Edwin Talks

What does it really take to create schools where people feel safe to speak up, challenge ideas and bring their whole selves to work?

In this episode, Julie Liddell is joined by Laura McPhee, Director of Education at University Schools Trust and author of Empowering Teachers, Improving Schools: Belonging, Psychological Safety and School Improvement. Laura believes psychological safety is far more than a ‘nice to have’, she shares how it can create the conditions for stronger leadership, greater innovation and better outcomes for pupils.

Laura also shares her own leadership experiences, including the lessons she learned from trying to conform to the idea of what a leader ‘should’ be, and why belonging, supportive challenge and cognitive diversity matter at every level of a school community.

Explore more:
Empowering Teachers, Improving Schools: Belonging, Psychological Safety and School Improvement.
Listen to the Edwin Talks Playlist

Learn more about The Edwin Group 

What if flourishing in education meant more than happiness, wellbeing or positive vibes? In this episode, Julie Liddell is joined by Andy Wolfe, Interim Chief Executive of the National Society and Chief Education Officer for the Church of England, to explore what it really means for pupils, teachers and leaders to flourish. 

From purpose and relationships to attendance, vocational education and the future of the teaching profession, Andy challenges us to think beyond surface-level solutions and ask a bigger question: what would change if we put human flourishing at the heart of education?

Explore more:
Flourishing Together: A Christian Vision for Students, Educators, and Schools
The Flourishing Schools Federation
Andy Wolfe

Dr Alexandra Thorp, former primary headteacher and executive head, Ofsted HMI and senior HMI for SEND, and now CEO of a Multi Academy Trust, explores the experiences and barriers faced by women in school leadership.

In this episode, Alex discusses her doctoral research on the gender identity of school leaders and how internalised gender expectations can influence confidence, self-doubt, and leadership identity.

She explores the pressure women can feel to adopt traditionally masculine leadership traits, alongside wider structural barriers including bias and motherhood.

Alex also shares how leadership training, coaching and workplace culture can help create more equitable opportunities for progression.

Kat Howard, Executive School Improvement Lead at Windsor Academy Trust and CEO of Lit Drive, explores the relationship between workload, school culture and staff wellbeing.

In this episode, Kat shares her journey from banking to teaching and explains why she wrote Stop Talking About Wellbeing, arguing that wellbeing initiatives can feel hollow when policies and expectations create excessive workload. She discusses how miscarriage policies and maternity leave can shape the experience of working in education, and the importance of creating policies that genuinely support staff.

Kat offers practical approaches for leaders, including listening to lived experiences, communicating clearly and being disciplined about change and priorities.

Explore more:
Stop Talking About Wellbeing
Symbiosis: The Curriculum and the Classroom
Reviving Rhetoric Across the Curriculum: A Guide for Teachers and School Leaders
Lit Drive
MTPT Project

Alice Witherow, CEO of the Cheviot Learning Trust, shares insights from more than 30 years in education, exploring leadership, collaboration and creating cultures where all school staff can thrive.

Recorded shortly before her retirement as CEO, Alice looks back on the mentors, experiences and values that shaped her belief that supporting staff is essential to supporting children.

She discusses the challenges and opportunities of leadership, the importance of keeping children at the heart of decision-making, and why collaboration, shared vision and relationships are critical to school success.

Joanna Povall, Principal of the British International School Abu Dhabi, Lead Improvement Partner for COBIS, and author of Kind Leadership, explores how kindness can transform leadership and school culture.

In this episode, Joanna reflects on her journey into leadership and explains how her approach evolved from striving for perfection to leading with greater empathy, fairness and understanding.

Joanna introduces her CHASE framework and shares practical examples of how kind leadership can build trust, strengthen relationships and create healthier, more sustainable school cultures.

She also reflects on the importance of self-kindness, boundaries and making time for deep thinking.

Explore more:

Kind Leadership: Leading schools with empathy, honesty and impact

Andrew Marsh, ex-headteacher and author of Quiet Leadership: The Power of Introversion in Schools, explores the strengths and challenges of leading as an introvert in education.

In this episode, Andrew reflects on a 46-year career in education and discusses how coaching helped him embrace an authentic leadership style rather than trying to fit extroverted expectations.

He explores common misconceptions about introversion, explains how it differs from shyness and anxiety, and shares why school cultures and recruitment processes can sometimes overlook quiet leadership qualities.

Explore more:
Quiet Leadership: The Power of Introversion in Schools
Andrew Marsh's Substack 

Lisa Lea-Weston, founder and director of Talking Heads Supervision, explores how professional supervision can support wellbeing, leadership and decision-making in education.

In this episode, Lisa shares her journey from acting and drama therapy to founding Talking Heads Supervision, and explains why supervision should be a normal part of professional life for education leaders.

She explains how reflective conversations can help leaders navigate complexity, ethical decision-making and the emotional demands of their roles.

Lisa also discusses the concept of “safeguarding the safeguarder”, the impact of supervision on school culture and wellbeing, and the value of creativity and reflection in helping leaders thrive while improving outcomes for children and young people.

Explore more:
Talking Heads Supervision

This episode includes discussion of emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention. Please listen with care if these topics feel sensitive for you.

Neil Kelders, speaker, coach, and wellbeing advocate, explores how societal expectations can shape how we express emotions, seek support, and connect with others.

In this episode, Neil discusses the pressure many people feel to appear strong, cope alone and avoid vulnerability. He reflects on how emotions can surface in unhelpful ways when they are ignored, and why emotionally safe environments are essential for honest conversations and healthy relationships.

Neil explores how families, schools and workplaces can create cultures where people feel able to speak openly about challenges, and shares practical insights on modelling vulnerability, building connection and supporting wellbeing.

Explore more:

Neil Kelders’ website

Support resources:

Papyrus HOPELINEUK (under 35s): 0800 068 4141 or text 07786 209 697

Samaritans: 116 123

Shout: text SHOUT to 85258

NHS Mental Health Services: 111

Dr Catherine Place, headteacher, researcher and educational leader, shares insights into the relationship between school culture, collaboration and teacher wellbeing.

In this episode, Catherine reflects on her journey from psychology student to founding headteacher of Jubilee Park Primary School, and discusses the experiences that led her to research educator wellbeing at a doctoral level.

Drawing on her thesis, she explores how trust, agency, relationships and organisational culture influence whether teachers simply cope or truly thrive.

Read Catherine’s doctoral thesis