Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Independent School Podcast with Juliet Corbett

The biggest challenges you face aren’t solved by working harder. They’re solved by seeing the situation more clearly.

In this final episode of the series, Juliet Corbett reflects on the patterns that emerged across 13 conversations with school leaders around the world - and introduces a new framework: the Three Degree Shift™.

At its core, the Three Degree Shift is about seeing what others miss - shifting perspective just enough to reveal what was previously hidden. Viewing a challenge from just three degrees to the left can surface assumptions, uncover hidden dynamics and open up a clearer path forward.

In this episode, Juliet explores how leaders can apply this thinking to navigate complexity and take more decisive action under pressure.

She explores:

• Why staying strategic day to day is often a matter of protecting time and attention
• How high-stakes decisions are shaped through learning, not certainty
• What it takes to lead high-performing teams without becoming the bottleneck
• The Three Degree Shift - a practical way to see what others miss in complex decisions
• How small shifts in perspective can unlock better decisions and more courageous action

This episode is for you if you’re navigating a complex, high-stakes decision and want to elevate the quality of your thinking by seeing what others don’t.

Episode links:

Leading through complexity: Conversations to spark your best thinking (Ep. 177)

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In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Philip Britton MBE, Head of Foundation at Bolton School and Chair of HMC.

In this reflective conversation, they explore the leadership lessons that only become obvious over time. In particular, they discuss the shift from relentless ‘doing’ to intentional ‘being’, and the judgement required when decisions are complex and sometimes represent the least bad option available.

Together they explore:

• The shift from constant ‘doing’ to the discipline of ‘being’
• The importance of creating space to think deeply before acting
• Why clarity of purpose matters more than easy consensus
• How leaders develop judgement under sustained pressure
• Accepting that not every decision will feel straightforward

Running through the conversation is a strong thread of reassurance - about giving yourself permission to pause, to focus on the ‘why’, and to recognise that leadership is often about steady presence rather than constant action.

This episode is for you if you’re a senior leader navigating difficult decisions, carrying significant responsibility, and want to reflect on how presence, clarity and judgement shape your leadership over time.

Episode links

Strategic school leadership with Philip Britton MBE, Head of Foundation, Bolton School (Ep. 83)

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In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Simon Herbert FRSA, Director of the IB Curriculum at GEMS Education, whose leadership career has spanned senior roles at Fettes College in Edinburgh, Dulwich College Beijing and GEMS International School in Dubai. He now oversees IB provision across the GEMS group of more than 50 schools.

In this reflective and internationally focused conversation, they explore culture at multiple levels of leadership - from navigating national contexts, to shaping school communities and understanding the human dynamics that sit beneath both.

Together they explore:

• What international leadership teaches us about timing, trust and reciprocity
• How leaders can adapt to local culture, while remaining true to themselves
• Why organisational culture cannot be commanded, only nudged
• How “them and us” dynamics emerge inside school communities, and what to do about it
• Why leaders must deliberately keep culture on the agenda

This episode is for you if you’re a senior leader working across cultures or contexts, leading complex school communities, and want to think more deeply about how culture shapes strategy, behaviour and long-term success.

Episode links

Adapting leadership across culture and context with Helen Olds (Ep. 184)

From Head to CEO in an international context with Louise Simpson (Ep. 181)

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In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Andy Johnson, Head of Truro School, to explore why leaders must stand for something - and what it takes to develop a clear and distinctive point of view.

In this conversation, they examine what it means to lead with what they call a 'spiky purpose' - not a spiky personality - and why conviction, agency and authenticity matter in shaping both individual and institutional direction.

Together they explore:

• Why leadership requires more than organisational vision - it requires personal conviction
• The difference between a 'spiky purpose' and a 'spiky person'
• How agency develops early in a career - and why it matters
• How leaders adapt their point of view to different contexts without losing authenticity
• The importance of aligning head and heart in decision making
• Why stewardship and humility matter when leading for the long term

This episode is for you if you’re a senior leader who wants to clarify what you stand for, develop a distinctive point of view in your sector, and lead with conviction without becoming rigid or reactive.

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In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Guy Pascoe, Chief Executive of Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ), to explore what school leaders can learn from sector leadership - where authority is earned through influence.

In this thoughtful and strategically focused conversation, they examine how leadership works when there is no hierarchy to rely on, and why trust, clarity and disciplined focus become essential.

Together they explore:

• Why sector leadership depends on trust rather than control
• The discipline of strategy in a resource-constrained environment
• The importance of deep listening
• Why long-term relational capital matters more than short-term wins
• How influence strengthens when built slowly and consistently

This episode is for you if you’re a senior leader who wants to build influence without relying on hierarchy, think more strategically about focus and constraint, and strengthen relationships that create long-term alignment.

Episode links

Credible friend, credible threat: Leadership in a politicised world with Graham Catt (Ep. 186)

Positivity, complexity and leadership with Julie Robinson (Ep. 178)

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In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Graham Catt, Chief Executive Officer of Independent Schools Australia (ISA) - the national peak body representing over 1,200 independent schools across Australia.

In this conversation, they explore what it means for school leaders to operate inside a national policy and advocacy environment, and how leaders can influence decisions when education becomes increasingly politicised.

Together they explore:

• The difference between representation and advocacy
• The idea of being both a credible friend and a credible threat
• Why evidence alone is rarely enough to shift political decisions
• What it takes to lead effectively when you don’t have formal authority
• Why building relational capital - a “bucket of capital” - is essential before you try to spend it

This episode is for you if you’re a senior leader navigating forces beyond your school gates, seeking to understand how influence works at sector level, and reflecting on how to lead when authority alone isn’t enough.

Episode links

Positivity, complexity and leadership with Julie Robinson (Ep. 178)

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In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Vanita Uppal OBE, Director of The British School New Delhi and an international educator with more than thirty years of leadership experience, whose work is recognised globally through the roles she holds and the organisations she serves.

In this thoughtful and human-centred conversation, they move beyond titles and structures to explore the inner life of leadership, and why connection, intuition, belief and belonging matter as much as strategy and systems.

Together they explore:

• How human connection shapes culture and leadership impact
• Why intuition is a form of real leadership intelligence
• The power of slowing down as a leadership discipline
• How leaders build belonging through compassion, listening and belief
• The importance of a stable mission combined with an agile strategy

This episode is for you if you’re a senior leader who wants to lead with greater depth, humanity and presence, and who is reflecting on how connection, intuition and belonging shape the kind of leader you are becoming.

Episode Links

Listen to Juliet Corbett talking about related topics on the Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast:

What if slowing down helps you speed up? (Ep. 20)

The hidden reason your strategy isn’t working (Ep. 42)

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In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Helen Olds, Director of the British International School Jeddah, with more than 20 years of leadership experience across international schools in Asia and the Middle East.

In this thoughtful conversation, they explore how leadership needs to adapt across cultures and contexts without losing authenticity, and why understanding people is just as important as understanding systems when leading in international settings.

Together they explore:

• How leadership needs to shift across different cultures and contexts
• The balance between structure and freedom in complex school environments
• Why values and purpose matter as anchors for decision making
• How leaders create the conditions for learning, growth and creativity

This episode is for you if you’re a senior leader working across cultures or systems, navigating complexity, or considering a move into the international school sector and reflecting on how your leadership style might need to adapt.

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In this episode of The Independent School Podcast Juliet Corbett is joined by Alex Hems, Executive Head of The Aldenham Foundation since 2022.

In this thoughtful and honest conversation, they reflect on what it takes to lead well when the pace is intense and the stakes are high, and why creating space to think - both individually and collectively - can be one of a leader’s most powerful tools.

Together they explore:

• What ‘slow down to speed up’ really means in senior leadership
• How leaders make good decisions when there’s no clear right answer
• The role of intuition, judgement and self-awareness under pressure
• Why slowing the pace can strengthen teams and improve buy-in
• How leaders balance urgency with long-term stewardship

This episode is for you if you’re a senior leader navigating complexity, feeling the pressure to move fast, and wondering how to create better decisions, stronger teams, and clearer direction without burning yourself out or rushing to the wrong answer.

Episode Links

'Slow Productivity' by Cal Newport

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In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Jaideep Barot, Head of Bristol Grammar School since 2018 and a returning guest to the show.

In this important conversation, they explore what it really takes to sustain bursary and partnership work under pressure, and how leaders can protect morally important work when time and capacity are stretched.

Together they explore: 

• What true partnership between independent and state schools really demands from leaders
• Why bursary and partnership work needs to be treated as a long-term strategy, not a series of projects
• The role of shared ownership, constructive challenge and collective responsibility
• How local solutions can contribute to wider system change without imposing uniform models
• Why complexity demands experimentation rather than certainty
• Why clarity and repeated communication matter

This episode is for you if you’re a senior leader working in complexity, committed to bursary or partnership work that genuinely matters, and thinking hard about how to maintain purpose, focus and impact when the pressure is on across the board.

Episode Links

'Strategy and social justice with Jaideep Barot, Headmaster, Bristol Grammar School (Ep. 51)' 

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In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Louise Simpson, CEO of the British School in the Netherlands, where she leads the BSN across four campuses in and around The Hague.

This is Louise's fourth headship and her second stint abroad, having previously been head of Exeter School in Devon, head of St Paul’s, the British School in Sao Paulo, and a GDST head in south London. As you’ll hear, she is delighted to be back in the world of British international education. 

Together they explore:

• What changes when a head steps into a CEO role leading at scale
• The complexity of international education today, from shifting enrolment patterns to increased competition
• How to build coherence across multiple schools while preserving autonomy
• The importance of culture, belonging and character in a diverse international community
• Why optimism, reflection and thinking time matter so much when navigating uncertainty

This conversation offers thoughtful, practical insight into leading strategically in a global context, with clear reflections on decision making, culture and leadership at scale.

Episode Links

Strategy Development Case Study with Louise Simpson, Head, Exeter School (The Independent School Podcast, Ep 125)

An international perspective with Louise Simpson, Head, Exeter School (The Independent School Podcast, Ep 40)

The power of hope: A leadership skill for uncertain times (Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast, Ep. 38)

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In this episode of the Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Joanna Povall, Principal at Wales International School in Abu Dhabi and Tes International School Principal of the Year 2024/25.

With more than 30 years of leadership experience across the UK, France and the UAE, Joanna brings a distinctive cross-cultural perspective to what kindness really means in leadership. She also draws on her work as a Lead Improvement Partner for COBIS, supporting school improvement across the international schools sector, and on the thinking behind her forthcoming book, Kind Leadership.

Together they explore:

• Why kindness is not the opposite of strength
• How kindness strengthens trust, clarity and psychological safety
• The CHASE framework for putting kindness into action
• The link between kindness, accountability and high performance
• Why managing ego and building self esteem sit at the heart of impactful leadership

You’ll hear practical examples from Joanna’s leadership across different cultures, as well as insights from her work with COBIS schools around the world and the research underpinning her book.

This episode is a reminder that kindness isn’t soft, naïve or vague. It’s a strategic advantage and a core ingredient in every high performing team.

Episode links

'Kind Leadership' by Joanna Povall

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In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Charles Bailey, Headmaster of Worksop College and Ranby House, a thriving independent day and boarding school in Nottinghamshire.

Charles joined the school in April 2025 after a decade at Harrow School, where he held senior leadership roles including Director of Studies and Head of Learning Skills. He brings a thoughtful, strategic approach to headship, grounded in authenticity, clarity and a deep belief in the power of community.

Together they explore:

• What authentic leadership looks like in practice in a busy 3–18 school
• How vulnerability helps leaders build trust, belonging and psychological safety
• The realities of navigating complexity in a Head’s first year
• How to balance long-term strategy with the day-to-day demands of school life
• Why clarity, simplicity and shared language matter so much for school culture

You’ll hear honest reflections from Charles’s first year of headship, including the lessons he’s drawing from Worksop’s heritage, community and ethos.

This episode offers a grounded, energising look at leadership, culture and the courage it takes to be real in today’s complex school environment.

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In this episode of The Independent School Podcast Juliet Corbett is joined by Julie Robinson, Chief Executive of the Independent Schools Council, where she represents and promotes the work of independent schools across the UK.

Julie began her career as a teacher before becoming a head in Sussex prep schools, later moving into national roles and joining ISC in 2015. She is a governor for both an Academy and an all-through independent school in London and is a strong advocate for collaboration across different types of schools.

Together they explore:

• Why positivity and purpose matter when leading through uncertainty
• How to navigate complexity in a fast-moving policy and social landscape
• The role of listening and conversation in building trust and understanding
• The value of coaching and reflective space for leaders in demanding roles
• Why self-management, energy and simple habits shape long-term resilience

This conversation offers grounded, practical insight into leading with clarity and confidence in challenging times, with thoughtful reflections on purpose, complexity and the human side of leadership.

Episode links

Sector trends with Julie Robinson, CEO, Independent Schools Council (ISC) (Ep. 96)

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In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett returns to the microphone for a new series focused on real-world leadership in independent and international schools.

Juliet shares how her thinking has evolved over recent years through her work as a trusted advisor to experienced leaders, and her episodes of the Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast. She also introduces the ideas she has been developing for a book she's writing about leading sustainably through complexity and uncertainty.

Juliet explores three themes that will shape this new season:

• Staying strategic amidst the daily bustle of leadership: Creating space to think clearly when operational demands never stop
• Making high-stakes decisions in uncertainty and complexity: Understanding the difference between complicated and complex challenges
• Creating and empowering high-performing teams: Building cultures of trust, clarity and shared ownership so leaders are not carrying everything alone

Juliet also offers a preview of the first interviews already recorded, including conversations with Louise Simpson (CEO, The British School in the Netherlands), Charles Bailey (Headmaster, Worksop College and Ranby House, UK) and Joanna Povall (Principal, Wales International School, Abu Dhabi).

This episode sets the scene for a thoughtful, reflective series designed to help leaders slow down, sharpen their focus and navigate complexity with clarity and courage.

Links

Sign up for Juliet's emails: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup

1. Staying strategic amidst the daily bustle of leadership:

• Making time to think (Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast, Ep 1)
• What if slowing down helps you speed up? (Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast, Ep 20) 

2. Making high-stakes decisions: problem-solving in uncertainty and complexity:

• Leading through complexity: Tools for thinking and acting clearly (Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast, Ep 43)
• The hidden reason your strategy isn’t working (Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast, Ep 42)

3. Creating and empowering high-performing teams:

• Are you delegating enough? (Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast, Ep 2)
• Leadership means changing hats – Is your team ready? (Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast, Ep 41)

Explore the Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast: www.quietleadershiprevolution.com

Explore all previous episodes of The Independent School Podcast: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/podcast

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Leaders in independent schools are having to make some hard decisions at the moment, especially those in the UK facing the possible addition of VAT to school fees.

Some of these decisions could be classified as ‘wicked’ - defined as a problem where multiple stakeholders want different, sometimes contradictory, outcomes.

In the last episode Juliet explored how NASA approaches this type of problem, drawing out lessons for school leaders.

In this episode Juliet explores further the three questions we finished with last time:

1. What ‘wicked’ problems are you trying to solve, and what contradictory outcomes do the stakeholder want that makes them wicked?
2. What system do you have in place to brainstorm new ways of doing things, anticipate knock-on consequences and rapidly revise the plans?
3. Are you and your team ready to embrace change that might feel hard?

Episode links

Listen to the last episode: 173: Solving wicked problems the NASA way

'Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant' by  Renée Mauborgne and W. Chan Kim

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It turns out that NASA rocket scientists think that solving ‘wicked’ problems, where multiple stakeholders want contradictory outcomes, is far harder than the science of sending missions into space.

So when we’re trying to solve similarly ‘wicked’ problems in our schools it’s no surprise that leaders sometimes feel stuck between a rock and a hard place.

In this week’s episode, Juliet shares how NASA solves these problems and draws out lessons that other leaders can use to make life easier, even if most of us aren’t planning space missions.

Episode links

'Inside NASA’s bid to make spacecraft as small as possible', MIT Technology Review Nov/Dec edition

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Coaching, innovation, empowerment, strategy... this episode with guest Claire Robinson, Head of Holme Grange School, dives into many of the topics which school leaders ask me questions about.
 
As a highly experienced head, Claire shares with us her extensive insights into:
1. How to balance involving staff in strategy development, with the fact that sometimes strategic choices need to be confidential.

2. How senior leaders can empower their teams and utilise the benefits of networking outside their schools to build resilience in times of change.

3. Why strong professional development programmes, an openness to innovation and a coaching culture benefit everyone.

4. Why the development of people and the development of strategy go hand in hand.

Episode links
Holme Grange School

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Strategy is not a game played alone. So if you are seeking a strategic way forward for a project or challenge, it is important to balance individual contemplation and conversation with 'thinking partners'. 

In this episode I share my belief that everyone has the ability to think and act strategically, and that combining this with deeper self-knowledge can lead to remarkable results. I emphasise the significance of seeking out individuals who can help broaden our way of thinking, both in the professional realm and beyond.

Key Lessons from the Episode:
1. Carving out the time for individual strategic and creative thinking is critical. Often this means taking yourself away from distractions, like taking a walk or sitting on your own in a coffee shop without your phone. But different things work for different people.

2. This solo thinking time can then be complimented by conversation with others; sharing perspectives and talking through ideas with other people can help us gain fresh insights and stimulate a growth mindset. You can think of these people as 'thinking partners'.

3. It's often valuable to have more than one thinking partner, to give you multiple perspectives. These people could be mentors, peers, friends, colleagues or an executive coach.

4. The role an executive coach plays is different from the advice that other thinking partners might give, especially if the coach has knowledge and experience of the independent school sector. The coach's role is to facilitate fresh insights for the leader which clarify a path forward, by helping the leader to see things from a perspective they might not have seen previously.

“We need a diverse group of people with whom we can be truly honest and share confidential thoughts to develop an ever deeper knowledge of ourselves. In order to deliver remarkable results, we need to gift ourselves the space to breathe, the time to learn, and the courage to adapt.” 
Juliet Corbett

Episode links

Episode 162: Why Coaching Works: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/162

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It’s one thing knowing about strategy frameworks and approaches - but knowing how to use these effectively to develop and implement a strategy in a school is a completely different skill.

So this week on The Independent School Podcast I’m delighted to be joined by Paul Morgan, from St. Julian’s School in Lisbon, Portugal, a highly experienced head, who talks us through how he’s approached strategy in his two headships.

Questions Paul and I address in the episode include:

• How can a new head lead a strategic development process when they are still fresh in post? How can they balance continuity and change?
• How can a head structure the leadership team in a way that enables effective delegation of strategic priorities?
• How can you identify which new initiatives might distract from the core purpose of the school, and which will help deliver a key strategic objective?
• How can a busy school leader find time for high quality strategic thinking?

Throughout the episode we stay rooted in the real world, as Paul shares examples from his current headship at St Julian’s School in Lisbon, Portugal, and his previous role as Principal of The British School of Amsterdam.

Episode links
St Julian’s School, Lisbon

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Exciting news for The Independent School Podcast!

In our latest episode, I reveal the top five most popular episodes of 2023. With over 16,000 listens, I am thrilled to know that our podcast has been helping education leaders become more strategic and focused on their priorities.

Episode notes:

Top 5 episodes of 2023:

1. 136: Partnerships and Service with Alastair Chirnside, Warden, St Edward's Oxford 
2. 129: Your inbox is not your job 
3. 128: Regular giving with Kristina McClendon, Deputy Director of Development, Magdalen College School, Oxford 
4. 134: Four Building Blocks of Strategy 
5. 135: Five Elements of Strategic Thinking 

Top 5 episodes of all time:

1. 001: Bursary Fundraising Then and Now, with John Claughton 
2. 101: Creative Thinking and Change with Richard Jones, Head, Bryanston 
3. 136: Partnerships and Service with Alastair Chirnside, Warden, St Edward's Oxford 
4. 060: Social Mobility with David Goodhew, Head, Latymer Upper School 
5. 030: Looking Back on Strategy with John Claughton, former Chief Master of King Edwards' School, Birmingham 

Last week’s episode: 168: The Big Picture and Being Human with Jim Knight, The Rt Hon Lord Knight of Weymouth, Chair of COBIS

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Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

For this week's episode I'm joined by Jim Knight, The Rt Hon Lord Knight of Weymouth and Chair of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS).

We dive deep into the big picture of education, looking at the changing ways that schools prepare young people for their future, the importance of addressing the climate emergency, the increasing role of AI in schools, as well as exploring ways that independent and state schools can learn from each other.

About Jim Knight
Jim Knight works in education, digital technology and as a legislator.

He is a director of Suklaa Ltd, providing advice to clients in education.

Jim is the Chair of trust board of E-Act Multi Academy Trust, and chair of the Council of British International Schools. He is a board member of Century-Tech, MACAT International and Educate Ventures Research Ltd, he sits on advisory bodies for Nord Anglia Education, Pearson and BETT.

As a government minister and MP, Jim’s portfolios included rural affairs, schools, digital and employment.  He was a member of Gordon Brown’s Cabinet, before joining the Lords in 2010.  He regularly speaks in the Lords on education and technology policy.

Key takeaways from this episode:
1. We are striving to create an education system that prepares young people to thrive in an unpredictable future, but this is constrained by its importance in the university admissions system.
 
2. Schools can play a significant role in helping communities to reduce their carbon footprint, as well as preparing young people to take climate action.

3. The task of AI regulation is not simple, but we must act fast as the technology is changing quickly and young people are already taking advantage of the benefits it brings.

Episode links
Suklaa Ltd

Ashden: Sustainable Schools

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Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Tune into this week’s podcast for a comprehensive insight into school leadership recruitment trends and the crucial conversation around equality, diversity and inclusion.

I am joined by Hayley Mintern, Partner at Anderson Quigley and in our thought-provoking conversation, we delve into the world of leadership recruitment in education. Hayley brings her expertise to the table, offering insights on employer branding and developing a pool of talent for future school vacancies. It's a fascinating discussion that underscores the shifting role of school leadership and uncovers the importance of diversifying the talent pipeline in the independent sector.

Some Key Takeaways from this episode:
1. Leveraging employer branding, including on LinkedIn, can help schools prepare for future vacancies.
2. Leadership roles in schools are evolving to include strategic and commercial aspects.
3. Diverse senior teams and multiple layers of expertise are crucial for effectively running a school.
4. Schools can benefit from thinking more strategically about their reputation and business model, particularly within the independent sector.

Episode links:
Anderson Quigley

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Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Do you have a clear idea of how much you can achieve in a week? It’s very easy to be overly optimistic about what it is possible to get done. And then when you don’t achieve your goals for the week, it’s easy to slip into a habit of working extra hours to tick all those things off your to do list.

This kind of overload is inevitable occasionally, but if you are consistently over-estimating what’s possible it can lead to building feelings of overwhelm and then potentially burnout.

Key Lessons from this episode:

1) Overwhelm and overload can feel the same, but they are caused by different things and so the solutions are different.

2) Being overly optimistic about how much can be accomplished in a given timeframe can lead to overload.

3) Tracking time to understand how long tasks actually take can provide clarity on workload and prevent overload.

4) Avoiding the pressure to constantly work harder and instead focusing on sustainable productivity is essential.

Episode links

Episode 165: ‘My Solution to Overwhelm’

Cal Newport podcast episode: ‘Decoding Overload’

Cal Newport podcast episode: ‘Start with Discipline'

Discover what it's like to have Juliet as your coach: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coaching

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

When overwhelm strikes me it feels like lots of bees buzzing around my head, each reminding me to do something, and a building sense of worry that I’m not going to get it all done.

While many of us don't talk about it openly, it's normal to feel occasionally overwhelmed. But if you're having this feeling frequently then that's not a fun way to live.

The key for me lies in doing one thing at a time. Research has shown that multitasking is not as effective as we often believe. So one way you could overcome overwhelm is to focus on tackling tasks sequentially, giving each one your undivided attention. Listen in for some more ideas to help you explore what works for you.

Key lessons from this episode:

1) Each person's experience of overwhelm and their solution to it will be unique.

2) Not everyone may use the term "overwhelm", but it is a common feeling among leaders.

3) I invite you to try out the three steps that work for me: 1: Get out of my head; 2: Prioritise; 3: Do one thing at a time.

Episode links

Episode 130: Take control of your Time

Episode 129: Your Inbox is not your Job

Caffeine for the Soul Podcast with Michael Neill: '101 Things to Do' 

Discover what it would be like to have Juliet as your coach: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coaching

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This is the second in my two-part series about Fundraising Campaigns, and in this episode it’s all about breaking the rules!

Having discussed the five essential phases of a campaign last week, this time I’m taking you a step further to explore how these phases can be adjusted. Warning! Some caution is needed in breaking these rules, so listen in to hear more.

Key Lessons from the episode:

1) The best practice structure for fundraising campaigns includes distinct phases: planning, feasibility, quiet, public and stewardship.

2) If you're going to innovate with this structure then you need to understand the strategic role played by each phase.

3) For example: The planning phase helps you clarify your fundraising priorities; the feasibly phase ensures that you listen to the views of prospective donors; and the quiet phase encourages you to focus first on those capable of giving leadership gifts.

Episode links

Episode 163: ‘Fundraising Campaigns: Structure Best-Practice’  

IDPE Schools' Fundraising and Engagement Benchmarking Report 2022

Jim Langley's LinkedIn post

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This is the first in my two-part series about Fundraising Campaigns. In this episode, I speak about how to structure a campaign over multiple phases to maximise the opportunity for success.

Whether you're new to school fundraising or looking for advanced strategies, this two-part series has got you covered. Next week, we will take a deeper dive into some more advanced topics, including when you can 'break the rules'.

Some Key Takeaways:
1. To maximise the opportunity for success in a campaign, experienced fundraisers use distinct phases: Planning, feasibility, quiet, public and stewardship phases.

2. Cultivating relationships with major donors is crucial for successful fundraising campaigns. So the phases are structured to focus on major gift conversations first.

3. Generating excitement in the whole community is a great way to finish off a campaign, but if you go public too early you risk the success of the campaign. 

4. Sometimes you can 'break the rules' of the standard campaign phases, but only if you understand the underlying principles of the best practice approach first.

Episode links
Episode 024: ‘Master the flexible feasibility study’
 
‘Capital Campaigns: Strategies that Work’ by Andrea Kihlstedt (2010)

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Coaching has become increasingly recognised for its positive impact on educational leaders, helping them find strategic focus, empower their teams and regain control over their time. In this episode, host Juliet Corbett shares her personal experience of working with coaches and highlights the five reasons why coaching works.

Key lessons from this episode:

1. Coaching helps leaders step out of their own thoughts and gain new perspectives.
2. Our thoughts don't always align with reality, and coaching can help unravel this.
3. Using a coaching session to share lots of ideas and thoughts (aka a brain dump!) enables a coach to see patterns, structure questions  and generate insights.
4. Coaching helps leaders develop a unique perspective and leadership style.

Episode Links

Discover more about having Juliet as your coach: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coaching

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, my focus is on you! I’m keen to show you that unlocking your next career step is a process that requires dedication, self-reflection and strategic planning. A few areas I touch on are networking, career plans and the importance of flexibility.

Remember, your career journey is unique to you. It's okay to have a general direction instead of a rigid plan. Take a listen to this episode and allow yourself to explore, grow and adapt. With these insights and your determination, you'll unlock the next stage of your career and achieve your goals.

"In order to unlock your next career step, it's important to ask yourself what you truly want out of your life and work. Don't just follow expectations, but road test your dreams and explore different possibilities. Visualise your ideal role and consider the skills and experience that recruiters would be looking for. Craft a results-based roadmap that aligns with your career goals and set yourself up for success." - Juliet Corbett

Episode links

Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, I talk about the shift from being solely goal-oriented to embracing problem-based strategy, inspired by the insights shared by strategy guru Richard Rumelt.

Rather than solely focusing on goals and visions, it is essential to diagnose and address the sticking points or challenges that are holding you back. By identifying the key problems, you can develop effective solutions that align with your overall vision.

Don't fall into the trap of relying solely on positive thinking or vague aspirations. Instead, emphasise action and focus on actionable steps to solve the identified problems. By shifting the conversation from goals to problem-solving, you empower your team to take meaningful action towards achieving your shared vision.

Remember, true strategy lies not just in setting goals, but in addressing the problems that hinder your progress.

Key Lessons from the Episode:
1. Strategy doesn't have to be complicated and full of jargon.
2. Vision and goals are important, but we shouldn't focus on them too much.
3. Precision and detailed visioning may not always be necessary.
4. Focusing solely on goals and aspirations without taking action is not enough.
5. Positive thinking alone won't guarantee goal achievement.
6. Action and problem-solving are crucial for strategy execution.

Episode links
Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In today's episode, we're diving into the topic of delegation once again. But this time, we'll be exploring a trap that many leaders, including myself, have fallen into - the 'Done For You' Delegation Trap. I discuss the idea of three service levels, a concept well established in the wider service sector, how this relates to delegation and how it can help you identify and avoid this common trap.

Key lessons from this episode:

1. In the wider service sector there is a well-established concept of three service levels: 'do it yourself', 'done with you' and 'done for you'.

2. These three ideas also map onto delegation. But if you go down the route of 'done for you' then you end up caught in a trap that's hard to pull you and your team out of.

3. To avoid this trap, always consider how you are coaching those you lead to take on more responsibility over time, eventually enabling them to work at the 'do it yourself' level.

4.  This not only enables the leader to focus on their own strategic priorities, but also enables the team to deliver results faster and allows team members to grow in their roles.  

Episode links

Episode 155: Are You Delegating Enough?

Report: Rethinking Strategy in Independent Schools

The Strategic Independent School Leader Ebook

Preparing for an economic downturn: A checklist for private schools 

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, I delve into the strategic importance of encouraging governors, trustees, and senior leaders in our schools to contribute themselves to fundraising projects.

With insights from the IDPE Benchmarking report offering valuable guidance to navigate this compelling topic, I uncover the importance of leadership giving, the role of governors and senior leaders in setting an example and practical ideas for fundraisers to encourage their support.

Tune in and discover how to empower and engage key stakeholders in supporting your school's fundraising endeavours.

Key lessons from this episode:

1. It is not about the size of the gift, but rather the participation rate of governors and senior leaders in giving to fundraising projects.

2. The focus should be on demonstrating commitment to and belief in the project, rather than the amount given.

3. It is important to create a culture of giving within the school, starting with governors and senior leaders leading by example.

4. Highlighting the participation of governors and senior leaders in fundraising projects can motivate other donors to follow suit.

"And don't forget that if you want to be thinking strategically, all of us need to create the space to breathe, the time to learn, and the courage to adapt." — Juliet Corbett

Episode links

IDPE and Gifted Philanthropy's Schools' Fundraising and Engagement Benchmarking Report 2022

Gifted Philanthropy: www.giftedphilanthropy.com

Discover Juliet's Fundraising Focus Programme

Episode 116: Three Strategic Fundraising Choices: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/116

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, I delve into the concept of strategy as a coherent collection of decisions. I explore the definition of strategy and its relevance in the context of schools.

While many view strategy as being solely focused on occasional big decisions made by leadership, I discuss how everyday decisions made by all members of the school community are equally strategic and contribute to the realisation of the school's vision.

There’s also emphasis on the importance of the coherence of these decisions and how they align with the overall strategy.

Key Lessons from the Episode

• Strategy is not just about occasional big decisions; everyday decisions made by staff contribute to the realisation of the school's vision.
• Maintaining a focus on the long-term direction of the school is crucial for strategy implementation.
• A strategic plan is valuable as a communication tool, but it's the actual decisions and actions on the ground that truly matter.
• Coherence ensures that all decisions align with the overall strategy and work towards the same goals.

Episode links

Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, we're tackling a topic that resonates with many of us: liberating our time. Time management is a constant challenge for school leaders, who often struggle to focus on what truly matters amidst a sea of urgent tasks and responsibilities.

In previous episodes, I've explored ways to reduce the impact of activities like email and the importance of delegation.

Today, I take a step further and examine a time sink that extends beyond the workplace: our media consumption. From social media to streaming services, these media companies are vying for our attention and profiting from it.

But what does this mean for our productivity and wellbeing? Join me as I discuss the attention economy, the addictive nature of media, and the impact on our cognitive abilities and mental state.

Key Lessons from the Episode:

• It's easy to default to long periods of time consuming media because the platforms are build to profit from our attention.
• Setting boundaries around media consumption promotes a healthier work-life balance.
• Mindful media consumption allows for intentional learning and skill development.
• Being proactive in managing media consumption leads to increased productivity and focus.

Episode links

'The Social Dilemma', 2020 documentary

‘Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World’ by Cal Newport, 2016

Episode 129: Your inbox is not your job

Episode 155: Are you delegating enough?

Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode I dive into the important topic of delegation in schools. As a coach for educational leaders, I’ve witnessed the power of effective delegation in empowering teams and delivering strategic goals. Delegation not only distributes the workload, but also allows leaders to focus on tasks that align with their strengths and to maximise their positive impact.

However, many school leaders struggle to delegate effectively. In this episode, I set out how to determine if you are delegating enough and discuss the mindset barriers that often hinder delegation.

Join me as I uncover strategies to overcome these challenges and unlock the full potential of strategic leadership.

Key Lessons from the Episode:

• Delegation allows leaders to empower their team members and involve everyone in the strategic process.
• Before diving into delegation tactics, it's important to overcome mindset barriers that hinder delegation.
• Leaders can check whether they are delegating to the right level by considering feedback from others.
• Honest conversations with colleagues and trusted individuals can provide valuable insights on your own delegation style.

“Overcoming the mindset of 'it's easier to do it myself' is crucial in order to empower those around you to deliver more." Juliet Corbett

Episode links

Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In today's episode, "Building Fundraising Confidence," I’m diving into the world of fundraising and exploring how it can help schools achieve their goals to make a positive impact on their communities. Fundraising is not just about asking people for money, but rather offering an opportunity to contribute to something meaningful and make a difference. I'll be discussing four mindsets that might be holding you back from feeling confident in your fundraising efforts and how to shift them.

Key Lessons from the episode

• Building fundraising confidence is important for school leaders.
• Fundraising is not simply asking people for money; it's offering them an opportunity to make a difference.
• Finding your personal connection to the project makes fundraising easier.
• Understanding the impact of philanthropic donations is key to building fundraising confidence.
• Fundraising success is achievable by embracing a growth mindset and continuous learning.

"Nobody is a natural fundraiser. It's something we learn and develop through practice and finding our personal connection to the project." Juliet Corbett

Episode links

Discover Juliet's Fundraising Focus Programme

Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode I present an exploratory framework to help you discuss AI and take action in your school. No-one can give you all the answers at the moment, so I offer questions you can ask within your school community to guide a strategic approach to AI. This episode will help you embrace this new technology and its impact.

Key lessons from this episode

• Pupils in schools will grow up "AI native". The rest of us will need to actively keep up with advancements.
• Opinions on the impact of AI in education are varied, but even amid this uncertainty we need to take action.
• Developing the necessary skill-set within leaders and staff will allow your school to address AI's challenges and opportunities.
• It's critical that we guide students in understanding the ethical use of AI and emerging technologies.
• AI technology will improve rapidly - I predict that in five years' time the AI we have today will look incredibly simplistic.

Quotables

Harnessing the Power of AI in Education:
"Teachers will be harnessing the power of AI, but filtering it through their uniquely human understanding of educational pedagogy. And this is based on instinct. It's based on emotional intelligence. It's based on things which AI will not be able to replicate, at least not within my lifetime."
— Juliet Corbett

AI's Impact on the Operational Efficiency of Schools:
"Every organisation on the planet will need to adapt its processes in order to harness the efficiencies which AI offers."
— Juliet Corbett

The Future of Education:
"It's going to impact the already growing distance learning models that we've seen emerging and accelerating during the pandemic."
— Juliet Corbett

Episode notes

Episode 132: ChatGPT for Schools: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/132

Episode 133: ChatGPT Masterclass: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/133

Episode 142: Using data to make your life easier with Adriana Williams, Director of Development, Marymount International School: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/142

Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, I share with you my new mission. We know from academic evidence that organisations with a clear strategy outperform organisations without a strategy.

I extend this to explore the connection between organisational strategy and leader wellbeing. This supports my mission to promote agile strategies within schools. Or, to translate this into a phrase I prefer, to consider strategy as a learning process.

Listen for further discussion of focus and simplicity with regards to your school strategy.

Episode links

Episode 143: Strategy as Learning: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/143

Episode 135: Five Elements of Strategic Thinking: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/135

Episode 151: Simplicity in Strategy (Rest and Reset series #3): www.consultjuliet.co.uk/151

Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this week’s podcast episode, ‘Simplicity in Strategy’, I explain why a simple strategy is often better than a complex one and how this connects to the idea of strategy as a learning process, or agile strategy as it’s often called.

I encourage you to swim against the tide of complexity, embrace simplicity and agility in your strategy!

Episode links

Episode 149: The Importance of Rest (Rest and Reset series #1): www.consultjuliet.co.uk/149

Episode 150: Intuition and Strategy (Rest and Reset series #2): www.consultjuliet.co.uk/150

Episode 143: Strategy as Learning: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/143

Episode 134: Four Building Blocks of Strategy: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/134

Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This second episode in my Rest and Reset series draws your attention to Intuition and Strategy.

Intellect and analysis are important for strategic thinking but don’t dismiss how significant your intuition can be in making the right decisions.

Listen to my latest podcast episode in which I pose reflective questions and discuss the soft skills of emotional intelligence, empathy and intuition.

Episode notes

Episode 149: The Importance of Rest (Rest and Reset series #1): www.consultjuliet.co.uk/149

Episode 054: Wise strategy: Using Intuition: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/054

Episode 134: Four Building Blocks of Strategy: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/134

Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This episode is an important one for you. It’s all about rest and recuperation and how we can reset our approach to work to make our future strategies efficient and enjoyable. You’ll hear my personal story, as well as scientific research, to convince you how important rest is for you too.

There’s a great deal of scientific evidence about the importance of rest, especially in connection with strategic, creative thinking.

Take a listen to hear more.

Episode links:

'Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less' by Alex Soojong-Kim Pang

Talks at Google with Alex Soojong-Kim Pang

'The Ezra Klein Show: Sabbath and the Art of Rest'

Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, I present my simple framework which helps school staff members to understand their role in strategy implementation: Strategic Thinking in Three Dimensions.

The first dimension, 'looking up', involves aligning the problem or decision a staff member has to make upwards to meet the school's strategy. This encourages individuals to consider how their actions connect to the overall strategy.

The second dimension, 'looking around', involves encouraging individuals to think about collaboration and how they can connect what they are doing to other activities across the organisation.

The third dimension, 'looking ahead', helps staff members consider the future impact of decisions they are making, and how they might build in flexibility to deal with change.

By combining these three dimensions, staff can ensure their actions and decisions deliver the broader strategic direction of your school.

References and Resources:

To see the image of the Strategic Thinking in Three Dimensions framework visit www.consultjuliet.co.uk/148

Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

SWOT is a critical strategy analysis tool. It encourages high-quality strategic thinking which results in decisions being made and action taken.

But SWOT is often misunderstood. Having sailed through the internal Strengths and Weaknesses, people often continue to consider the Opportunities and Threats through an internal lens. However, it's critical that you consider these from an external point of view: looking for external trends that act as opportunities and threats.

Take a listen to this essential replay episode for my top tips. They’ll guide you in completing your SWOT analysis with specificity.

Let me help you structure your strategic thinking and inform your decision making. Get ahead of the game. It’ll be worth it!

References and Resources:
Episode 048: Scanning your environment (www.consultjuliet.co.uk/048)

Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Use this week’s episode to check how robust your school’s strategy is.

Listen and use my guidance to seek the 5 signs that your strategy is ready to roll.

1. Your strategy takes a long-term view
2. Your strategy makes tough choices about how to focus scarce resources
3. Your strategy addresses the main challenges you face
4. Your strategy is disputable
5. Your strategy involves thorough development but a clear action-focused outcome

Strategy is a collection of coherent decisions which determine and deliver the long-term direction and goals of an organisation. Aligning your strategic thinking with the 5 indicators discussed in this episode will ensure robustness and readiness for all scenarios.

References and Resources:

Episode 092: What timeframe should our strategy cover? (www.consultjuliet.co.uk/092)

Episode 132: ChatGPT for Schools (www.consultjuliet.co.uk/132)

Episode 133: ChatGPT Masterclass (www.consultjuliet.co.uk/133)

Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Here on The Independent School Podcast we're passionate about the positive impact of education. In this episode I speak with Clementine Brown and Eliana Sleiman from CodeBrave about partnerships between schools in the UK and Lebanon.

Over the last three years, the percentage of the Lebanese population living under the poverty line has risen from 28% to 82%, and they are now experiencing 50% youth unemployment. CodeBrave is a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to power Lebanon’s next generation with tech skills, helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to lift themselves out of poverty.

CodeBrave does this through providing classes and boot camps in coding, robotics, AI and web development, both in-person and online. They are leading thinking on integrating STEM education with trauma psychology and their approach to the teaching of essential soft skills alongside digital coding skills is inspiring.

Take a listen and hear how CodeBrave’s partnerships with UK independent schools are successfully combining Global Citizenship Education and making a positive impact.

References and Resources:

Connect with Clementine and Eliana on LinkedIn:

Clementine Brown: www.linkedin.com/in/clementine-brown

Eliana Sleiman: www.linkedin.com/in/elianasleiman

Websites:

CodeBrave Lebanon

CodeBrave Tutors

Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk

Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This week’s episode is all about maximising the benefits of your strategic plan. I’ll help you understand the limitations of a rigid plan, the role of a flexible strategic plan in schools and how to use your strategic plan to propel your school forward.

Episode Links

Want to explore working with Juliet in a strategy session? Contact us at hello@consultjuliet.co.uk to set up a time to talk with Juliet.

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Agile strategic thinking is so important right now. Therefore, we are returning to focus our attention on strategy as a learning, rather than a planning, process.

Let us establish a learning lens through which we can identify problems, create hypotheses, pilot projects, reflect and ultimately create a full cycle of successful strategic development.

This episode reminds us how successful independent school strategy can be with a learning mindset. The third in my four part mini-series on Rethinking Strategy from 2022, I invite you to have another listen!

Episode notes

Episode 105: How planned is your strategy? (Rethinking strategy - Part 1)

Episode 106: Disruptive edge, stable core (Rethinking strategy - part 2)

Episode 108: Culture eats strategy for breakfast (Rethinking strategy - part 4)

Download my “Rethinking strategy in independent schools” Research Report

Work with Juliet Corbett www.consultjuliet.co.uk/services

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode I’m joined by Adriana Williams, Director of Development at Marymount International School London. We focus our discussion on data and why it is so important within a school Development Office context.

Listen in to hear how to utilise your database to its best capability, improve and record processes and how to showcase key data to your community.

Adriana Williams loves to ensure data sparks joy for developmental professionals and you’ll find her points in this episode do just that!

Episode links

Marymount International School London

Episode 063: Mastering Key Performance Indicators 

Episode 124: Resilient systems, processes and succession planning

Episode 137: What is your Fundraising Data Not Telling You?  

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This episode explores anticipating scenarios and navigating inevitable change in our schools. ‘Managing uncertainty’ is part of the lexicon now in leadership, so having a prepared approach for dealing with potential scenarios is a great way to strategise.

Scenarios won’t predict the future, but they will help us to explore future possibilities.

Listen to this episode to hear my shared team approach for developing scenarios and testing your strategic choices:

What range of viable options might you have in that future scenario?
What could you do now to prepare?
How will you know if that scenario is unfolding?

Episode links
‘Scenario Thinking: Preparing Your Organization for the Future in an Unpredictable World’ by George Cairns and George Wright (2nd edition, 2017)

Working with Juliet: Contact us to set up a chat with Juliet about your next Strategy Day hello@consultjuliet.co.uk

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This episode is one for you and your own professional development. My guest Phillip Rothwell, Director of Development, Warwick Independent Schools Foundation encourages you to advocate for your own career development.

Listen for some great personal anecdotes and reasons why investing in your own professional growth is so important.

Searching out opportunities, working out ways to fund personal professional development and knowing how to gain recognition for your contribution to the industry are all suggested approaches worth hearing about.

Episode Links

Certified Fund Raising Executive

Warwick Independent Schools Foundation

Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!