In this Golden Talk episode, we hear from long-serving colleagues and headteachers Leon Dawson (Temple Hill) and Rajinder Kaur-Gill (Oakfield), who share their journeys and what Kindness and Courage mean within The Golden Thread Alliance.

Both leaders have grown within the organisation over 17 years, starting as young teachers and progressing to headship. They emphasise that the Trust's unique characteristic is its values-led approach, where decision-making is fundamentally rooted in core values like kindness, integrity, and passion.

For them, kindness means showing care for others, understanding that everyone faces their own battles, and creating an environment where children and adults alike feel supported. Courage, they explain, is about making difficult decisions with children’s best interests at heart and standing up for what’s right, even when it’s not easy.

Leon and Rajinder share inspiring examples of their teams showing these values, from staff calmly supporting children through challenging moments to whole teams going the extra mile to make sure every child feels wanted and included. They also suggest simple ways to help children recognise and live out these values every day, like celebrating specific acts of kindness or creating courage challenges.

Their conversation shows how kindness and courage make their schools special places to learn and work. They believe these values attract and retain staff who genuinely embody them, ultimately creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

For more information about The Golden Thread Alliance, please visit https://golden-thread.org/