In This Together

Transforming behaviour management is key to supporting teacher wellbeing and improving student outcomes. In this episode of In This Together, host Becky Dawson sits down with Dr Laura Oxley, a postdoctoral researcher in psychology and education, to discuss moving beyond rigid punishment systems like detentions. They explore how persistent sanctions fail at-risk students and examine how proactive, relational alternatives can reshape school culture. The conversation delves into the emotional labour required by educators and the systemic changes leaders must make to prevent burnout and boost staff retention. Dr Oxley highlights practical frameworks including restorative practice, collaborative problem-solving, and tailored support for students with complex needs. School leaders will gain actionable insights on reducing administrative burdens and building supportive, reflective spaces for staff. Takeaways Break the sanction cycle: Traditional detentions often fail to change persistent challenging behaviour for at-risk students. Protect teacher wellbeing: Relational behaviour management requires emotional labor; leaders must support staff wellbeing to prevent burnout. Reduce administrative burden: Streamlining behaviour logging and report-writing frees up energy for effective teaching and learning. Implement tailored strategies: Adopt restorative practice and collaborative problem-solving tailored to individual student needs rather than blanket policies. Prioritise peer support and recovery: Psychological detachment, clear boundaries, and informal staff support build capacity for managing complex behaviour. Foster reflective leadership: Creating spaces for educators to discuss challenges and seek help enhances staff retention and school culture. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces Dr Laura Oxley and the episode focus on behaviour management and wellbeing. 00:46 - Background in Education - Dr Oxley shares her journey from teaching assistant to postdoctoral researcher. 02:08 - The Sanction Cycle - Why traditional punishments like detentions fail to create positive behaviour change. 04:12 - Barriers to Radical Change - Research insights on funding, resources, and leadership perspectives. 06:05 - Behaviour and Staff Wellbeing - Examining the emotional labor of educators and its link to staff retention. 07:56 - Wellbeing Frameworks - Applying job design, job crafting, and recovery processes in education. 10:18 - Relational Behaviour Approaches - Implementing restorative practice and collaborative problem-solving. 12:50 - Complex Needs and Understanding - Strategies for supporting students with callous-unemotional traits through playful learning. 15:37 - Reflective Supervision - The value of creating safe spaces for staff to reflect on classroom challenges. 17:15 - Key Takeaways for Leaders - Essential guidance on seeking support and fostering connection in school communities. Connect with Becky's Socials and Content https://linktr.ee/beckydawsonwellbeing 📌Sign up to Twinkl for free: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/1eq866 Explore our amazing Leaders resources here: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/19plea Enjoying the show? Please follow the podcast and leave us a rating and review! If you have thoughts, feedback, or work to share, drop us an email at [email protected].

In this episode of In This Together, host Becky Dawson is joined by former deputy head, Senco, and educational consultant Rowena Hicks to tackle the critical topic of school staff wellbeing and burnout. Rowena shares her personal experience with extreme stress, exploring how high-achieving, conscientious educators often push themselves to the brink. Together, they discuss practical strategies to reclaim joy in teaching, protect mental health, and foster psychological safety across school leadership and staff teams. Discover actionable approaches to education leadership, workload reduction, and positive culture change in schools. Rowena introduces her "5 Minutes to Thrive" concept, demonstrating how tiny habit changes and leveraging personal strengths can transform workplace stress into sustainable energy. Whether you are a teacher, assistant head, or senior leader, this conversation offers vital insight into balancing professional dedication with personal wellbeing, proving that caring for yourself is essential to supporting young people. Takeaways Recognise the warning signs of burnout: High achievers and conscientious staff often ignore stress symptoms, making early intervention and self-awareness essential. Implement tiny habits: Whole-school wellbeing does not require massive overhauls; consistent 5-minute practices build trust and psychological safety. Leverage personal strengths: Aligning daily tasks with core values like kindness and problem-solving boosts motivation and productivity. Prioritise authentic leadership: Open, vulnerable communication from school leaders models healthy risk-taking and reduces cognitive overload. Streamline bureaucracy: Utilizing tech solutions and flexible working arrangements helps eliminate unnecessary workload and restores joy to teaching. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces Rowena Hicks and the importance of educator wellbeing. 00:52 - Rowena's Journey in Education - Overcoming severe burnout and transitioning from deputy head to wellbeing advocate. 05:28 - Identifying Symptoms of Overload - Physical, cognitive, and emotional impacts of chronic stress in school environments. 07:19 - 5 Minutes to Thrive - Small daily habits that create sustainable culture change and psychological safety. 09:42 - The Power of Personal Strengths - How leaning into core values can boost motivation and manage giant to-do lists. 12:31 - Authenticity & Values in the Classroom - Being true to yourself as an educator and creating space for creativity. 16:05 - Leadership Wellbeing & Psychological Safety - How senior leaders can model vulnerability, pause, and reduce team stress. 24:45 - Bringing Joy Back to Teaching - Reducing bureaucracy, leveraging tech, and treating staff as human beings. 30:52 - Final Thoughts & Summary - Wrapping up key takeaways and contact details. Connect & Engage Connect with Becky's Socials and Content: https://linktr.ee/beckydawsonwellbeing 📌 Sign up here: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/1eq866 Explore our amazing Leaders resources here: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/19plea If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and leave us a rating and review! Have feedback, questions, or wellbeing success stories to share? Drop us an email at [email protected].

Explore our amazing Leaders resources here: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/nndac In this episode of In This Together, host Becky Dawson sits down with Jonathan Harper FRSA, an award-winning social entrepreneur and founder of CanTeam. Together, they explore how school spaces can be transformed after hours to foster community dining, boost student agency, and nurture whole-school wellbeing. Jonathan shares how opening school canteens strengthens relationships between families, schools, and local communities. The discussion dives deep into social action, practical leadership skills for young people, and overcoming the challenges of secondary school engagement. By placing students at the heart of hosting and organizing, schools can unlock untapped potential and improve outcomes for everyone. Takeaways Community dining as a wellbeing hub: Opening school canteens after hours builds trust, companionship, and strong community links. Empowering young leaders: Involving students directly in hosting and running events develops vital real-world leadership and employability skills. Secondary school connection: Bridging the gap between parents and secondary schools creates meaningful touchpoints for family engagement. Accessible whole school nutrition: Providing appealing, stigma-free nutritious meals fosters healthier habits for young people and families. Intergenerational relationships: Bringing local residents and students together breaks down social barriers and enhances community cohesion. Unlocking existing school assets: Reimagining underutilised spaces transforms schools from academic facilities into vibrant community centers. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces the episode, host context, and guest Jonathan Harper. 01:30 - The Genesis of CanTeam - Jonathan shares his background in social action and the Grenfell Tower response that inspired community dining. 05:56 - Overcoming Secondary School Challenges - Exploring how to break down barriers, engage secondary students, and reconnect parents. 11:27 - Operational Models and Staff Involvement - Testing different delivery methods and looking forward to sustainable community hub models. 12:43 - Nutrition, Wellbeing, and Student Agency - Why accessible, appealing food combined with student leadership creates real impact. 20:42 - Inspirational Examples from Across the UK - Student-led dining projects in Bognor Regis, Brighton, and Durham. 24:37 - Intergenerational Connection and Cathedral Thinking - The power of bringing older residents into school canteens and bold leadership vision. 27:18 - Key Takeaways and Closing - Practical action points for school leaders and podcast sign-off. Connect and Engage Don't forget to follow the podcast and leave us a rating and review! If you have feedback, questions, or ideas to share, contact our team at [email protected]. Connect with Becky's Socials and Content: https://linktr.ee/beckydawsonwellbeing 📌 Subscribe to @twinklresourcesofficial for more resources, discussions, teaching ideas, and wellbeing support. Sign up here https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/1eq866 🎉

Find out more about our Leader Resources https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/m8jyb Mental Health Behaviour and Attendance Resource https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/129pkb How to Manage Staff Attendance https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/19bew1 Find out more about Stephen’s work here: Website https://hsa.harbourlearningtrust.com/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephentlogan/ 6 Quick things about attendance: https://www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/six-quick-things-on-attendance/ Description In this episode of In This Together, host Becky Dawson sits down with Stephen Logan, the proud principal of Healing Academy in North East Lincolnshire, to explore a refreshing, human approach to school attendance. Moving away from the rigid data chase that often leaves leaders feeling pressured, Stephen explains how his philosophy of care, inclusion, and standards helps rebuild engagement from the ground up. They discuss shifting from compliance to curiosity, the profound impact of quality first teaching, and the systemic challenges surrounding educational funding and outreach. This deep dive offers valuable insights for school leaders looking to implement sustainable behaviour management and foster genuine community well-being. By prioritizing human relationships over percentages, educators can understand the root complexities of severe absence—such as mental health and family context—and create a school environment where young people truly feel they belong. Takeaways Human connection as an attendance driver: Prioritize meaningful, daily interactions with students and staff over immediate compliance checks to build momentum and psychological safety. Quality first teaching builds belonging: Getting students through the door is only half the battle; an engaging curriculum and excellent classroom delivery create the intrinsic motivation for them to return. Ditch the silver bullets and fads: Avoid wasting public funds on quick-fix motivators or exclusive rewards like prom bans, focusing instead on inclusive strategies and robust careers education. The systemic need for targeted funding: True outreach and bridging work with disadvantaged families require sustainable financial resource to employ dedicated pastoral staff. Lead with brave, value-driven actions: Educational leaders must remain courageous, staying obsessed with empathetic processes rather than just the final data outcomes. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces the podcast and guest Stephen Logan, principal of Healing Academy. 01:05 - Stephen's Journey to Leadership - Discovering a passion for serving others and entering principalship through a relational lens. 01:50 - The Pressure of Attendance Data - Addressing the systemic scrutiny leaders face and shifting focus to human relationships. 02:40 - Driving Momentum Through Connection - How simple morning greetings and trusted adults uncover the root causes of absence. 06:34 - Defining True Belonging in Education - Combining a house system, joy, and quality first teaching to inspire curiosity. 11:04 - Empathy Over Compliance - Why chasing figures fails and how understanding unique family context changes the dynamic. 14:33 - The Flaw of Reward Fads & Prom Bans - Evaluating inclusive attendance policies versus exclusionary quick fixes. 16:48 - Systemic Accountability and Funding - The crucial need for financial resource to support pastoral staff and outreach. 21:02 - Igniting Curiosity Through Careers - Embedding career strategies early to help students see purpose in school. 21:59 - Takeaways for Tomorrow & Outro - Final leadership advice on being brave, and how to connect with the podcast. We want to hear from you! If you enjoyed this conversation, please follow the podcast and leave us a rating and review on your preferred platform. It helps other educators find these vital discussions on wellbeing. Have thoughts, questions, or brilliant practice to share from your own setting? Drop us an email at [email protected].

In this episode of In This Together, host Becky Dawson is joined by Jessica Parker and Gemma Fieldsend—co-founders of Cogspark and authors specialising in trauma-informed practice and mental health education. The conversation explores what trauma-informed approaches look like in education, moving beyond theory into practical, whole-school implementation. Together, they unpack common misconceptions around behaviour management, discuss the necessity of adult wellbeing and boundary setting, and share actionable insights for school leaders seeking to create safe, relational environments. Takeaways Felt safety and relationships form the foundation of learning, emotional regulation, and student agency rather than being secondary considerations. Maintaining clear boundaries alongside a compassionate mindset ensures psychological safety without removing structure or expectations. Adult wellbeing and nervous system regulation must be prioritised to enable staff to remain calm, reflective, and effective in their practice. Curiosity over certainty allows educators to consider underlying causes of behaviour rather than jumping to rapid judgements. Amplifying pupil voice provides critical feedback on whether whole-school trauma-informed strategies are genuinely felt by students. Calls-to-Action Please follow the podcast and leave a rating or review to help other educators find these vital conversations. We would love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or setting updates! Contact the team at: [email protected]. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces guests Jessica Parker and Gemma Fieldsend. 02:22 - What is Trauma-Informed Practice? - A quick summary of the core principles of trauma-informed approaches in education. 03:36 - Writing the Book - The motivation behind bridging the gap between theory and school-wide systems. 11:36 - Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives - Bringing mental health, NHS, and classroom experience together. 16:14 - Common Misconceptions - Challenging myths around trauma histories, behaviour management, and boundaries. 20:35 - Supporting Staff and Adult Wellbeing - Why whole-school approaches must start with the adults' nervous systems. 26:04 - Curiosity, Bias, and Reflection - Overcoming personal biases and avoiding the danger of certainty. 33:15 - Key Messages for Leaders - Essential takeaways regarding relational practice, culture, and felt safety. 39:30 - Actionable Steps for Tomorrow - Practical ideas on evaluating systems and listening to pupil voice. 43:00 - Conclusion and Resources - Final thoughts, calls-to-action, and closing comments. Connect with Becky's Socials and Content: https://linktr.ee/beckydawsonwellbeing 📌 Subscribe to @twinklresourcesofficial for more resources, discussions, teaching ideas, and wellbeing support. 🎉 Explore our amazing Leaders resources here → https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/dslxw Buy their book here: https://tinyurl.com/TraumaInformedSchoolsBook