Education Leaders | Strategic School Leadership
Episodes
How Schools Can Grow Young Changemakers | A Conversation with Melati Wijsen
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Melati Wijsen started Bye Bye Plastic Bags at age 12, spoke at the UN as a teenager, and never went to university, yet she is now teaching at three un...
The Danger of Getting Comfortable | A Conversation with Richard Wheadon
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There's a particular kind of leadership trap that nobody warns you about: the one where everything is going so well that you stop noticing why. Richar...
The Science of Leading | A Conversation with Meg Lee
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if the principles that help students learn could also transform how you lead? This episode explores the powerful concept of the "science of leadi...
Education Leaders LIVE | March Reflections
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Shane and Chris are back for this month's Education Leaders Live, recording from Shanghai and Newcastle respectively, to unpack some of the biggest th...
The Work Behind Education Leaders
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
England spends £1 billion a year on teacher professional development, yet a poll of school leaders found that just 1% said it led to lasting change i...
Poor Proxies for Leadership | A Conversation with Chris Baker
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How do we truly know if someone is a good leader? If your school relies on visible presence, constant busyness, or even a certain "look," you might be...
The Work Behind Education Leaders
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 151 is a milestone worth pausing on, and Shane uses it to do something he probably should have done sooner: properly introduce himself. Many l...
Education Leaders LIVE | February Reflections
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Teachers spend years learning to coach people. Ask questions, not give answers. Build trust before expecting vulnerability. Hold space. Stay quiet whe...
The Future of British Schools Abroad | A Conversation with Simon Probert
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean to lead a ‘British’ school in an international context today? If your school promotes ‘global citizenship’ but struggles to ...
Communication Masterclass | How to Paraphrase
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You explained it clearly, they nodded, and two weeks later three people did three completely different things. This episode tackles one of the most co...
Parent-Driven School Storytelling | A Conversation with Selina Boyd
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Selina Boyd, international editor of The Good Schools Guide, reveals what actually matters when parents choose schools for their children. With over a...
Why Smart Leaders Make Terrible Decisions
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You hired the wrong person, killed a working programme, or ignored a massive risk whilst feeling completely rational the whole time. This episode unpa...
LIVE | January Reflections
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Scorer and Shane Leaning got together to unpack some of the big themes from recent episodes, particularly that vulnerable solo episode Shane put...
Why Coaching Programs Fail | A Conversation with Gene Tavernetti
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Instructional coaching should be a powerful engine for teacher development, yet so many school initiatives stall or backfire. Why? In this frank conve...
How to Tackle Self-Doubt
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You know that feeling when you wake up with a weight on your chest, convinced you don't belong and everyone's about to find out? Shane gets vulnerable...
The Tab Tax on Teachers | A Conversation with Jett Wolper
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Why do schools continue using systems they hate? Jett Wolper from Sisi challenges the assumption that broken school systems are inevitable. Most educa...
Mastering Direct and Indirect Communication
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if being direct isn't the same as being clear? Shane challenges a core assumption in leadership advice: that directness equals clarity. Drawing o...
How to Make Change Stick | A Conversation with Dr James Mannion
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr James Mannion has noticed something telling when working with school leaders: ask them what proportion of change initiatives actually improved anyt...
Your Top Picks: Most Listened Episodes
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As 2025 comes to a close, Shane reflects on the year by counting down the five most listened to episodes of Education Leaders. The podcast has grown s...
School Character and Culture First | A Conversation with Tamara Yuill Proctor
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Dr. Tamara Yuill Proctor began researching curriculum integration at secondary level, she quickly discovered that successful change wasn't really...
LIVE | December Reflections
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our December edition of Education Leaders LIVE, where Chris Scorer and Shane Leaning reflect on the month's episodes. This time we reviewed...
How to Build Leadership Trust Quickly
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Which breaks faster: trust in someone's competence or trust in their character? Shane explores Stephen Covey's framework that trust operates on two se...
Ethical School Leadership | A Conversation with Dr Yael Cass
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Compliance feels safer than ethics. You can tick the boxes, point to the policies, and stay in your head without engaging the emotional discomfort. Bu...
How to Think Long-Term When Everything's on Fire
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your budget's been slashed, three teachers have resigned, parents are complaining about the new timetable, and someone's asking about your five-year s...
LIVE | November Reflections
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This month's Education Leaders LIVE brings together the big themes from November's episodes. Chris and Shane dig into what trust actually looks like i...
How to Trust Your Teachers | A Conversation with Sam Gibbs
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Sam Gibbs asked, "Are we any further forward in honestly trusting the teaching profession?", she hit on something uncomfortable. In too many scho...
Coaching For School Leaders | A Conversation with Joanne Robinson
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Jo Robinson joins Shane, they focus on a simple, urgent problem: too much of what passes for professional development in schools is one-off, insp...
Have You Got a Moment?
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When someone says “have you got a moment?” your instinct might be to say yes — and then lose 20 minutes, your focus and whatever calm you had le...
Teaching Leadership Through Curriculum | A Conversation with Maureen Chapman & James Simons
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode introduces a practical, curriculum-centred approach to student leadership with Maureen Chapman and James Simons of Cor Creative Partners....
LIVE | October Reflections
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is our first Education Leaders Live recording, where I sat down with Chris Scorer to reflect on October's episodes. We talked about the differenc...
How Leaders Beat Cognitive Overload
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When brilliant teachers become exhausted leaders, it’s usually not because they lack ability — it’s because they’re cognitively overloaded by ...
From Formative Assessment to Formative Action | A Conversation with Valentina Devid
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This conversation dives into what formative action is, why Valentina Devid and colleagues reframed formative assessment as an action-oriented practice...
How to Lead Without Being Needed | A Conversation with Brett Griffin
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when you take a school leader who's used to timetables, structure, and constant visibility, and drop them into the chaos of running a sta...
A Solution-Focused Approach to Leadership | A Conversation with Vicky Essebag & Tara Gretton
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Struggling with staff meetings that spiral into problem talk? This episode explores solution-focused communication and how school leaders can transfor...
Leading School Mental Health Confidently | A Conversation with George Peterkin
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This conversation with George Peterkin challenges how we think about mental health in schools. George introduces the three pillars framework: preventi...
What Every PD Leader Should Know | A Conversation with Bethan Hindley
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Professional development is happening in schools everywhere, but is it actually working? In this episode, Bethan Hindley from the Teacher Development ...
How to Stop Wasting Your PD Budget
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever left a fantastic professional development session feeling completely energised, only to find yourself back to square one a month later? Shane tac...
Teaching Primary Children Where They Are | A Conversation with Emma Turner
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this essential episode for school leaders, Shane explores primary education leadership with Emma Turner, a primary education expert with over 25 ye...
How to Build a Consultancy | A Conversation with Michael Iannini
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this brutally honest conversation, Michael Iannini pulls back the curtain on what it's really like to leave the safety of education employment and ...
Self-Compassion for Overwhelmed School Leaders | A Conversation with Stephanie Lill
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful conversation, Stephanie Lill from Mindful Sparks completely reframes how we think about compassion in schools. Far from being a "nice...
Why Teachers Resist your Great Ideas | A Conversation with Christopher Youles
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder why brilliant educational ideas don't always translate into classroom reality? In this conversation, Shane Leaning sits down with author C...
How To Learn From Everyone | A Conversation with Ben Whitaker
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shane Leaning chats with Ben Whitaker about his new book "The Ideas Guy" and why he thinks we're all capable of being idea generators. Ben's an educat...
Leading With Conviction | A Conversation with Katharine Birbalsingh
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Katharine Birbalsingh, founder of Britain's most talked-about school, reveals the leadership principles that transformed her vision into reality. From...
How to Make Change Feel Safe | A Conversation with Paul Halford
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shane Leaning speaks with Paul Halford about his new book "My Educated Life: Lessons from Leading Schools." Paul explores why change in schools is fun...
What Makes Teachers Tick?
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shane challenges the common assumption that all teachers must be primarily motivated by their love of children. Drawing from research and personal ref...
Project Learning That Works | A Conversation with John Taylor
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Shane Leaning sits down with John Taylor, Director of Learning, Teaching and Innovation at Cranleigh School and one of the principal ...
How to have a nuanced conversation | A conversation with Drew Perkins
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Shane sits down with Drew Perkins, President Director of ThoughtStretcher Education and host of the ThoughtStretchers Education Podca...
Change Starts Here | A Conversation with Efraim Lerner
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if everything your school needed was right in front of you? In this special extended conversation, Shane sits down with his co-author Efraim Lern...
The Truth About Metacognition | A Conversation with Nathan Burns
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shane sits down with Nathan Burns, widely known as "Mr Metacognition," to tackle one of education's most discussed yet frequently misunderstood concep...
An Ecological Approach to Wellbeing | A Conversation with Lori Cohen
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the secret to transforming your school culture wasn't another initiative, but learning to tend to it like a terrarium? In this episode, Shane ...
Should Schools Teach Gaming? | A Conversation with Dr. Khizer Khaderi & Dr. Steffen Sommer
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When 89% of a population plays games and two-thirds are under 35, that's not a problem to solve - it's a medium to embrace. Today we explore a fascina...
The Hidden Science of Human Values | A Conversation with Ruth Taylor
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shane Leaning sits down with Ruth Taylor from the Common Cause Foundation to explore the fascinating world of human values and what they mean for scho...
Know Yourself, Lead Better | A Conversation with Alicia Drummond
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My guest today is Alicia Drummond, a BACP accredited therapist and creator of The Wellbeing Hub. This conversation dives deep into why self-awareness ...
Are Leadership Qualifications Worth It?
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shane looks at the disconnect between leadership theory and practice in educational leadership qualifications, sharing insights from his conversations...
The Trusted Adult Effect | A Conversation with David Ingram
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I speak with David Ingram, Founding Head of College at Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi about:How his experience as a police constable i...
Master Your Leadership Interview Game
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Shane gets coached on leadership interview techniques by Orla Dempsey, an expert in helping teachers secure leadership positions. Thr...
How Leaders Make Ripples
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My guest today is David Harkin, CEO and Founder of 8billionideas, which has impacted over 500,000 students in 26 countries. David is a two-time TEDx s...
New Bestseller: Change Starts Here
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode, Shane Leaning discusses his new best-selling book "Change Starts Here: What if Everything Your School Needed Was Right in Fro...
Guest Episode | Change in schools from within
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A Call Across the Pond- Guest AppearanceShane Leaning appears as a guest on another podcast.Time zones don't matter when the conversation is this good...
How to partner with parents | A conversation with Christina Hidek
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I speak with Christina Hidek, an expert in parent engagement, about the vital role of parent communities in schools. We explore the n...
Why your teachers have seen it all before
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When you announce a new initiative, do you ever get "that sigh" from your experienced teachers? You know the one - followed by "Isn't this just that t...
Can schools do flexible work? A Conversation with Neil Renton & Julie Wellacott
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I speak with Neil Renton, headteacher, and Julie Wellacott, HR professional, who are pioneering flexible working approaches in UK sch...
How to delegate
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever found yourself drowning in tasks that others could do, but somehow you're still doing them yourself? Today, Shane Leaning shares a frame...
LIVE | Trust, Traction and Technology
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special bonus episode, Shane Leaning and co-host Chris Scorer introduce the new Education Leaders community platform and discuss what makes a ...
Rethinking feedback | A conversation with Ross McGill
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shane welcomes globally renowned educator Ross McGill, known worldwide as Teacher Toolkit. Ross shares his groundbreaking approach to feedback and ass...
The problem with grades | A conversation with Amarbeer Singh Gill & Jennifer Curran
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Grades give us comfort and numbers feel concrete. But what if our obsession with quantifying learning is actually getting in the way of understanding ...
Build change that outlives you
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this final episode of our organisational change series, Shane explores the often overlooked aspect of change management - sustainability. Drawing f...
Supporting Men in Schools | A Conversation with Ryan Parke
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan Parke (The Men's Coach) shares his personal experience with the suicide of a friend and explores the complexities of male mental health. He discu...
Why Good Plans Fall Apart (And How to Prevent It)
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Plans are worthless, but planning is everything" - Eisenhower's wisdom applies perfectly to school change. In this episode of the organizational chan...
When Teachers Teach Teachers | A Conversation with Dr. Ciara O'Donnell
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This conversation explores the role of teacher educators, their unique challenges, and the dynamics of career transitions within the education sector....
When Do You Know Enough? | Change Series 1.8
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shane Leaning explores the delicate balance of learning enough to implement change without falling into analysis paralysis. He emphasises the importan...
How to Build an Intentional School Culture | A Conversation With Joel Abel
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive deep into school culture with Joel Abel, author of Teacher First Management. Joel shares practical insights on how to build a...
5 Ways to Break Out of Your School Bubble
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Shane Leaning explores five powerful strategies for educational leaders to break out of their professional bubbles and gain fresh per...
School Vs. Tutor | A Conversation with Sarah Capewell & Arthur Moore
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When some families see tutoring as non-negotiable and others as a last resort, how should international schools approach this complex topic? Sarah Cap...
Want Better Solutions? Start with Bigger Dreams | Change Series 1.7
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Think you've got that next big project all sorted in your head? Hold that thought because today we're going to explore why sometimes those best answer...
Practical AI Tools for School Leaders | A Conversation with Dan Fitzpatrick
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, organisational coach Shane Leaning sits down with AI in education expert Dan Fitzpatrick to explore practical ways school leaders can...
Unwrapping 2024 | A Year in Review
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this special Christmas Eve episode, host Shane Leaning reflects on a remarkable year of Global Ed Leaders, highlighting some of the most impactful ...
Stop Getting Buy-in, Start Getting Alignment
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the organisational change series, Shane Leaning explores why alignment is crucial for successful change implementation in schools. ...
Invisible Obstacles, Unstoppable Women Leaders | A Conversation with Claire Peet
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Claire Peet discusses the challenges women leaders face in international education. We explore how common leadership terms like ...
Inside China's Newest School Network
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I normally sit down for deep one-on-ones with education leaders, but this episode takes a different approach. At NESSIC's inaugural leadership confere...
Could You Handle a Startup School? | A Conversation with Grainne O'Reilly
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Grainne O'Reilly chats with Shane about the challenges and rewards of leading a startup school. She talks about the importance of embracing the unknow...
How to define your next challenge | Change Series 1.5
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Shane Leaning discusses the complexities of addressing challenges in educational settings. He talks through the importance of definin...
Do Silver Bullets Exist? | A Conversation with Paul Ainsworth
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Paul Ainsworth discusses his book 'No Silver Bullets 2.0: The Heart and Soul of School Improvement'. We explore the concept of s...
Why Connection Comes Before Change | Change Series 1.4
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I explore the "Connection" phase of organisational change.Episode HighlightsThe Change Series: Discover why connection is essential before ...
How to Democratise Your Data | A Conversation with Chris Scorer
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Scorer and Shane Leaning explore how schools can create a data landscape that aligns with their diverse objectives, especially in international ...
How to think wide with your next challenge | Change Series 1.3
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In part 3 of his series on organisational change, Shane discusses the importance of the discovery phase in organisational change in schools. He emphas...
GUEST EPISODE: Organisational Change: In Conversation with Shane Leaning
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
GUEST EPISODEThis is an interview from the EduPulse podcast. Here's the original podcast description:In this episode we are joined by Shane Leaning wh...
LGBTQ+ Inclusion in International Schools | A Conversation with Ian Timbrell
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ian Timbrell and Shane Leaning talk about range of topics related to LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools, including the challenges faced by school leaders, th...
Why Your Biggest Problem Isn't What You Think | Change Series 1.2
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In part 2 of the Series on Organisational change, Shane discusses the complexities of organisational change in educational settings, focusing on the s...
The Teacher Retention Crisis | A Conversation with Haili Huges
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Haili Hughes and Shane Leaning discuss the ongoing crisis in the teaching profession, focusing on the challenges of teacher retention, the impact of t...
Organisational Change 101 | Change Series 1.1
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shane introduces a mini-series focused on leading effective community-led change in schools. He presents an open-source change model inspired by Work ...
What to do at your next inflection moment | A Conversation with Sharath Jeevan
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sharath Jeevan OBE explores the concept of inflection moments for leaders in education, addressing the challenges and opportunities they present. ...
How to Manage Teacher Capability Procedures
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Teacher capability procedures—words that send shivers down the spine of even the most seasoned school leaders. In this episode, I share practical gu...
How to Develop Wellbeing in your School | A Conversation with Aimee Presnall
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shane and Aimee explore well-being in schools. Aimee shares her passion for well-being and how it started during her early years in school leadership....
Shane Leaning's Journey (Guest Episode)
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
GUEST EPISODEShane Leaning is interviewed by Chris Jordan on The Leading, Language and Literature Podcast. We discuss:1. What made Shane transition fr...
Rethink your literacy strategy | A Conversation with Chris Scorer
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is your school's literacy strategy doing more harm than good? In today's episode, educational consultant Chris Scorer joins me at a local British pub ...
7 Principles to Strengthen your Leadership
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I explore principles that can guide every international school leader. As educators, we are public servants, and it's crucial to refl...
Soft Leaders are Strong Leaders | A conversation with Ann McPhee
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ann McPhee discusses leadership in an international context and the importance of cultural understanding and effective induction processes. She highli...
Guided Meditation for International School Leaders
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a refreshing 5-minute meditation, custom-made for international education leaders by Adele Burdon-Bailey, a psychotherapist from Priory, one ...
How to design the perfect school trip | A conversation with Alex Seigel
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I talk with Alex Seigel on how educational trips are a valuable part of a school's curriculum, providing students with transformative experiences and ...