Creating Value in Schools | Sustainability | People, planet and resources

Yamina Bibi explores how removing barriers, creating belonging and providing the right support can help people thrive – and why that matters for recruiting, retaining and getting the best from our school workforce. Drawing on learning from the Mission 44 Diversity in ITT project, Yamina talks to host Liz Worthen about how schools can remove barriers to recruitment, retention and progression for st...

We know that inclusive environments matter for pupils. But do we apply the same thinking for staff? Maisie Cass explores what a more neuroinclusive approach could look like – and how small changes can reduce friction, support retention and create space for belonging. We have an increasingly neurodiverse workforce. What does that mean for staffing in your setting? Unmet neurodivergent needs can sho...

What can schools do when pupil numbers are falling? We explore how to anticipate the risks, create experiences that attract families, and find new opportunities in changing circumstances. Falling birth rates and demographic shifts mean many schools are grappling with declining pupil numbers – and the knock-on effects for budgets and staffing. In this episode, Liz Worthen draws on conversations fro...

Milli Cowling talks about the shift from diary management and meetings to influence and impact, and the quiet leadership behind the role – from protecting leaders’ time and capacity to spotting patterns, solving problems and helping shape school culture.  In conversation with host Liz Worthen, Milli talks us through: A day in the life of a headteacher’s PA How and why the role has changed so much...

Host Liz Worthen welcomes Nickii Messer to discuss imposter syndrome, how it shows up in school roles, and practical ways to challenge the ‘confidence gremlins’. Nickii shares how self-doubt nearly stopped her becoming chair of governors for two schools, and explores how imposter thoughts link to the ‘Ps’ of perfectionism, procrastination, perspective and panic.  They talk about: Challenging the g...

Liz is joined by Unbound SBLs Emma Gray and Helen Burge to unpack what ‘value’ really means for school business leaders – and how to create more of it, even when time and money are tight. The conversation opens with a listener challenge: an SBL facing a leadership decision that carries real financial risk, while the rest of the room seems ready to nod it through. Should they speak up or go along w...

In this reflective episode at the end of the school year, host Liz Worthen draws on the experiences of podcast guests to wonder: what’s got you through? What, or who, has sustained you? What storms have you survived? What do you want to celebrate?  Emma Gray recommends stepping into corridors, classrooms and playgrounds to reconnect with the energy and impact of young people Viv Grant shares how p...

Liz Worthen interviews Sufian Sadiq, Chief Talent and Transformation Officer at Chiltern Learning Trust, about using innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking to work more sustainably in schools.  Sufian shares how his background in business studies and entrepreneurship shapes a talent strategy that has recruited 350 teachers without paid adverts, driven by social media, local presence a...

Host Liz Worthen explores how investing in relationships can reduce conflict and stress in schools, improve wellbeing for staff and pupils, and build sustainable support beyond the school gates.  Listen to consider: How does a relational approach to behaviour make for calmness and consistency? Can the same approach work with adults? What makes for positive relationships with parents? How does stro...

“Winter will take you by surprise.” Leadership coach and former headteacher Viv Grant was about to begin her PhD on wholeness when she got the call about her cancer diagnosis.  Viv shares with host Liz Worthen how in this crisis she picked up a brush, began to paint – and couldn’t stop. By ‘Learning to Walk in the Dark’ (the title of her book), Viv discovered the power of the five Cs: curiosity, c...

Host Liz Worthen speaks with leadership development and DEIB champion Hannah Wilson about the ‘B' in DEIB: belonging. What do we really mean when we talk about belonging? Are we ready to ask the curious and tough questions about who feels a sense of belonging, who doesn’t, and why? We talk about: Belonging as an outcome of committing to diversity, equity and inclusion (D+E+I=B). Starting with the...

How does community engagement unlock additional funding for schools? In this roundtable episode four sector leaders share lessons learned: Justin Smith, Vicki Newsome, Matthew Smith MBE and Richard Manville.  Listen for practical insights into: The benefits of community engagement Why income generators need flexibility and resilience Getting your support and evidence clear from the start Putting t...

Playtimes in schools are under pressure. Children are playing 50% less than a generation ago, behaviour is getting harder to manage, and playtime is getting squeezed out. In this episode, Liz Worthen talks to Positive Playtime champion Thérèse Hoyle – coach, author and founder of the Positive Playtime Award Programme – about why play is so vital for children's wellbeing, learning and resilience, a...

In this episode, Liz Worthen explores what happens when we listen first – and how it can actually save time and lead to better outcomes in schools. Aldaine Wynter, Director of International Mindedness, Diversity and Inclusion at Washington International School, reflects on spending his first year listening – meeting parents, staff and community groups before launching major initiatives, so he coul...

Host Liz Worthen talks with Dee Higgins, therapeutic thinking lead and former PRU senior leader, about reducing stress for staff in schools and improving pupil behaviour through relational, restorative and reflective practice. Listen for: What a relational approach means (and why it’s not a soft option) Calmness, consistency and connection before correction Lunchtime equity and the importance of p...

‘One of the dangers is that we think it's a risk assessment and that it's only a paper exercise. And actually if you fall into that trap, you are missing out on the opportunity to navigate the organisation in a structured and considered way.’ Host Liz Worthen gets together with school business leadership champions Helen Burge and Emma Gray to talk about all things risk. Why does risk matter? Whose...

How do we prepare for the changing world of AI? James Browning, COO at Lift Schools, encourages us to think of artificial intelligence as a collaborator for tackling real world problems, not just tools and fancy tech. We reflect on his organisation’s journey so far, the potential positives of AI, and protecting what matters. Can AI help personalise learning? Reduce workload? Support high quality t...

‘Things don't happen overnight... You've got to be in this for the long haul.’  Drawing on her 15 years’ experience as a school sustainability director, Wendy Litherland shares lessons learned in getting staff, pupils, governors and community members engaged in eco-action. How do you sustain impact and bring people together? Wendy talks about: Why making friends with the caretaker is your first pr...

‘Not only is it unsustainable, but it’s not delivering results.’ We bring together Benedicte Yue’s passion for inclusion with her financial expertise for a deep dive into the world of SEND.  What’s making the current system unsustainable? What are the barriers to a more inclusive system? What would a more equitable and effective approach look like? Who can we learn from? And what needs to change i...

‘One of the things that I'm really aware of at the moment is so many school leaders are in this stage of it feels like it's one crisis after another. The perma-crisis. One more domino and another then another.’  Paul K Ainsworth shares how reading emergency planner Lucy Easthope’s book Come What May: Life-Changing Lessons for Coping with Crisis resonated with his experience of what happens when th...

What does it mean to work sustainably or build a more sustainable organisation? Is it all about the environment? Drawing on contributions from podcast guests, host Liz Worthen questions what we mean when we talk about sustainability. What are the ingredients for a sustainable organisation and development? What does that look like for schools and education settings?  Liz Worthen is an educator, res...

Host Liz Worthen gets together with school business leadership champions Helen Burge and Emma Gray to find out what they’ve been up to this term.  Questions arising include:  Who’s responsible for income generation in a school setting? Why does integrated curriculum finance planning (ICFP) matter? Where can school business managers, leaders or professionals turn to for support? How does standing i...

What enables people to keep calm and carry on in the overwhelming intensity of school life? What helps people keep going, avoid burnout, and stay focused on the things that matter?  Host Liz Worthen draws on lessons learned by previous podcast guests. What keeps them energised? What keeps them going? Start with your why. Stay focused on your priorities. Don’t sweat if it doesn’t all go to plan. Th...

How do we tackle the impact of poverty and disadvantage in our schools? Is education alone enough to combat inequality? What does it mean to be furiously curious about the causes of inequality and what can we do about it? Are you ready to be a graceful disruptor? Host Liz Worthen talks to Sean Harris, aka That Poverty Guy, about why place matters, life in the Tees Valley, what it means to be a civ...

‘Make sure that children are there leading on these projects. Because if they're leading, then they're more likely to want to carry it on and encourage teachers, the community and their families to get involved too.’ Host Liz Worthen talks to Edd Moore about his experience of inspiring pupils with eco-projects in schools, integrating learning into the curriculum, and engaging families and communit...