The We Lead Well Podcast

Paula has 30 years experience of teaching and leadership in schools across London and the south of England. Formally, Paula was a Deputy head in two challenging schools giving her an insight to the demanding but rewarding role of leadership in school. Paula’s experience supports her belief that young people from all backgrounds and of all abilities deserve excellent teaching which comes from well...

Julia is a lifelong learner and leader of learning.  She is the Director of Boundless Learning Ltd, specialising in bespoke consultancy support for leadership, learning and wellbeing, organisational development, staff development, coaching and supervision.  Julia is also a committed and passionate School Governor. Her extensive experience of research and development in education across a broad ran...

@WeLeadWellpodc1 Vicki@weleadwell.co.uk www.headteacherchat.com www.teachwellalliance.com www.teacherswell.com In this episode of the podcast, I chatted to Megan Corcoran all the way from Australia! Megan is passionate about supporting schools and organisations to become wellbeing communities. She believes that all members of a workplace can contribute to the wellbeing of the organisation and Mega...

Simon Antwis is an experienced head and Estyn inspector and in this episode we chat to him about the impact of the pandemic on our pupils and STEER and how it can help you identify the pupils who are the most vulnerable and at risk of facing mental health challenges. steer.education vicki@weleadwell.co.uk @WeLeadWellPodc1 www.headteacherchat.com www.teachwellalliance.com

On today's show, we welcome Dr Rachel Briggs. With over 30 years' experience as a class teacher, senior leader, in-service trainer and education researcher, Rachel has practical experience and a theoretical knowledge of the education system and the associated benefits and risks to educators’ wellbeing.  Rachel offers coaching and supervision (reflective and safeguarding), as supportive dialogue to...

Drew Povey is back! This time he's come to tell us all about his brilliant new book, 'When the Clouds Come' a book about how to overcome adversity and face all of the challenges that life and leadership present.   You can buy the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09THQYWTZ/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 @WeLeadWellPodc1 @drewpovey vicki@weleadwell.co.uk www.transformeducationco...

It is one thing for a school to talk about values. It's another for a school to make them a living, breathing part of every aspect of school life in a way that transforms the entire community. Such is the power of Values-based Education (VbE for short), something that Julie Rees brings to life in the schools she leads and why so many people flock to visit her school to see for themselves. And come...

This week's episode sees the return of the brilliant Dan Edwards, Primary Executive Principal.  Dan and I discuss many of the aspects of educational leadership and how we can do things differently in order to support the wellbeing of our staff, including quality assurance and CPD. vicki@weleadwell.co.uk www.transformeducationcoach.com @WeLeadWellPodc1 www.headteacherchat.com www.teachwellalliance....

Jo Evans is CEO of St Christopher’s Multi Academy Trust, currently 18 primary schools across Plymouth, Torbay and Devon Local Authorities. Jo has been re-energising the organisation to work collaboratively, operate effectively and continue to grow in a sustainable way. Jo has a very strong research informed background, being part of the Cambridge Primary Review Board of Directors. She has been a l...

Alison Kriel was born in South Africa and educated around Africa and in Ireland and the UK. She has worked in several schools, led two schools and have experienced all the education-related challenges and worked to transform the lives of thousands of children. After completing her teacher training she taught infant classes for three years before becoming a Year 6 teacher and maths coordinator at G...

Mike Nicholson has over seventeen years experience in education as an English teacher and middle leader. Having worked in schools from every Ofsted category he has a wide range of experience across the educational spectrum and early in his career began to develop a reputation for his ability to have an impact on boys and young men deemed ‘difficult’ and ‘challenging’. Recognition of his work with...

Dr. Carmen Bergmann is Managing Director for Challenging Learning. She is also co-creator for key aspects of online services, including book studies, conferences and lesson plan downloads. She is the host of an in-depth webinar series, co-author of School’s Out, Learning’s In and principal author of the Challenging Learning blog. Her excellent reputation for guiding and encouraging staff online an...

This week on the show I chatted to Malarvilie Krishnasamy, educational leadership consultant, coach and trainer.  We shared our thoughts on lots of things education including managing change, creating effective CPD and engaging staff.  Malarvilie is full of energy and has a real passion for improving outcomes for young people through coaching in schools. vicki@weleadwell.co.uk @WeLeadWellPodc1 htt...

Will you help #breakthebias? Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias . Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality. In this week's epis...

In this, the 50th episode of the We Lead Well podcast, we welcome back the inimitable Drew Povey.  Drew and I chatted about all things leadership including what he's learned about leading effectively, what he learned from the leaders he worked with and the advice he would give to aspiring leaders who listen to the show.  He also recommended some leadership reading to help you to keep learning. www...

In this episode, I chatted with teaching and learning expert Kate Jones.  As a blogger and writer she has written for many educational blogs and magazines including Teach Middle East magazine, Education Journal Middle East, UKEd magazine, Innovate My School and Teach Secondary. Kate is also an experienced coach and mentor and supports senior leaders with professional development.   She has present...

In this episode, I'm joined by teaching and learning expert, Kate Jones.  As a blogger and writer Kate has written for many educational blogs and magazines including Teach Middle East magazine, Education Journal Middle East, UKEd magazine, Innovate My School and Teach Secondary. Kate is also an experienced coach and mentor.   She also supports senior leaders and teachers with professional developm...

In this episode, I'm joined by teaching and learning expert, Kate Jones.  As a blogger and writer Kate has written for many educational blogs and magazines including Teach Middle East magazine, Education Journal Middle East, UKEd magazine, Innovate My School and Teach Secondary. Kate is also an experienced coach and mentor.   She also supports senior leaders and teachers with professional developm...

This week we are privileged to welcome Becky Allen to the show. Becky has spent the past 15 years researching and writing about schools. She is the co-founder and Chief Analyst at TeacherTapp, the daily survey and CPD tool. She is also a Professor of Education at the University of Brighton. From 2014-2017, I founded and led the highly successful independent research organisation, Education Datalab...

In this week's episode I continue my conversation with Adrian McLean.  We discuss lots of different aspects of leadership, creating impact, taking care of wellbeing and making a difference. @WeLeadWellPodc1 vicki@weleadwell.co.uk www.transformeducationcoach.com www.headteacherchat.com www.teachwellalliance.com    

This week I spoke to Adrian McLean, ex-headteacher and academy trust leader.  Adrian is an expert on diversity, equity and inclusion and works as a governor and is a trustee for Governors for Schools; he is on the advisory board for Reach Out 2 Kids and Heads Up and has been a long time collaborator with DiverseEd and Aspiring Heads.  He has more recently become a steering group member for the Nat...

In this week's episode, I chatted to Jacqui Frost ex-headteacher and leadership coach and consultant about resilience.  What does it actually mean to be resilient?  How can we be more resilient as leaders?  And what happens when we don't have the resilience we need?  This is a great interview with so much insight into what it means to be resilient. Jacqui is a fully accredited Resilient Leaders El...

Kenny was a secondary headteacher for 17 years on the Isle of Dogs in London and has worked in schools for almost 40 years. She has a PhD from Brunel University on Teacher Rounds and is passionate about giving teachers a voice. Kenny is involved with the IQM Award and has been a governor in a large primary school, including as chair for the last 3 years. Kenny is currently an education consultant...

This week I interviewed Gemma Drinkall who takes us through her experience of burnout as a middle leader.  It's so important, as leaders, to get to know our staff, to understand them, so that we can notice when things are not right.  In the episode, Gemma shares her personal experience of how teaching affected her mental health in the hope that by sharing what she went through, school leaders can...

On this week’s episode, I chatted with Alec Jiggins.  Alec is an experienced and resourceful coach and trainer who has worked in both the non-profit and corporate spaces in a range of leadership roles across seven countries.  Alec is an expert coach and he and I talked about coaching: exactly what it is, how it can improve you personally, professionally and as a leader and how you can use coaching...