Strategic Schools

In this episode, Simon explores how leaders can embed improvement work so deeply into structures, norms, and culture that it lasts long after they’ve moved on. He shares a mindset shift from leading change to leading a legacy, offering practical cues for making your work durable, sustainable, and adaptable. True impact comes not from being indispensable but from making the work irreversible - able to evolve and thrive without you.

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In this episode, Simon unpacks the vital leadership disposition of adaptive persistence - the ability to stay committed to long-term goals while flexibly adjusting to challenges. Drawing on insights from Professor Viviane Robinson and real-world improvement work, he explores how calm, steady leadership helps teams navigate setbacks without losing direction. It’s not just about grit - it’s about knowing when and how to adapt while keeping the bigger goal in sight.

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In this episode, Simon explores the power of “looping for understanding”, a simple technique to improve communication, build trust, and avoid misunderstandings. Simon unpacks how listening attentively, paraphrasing, and checking for understanding can transform everyday leadership conversations. A practical, people-focused skill every educational leader can use to foster stronger relationships and greater clarity in high-stakes or everyday dialogue.

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In this episode, Simon shares why school improvement is more like night driving than building a bridge - you can’t see the whole road, but you can still make the journey. He unpacks how working in 5 to 8 week action cycles can help teams stay focused, reduce overload, and make consistent progress. Instead of overplanning years in advance, learn to make realistic, intentional decisions for the term ahead - and build momentum, one stretch at a time.

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In this episode, Simon explores why effective school improvement isn’t about going fast or slow - it’s about finding a natural pace. Drawing on lessons from fitness and recovery, he unpacks how leaders can tune into their team’s capacity, avoid burnout, and build sustainable momentum. Learn how to work in the right zone of improvement - challenged but not overloaded. An ideal listen for anyone leading change who wants to sustain progress over time.

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Many school improvement plans are overloaded from the start. In this episode, Simon explores how to integrate The Pruning Principle into your planning cycle - by subtracting before you add. Learn how to reduce unrealistic commitments, embed subtractive strategies, and create space for what matters most. A practical guide to shifting from planning theatre to focused, sustainable improvement.

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By trimming just one hour of meetings per week, you could reclaim a full work week each year. In this episode, Simon explores how small shifts in meeting cadence, duration, and structure can unlock major time savings and boost focus. Learn how to run low-risk pruning experiments with your team - and start creating margin for the work that matters most.

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In this episode, Simon shares why the best place to start pruning isn’t at the system level - it’s in your own life. From deleting unused apps to unsubscribing from email lists, he offers practical, low-stakes ways to reclaim clarity and focus. Learn how small acts of personal pruning build momentum, reduce overload, and shift your sense of agency - one strategic subtraction at a time. A timely listen for leaders ready to do less, better.

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In this episode, Simon Breakspear unpacks the sunk cost fallacy - a powerful cognitive bias that keeps educators clinging to ineffective programs simply because they've already invested time, money, or energy. This hidden trap can block the strategic pruning needed for real progress. Learn how to spot it, talk about it, and move on - so you can redirect resources toward what will truly make a difference.

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In this episode, Simon reads from Chapter 2 of The Pruning Principle, his recently released book, exploring how ancient horticultural wisdom — yes, pruning olive trees and grapevines — can offer a fresh lens for tackling overload in education. Discover how strategic subtraction can help schools flourish by focusing energy where it matters most.

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