The We Lead Well Podcast

Sustainable Leadership: Keeping Schools Strong by Protecting Leaders

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For the latest episode of the We Lead Well podcast, I interviewed the exceptional Bridget Harrison about making school leadership sustainable; she sha...

Leading with Curiosity: Reimagining Headship and School Culture

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the second episode of our conversation with Dr. Jeremy Hannay we discussed compassionate, curiosity-driven school leadership that prioritises staff...

Lead Slowly, Lead Well: Reimagining School Leadership with Dr Jeremy Hanna

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I had the absolute privilege of talking to  Dr Jeremy Hannay who shared his knowledge and understanding of how to lead schools differ...

Young, Kind & Brave: Jaycee Ward on Leading with Empathy

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I had a conversation with Jaycee Ward, a passionate Key Stage 1 phase leader and SLT member, about her leadership journey. We explore...

Reclaiming the Joy in Schools: Curriculum, Agency and Wellbeing Part 2

11 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Sarah Brown from International Schools Partnership talks about restoring joy and meaning in teaching through coaching, learning visits...

Reclaiming Joy in Schools: Curriculum, Agency and Wellbeing

05 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we explore teacher wellbeing, autonomy and co-creation with guest Sarah Brown. We discuss practical ways to give staff a voice, build ...

Evelyn Forde - Making Schools More Equitable

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest episode of the podcast, we are honoured to have renowned education leader Evelyn Ford, join us for an in-depth discussion about leadersh...

Resilience Redefined: Balancing Leadership and Well-being

25 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the We Lead Well podcast, we explore the importance of understanding not just the skills needed in leadership, but also the essence...

Bridging Leadership Gaps with Audrey Pantelis

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this latest episode of the We Lead Well podcast, I engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with Audrey Pantelis, ex-headteacher and founder of El...

Resilience in Education: Krissi Carter's Journey

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the We Lead Well podcast, I chatted with Krissi Carter, a former headteacher who shares her inspirational story of overcoming menta...

Innovative Leadership and Well-being in Schools: Insights from Paddy Russell

17 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For this episode, I interviewed Paddy Russell, the headteacher of Ladybridge High School in Bolton. Paddy shares his passion for innovative education ...

Transforming Education with Eli Jones: A Curriculum Revolution

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this enlightening episode of We Lead Well, we explore the innovative changes happening in middle schools with Eli Jones, the Director of Academic I...

Unlocking Leadership Potential: A Deep Dive into School Improvement with Ben White

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the We Lead Well podcast, I talk to Ben White, the Director of School Improvement for Life Multi-Academy Trusts in Leicestershire. ...

Resilience in Education: Improving wellbeing in Schools

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the latest episode of the We Lead Well podcast in which we explore the critical connection between well-being and effective leadership in s...

Celebrating 100 Episodes with Leadership Insights from Michael Sonbert

04 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the 100th episode of the We Lead Well podcast, on which we're joined by special guest Michael Sonbert. Michael is a bestselling author, spe...

Equity in Education with Lee Elliot Major

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the We Lead Well podcast! In this episode, we are thrilled to that Lee Elliot Major, the UK's first Professor of Social Mobility, was able ...

Kevin Holland: Transformative Coaching

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the We Lead Well podcast, we welcome Kevin Holland, CEO of Global Spirit Ed, to discuss the transformative power of coaching in edu...

Shelley Baker: Empowering Female Leadership

10 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the latest episode of the We Lead Well podcast, in which I'm joined by Shelley Baker, the head teacher at Varndean School in Brighton. This...

Neil Jurd - Leadership is Still Easy!

06 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of the podcast delves into the importance of building strong relationships in educational organisations to foster a positive culture and ...

Dr Kulvan Atwal - Embracing Innovative Leadership in Education

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the latest episode of the We Lead Well podcast. In partnership with Progressive Masculinity and HeadTeacherChat.com, this episode offers in...

Yasmin Arrif - Harnessing the Power of Coaching in Education

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this insightful episode of the 'We Lead Well' podcast, I talked  with Yasmin Arif, a former teacher and school leader turned coach, recounting her...

Bukky Yusuf: Navigating Change - Practical Advice for Everyday Leadership Challenges

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Annabel Jeffcoate - In Pursuit of Balance Through Boundaries

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 g...

Phil Denton - Self-evaluation Simplified

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After many years in school leadership including positions as Headteacher, Deputy Head, Assistant Head and Head of History, Phil is now a leader for ed...

Dave Keeling - On being happy: creating positivity and wellbeing in the workplace

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the podcast, I chatted with Lead Happiness Consultant, Dave ‘Billy Elliot’ Keeling.  Dave grew up in a pit village in Notting...

David Harkin - Finding Balance

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Michelle Hague - How do you get it right from the start? Best practice in the EYFS

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Michelle Hague is the Founder of HEYD. She is an accomplished and inspirational school leader with a track record of developing high-performing cultur...

Keren Mitchell Superkind: Empowering Children to Shape a Better World

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

SuperKind is an award-winning, free platform for schools to bring social action and philanthropy into the classroom.  Their website and free resource...

John Cosgrove - Humans First: A Compassionate Approach to Leadership

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 stil...

Liz Robinson - Nurturing Head, Heart and Hand in Values-led Education

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Jenny Bowers -The Essentials of Safeguarding: What you need to know

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I talk to Jenny Bowers, supervisor and safeguarding expert and CEO of Purplemoon.  Jenny has worked in numerous leadership roles i...

Kate Owbridge - So you don’t want to be a headteacher?

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kate has been in primary teaching since 1993, and leadership since 1997. She first became a head in 2004, and has now been head in three schools, an e...

Ruth Kudzi - Coaching: Is it worth it?

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ruth is an MCC (Master) level coach with over 10,000 hours of coaching experience with a wide variety of clients.  She left her role as a high school...

Stephanie Shaldas - How can you be more inclusive?

19 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Stephanie Shaldas is a Deputy Headteacher in a secondary school in South East London with 20 years experience in education. She is a French and Spanis...

Emma Sheppard - Being life friendly - supporting parents in schools

29 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I talked to Emma Sheppard who founded The Maternity Teacher Paternity Teacher (MTPT) Project, the UK's charity for parent-teachers,...

Catrina Lowri - Embracing neurodivergence:Perspectives and Insights

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I speak with Catrina Lowri the founder of Neuroteachers. Catrina is a neurodivergent teacher with dyslexia and bipolar condition. She...

Stephanie Miller - Metacognition: Process Over Performance

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With over 12 years of experience in educational leadership positions in the UK and overseas, Stephanie is committed to fostering a whole-school approa...

Ben Hobbis - How to become a school leader: unlocking leadership opportunities in schools

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After four years in Retail Management, Ben graduated from Birmingham City University with a first-class honours degree in Primary Education. With a ba...

Catherine Hulme - From Potential to Performance: Transforming outcomes in schools through coaching

21 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine Hulme is an accomplished educator, leadership coach, and the CEO of Leadership Edge, an organisation dedicated to transforming edu...

Patrick Ottley-O’Connor - Leading with the heart: empowering educators, nurturing wellbeing

07 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Ottley-O’Connor is a coach and education guru. He was a teacher for more than 34 years, including 27 years as a senior leader, and 17 years ...

Alan Taylor - Global Leadership

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the podcast, I chatted to Alan Taylor, the headteacher at Newton College, part of the International Schools Partnership in Alicante...

Neil Jurd - Leadership is Easy!

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For this episode, I chatted to Neil Jurd all about leadership. Neil is a former army officer and RMA Sandhurst instructor. He served in several operat...

Kindness Matters - John Magee UK Kindness Ambassador

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode, I chatted to John Magee AKA The Kindness Coach and Founder of Kindness Matters.  John has been teaching kindness and wellbein...

Group Coaching: Create balance, lead authentically

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the show, I chatted to Atyia and Rebecca who were participants on the very first cohort of the Women Lead Well group coaching programme. ...

Cleo de Jong - You can be a parent and school leader and make it work

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cleo de Jong is a deputy head at a high school in North London and mum of 2.  I first heard Cleo on the Diverse Educators podcast talking about her e...

The Teacher Wellbeing Index Findings - What can we do?

04 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The findings from the 2022 Teacher Wellbeing Index were released on Friday and they are shocking!  They are evidence that we are heading towards a ca...

Kate Smith - Live, Love, Learn, and Lead

26 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kate Smith works with the Heads Up network for headteachers.  She is a coach and all round amazing human!  She describes herself as an ethical and v...

Helen Baker - Coaching to support leadership transformation

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Helen was the deputy head at a school in Essex and was one of the first participants on the Women Lead Well group coaching programme.  In this episod...

Ben Solly - Creating a culture of trust

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Solly is the Principal at Uppingham Community College in Rutland.  He joined us on the podcast for the second time and we talked about how he rol...

Paula Kennedy - Linking with the world of business to support school improvement

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 c...

Julia Hancock - Emotional Literacy

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Julia is a lifelong learner and leader of learning.  She is the Director of Boundless Learning Ltd, specialising in bespoke consultancy support for l...

Megan Corcoran - Co-creating a Wellbeing Community

30 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

@WeLeadWellpodc1 [email protected] www.headteacherchat.com www.teachwellalliance.com www.teacherswell.com In this episode of the podcast, I chatt...

Simon Antwis - Supporting our most vulnerable as we emerge from the pandemic

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 an...

Dr Rachel Briggs - Improving whole school wellbeing

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 resea...

Drew Povey - When the Clouds Come

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Julie Rees - Values Based Education

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Dan Edwards - How to lead differently

12 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Jo Evans - Inspiring Leadership

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jo Evans is CEO of St Christopher’s Multi Academy Trust, currently 18 primary schools across Plymouth, Torbay and Devon Local Authorities. Jo has b...

Alison Kriel - Authentic Leadership

21 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 hav...

Mike Nicholson - How can we make it better for boys?

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Nicholson has over seventeen years experience in education as an English teacher and middle leader. Having worked in schools from every Ofsted ...

Dr Carmen Bergmann and James Nottingham - Making it better for women in schools

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Carmen Bergmann is Managing Director for Challenging Learning. She is also co-creator for key aspects of online services, including ...

Malarvilie Krishnasamy - Learning to let go

05 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the show I chatted to Malarvilie Krishnasamy, educational leadership consultant, coach and trainer.  We shared our thoughts on lots of t...

WomenEd - International Women’s Day

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Will you help #breakthebias? Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, an...

Drew Povey on Leadership

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 inc...

Kate Jones - Retrieval Practice: What’s it all about?

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 maga...

Kates Jones - Exactly what is Retrieval Practice?

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 mag...

Kates Jones - Exactly what is Retrieval Practice?

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 mag...

Becky Allen - The Next Big Thing in School Improvement

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Adrian McLean - On Being a Changemaker: Part 2

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode I continue my conversation with Adrian McLean.  We discuss lots of different aspects of leadership, creating impact, taking ca...

Adrian McLean - Part 1: On Being a Changemaker

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 g...

Jacqui Frost - Resilience - it’s more than ’bounce-back-ability’

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Dr Kenny Frederick - What‘s the point in Ofsted?

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Gemma Drinkall - Supporting your staff to stay well

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 k...

Alec Jiggins - So, exactly what is coaching and what can it do for me?

26 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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-profi...

Hannah Cotton - Authentic Leadership

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the podcast, I interview Hannah Cotton FRSA. Frustrated by the pace of change for women despite the support of Male Allies, conscio...

James Nottingham - Mindset matters

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the show I've got a brilliant interview with James Nottingham.  James is the creator of The Learning Pit as well as a sought-after keyno...

Andrew Cowley - A Toolkit for Wellbeing

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Cowley is an expert on wellbeing.  He has set up the @healthytoolkit twitter account where you can find lots of information, articles, tips an...

Daniel Bull - More than a job

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel Bull is Assistant Headteacher at Summerhill School in Wolverhampton and produces and presents his own podcast - More Than a Job on which he and...

Julia Skinner - Working with governors to improve wellbeing

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Julia Skinner is an education consultant, trained coach and former primary headteacher.  She is also an experienced governor and trustee who now supp...

Andrew Earl - Creating authentic, meaningful connection

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Happy one year anniversary to the We Lead Well podcast.  In this one year anniversary episode of the podcast, I interview Andrew Earl, restorative pr...

Haili Hughes - ITE, ECTs and beyond: training, recruiting and retaining the best teachers

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Haili is Head of Education at IRIS Connect, a senior lecturer at the University of Sunderland, a journalist, speaker and author of several well-renown...

Bianca Greenhalgh - On being a new head (and so much more!)

09 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bianca Greenhalgh is in her first year as headteacher at The Gatwick School.  In this interview, she is brutally honest about the reality of taking o...

Simon Botten - Making wellbeing a priority

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Simon is the headteacher at Black Horse Primary near Bristol.  He has written numerous blogs about leadership and what it is to be a head.  You can ...

Vivienne Porritt - 10% Braver

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we welcome Vivienne Porritt, co-founder and one of the strategic leads of the WomenEd movement.  She's the co-editor of '10% Braver: ...

Yamina Bibi - Rising Star

22 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Yamina is an assistant head in a high school.  She recently won the We Are the City Rising Star Award in Education and Academia for the amazing work ...

Dr Vic Carr - Making the most of every minute

10 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Victoria is a primary school headteacher in the North West. She is a mum, of two teenagers. In her spare time she is a British Army reservist, in mili...

Peter Radford - How to Bounce Back

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Peter is an experienced public speaker, teacher, trainer and coach with a wealth of experience, of leadership, management, personal development and ed...

Diana Osagie - Courageous Leadership

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With 16 years’ experience leading secondary education, including six years as a successful head teacher in a London secondary school; Diana works at...

Jonathan Coy - Creating networks works!

29 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we finally meet the founder of our partner organisation Headteacher Chat.  Jonathan talks about the importance of networking and why ...

Julie Norman - Keeping your staff happy and well

20 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, we welcome back the amazing Julie Norman.  Julie and I talk about how we can lead differently to support the wellbeing and ha...

Nicky Bright - It's time to talk about the menopause

09 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, we discuss a really important issue when it comes to wellbeing in schools, and that's the menopause.  With a majority of scho...

John Tomsett - Less is More

01 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John Tomsett is a nationally renowned school leader supporting schools to improve the quality of teaching and learning. He has 33 years of teaching ex...

Drew Povey - Inspiring Leadership

24 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, we're joined by Leadership Consultant Drew Povey, most recognisable as the headteacher in Educating Greater Manchester.    ...

Clemmie Stewart - A rainbow in the storm

16 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, I interview Clemmie Stewart who I am sure you will love listening to!  I first encountered her when I followed her on Twitter...

Dame Alison Peacock - Listen, Learn and Share

02 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, I am delighted to be joined by Dame Alison Peacock.  Dame Alison has had an illustrious career in education and is now the CEO of The Char...

Dr CJ Van Nieuwerburgh - Coaching not cake

23 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week's interview is with Dr Christian Van Nieuwerburgh.  Christian is a highly regarded executive coach, leadership consultant and academic with...

Bennie Kara - We can make our schools more diverse and equitable!

16 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bennie Kara is an English teacher and deputy headteacher responsible for teaching and learning at a secondary school in Derby.  She is a speaker, coa...

Ben Solly - Making Wellbeing a Priority

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Solly is the principal at Uppingham Community College in Rutland where he is in his fourth year.  He spent his first three years as a headteacher...

Professor Rachel Lofthouse - Collaboration and Co-creation

03 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel Lofthouse is Professor of Teacher Education in the Carnegie School of Education. She has a specific research interest in professional learning,...

Andy Buck - The Power of Conversation

27 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week I spoke with the inimitable Andy Buck, who generously shared his knowledge, experience and wisdom on all things wellbeing and coaching.  A ...