Episode 22- Andy Downing

In this Episode I am joined by vastly experienced senior leader Andy Downing. As he nears retirement Andy and I take the opportunity to revisit his career spanning over 50 years in the sector leading in schools and authorities. We explore the difference educators make to young people, how important people centred leadership is and what it’s like to take on your first headship closer to the end of your career than the start!

Andy and I talk about the current challenges in leadership and explore the value of autonomy and trust. It was a pleasure to hear Andy’s journey, I hope you enjoy listening.

Episode 21 - Yvonne Hogarth

In this episode I'm joined by Yvonne Hogarth, Education Consultant, Trainer and Coach. Yvonne shares her journey into Education and leadership working in a range of roles and phases. We explore how challenging it is for middle leaders in education - particularly programme or curriculum leaders - who might be juggling teaching and leadership without a roadmap!

Yvonne highlights the amazing possibilities for up-skilling that being a governor can offer, and the transferable skills we gain in education including the many opportunities that there are across different sectors to use these skills. Yvonne is passionate about cross sector networking and so we dig into the power of sharing practice across different educational sectors.

Episode 20 - Paul Jones, OBE.

Episode 20 marks the halfway point in my goal of interviewing 40 leaders for my 40th year, and it felt only right to include someone at this point in the journey who knows me quite well… my former boss!

Paul Jones, Educational Consultant, kindly joined me for a chat about his dedication to education including his work teaching the Travelling Community in Devon and his journey into leadership. We talk about what it was like to start one of the UK’s first Federation of Primary Schools! Paul shares insights into how and why collaboration is vital to support our developing profession, and how education and leadership has changed over time including the removal of autonomy for schools. Some great insights into Multi-Academy Trusts and what could have been, to share this week as we begin to hear what the new Government will be focussing on for the sector

I really enjoyed hearing Paul’s wisdom and reminiscing about some of our work together! I hope you enjoy listening, or watching!

Episode 19 - Jonathan Nicholls

In Episode 19 I’m joined by Jonathon Nicholls, a former Principal and Executive Principal, who shares his journey into, and within, the Education Sector. Jonathan’s background in engineering features both as a key part of his journey, but also brings a fascinating angle in his reflections about education and leadership; the challenges and the possible future. We explore childhood, autonomy and disrupting the current curriculum. Jonathan shares insights into his leadership experience, which spans a vast range of settings, and his learnings about discomfort in challenge, the impact of coaching, and managing the balance of leadership and the rest of our lives!

Episode 18 - Dr Jo Trevenna

This episode is full of joy and understanding its importance. I am joined by the incredible Dr Jo Trevenna who shares her journey into education and in leadership. We dig into the challenges of the sector currently and Jo shares her fascinating research into the idea of Carnivalesque Leadership, its origins and how understanding its importance can have a huge impact on how we lead for ourselves, our staff and our young people. I learnt so much recording this with Jo, I hope you find new learnings to take into a more carnivalesque approach. Follow Jo for more information and to hear about the launch of her book when it arrives!

Episode 17: Leanne Galloway

In this episode I am joined by Early Years Consultant, inspector, colleague and friend Leanne Galloway. Leanne shares her experience of growing up in a small village in the UK, finding her calling into Education and her passion for the Early Years. We explore the challenges of balancing teaching with leadership, experiences of International Leadership and what it's like to be an Ofsted Inspector!

Episode 16: Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini

In Episode 16 I’m joined by the brilliantly energetic Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini sharing her journey in education. She shares her own experience of connection at school, I think a record for bringing my teary eyes at just 5 minutes in! Nancy’s energy is infectious, and her insights into facilitation are incredibly valuable. We explore creating and embedding norms into cultures, bringing fun to meetings and training with the value of human capital, and the impact of collectives where strong facilitators are at play. Nancy’s insights into the responsibilities and development of middle leaders show the global challenges faced by those in these roles. We touch on some big issues for leaders - why job descriptions are so important for middle leaders, middle leadership training and, when meetings should just be emails! This is a great episode to challenge thinking for leaders at all levels - How can we do better for middle leadership?

Episode 15 - Alex Neophitou

This episode touches on such a range of valuable topics. I’m joined by Alex Neophitou, former Senior Leader, now Freelance Education Consultant for his business New Education Outlook. As Alex shares his journey with incredible honesty, we explore how viewpoints of leadership evolve, finding joy in education and the importance of teams. He shares his decision making processes at key points in his educational career including trying to balance family life with leadership. Alex’s passion for curriculum shines through and we talk about subject leadership and how to manage the role when you’re not a specialist but seem to have landed a subject leader role sometimes off the back of a project you did in secondary school! I really enjoyed this discussion, you can tell because it’s over an hour long! But there’s so much value that Alex shares, I really hope you love it too

Episode 14 - Bob Benson

I’m joined by Headteacher Bob Benson, sharing his journey and insights spanning over 30 years in education. We talk about finding education and leadership when it wasn’t in the life plan, being a male leader in a girls school and championing the voices of women. Bob shares his pride in the impact his team has had supporting pupils in receipt of Pupil Premium funding, and the strategies they used. We discuss how educational leadership has changed and what needs to happen to make the role sustainable and joyful for future leaders.

Episode 13 - Stella Odusola

In this episode I’m joined by Stella Odusola, sharing her journey and experiences of the education system as a pupil and into her career in teaching and leadership. We explore barriers relating to gender, race and disability, and Stella shares some invaluable recommendations for leaders looking to reflect upon their recruitment and retention of staff. We explore leadership outside schools including as a Governor, Trustee and with external organisations and how, with bravery, change can be implemented for pupils, staff and leaders.

Episode 12 - Sadia Hussain-Savuk

This episode brings several vital conversations to the table. With the wonderful Sadia Hussain-Savuk we dig into racial prejudice, gender bias, glass ceilings and explore the progress, and at times, lack of progress, that we have made in the education sector in the UK. Sadia bravely shares her story of being educated in Scotland, moving into the sector as a teacher and becoming a change agent for equality, diversity and inclusion. We talk about the value of listening to, and really acting on the voices of our children, belonging, developing a colonised curriculum, cultural experiences and more. This episode also includes practical ideas that leaders can use to tackle inequalities for women, and importantly women of colour. I urge you to take the time to listen and reflect on the messages in this episode, and then… take action.

Episode 11 - Matt Manfredi

In episode 11, I am joined by international school leader Matt Manfredi. Matt’s teaching and leadership career has taken him all around the world and we discuss the differences between education and leadership in the cultures he has experienced. Matt shares his insight into developing teams, autonomy, finding joy and an impressive amount of recommendations for reading! There are so many great nuggets of advice and wisdom in this episode, I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did recording it.

Episode 10 - Helen Tarokh

Helen shares her journey into educational leadership exploring the challenges of having a family while wanting to progress in a career and navigating a variety of roles and experiences on the journey to headship. We talk about the energy needed to excel in the role of Headteacher and the value and impact of coaching.

You can find Helen here: www.mrstcoaching.com

Episode 9 - Stephanie Carlin

Coach Stephanie Carlin joins me for a fascinating conversation about her journey including an insight into the challenges of middle leadership, and making the decision to pursue a career outside the classroom. She helped me re-frame how we look at careers in schools and gives such an honest account of how it felt for her. A great episode for everyone who is, or works with middle leaders, and those thinking about taking a leap out of school in the future!

Episode 8 - Rasheda Haq

Deputy Headteacher Rasheda joins me for an honest chat about big challenges that life throws at us, learning on the job and the value of relationships where diversity of thought is present. Rasheda has an energy and joy for leadership that is inspiring and infectious, I really loved recording this episode, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Episode 7 - Keven Bartle

I'm honoured to be joined by the founder of Mind your Head, Keven Bartle, who openly shares his experiences of school leadership including the truth about leading through the pandemic. His vulnerability is a powerful reminder that being honest and finding space for reflection is vital for leaders. We explore the complexity of leadership and why supervision needs to be embedded across the sector.

Episode 6 - Joey Nghi Ho

I'm joined by the wonderful Joey Nghi Ho, Headteacher in the beautiful country of Vietnam. Joey shares her journey to leadership which took her all over the world teaching and leading in schools. We talk about working with a diverse network of educators, learning from those around us and how being thrown into something is sometimes the best thing that can happen!

Episode 5 - Jen Mitchell 

Former Primary Headteacher Jen Mitchell shares her fascinating, slightly squiggly, journey into teaching and then leadership. Jen and I explore the challenges that Jen has faced along the way and how, by taking a chance she has recently found something that has re-ignited her passion for the education sector!

Episode 4: James, a visionary Headteacher from South East London, shares his journey through education and into Leadership. Reflecting on a decade of Headship, James shares what motivates him including some incredibly inspirational organisations to follow and get involved in.

Episode 3: Chilipo Gunda joins Emma from Malawi sharing fascinating insights into his journey to leadership and the challenges for schools in Malawi. This episode explores the importance of fostering a sense of belonging with both staff and pupils drawing on Chilipo’s own educational experience and through different leadership roles in Malawi.

Episode 2: Vivienne Porritt, OBE, Former Headteacher and Co-Founder and Global Strategic Leader of WomenEd, joins Emma for a conversation about belonging, women in leadership and being brave. Vivienne shares powerful stories about her own childhood experiences driving her vision to serve in Education. This episode explores gender bias, the challenges for women working in Education and what visionary leadership looks like.

Episode 1: Featuring the wonderful Lewis Webb, Primary Headteacher and all round brilliant human being! In the episode he shares his journey, those who have inspired him (this bit gave me goose bumps!) and his belief about what we must hold true to as leaders.

In this short introduction I share the mission behind starting the Stories of School Leadership podcast. Find out about my experience and what I hope the podcast will bring to educators and those interested in the sector.