In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by Rachel Bates, head teacher at Weldon Park Academy. Rachel brings honesty, warmth, and years of leadership experience to a conversation about one of the most damaging patterns in education: the comparison trap.

From staff comparing themselves to colleagues, to schools being compared by league tables, comparison can fuel stress, perfectionism, and burnout. Rachel shares her own journey into teaching, the challenges of headship, and how she’s worked to build a culture that values uniqueness over uniformity.

We also touch on surprising sources of wisdom from Beyoncé to Miranda Hart and what they teach us about authenticity, belonging, and celebrating differences.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:

• Rachel’s pathway to headship and the hidden challenges behind the role.

• The “push - pull” between being an excellent teacher and being present in your personal life.

• Why safe spaces and supervision are essential for staff wellbeing.

• How culture, compassion, clarity, and capability shapes thriving schools.

• The dangers of the comparison trap and perfectionism for teachers and leaders.

• Why celebrating uniqueness is the antidote to imposter syndrome and burnout.

• Lessons from Beyoncé and Miranda Hart on being unapologetically yourself.

This episode is an empowering reminder that teachers and leaders don’t need to be carbon copies of one another. Instead, by valuing individuality and creating psychologically safe cultures, schools can flourish and so can the people within them.

Connect with Rachel:

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-bates-2a211497/

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