The Independent School Podcast with Juliet Corbett

In this episode, the topic is Legacy Fundraising and how to establish a programme that enables you to ask others to leave a gift for your school in their Will. We often feel awkward talking about death. Listen to hear how we might burst the myth that it’s always a difficult conversation to have with potential donors. Legacy fundraising is based around building trust with those donors and communica...

In this episode David Woodgate, an industry expert and CEO of ISBA (Independent Schools’ Bursars Association), joins me to give unique perspectives on how the independent school sector is faring. External factors such as inflation, VAT threats, staff recruitment, AI and climate change are among the trends that school leaders are focusing on at the moment.  David offers advice on becoming more effe...

This episode demystifies the topic of fundraising data. Collecting, analysing and making decisions based on data is a critical component of strategic thinking. I delve into how important it is to really understand what your data is not telling you, as well as what it is. Let me help you see what data you need to be collecting and the mindset you need in order to analyse it with strategic verve. In...

Finding ways to connect your school with its local community continues to be a top priority for many schools in 2023. It’s a topic we’ve discussed before on this podcast and in this episode my guest speaker Alastair Chirnside, Warden at St Edward's School in Oxford, talks about how successful service and partnership arrangements can be when they are interwoven into the life of the school. Ala...

This episode offers you structure to the idea of strategic thinking and builds on my previous episode about the Four Building Blocks of Strategy.  You’ll hear me expand on the main elements of strategic thinking, which are: Creative thinking Systems thinking Directional thinking Divergent thinking and Convergent thinking If you can carve out the time to think in these ways, you’ll be doing better...

This episode presents to you the Four Building Blocks of Strategy. Keen to ignore the jargon, avoid complications and use a simple, structured mindset? Then this episode is worth a listen. You’ll hear how to strip strategy back to its four core components: Vision Sticking points and accelerators Defining your general approach Action plan Strategy really can be surprisingly simple and this episode...

In order to make ChatGPT work effectively for us, we need to become skilled at 'prompt engineering'. In this episode I walk you through some best-practice tips to improve your prompt engineering, enabling you to get the most from OpenAI's large language model, ChatGPT. We cover tactics such as chained prompting, setting the tone of voice, exploring the 'temperature' of res...

Could ChatGPT be our partner in creativity as well as an enhancer of our productivity? One of the things we'll remember 2023 for is the explosion of interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI), and generative AI tools such as ChatGPT in particular. This episode draws your attention to the pros and cons of generative AI, some of the ethical questions that arise and the limitations of the technolo...

This is the third and final Part in my Personal Effectiveness mini-series and this episode is full of suggestions for efficiency tools you might want to try. I also suggest five work categories where online tools can really build efficiency and effectiveness. Listen to hear this update of a popular episode from two years ago. If you missed Part 1: Your Inbox is not your Job and Part 2: Take Contro...

Here is Part 2 in my Personal Effectiveness mini-series and in this episode I’ll be addressing how to Take Control of your Time. This is a subjective topic since different methods work for different people but one thing holds true: You are in control! Listen as I offer some diary-blocking basics, as well as some techniques to try for better managing your time. I connect back with the overarching t...

Welcome to Part 1 in my three-episode mini-series on Personal Effectiveness. In this first episode, I address how important it is to realise that your inbox is not your job. I share the management mind-set needed for efficient organisation of your time and how to form positive habits. Don’t ignore your inbox, but prioritise and realise that ‘no-one gets promoted because their inbox is dealt with e...

In this episode Kristina McClendon, Deputy Director of Development, Magdalen College School, Oxford joins me to discuss their regular giving programme. Kristina shares views on differences she has seen between US and UK regular giving fundraising. There’s a great deal we can learn from best practice in the US, from building a culture of philanthropy, being unafraid to ask, and creating a donor jou...

In this episode, the power of divergent thinking is explored. You’ll hear how it can improve strategy and decision-making in your leadership role. We delve into the importance of encouraging contrary views and not shying away from criticism, even if it is difficult to hear. Listen to some reflective approaches and personal experiences from which I advocate taking a moment to pause, reflect on impa...

Using emotion to engage your team in your school strategy really works and this episode gives you anecdotes and reasons why harnessing emotion can be a successful leadership approach. Having a clear strategy does make you feel amazing. I share stories and experience from my own career journey to assure you that using emotion to sell strategic initiatives to your team is empowering for all involved...

In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined again by a friend of the podcast, returning guest Louise Simpson, Head of Exeter School. You may remember in Episode 40, we heard of the strategic direction in which Louise Simpson was embarking, having taken over headship during the pandemic. We return to discuss Exeter School, catching up on how things have progressed and how their strategy development...

Let’s build organisational resilience in our schools. I encourage you to construct a shared understanding within your team of what your unique school system is before moving on to document the processes. You’ll hear how important it can be to work on a comprehensive team manual for your school system and its processes. The environment in which schools are operating is increasingly challenging and...

Rachel Hadley-Leonard from RHL Consulting joins me for this wide-ranging episode where we dive into brave marketing, fundraising for prep schools, and our take on how a sabbatical could shape your career. Why should you be promoting your school when student numbers are high and your school is at its peak? Why must you be brave in your marketing? Can any school really fundraise? Listen in to find o...

In this episode, the topic of diversifying income streams to build resilience is my focus. This is not just about marketing tactics or investment allocation strategy. It is a culture shift. I have lots more to share! With inflation high it's not an easy time to be leading in any industry, including the school sector. What we need to be thinking about is organisation resilience. Listen as I ta...

In this episode, I discuss the power of Strategy Away Days, especially in these times of rapid change. I dismiss the idea that they are mostly, ‘all talk and no action’. I help you see how Away Days are worthwhile and can be instrumental in your school's development. Having clarity on the problem(s) you need to solve is my first tip for you. Listen in for ways to harness strategic discussion...

In this episode, I’m joined by Beth Williams, Schools Partnership Manager of ImpactEd. We speak about how you can measure the impact of partnership programmes between independent schools and state schools. Beth and her colleagues at ImpactEd frequently work with independent schools, most often supporting them to evaluate the impact their programmes are having on local partner school students, and...

In this week’s episode you’ll hear how to create a confidential professional strategy for 2023 which will drive forward your personal development this year. I share the five steps that I use to help you set professional goals and craft a strategy to achieve them. Remember, the strategy you are setting in your work environment may or may not align with your personal professional strategy, so take s...

In this episode, I offer you a holiday-style review of my three favourite books for School Leaders. If you’re as avid a reader or listener as I am, I hope you will find  some time for the pastime over this holiday period. The three books I discuss have strong messages. They suggest new approaches for School Leaders, which you’ll enjoy considering for the new year. The engaging titles for my three...

This episode is all about you! It’s your chance to focus on your own professional strategy and put to good use the strategic thinking you’ve been using for your in-school development, on your own personal development. This will be the first of two episodes where I cover ways of reviewing your professional or career strategy. This is the time of year to take stock, pause to review and prepare for g...

In this episode, I explain choices you have available to you when making strategic fundraising decisions to suit your individual school. This episode is for Senior Leaders and Governors looking to make those strategic fundraising choices, but Development Office staff are always welcome too! I discuss key questions: What are you fundraising for? Who are you fundraising from? How will you fundraise?...

This week’s episode is all about making sure your social media posts are strategic, so that they work for you. To narrow the scope, I’m addressing your Development Office use of social media. You will find lots that will be applicable to other departments and teams within your school too. Social media is just one strand of how you are communicating with your key audiences. This episode talks you t...