A Headteacher's Perspective Podcast

Behaviour isn’t just something to manage — it’s something children learn, practise, and refine every day. In this episode, we unpack why behaviour itself should be seen as a curriculum: a set of habits, expectations, and values that shape who children become. From classroom routines to playground dynamics, we’ll explore how schools can teach behaviour with the same clarity, consistency, and compassion as maths or literacy.

* Why behaviour is learned, not just enforced

* The role of consistency and modelling in shaping conduct

* How schools can build a positive culture without heavy-handed rules

* Practical strategies for making behaviour part of the curriculum

* Stories of classrooms where behaviour teaching transformed outcomes

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

Behaviour isn’t just something to manage — it’s something children learn, practise, and refine every day. In this episode, we unpack why behaviour itself should be seen as a curriculum: a set of habits, expectations, and values that shape who children become. From classroom routines to playground dynamics, we’ll explore how schools can teach behaviour with the same clarity, consistency, and compassion as maths or literacy.

* Why behaviour is learned, not just enforced

* The role of consistency and modelling in shaping conduct

* How schools can build a positive culture without heavy-handed rules

* Practical strategies for making behaviour part of the curriculum

* Stories of classrooms where behaviour teaching transformed outcomes

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

Even the most accomplished headteachers can secretly feel like they’re not good enough. In this episode, we shine a light on imposter syndrome in school leadership — the hidden doubts, the constant comparisons, and the pressure to always appear confident. We’ll explore why so many leaders feel this way, how it affects decision-making and wellbeing, and what can be done to break the silence.

* What imposter syndrome looks like in school leadership

* Why even experienced heads doubt their abilities

* Practical steps to recognise and challenge those feelings

* How openness and peer support reduce the burden

* Stories that remind leaders they’re not alone in their doubts

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

Even the most accomplished headteachers can secretly feel like they’re not good enough. In this episode, we shine a light on imposter syndrome in school leadership — the hidden doubts, the constant comparisons, and the pressure to always appear confident. We’ll explore why so many leaders feel this way, how it affects decision-making and wellbeing, and what can be done to break the silence.

* What imposter syndrome looks like in school leadership

* Why even experienced heads doubt their abilities

* Practical steps to recognise and challenge those feelings

* How openness and peer support reduce the burden

* Stories that remind leaders they’re not alone in their doubts

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

Feedback is supposed to help us grow — but sometimes it stings. In this episode, we explore what happens when feedback bites back: the emotional impact, the defensive reactions, and the chance it gives us to build resilience and self-awareness. With real stories from the classroom and leadership, we’ll uncover how to move past the sting and use feedback — both giving and receiving — as a powerful tool for improvement.

* Why feedback often feels personal, even when it’s professional

* Strategies for receiving criticism without losing confidence

* How to deliver feedback that challenges but doesn’t crush

* The role of culture in making feedback constructive

* Stories of teachers and leaders who turned tough feedback into growth

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

Feedback is supposed to help us grow — but sometimes it stings. In this episode, we explore what happens when feedback bites back: the emotional impact, the defensive reactions, and the chance it gives us to build resilience and self-awareness. With real stories from the classroom and leadership, we’ll uncover how to move past the sting and use feedback — both giving and receiving — as a powerful tool for improvement.

* Why feedback often feels personal, even when it’s professional

* Strategies for receiving criticism without losing confidence

* How to deliver feedback that challenges but doesn’t crush

* The role of culture in making feedback constructive

* Stories of teachers and leaders who turned tough feedback into growth

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

Headteachers are expected to care for everyone — staff, pupils, families, even governors. But who is looking after them? In this episode, we explore the often-ignored reality of headteacher wellbeing, where trust, permission, and sometimes even a simple biscuit can make all the difference. It’s a candid, light-hearted yet serious reflection on why leadership care matters, and how schools and communities can step up to ensure their leaders don’t run on empty.

* Why headteacher wellbeing is essential for whole-school success

* The importance of trust and permission in supporting leaders

* Small, practical gestures that make a big difference

* How governors, staff, and peers can share the weight of leadership

* Stories that highlight the human side of headship

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

Headteachers are expected to care for everyone — staff, pupils, families, even governors. But who is looking after them? In this episode, we explore the often-ignored reality of headteacher wellbeing, where trust, permission, and sometimes even a simple biscuit can make all the difference. It’s a candid, light-hearted yet serious reflection on why leadership care matters, and how schools and communities can step up to ensure their leaders don’t run on empty.

* Why headteacher wellbeing is essential for whole-school success

* The importance of trust and permission in supporting leaders

* Small, practical gestures that make a big difference

* How governors, staff, and peers can share the weight of leadership

* Stories that highlight the human side of headship

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

When new guidance lands from the Department for Education, schools often feel the pressure to react fast. But what if the most powerful step a school could take was to pause? In this episode, we share our school’s honest and practical response to the DfE’s workload and wellbeing guidance — what we embraced, what we adapted, and what we left behind. It’s a candid look at leadership decisions that protect staff, prioritise pupils, and keep wellbeing more than just a buzzword.

* Why “pressing pause” can be the boldest leadership move

* How to translate DfE guidance into actions that fit your context

* Examples of workload wins that genuinely free up teachers’ time

* The role of staff voice in shaping sustainable change

* Lessons learned that other schools can adapt and apply

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

When new guidance lands from the Department for Education, schools often feel the pressure to react fast. But what if the most powerful step a school could take was to pause? In this episode, we share our school’s honest and practical response to the DfE’s workload and wellbeing guidance — what we embraced, what we adapted, and what we left behind. It’s a candid look at leadership decisions that protect staff, prioritise pupils, and keep wellbeing more than just a buzzword.

* Why “pressing pause” can be the boldest leadership move

* How to translate DfE guidance into actions that fit your context

* Examples of workload wins that genuinely free up teachers’ time

* The role of staff voice in shaping sustainable change

* Lessons learned that other schools can adapt and apply

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe