted these approaches, their positive impact meant they spread quickly, first across the South West and then nationally.

Reflecting on ASDAN’s development over the past 35 years, Roger highlights the values that continue to underpin its work today, including trusting teachers, valuing every learner and enabling meaningful experiences of success.

Melissa and Roger also consider how these founding principles remain relevant as the sector responds to current challenges, including digital learning, widening inequality and the need to strengthen learner agency. Their conversation highlights the importance of creating learning experiences that build confidence, independence and readiness for adulthood.