What happens when a headteacher leads not with policies, but with purpose? In this inspiring episode of the Able to Care podcast, behaviour specialist Andy Baker speaks with Fiona Booth, Headteacher at St Nicholas Church of England Primary Academy, a school recently featured by the BBC for its outstanding, relationship-driven approach to education.

With 12 years in leadership, Fiona shares how she rebuilt a “dark” school culture into one where every child—and adult—feels safe, seen and supported.

From tucking in shirts as a symbol of belonging to using data as a torch, not a hammer, Fiona’s message will resonate with caregivers, educators and parents navigating systems while trying to hold onto humanity.

This is an essential listen for anyone who believes behaviour is communication, and that education—and care—must start with connection.

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Fiona Booth – Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge by Andy Baker

Able Training Podcast Hub

Love is not soft—it’s structured.

Real behaviour change comes from consistency and culture.

Every human being carries light.

00:00 – Introduction and Sponsor: Carers Card UK

01:40 – Meet Fiona Booth: Relationship-Centric Leadership

03:00 – What is a relationship-first school and why does it matter?

06:00 – Finding the untold stories behind behaviour

08:00 – How trauma-informed leadership reshapes whole school culture

11:00 – Building trust, not compliance, with staff and students

14:00 – Stories of real transformation: from despair to belonging

18:00 – The 'shine' philosophy and embracing every child’s light

22:00 – Rethinking data: Is it a hammer or a torch?

28:00 – Boundaries, belief and building expectations

34:00 – Being a lead learner: How Fiona models continual growth

39:00 – Music, movement and joy as staff wellbeing strategies

44:00 – What Ofsted and the DfE miss about real behaviour change

48:00 – Gratitude journals, emotional literacy and peer celebration

53:00 – Culture-shifting through connection, one moment at a time

56:00 – Final stories: Why this work really matters

01:05:00 – What drives Fiona on hard days

Discover how to build compassion-led culture in any school or care setting

Learn why vulnerability is a strength in leadership, not a weakness

Explore how boundaries + empathy create safety

Be inspired by real-life stories of hope, healing and transformation

Gain tools to help you connect before you correct in behaviour support

If you're a parent, teacher, caregiver—or anyone supporting people through challenges—this episode offers emotional insight and practical hope.

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