The We Lead Well Podcast

Bukky Yusuf is a Deputy Headteacher, Consultant and Qualified Coach. Bukky has worked in education for over two decades and has undertaken a number of leadership roles within mainstream and special schools, centring around professional development programmes, quality first teaching and effective implementations of Educational Technology. As part of her commitment to increase diverse leadership within education, Bukky participates with a number of initiatives including WomenEd and BAMEed.  Bukky’s keenness for education and the impact that educators can make is reflected in the presentations that she delivers at local and national levels. Furthermore, Bukky supports the development of educators at all levels and promotes projects that help colleagues to maintain their well-being. On this episode, Bukky and I talked all things education with a focus on change management and building relationships.  If you would like to explore how 1-1 coaching, group coaching or team coaching could support your wellbeing and that of the leaders in your school and support leadership development, let's have a chat.  I can also provide coach training and difficult conversations training and help you to create a coaching culture in your school.  Email me: vicki@weleadwell.co.uk www.weleadwell.co.uk @WeLeadWellPodc1 www.schoolsuk.com www.headteacherchat.com

Annabel is a work-life balance coach from London. Years ago she would write to-do lists as long as her arm and kick herself each day when she didn't get through them. She would put in the extra hours yet always felt like she was chasing.  She was so focused on getting things right that her life was a constant cycle of 'all or nothing'. She felt like no matter what she did she was never enough. As soon as she felt like she was getting on top of things something else would be added to her workload. Eventually, Annabel was hospitalised with burnout. Annabel's experiences and her well developed knowledge and understanding of fitness and nutrition, have helped her to understand how teachers and school leaders can create more balance in their lives and she now works as a coach to support teachers to confidently set boundaries. In our conversation, Annabel and I talk about the importance of knowing yourself and what you can cope with and using your knowledge of yourself, including your menstrual cycle, to effectively manage you work and your personal life so that you can live a life of balance without feeling guilt. Use the code WELEADWELLPODCAST for 10% off your supply cover premium at Schools UK www.schoolsuk.com www.weleadwell.co.uk www.headteacherchat.com www.progressivemasculinity.com vicki@weleadwell.co.uk @WeLeadWellPodc1 www.worklifebalanceforteachers.com  

After many years in school leadership including positions as Headteacher, Deputy Head, Assistant Head and Head of History, Phil is now a leader for education companies based in Manchester and London. He speaks widely to education, public sector and corporate audiences working with teams to create impactful plans that realise ambitious priorities. He is the author of The First 100 Days with Micky Mellon.  Phil has worked across schools in the North of England and Saudi Arabia. In addition, he is an experienced sports coach although my attention is directed solely at his son’s junior football team! He has had several articles published in the SecEd magazine, TES and other education publications. In this episode, Phil and I chat about the importance of self evaluation and how you can make the whole process simple. You can get 10% off your supply cover premium with the code WELEADWELLPODCAST at Schools UK - www.schoolsuk.com www.evaluate-ed.com www.weleadwell.co.uk vicki@weleadwell.co.uk @WeLeadWellPodc1 www.headteacherchat.com www.progressivemasculinity.co.uk

In this episode of the podcast, I chatted with Lead Happiness Consultant, Dave ‘Billy Elliot’ Keeling.  Dave grew up in a pit village in Nottinghamshire and was tap dancing three times a week by the age of ten. Never one to shy away from challenge and risk, he then moved into the world of acting and trained at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Dave has worked extensively in theatre and television. His credits include: Downton Abbey, Eastenders, Coronation Street and Blood Brothers in the West End. Dave also has a background in stand-up comedy and has gigged up and down the country, enjoying laughs, cuddles and salty snacks with anyone who cared to join him. Dave has been Laughologist since 2008. Highly engaging, dynamic, fast-paced and quick-witted, he has been delivering workshops and programmes for Laughology in education, health and business. As a facilitator, presenter and trainer, Dave has worked nationally and internationally in business and education for the last 20 years. He specialises in change management, improving teamwork and communication, developing creativity and enhancing wellbeing. He has worked with: Sotheby’s Liverpool Victoria, BP, Regus, Hewlett Packard, British Aerospace, Metropolitan Police, Royal Bank of Scotland, BNP Parribas. In education, he has worked with students, parents, NQTs, teachers, SLTs and headteachers, delivering outstanding training on topics as wide-ranging as risk-taking, curiosity, managing change, leadership, thinking skills, memory, P4C and the brain. Dave has also worked on Laughology’s Happy-centred schools programme. For 10% off your supply cover insurance at www.schoolsuk.com use the code WELEADWELLPODCAST. www.laughology.co.uk www.weleadwell.co.uk @WeLeadWellPodc1 vicki@weleadwell.co.uk www.headteacherchat.com www.progressivemasculinity.co.uk  

In this episode, I talked with David Harking of 8 Billionideas. David is the Founder and CEO of this EdTech and services company and is on a mission to give every student the skills and belief to change the world. Centred around five pillars, 8billionideas focuses on teaching entrepreneurship, career education, wellbeing, health and performance, as well as life skills to students of all ages. In 2022, David was ranked 8th in the world by ISC Research as one of the top influencers globally positively disrupting the education sector and published his first book, 'The Ripple Effect: How surprisingly small changes in mindset can make big things happen' with endorsers from the world of education, business, and journalism. www.8billionideas.com www.weleadwell.co.uk vicki@weleadwell.co.uk @WeLeadWellPodc1 www.schoolsuk.com www.headteacherchat.com www.progressivemasculinity.co.uk    

Michelle Hague is the Founder of HEYD. She is an accomplished and inspirational school leader with a track record of developing high-performing cultures, systems, and strategies to enhance academic standards. With experience as a Rapid School Improvement Partner, Head of School Development, Head of an outstanding school, Teaching School Alliance, Interim Head, Ofsted Inspector (Early Years), and coach, Michelle has established her credibility and delivered tangible results. The HEYD Approach, partnered with EuHu, driven by Michelle's passion for excellence, enables organisations to unlock their full potential and achieve early years success consistently. Use the code WELEADWELLPODCAST for 10% off your supply cover premium with www.schoolsuk.com www.weleadwell.co.uk @WeLeadWellPodc1 vicki@weleadwell.co.uk www.headteacherchat.com www.progressivemasculinity.co.uk www.euhu.co.uk/heyd    

SuperKind is an award-winning, free platform for schools to bring social action and philanthropy into the classroom.  Their website and free resources can help you to create the next generation of change-makers in the easiest and most engaging way. Superkind's Co-founder Keren Mitchell joined us for this episode to tell us about the ways in which Superkind are supporting schools to help children engage in social action and philanthropy and the impact that this is having on not only the mental health and wellbeing of our young people but also their educational outcomes.   Superkind also runs the Social Impact Schools Award which recognises the dedication of schools and their students in having a positive impact on the world. The Award provides independent recognition of schools who are taking amazing social action. It is designed to be light-touch for teachers, and schools who take part will get access to a host of resources such as lesson plans, worksheets, assembly plans, fundraising guides, and certificates.   SuperKind are offering an exclusive 50% discount to schools who heard about the award through WeLeadWell - reducing the registration fee to just £50+VAT! Simply type 'WeLeadWell' in the 'How did you hear about us?' question in the registration form. For more information on the award (& to register), please visit the website here: https://superkind.org/social-impact-schools-award   Email Vicki at: vicki@weleadwell.co.uk Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @WeLeadWellPodc1 Visit our website at: www.weleadwell.co.uk www.schoolsuk.com www.headteacherchat.com www.progressivemasculinity.co.uk

In this episode of the show I'm joined by the brilliant John Cosgrove. After almost 40 years’ teaching John retired in the summer of 2019.  He still contributes significantly to the world of education and has so much to share and teach about the importance of compassion in leadership.   John is a firm believer in inclusion, having taught pupils of all ages from 3 – 18 in Cornwall, London, Lancashire and Reading. John is also a prolific writer; he has written: articles, news items, plays and books, both fiction and non-fiction. Most, though not all, of his writing has been about schools and education, and amongst other places it has been published in the TES, The Tablet, The Catholic Herald, The Daily Telegraph, Schools Week and The Universe. John speaks with passion about the importance of kindness in leadership and shares his experiences in both primary and secondary education and as a headteacher.   www.weleadwell.co.uk @WeLeadWellPodc1 vicki@weleadwell.co.uk https://johncosgrove55.wordpress.com www.schoolsuk.com www.headteacherchat.com www.progressivemasculinity.co.uk  

In this episode of the podcast it was a pleasure and a privilege to interview the CEO of Big Education, Liz Robinson. Liz’s motivation comes from a profound belief that schools can play a transformative role in children’s lives, but also in shaping whole communities. Social justice and wider change underpin her views that school simply must be about the whole child, the whole family and the whole community. As the head at Surrey Square for many years, Liz used values as a key driver to redefine the purpose of the school and radically reshape the culture and approaches. She is exceptionally proud of how the school continues to develop and innovate. Liz has deep expertise and a particular interest in capacity development and growing leadership. Her philosophy is based on a client-centred approach, actively empowering others into thoughtful action. She created The Big Leadership Adventure, our flagship programme supporting changemaker leaders in the sector. Liz co-founded Big Education to be a place where those who believe in more radical change in the sector can come together; to collaborate, share, challenge and encourage one another. Let’s do more, together. As mum to two young girls, Liz works flexibly to manage her role. She advocates for and seeks to model an authentic, reflective and relational approach to leadership. @WeLeadWellPodc1 weleadwell.co.uk vicki@weleadwell.co.uk bigeducation.org progressivemasculinity.co.uk headteacherchat.com  

In this episode, I talk to Jenny Bowers, supervisor and safeguarding expert and CEO of Purplemoon.  Jenny has worked in numerous leadership roles in which she has been responsible for safeguarding and SEN.  Her expertise has been developed over many years and she shares this with us in the episode.  If you're responsible for safeguarding or you want to be a safeguarding lead or senior leader, this episode is a must listen. www.weleadwell.co.uk vicki@weleadwell.co.uk @WeLeadWellPodc1 www.purplemoon.uk www.headteacherchat.com www.progressivemasculinity.co.uk