We speak with three experienced school leaders who draw on their experiences and the ups and downs of their careers to offer their tips, ideas, and advice to others.
We ask what our guests wish somebody had told them during the early months and years of their headships – a question that yields lots of quick wins as well as more in-depth, long-term advice.
Our guests also describe some of the challenges they have faced during their years in the hot seat and the – often inspiring – lessons learned from how they managed these challenges and overcame them.
We set out some specific wellbeing advice for school leaders and we discuss how we can ensure we survive and thrive both in the short-term – the early months of headship – but also the longer term.
We look at how we can build capacity in our teams – a key aspect of long-term survival – as well as building relationships with colleagues, the benefits of coaching, and where we can turn if we need further support.
The episode is hosted as ever by Helen Frostick, a National Leader of Education and former primary school headteacher. She is also a long-standing member of the Headteacher Update editorial board.
Our guests this time around are:
- Rachel Jones is the headteacher of a small, rural primary school in the heart of Cheshire. This is Rachel’s second headship. She has a passion for supporting others in education to make the next steps in development and for inclusion and justice. Previously, Rachel worked her way from NQT to deputy headteacher at a larger urban community school, with high levels of deprivation.
- Paul K Ainsworth has held director of school improvement roles in four multi-academy trusts and is currently the Education Director with Infinity Academies Trust in Lincolnshire. He has supported leaders of small rural primary schools to large 11 to 18 urban secondaries, working intensively with those in Ofsted categories. He is the author of No Silver Bullets: Day-in, day-out school improvement and a TEDx speaker.
- Dr Kulvarn Atwal is the head learning leader at Highlands Primary School in Ilford and Uphall Primary School in Barking. He is the author of the books The Thinking Teacher and The Thinking School (John Catt Educational).
You can listen to this episode of the Headteacher Update Podcast above. To hear other Headteacher Update podcasts, or to subscribe for free to new editions, search for 'The Headteacher Update Podcast' in your podcast streaming application of choice. Or visit www.headteacher-update.com/content/podcasts
For details about The Headteacher Update Podcast, or to suggest future topics, email editor Pete Henshaw at pete.henshaw@markallengroup.com