In this episode, we’re joined by inspiring guest—Headteacher Annabelle Kapoor, who shares her insights on what it truly means to run a school in today’s ever-evolving educational landscape.

From funding pressures to policy shifts, the role of a school leader has never been more complex. But amidst the challenges, Annabelle champions something powerful: autonomy.

Learn more about us at Mfl HQ: www.mindfulnessforlearning.com

Find Annabelle on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabellekapoor/

Instagram: @draytonparksch and @annabellekapoorcoachingWebsite: www.annabellekapoorcoaching.com

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett.

In this episode Kamalagita and Sophie explore Kamalagita's book 'The Mindful Teacher's Handbook'.

They chat about the changing landscape of mindfulness and the power of mindfulness to manage some of the larger challenges in education including the SEND crisis.

https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/the-mindful-teachers-handbook

- Breathworks - www.breathworks-mindfulness.org.uk

- MYRIAD project - https://myriadproject.org/

- Women's Hour - Is the SEND system working for children with special educational needs and disabilities? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0022ss7

Mindfulnessforlearning.com

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett.

In this episode Sophie and Adrian introduce and explore autonomy in education. They discuss why autonomy is vital for wellbeing, the challenges we face with autonomy in the current system and speak about ways we might approach change. 

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett

Kate Parish is a qualified primary school teacher, mindfulness and neuro-linguistic practitioner as well as an emotional freedom technique practitioner, trained in understanding mental health, understanding autism, challenging behaviour, life coaching and is a growth mindset advocate with over 20 years’ experience working within the education and training sector.

In this episode Kate and Sophie talk about The Mind Gig (https://www.themindgig.com/ ), how it came to be and explore how their courses are effectively supporting children in primary education. 

Find out more about Kate Parish and The Mind Gig:

https://www.themindgig.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-parish-0404a8256/

Find out more about us:

https://www.mindfulnessforlearning.com/

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett

Bounce Together is “A game-changing digital platform for measuring and continually monitoring wellbeing and mental health in your school.”

In todays educational landscape we are challenged by the increasing mental health crisis with wellbeing becoming more and more focused on.

In this episode Sophie speaks to Katie O'Brien, Head Of Marketing and Communication at Bounce Together who explains why it's vital to find surveys that fit the unique needs of different schools or communities and who can interpret the data and explore  trends or patterns.

Mindfulness for learning (https://www.mindfulnessforlearning.com/)

Bounce Together

( https://www.bouncetogether.co.uk/)

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett.

If you are wanting to know why it is so important that we reflect upon our school culture and make changes to ensure that every single person in the school community feels seen and heard then listen to this episode.

Sophie talks to KS2 Teacher & Equalities Lead, Sarah DeSilva. They explore LGBTQ+, gender, race, ageism and on top of that chat Taylor Swifts new album and the current RSE curriculum. Please note: this episode was recorded before the new DfE RSHE guidance was released on the 16.5.24.

Discover Sarah De Silva

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-desilva-5054b743/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sarahdesilvauk/

Relevant Links

https://www.theshewellintersectionalitree.co.uk

New RSHE DfE Guidance

Learn more about Mindfulness for learning

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-smith-tong-7b3891207/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mforlearning/

X - https://x.com/mforlearning

Mindfulnessforlearning.com - https://www.mindfulnessforlearning.com/

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett.

Sophie speaks to Steve Waters, Founder/CEO of Teach Well Toolkit.

Steve supports schools to build a culture of staff and pupil wellbeing and mental health. He also edited Cultures of Staff Wellbeing and Mental Health in Schools - a book full of positive case studies and reflections.

In this episode they talk about the huge job of embedding a wellbeing culture in schools whilst managing the many challenges we face including high stakes accountability, workload and the crowded curriculum.

If you are an educator, leader, mental health and wellbeing lead then this is a must!

You can also find more information about Steve and Teach Well Toolkit at teachwelltoolkit.com 

Find out more about us at Mindfulnessforlearning.com

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett.

SHARE MY STORY - A place to share your EBSA stories. - https://padlet.com/sophiemsmith/share-my-story-mindfulness-for-learning-u34ma7lm47ale2x

Have you seen the new government campaign regarding school attendance? If not then take a look - many have named it the parent blaming campaign - a child happy and smiling with a variety of slogans one of which stating "this morning he was worried about school but look at him now." 

With the government refusing to look beyond sticking plasters, Sophie speaks to three parents about their child’s traumatic school experiences. 

PLEASE NOTE: If your family are experiencing emotional based school avoidance then please tread carefully with this episode as it may be a difficult listen. In this episode we talk about anxiety, the restraining of children, self harm and suicidal thoughts. 

PDA Society - https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/

Square Peg - https://www.teamsquarepeg.org/

Not Fine in School - https://notfineinschool.co.uk/

Sunshine Support - https://sunshine-support.org/advice-and-support/

EOTAS Matters - https://www.heidimavir.com/forfamilies

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett

Sophie takes Rae away from her book writing (yes a new one is coming out in Autumn 2024!) to chat play, child development, the myth of earlier is better and childhood screen time.

Rae Pica has been an early childhood education consultant since 1980 and is internationally known as a speaker, online course creator, and author (Rae has written 22 books!). As a consultant, Rae has shared her expertise with  the Sesame Street Research Department, Centers for Disease Control, the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Nike, Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Clues, Bright Horizons, and health departments, schools, and resource and referral agencies throughout America.

Discover Rae Pica - www.raepica.com

Explore Rae Pica's resources - www.raepica.com/free-resource-library-opt-in/

Learn more about us at Mindfulness for learning - www.mindfulnessforlearning.com

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett

Amongst many other things, Ellise Hollie Hayward is a motivational speaker and disabilities correspondent @JillDandoNews. She has found her passion in supporting those working in education to do better when it comes to inclusion, following her own experiences of mainstream education with cerebral palsy.

During this episode Ellise offers practical tips on how to listen to the individual when striving for inclusive practice and also shares her own positive and negative experiences of mainstream education. 

Follow Ellise on Twitter - www.twitter.com/Ellise_Hayward_

Contact Ellise via email - [email protected]

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett