In Chapter 3, Jonny Millard takes a courageous step as he reaches out for help, sharing his growing struggles with colleagues and leadership. Determined to salvage the passion he once had for teaching, Jonny recounts his desperate attempts to address the toxic environment that was taking a toll on his mental health.

As the story unfolds, Jonny paints a vivid picture of his internal battle, the systemic issues within his school, and the harsh realities of a profession that often fails to support its own. 

This chapter is a heartfelt exploration of vulnerability, resilience, and the limits of endurance in the face of adversity.

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Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...

In Chapter 2 of Jonny Millard's story, we follow his move to a new school with high hopes and ambition. However, unforeseen changes in leadership and department dynamics quickly create a challenging environment.

Jonny shares how the arrival of a new head of history marked the beginning of a steady decline in his motivation and mental health. Through microaggressions, a lack of support, and poor management, his workplace became increasingly toxic, leaving him questioning his abilities and self-worth.

As he begins to open up about his struggles, we see a vulnerable and deeply personal account of how unchecked behaviours in schools can have a profound impact on teachers.

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Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...

Welcome to a very special Christmas special 5 part episode of the Pit Pony Podcast.

In this first chapter of Jonny Millard’s compelling story, we meet an ambitious young history teacher from the Midlands. With dreams of becoming a headteacher, Jonny entered the profession full of passion, eager to make a difference and climb the ranks of leadership. But by 2019, his journey had taken an unexpected turn.

Through this introduction to Jonny’s career, we uncover the early years of his teaching path, his rise within the classroom, and the cracks that began to form. A single incident with a faulty laptop cable would soon become the catalyst for a life-altering decision, one that would ultimately lead him to a completely different path.

As Jonny opens up about his struggles, this chapter sets the stage for the deeper complexities of his journey in the chapters to come.

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Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...

In this heart-wrenching yet uplifting episode of the Pit Pony Podcast, we sit down with Hannah Jones, a former teacher whose passion for education carried her from the classroom to an extraordinary role as Head of Prison Education for England and Wales.

Hannah’s story is one of resilience, determination, and transformation. With a family background rooted in education and years of teaching both abroad and in the UK, Hannah believed her future lay firmly in the classroom. However, a series of personal and professional challenges - ranging from teaching in a windowless classroom to facing heartbreaking obstacles as a parent of a child with cerebral palsy - led her to reassess her path.

Hannah shares:

• Her experiences working in a rigid and unsupportive school environment.
• The breaking point that led her to walk out of teaching after only four months at a new school.
• How she rediscovered her passion for education in a new and meaningful way, leading to her current role.
• A deeply personal and emotional account of how her family navigated her husband’s rare cancer diagnosis.

This episode is a powerful reminder that life after teaching isn’t just possible - it can be transformative. Hannah’s journey proves that even in the darkest moments, there’s hope, opportunity, and a chance to thrive.

Buy Us a Coffee ☕️

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• Mind
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Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...

After 17 years in education, Rae Dillon made a bold decision to leave the classroom and step into a whole new world. In this episode, Rae shares her fascinating journey from teaching in the UK and China to becoming a successful copywriter, editor, and proofreader with her own business.

Discover how teaching abroad gave Rae a unique perspective on education, why two and a half days of supply teaching confirmed her decision to leave the UK system, and how she transformed her love of writing into a thriving career.

Plus, Rae reveals how she built resilience through rejection, tailored her CV for a new industry, and found her niche in a competitive market.

Tune in for practical tips, motivational insights, and the proof that life outside of teaching can be as fulfilling as it is exciting!

Buy Us a Coffee ☕️

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Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...

After 11 years in the classroom, Nicole Bateman left teaching in 2021, seeking a new way to align her career with her family's needs and her personal passions. Today, she’s thriving as the Friendly SEND Advisor, making children’s activities more inclusive for those with special educational needs.

Nicole shares her powerful journey, including the life-altering incident that shook her confidence, her struggles with balancing work and family, and how she transformed adversity into opportunity. Discover how Nicole used her experience as a teacher and a parent of a neurodivergent child to forge a new path—one where she champions children with SEND and equips activity providers and tutors to create truly inclusive environments.

Nicole's story is one of resilience, reinvention, and rediscovering purpose.

Here are Nicole's links :

Websites - https://nicolebateman.co.uk/ and https://www.thesupersensorysquad.com/

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

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

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

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Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...

After 14 years in teaching, from secondary English to primary leadership roles, Amy Meade’s journey out of the classroom is remarkable. 

Amy candidly shares the burnout that came with Ofsted pressures, the life-changing realisation that school didn’t have to own her, and how she stepped into a new career as a Learning and Development Manager. 

Through over 400 job applications, Amy’s resilience and adaptability are an inspiration to anyone contemplating a leap into life after teaching. 

This episode is packed with advice, heart, and a beautiful Sliding Doors moment that reminds us of the preciousness of time.

Buy Us a Coffee ☕️

Loving the Pit Pony Podcast? We’d be so grateful for your support! We’ve set up a Buy Me a Coffee page where you can make a small donation to help keep the podcast running.

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Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...

Today, we’re joined by Rowena Hicks, who dedicated over 30 years to her role as a Deputy Head Teacher and SENCO in the London-Kent area. Teaching was Rowena's life - it was her passion, her calling, and she gave it her all, right up until the moment her own health signalled it was time to step back.

Rowena opens up about the physical and emotional toll of being a people-pleaser in the world of education. From pushing through chronic stress to the realisation that her relentless work ethic was costing her health, Rowena shares her journey of self-discovery and recovery. 

She talks about the pivotal moment she took her doctor’s warning seriously, the challenges of redefining herself outside the classroom, and the newfound passion she’s poured into her second career as an author.

Tune in to hear Rowena’s inspiring path from burnout to balance, her take on the importance of self-worth, and the small, daily steps she’s taken to rebuild her life with intention and joy.

Notable links :

Rowena's website : https://www.rowenahicks.com/

Facebook group : https://www.facebook.com/groups/preventingteacherburnout

Buy Us a Coffee ☕️

Loving the Pit Pony Podcast? We’d be so grateful for your support! We’ve set up a Buy Me a Coffee page where you can make a small donation to help keep the podcast running.

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Thanks for listening 🙏

Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...

In this episode, we sit down with Helen Taylor, a former history teacher whose dedication to education was undeniable. Helen spent 18 years in teaching, finding joy in her students and a deep sense of purpose in the classroom. For years, she believed teaching was her lifelong path, pouring her energy and resources into her role.

But after a gruelling stint with new pressures, overwhelming workloads, and the unrelenting demands of a system that left her burned out, Helen made the life-changing decision to leave the profession she loved. 

Helen takes us through her turbulent decision to exit the profession, charting a new course and eventually finding herself soaring to unexpected heights as cabin crew for British Airways. 

Join us as Helen shares her story of resilience, personal reinvention, and the thrill of embracing a life she’d never imagined, 30,000 feet above the classroom.

https://www.tiktok.com/@helentaylor46

Buy Us a Coffee ☕️

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Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...

In this episode of the Pit Pony Podcast, we speak to the inspirational James Terry.

James describes himself as “born to teach.” From his first work experience as a teacher in school, he knew it was his calling. For six years, he found joy and purpose in the classroom, creating an environment that felt like home. But after moving to a new school, James lasted only four terms before he handed his resignation to the head’s PA, never looking back.

Join us as we follow James’s journey through the next eight years, facing life outside the familiar grounds of teaching. He speaks openly about the challenges, the loss of direction, and ultimately, the resilience that guided him through until he found a surprising new role that has brought him a renewed sense of purpose and fulfilment.

Find James here:
Visit James's website  www.jamesterrycelebrant.co.uk
Follow James on Facebook
Follow James on Instagram

Contact James by email:
[email protected]

Buy Us a Coffee ☕️

Loving the Pit Pony Podcast? We’d be so grateful for your support! We’ve set up a Buy Me a Coffee page where you can make a small donation to help keep the podcast running.

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Contribute to our 'Silenced by Support' Campaign - complete the questionnaire, read the report, sign up to the mailing list.

If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in our podcast there are organisations who can help:

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Thanks for listening 🙏

Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...