The School Podcast

What happens when a young person is struggling with behaviour, trauma and school?

In this powerful conversation, Fay Greaves shares lessons from over 30 years working with some of the most challenging students in education.

From dealing with racial abuse and restorative justice, to why consistency matters more than punishment, Fay explains how relationships, fairness and understanding can completely change a young person's future.

One of the most thought-provoking parts of the conversation explores why schools should never use a child's passion as a punishment. Whether it's sport, music, drama or another talent, Fay argues that taking away the one thing a young person is good at can often do more harm than good.

This episode is packed with practical wisdom for teachers, school leaders, parents and anyone working with young people.

Topics Covered

🎯 Behaviour management in schools

🤝 Restorative justice

🗣️ Racial abuse in education

🧠 Trauma-informed practice

💬 Building trust with students

⚖️ Fairness and consistency

🏀 Sports and positive behaviour

🏫 School culture

🛡️ Safeguarding and welfare

🌟 Supporting vulnerable young people

HUGE thank you to our sponsor Nisai Learning, an online school in the UK and worldwide providing flexible, accredited education: https://www.nisai.com

This episode is brought to you by Cameron Parker (UK's #1 Motivational Speaker for Secondary Schools) and Education Media.

🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.

#FayGreaves #behaviour #theschoolpodcast #education

This episode is one of the hardest conversations we've ever had on The School Podcast.

Michael shares the story no parent should ever have to tell. One moment he was at work living a normal day, the next he received a phone call that would change his life forever.

In this raw and emotional conversation, Michael opens up about losing his son Josh to knife crime, the hours spent in hospital hoping for good news, the moment doctors told him there was nothing more they could do, and the reality of trying to rebuild life after unimaginable loss.

What follows is an honest discussion about grief, trauma, fatherhood, resilience and why the impact of knife crime extends far beyond a single victim.

This is a powerful reminder that every statistic has a family behind it, every headline has a story, and every life lost leaves people trying to make sense of a new reality.

A huge thank you to our sponsors, Nisai Learning, for supporting The School Podcast and helping us continue to share important conversations that need to be heard.

If this episode resonates with you, please like, subscribe and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

🎙️ Hosted by Cameron Parker

#theschoolpodcast #knifecrime #fatherhood #loss #education

Strict behaviour policies are constantly criticised but why do some schools succeed while others struggle to maintain standards?

In this episode of The School Podcast, Cameron Parker sits down with Katharine Birbalsingh, founder and headteacher of Michaela Community School, to unpack what really creates strong school culture and consistent behaviour.

Together they explore:

🎯 Why most behaviour policies fail in practice

🔥 The importance of consistency across every member of staff

💬 How leadership culture shapes teacher behaviour

👔 Why school uniform matters more than people think

💪 The difference between authority and authoritarian leadership

📚 How servant leadership can raise standards without lowering expectations

Katharine explains why culture starts with leadership, why “sweating the small stuff” matters, and how schools can transform behaviour by getting staff fully aligned behind clear expectations.

If you care about school culture, behaviour and educational leadership this conversation will challenge the way you think about discipline in schools.

HUGE thank you to our sponsor Nisai Learning, an online school in the UK and worldwide providing flexible, accredited education: https://www.nisai.com

This episode is brought to you by Cameron Parker (UK's #1 Motivational Speaker for Secondary Schools) and Education Media.

👉 Watch, subscribe and share if you believe teachers deserve strong leadership and clear standards.

#TheSchoolPodcast #KatharineBirbalsingh #Education #SchoolLeadership #BehaviourManagement

Why does representation matter?

In this inspiring throwback episode of The School Podcast, Cameron Parker sits down with Miriam Manderson to discuss leadership, representation and the power of helping young people believe what is possible for their future.

Miriam reflects on breaking barriers throughout her career in education, the importance of visible role models, and why "you cannot be what you cannot see" remains such a powerful message for young people today.

The conversation also explores aspiration, diversity in schools, parenting, work-life balance and the challenges many educators face when trying to make a difference both at school and at home.

A thought-provoking episode for anyone working in education, leadership, parenting or youth development.

Topics include:

🌟 Why representation matters

🏫 Leadership in education

🙌 Role models and aspiration

🌍 Diversity in schools

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parenting and education

⚖️ Work-life balance

💭 Supporting young people to succeed

📈 Breaking barriers and raising aspirations

HUGE thank you to our sponsor Nisai Learning, an online school in the UK and worldwide providing flexible, accredited education: https://www.nisai.com

This episode is brought to you by Cameron Parker (UK's #1 Motivational Speaker for Secondary Schools) and Education Media.

If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to like, comment and subscribe to The School Podcast for more conversations on education, leadership and youth development.

#theschoolpodcast #miriammanderson #cameronparker #education #leadership

Why are two firefighters asking strangers to talk about mental health?

In this episode of The School Podcast, Cameron Parker sits down with firefighters Ralphy and Warren for an honest conversation about mental health, masculinity, resilience and personal responsibility.

Both guests share their own experiences with anxiety, depression, trauma and the challenges of working in high-pressure environments. They discuss the turning points that changed their lives, the lessons they learned through adversity and why opening up is only the first step towards better mental health.

The conversation explores purpose, perspective, grief, therapy and the growing need for men to have meaningful conversations about what they are going through. Ralphy and Warren also share the powerful work they are doing across the UK, encouraging people to stop, talk and break the stigma surrounding mental health.

This is a powerful discussion about mental health, vulnerability, responsibility and what it really means to be strong.

👇 Topics discussed:

🚒 Life in the Fire Service

🧠 Mental Health & Mental Illness

💪 Masculinity & Vulnerability

🎯 Purpose & Personal Responsibility

😔 Anxiety, Depression & Trauma

👨‍👩‍👧 Family, Relationships & Resilience

💬 Breaking the Stigma Around Men's Mental Health

❤️ Why Conversations Can Change Lives

HUGE thank you to our sponsor Nisai Learning, an online school in the UK and worldwide providing flexible, accredited education: https://www.nisai.com

This episode is brought to you by Cameron Parker (UK’s #1 Motivational Speaker for Secondary Schools) and Education Media.

If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to like, comment and subscribe to The School Podcast for more conversations on education, leadership and youth development.

#MentalHealth #MensMentalHealth #TheSchoolPodcast #FireService #Masculinity

Adrian McLean joins Cameron Parker for one of the most honest and thought provoking conversations on The School Podcast.

From growing up in Birmingham and the influence of his family history, to becoming a headteacher and educational leader, Adrian shares the experiences that shaped his values, leadership style and approach to education.

The conversation explores race, identity, belonging, character education and why curiosity is often more powerful than judgment. Adrian reflects on difficult conversations around culture, prejudice and community, explaining why schools must create spaces where young people can ask questions, challenge assumptions and learn from one another.

This is a powerful discussion about leadership, family, resilience, education and the importance of understanding people's stories before making assumptions about who they are.

👇 Topics discussed:

🌍 Race, identity and belonging
🎓 Character education
🏫 Leadership in schools
🤝 Diversity, equity and inclusion
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family, heritage and resilience
💬 Difficult conversations in education
🌟 School culture and community
🧠 Why curiosity matters more than judgment

HUGE thank you to our sponsor Nisai Learning, an online school in the UK and worldwide providing flexible, accredited education: https://www.nisai.com

This episode is brought to you by Cameron Parker (UK’s #1 Motivational Speaker for Secondary Schools) and Education Media.

If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to like, comment and subscribe to The School Podcast for more conversations on education, leadership and youth development.

#Education #SchoolLeadership #TheSchoolPodcast #AdrianMcLean #CharacterEducation

What happens when confidence becomes a mask for survival?

In this powerful episode of The School Podcast, Cameron Parker sits down with Wilfred Webster for one of the rawest conversations we’ve had yet.

Wilfred opens up about growing up in hostels, hiding the reality of poverty during school, the embarrassment of free school meals, family struggles, and how trauma can shape behaviour, identity and confidence.

This isn’t just a conversation about education. It’s a conversation about what young people are really carrying behind the scenes.

A huge episode for anyone working with teenagers, schools, behaviour, mental health or youth support.

Topics include:

💔 Poverty and childhood trauma

🍽️ Free school meals & stigma in schools

⚠️ Behaviour and attention seeking

👊 Masculinity & emotions

🏫 School culture and relationships

🧠 Mental health and survival mode

🎭 Why young people wear masks

💭 The reality behind confidence

HUGE thank you to our sponsor Nisai Learning, an online school in the UK and worldwide providing flexible, accredited education: https://www.nisai.com

This episode is brought to you by Cameron Parker (UK’s #1 Motivational Speaker for Secondary Schools) and Education Media.

If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to like, comment and subscribe to The School Podcast for more conversations on education, leadership and youth development.

#theschoolpodcast  #wilfredwebster #cameronparker #freeschoolmeals #pupilpremium

In this throwback episode of The School Podcast, Cameron Parker sits down with education leader Sir Paul Tarn for a brutally honest conversation about teaching, workload, behaviour, school systems and why so many teachers are burning out.

Sir Paul Tarn shares his controversial views on the education system, teacher workload, flexible working, behaviour in schools and why he believes teaching has been made to sound “impossible” in modern society.

From leadership and trust systems to classroom culture and staff wellbeing, this episode dives into the realities of education today and asks an important question:

Is teaching really that hard...or are schools missing the systems and support teachers actually need?

Whether you agree or disagree, this is a conversation every teacher, school leader and educator should hear.

Topics include:

📚 Teacher workload

🚨 Behaviour in schools

🎙️ Education leadership

🏫 Trust school systems

🔥 Teacher burnout

💻 Flexible working in education

📈 School culture

🚪 Why teachers leave the profession

👨‍🏫 Classroom management

🇬🇧 The future of UK education

HUGE thank you to our sponsor Nisai Learning, an online school in the UK and worldwide providing flexible, accredited education: https://www.nisai.com

This episode is brought to you by Cameron Parker (UK’s #1 Motivational Speaker for Secondary Schools) and Education Media.

If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to like, comment and subscribe to The School Podcast for more conversations on education, leadership and youth development.

#TheSchoolPodcast #teaching #education #sirpaultarn #workload

In this episode of The School Podcast, Cameron Parker sits down with Aaron Forde from Foundations 4 the Future to talk honestly about mentoring, behaviour, exclusions and what support for young people in education really looks like.

Aaron shares his journey from academy football into youth mentoring, and how his experiences shaped the way he now works with students across mainstream schools, PRUs, alternative provision and inclusion settings in Birmingham.

They discuss:
🎯 Why relationships and consistency matter in schools
⚠️ Exclusions and the reality behind behaviour systems
🧠 Why short-term fixes don’t work for vulnerable young people
🏫 Inclusion rooms, reintegration and what actually helps change behaviour
💬 The growing trust gap between students and schools
👊 Accountability, boundaries and “tough love”
📈 What needs to change to better support disadvantaged learners

A grounded conversation about education, behaviour, and the realities of working with young people every day.

Foundation 4 the Future: https://foundations4thefuture.co.uk/

HUGE thank you to our sponsor Nisai Learning, an online school in the UK and worldwide providing flexible, accredited education: https://www.nisai.com

This episode is brought to you by Cameron Parker (UK’s #1 Motivational Speaker for Secondary Schools) and Education Media.

#TheSchoolPodcast #AaronForde #Education #CameronParker #NisaiLearning

THROWBACK EPISODE 🎙️

In this throwback episode of The School Podcast, Cameron Parker sits down for a powerful conversation around leadership, school culture, staff wellbeing and the realities of modern education with Mandy Coalter.

This isn’t surface- evel education chat. It’s a real discussion about what happens when schools become “yes cultures”, why psychological safety matters and how leaders can create environments where staff actually feel heard.

The conversation dives into workload, pressure, wellbeing in schools, leadership mistakes, staff surveys, toxic cultures and the difficult balancing act school leaders face every single day.

There are also some brilliant moments around parenting, mindset and the importance of honest conversations in education. Plus a completely unexpected ending involving Nelson Mandela, Michelle Obama and a fictional chemistry teacher from a novel… 😂

If you work in education, leadership or simply care about building healthier cultures around young people and staff, this episode will make you think.

HUGE thank you to our sponsor Nisai Learning, an online school in the UK and worldwide providing flexible, accredited education: https://www.nisai.com

This episode is brought to you by Cameron Parker (UK’s #1 Motivational Speaker for Secondary Schools) and Education Media.

#TheSchoolPodcast #MandyCoalter #SchoolFeedback #SchoolLeadership