Alice Witherow, CEO of the Cheviot Learning Trust, shares insights from more than 30 years in education, exploring leadership, collaboration and creating cultures where all school staff can thrive.

Recorded shortly before her retirement as CEO, Alice looks back on the mentors, experiences and values that shaped her belief that supporting staff is essential to supporting children.

She discusses the challenges and opportunities of leadership, the importance of keeping children at the heart of decision-making, and why collaboration, shared vision and relationships are critical to school success.

Joanna Povall, Principal of the British International School Abu Dhabi, Lead Improvement Partner for COBIS, and author of Kind Leadership, explores how kindness can transform leadership and school culture.

In this episode, Joanna reflects on her journey into leadership and explains how her approach evolved from striving for perfection to leading with greater empathy, fairness and understanding.

Joanna introduces her CHASE framework and shares practical examples of how kind leadership can build trust, strengthen relationships and create healthier, more sustainable school cultures.

She also reflects on the importance of self-kindness, boundaries and making time for deep thinking.

Explore more:

Kind Leadership: Leading schools with empathy, honesty and impact

Andrew Marsh, ex-headteacher and author of Quiet Leadership: The Power of Introversion in Schools, explores the strengths and challenges of leading as an introvert in education.

In this episode, Andrew reflects on a 46-year career in education and discusses how coaching helped him embrace an authentic leadership style rather than trying to fit extroverted expectations.

He explores common misconceptions about introversion, explains how it differs from shyness and anxiety, and shares why school cultures and recruitment processes can sometimes overlook quiet leadership qualities.

Explore more:
Quiet Leadership: The Power of Introversion in Schools
Andrew Marsh's Substack

Lisa Lea-Weston, founder and director of Talking Heads Supervision, explores how professional supervision can support wellbeing, leadership and decision-making in education.

In this episode, Lisa shares her journey from acting and drama therapy to founding Talking Heads Supervision, and explains why supervision should be a normal part of professional life for education leaders.

She explains how reflective conversations can help leaders navigate complexity, ethical decision-making and the emotional demands of their roles.

Lisa also discusses the concept of “safeguarding the safeguarder”, the impact of supervision on school culture and wellbeing, and the value of creativity and reflection in helping leaders thrive while improving outcomes for children and young people.

Explore more:
Talking Heads Supervision

This episode includes discussion of emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention. Please listen with care if these topics feel sensitive for you.

Neil Kelders, speaker, coach, and wellbeing advocate, explores how societal expectations can shape how we express emotions, seek support, and connect with others.

In this episode, Neil discusses the pressure many people feel to appear strong, cope alone and avoid vulnerability. He reflects on how emotions can surface in unhelpful ways when they are ignored, and why emotionally safe environments are essential for honest conversations and healthy relationships.

Neil explores how families, schools and workplaces can create cultures where people feel able to speak openly about challenges, and shares practical insights on modelling vulnerability, building connection and supporting wellbeing.

Explore more:

Neil Kelders’ website

Support resources:

Papyrus HOPELINEUK (under 35s): 0800 068 4141 or text 07786 209 697

Samaritans: 116 123

Shout: text SHOUT to 85258

NHS Mental Health Services: 111

Dr Catherine Place, headteacher, researcher and educational leader, shares insights into the relationship between school culture, collaboration and teacher wellbeing.

In this episode, Catherine reflects on her journey from psychology student to founding headteacher of Jubilee Park Primary School, and discusses the experiences that led her to research educator wellbeing at a doctoral level.

Drawing on her thesis, she explores how trust, agency, relationships and organisational culture influence whether teachers simply cope or truly thrive.

Read Catherine’s doctoral thesis

Sarah Seleznyov, strategic lead for learning and development at Big Education Trust and founding headteacher of School 360, explores what a more holistic approach to education could look like in practice.

In this episode, Sarah discusses the “head, heart and hand” philosophy behind A Practical Guide to a Big Education and reflects on the importance of balancing academic achievement with wellbeing, creativity, relationships and future-ready skills. She explores design thinking, teacher agency, play-based learning and broader approaches to evidence and assessment.

Sarah also shares examples from School 360, including family-style dining and interdisciplinary learning, and explains how psychologically safe cultures and supportive professional development can strengthen both staff wellbeing and innovation in schools.

Explore more here:
A Practical Guide to a Big Education
Big Education Trust

Patrick Cozier, headteacher of Highgate Wood School and author of Calm Leadership, shares what it means to lead with steadiness, self-awareness and humanity in education.

In this episode, Patrick reflects on his journey into headship and explores his four-phase model of calm leadership, from confronting imposter feelings to developing self-awareness and aligning with core values.

Patrick also shares practical approaches to managing stress, maintaining perspective and leading with authenticity, alongside reflections on identity and the importance of being unapologetically yourself.

Explore more: Calm Leadership by Patrick Cozier