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In this episode of The School Podcast, Cameron sits down with Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL, for a powerful conversation about leadership, loss, legacy and what it really means to make people feel like they matter. Rachel shares her journey from teaching in alternative provision to leading PiXL, including the influence of her father, Sir John Rowling, and the extraordinary story of taking over the organisation following his death. She opens up about grief, finding her own voice as a leader and the moment she made a decision that continues to shape her leadership today: “I choose not to fear. I choose to hope.” The conversation also explores people pleasing, productivity, self-worth and Rachel’s approach to being “ruthlessly kind” making difficult decisions while still treating people with dignity, empathy and compassion. A deeply honest conversation about education, leadership and the human beings behind it. 🎙️ Rachel’s journey from teacher to CEO of PiXL 💙 The legacy and influence of Sir John Rowling 🕊️ Taking over PiXL while navigating grief ✨ Choosing hope over fear 🫶 Why people need to know they matter 🧠 People pleasing, productivity and self-worth ❤️ Being “ruthlessly kind” as a leader 🏫 The realities of leadership in 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 the UK’s #1 Motivational Speaker for Secondary Schools and owner of Dreams 2 Reality Education. Subscribe to The School Podcast for more open and honest conversations with voices from across education. #theschoolpodcast #racheljohnson #sirjohnrowling #education

Executive Headteacher Tom Hague joins Cameron Parker for a brilliant conversation about school improvement, attendance, behaviour and building a culture where young people actually want to be in school. Tom explains why schools need to move with urgency, why the best curriculum means very little if students aren't there to receive it, and why improving outcomes requires schools to think both short and long term. They also explore different approaches to school leadership, including the philosophy of Katharine Birbalsingh, known as Britain’s “strictest headmistress”, and Sir Paul Tarn’s. The conversation also covers suspensions, disadvantage, tackling classroom disruption, school culture and whether successful school models can really be replicated elsewhere. The main takeaway: children can't wait. School improvement may take years, but the young people sitting in classrooms today need great schools right now. 🎙️ The School Podcast with Cameron Parker 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Sponsored by Nisai Learning. Sponsored by Nisai Learning https://www.nisai.com/ #theschoolpodcast #education #katharinebirbalsingh #strictestheadmistress

Education consultant, author and former teacher Tricia Taylor joins Cameron Parker for a fascinating conversation about how students actually learn, what great teaching looks like and why compliance should never be mistaken for learning. Tricia shares her journey from teaching in Brooklyn, New York, to moving to London and working with schools across the UK, USA and internationally. She explains how her interest in mindset developed into a deeper understanding of cognitive science, memory, relationships and the science of learning. Topics Covered: 🧠 The science of learning and how memory works 📚 Why revision doesn't always lead to learning 📱 Multitasking, phones and student attention 👀 Compliance vs genuine learning 🤝 Why students need to feel “seen” in the classroom 🙋 Questioning, participation and the “I don't know” response 🎯 High expectations, SEND and supporting every learner 🔬 Evidence-informed teaching and cognitive science 🇬🇧 UK schools vs the US education system 👩‍🏫 Teacher development and why teachers need more time to think 📵 Phones, social media and young people 🤖 AI, knowledge and the future of 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 the UK’s #1 Motivational Speaker for Secondary Schools and owner of Dreams 2 Reality Education.  Subscribe to The School Podcast for more open and honest conversations with voices from across education. #TheSchoolPodcast #TriciaTaylor #Education #Teaching #ScienceOfLearning

Adrian McLean joins Cameron Parker on The School Podcast for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about race, education and the dangers of avoiding difficult conversations. Adrian reflects on a controversial “Whites vs Blacks” football match and explains why the situation was a problem, but also why simply banning things does not always address the real issue underneath. He discusses the importance of understanding context, challenging the thinking behind people’s actions and creating opportunities for education rather than immediately shutting conversations down. The discussion explores why leaders must be willing to address uncomfortable subjects, how schools and organisations can respond more effectively and why meaningful change requires more than rules, punishment and surface-level solutions. Adrian also shares his perspective on race, identity, representation and the role education can play in helping young people understand one another. Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, parent or someone interested in how we approach difficult conversations, this episode offers an important perspective on why banning something may stop the behaviour without changing the beliefs behind it. Thank you to Nisai Learning for sponsoring The School Podcast and supporting conversations that challenge thinking and create positive change. #Race #TheSchoolPodcast #Education

Paul Hannaford joins Cameron Parker for an incredibly powerful conversation about addiction, school exclusion, gangs, prison and how he completely turned his life around to now help children and young people make better choices. He talks honestly about the reality of addiction, carrying a knife, the consequences of the choices he made and the moments where he came incredibly close to losing his life. Now, after nearly two decades clean, Paul uses his lived experience to educate young people about drugs, gangs, knife crime, choices and consequences. The conversation also explores the role schools can play in preparing young people for life outside the classroom, whether we are talking about drugs and knife crime early enough, the importance of safeguarding and why lived experience can be so powerful when working with young people. Whether you're a teacher, school leader, parent, youth worker or someone working in safeguarding, this episode offers a fascinating insight into how quickly a young person's life can change and the importance of helping children understand that choices have consequences. Topics Covered: 🏫 School exclusion and becoming disengaged from education 💉 Heroin and crack cocaine addiction 💷 Spending around £2 million on drugs 🚔 Gangs, crime and prison 🔪 Knife crime and carrying a weapon ⚠️ Choices, consequences and the reality of addiction 🧠 The importance of early intervention and prevention 👥 Using lived experience to educate young people 🛡️ Safeguarding children from drugs, gangs and exploitation 📚 Are schools doing enough to prepare children for life outside the classroom? 🌟 Turning your life around and using your past to help others 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 the UK’s #1 Motivational Speaker for Secondary Schools and owner of Dreams 2 Reality Education. Subscribe to The School Podcast for more honest conversations with people from across education, sport, business and beyond. #theschoolpodcast #education #addiction #knifecrime #paulhannaford

Stephen Steinhaus joins Cameron Parker for an open and thought provoking conversation about permanent exclusion, behaviour, high standards and alternative provision. Stephen shares his perspective on the human cost of permanently excluding a young person, why schools must be able to honestly say they have done everything they can, and why exclusion can sometimes provide a young person with a new opportunity. The conversation also explores school uniform, behaviour policies, high expectations, funding, alternative provision and one of the biggest challenges in education: how do we maintain standards while still meeting the individual needs of young people? They also discuss when schools should consider alternative provision, whether the education system is investing enough in its most vulnerable students, and why some young people simply need someone willing to keep fighting for them. A fascinating conversation with plenty of disagreement, different perspectives and important questions about what we expect from our schools and our young people. 🎙️ Hosted by Cameron Parker 🎓 The School Podcast 🤝 Proudly sponsored by Nisai Learning #schoolbehaviour #education #alternativeprovison #theschoolpodcast

Olympic medalist and Team GB diver Anthony Harding joins Cameron Parker alongside his mum, a maths teacher with almost 30 years in education, for a fascinating conversation about school, sport and what it really takes to reach the highest level. Anthony shares the journey from discovering diving as a young child to standing on an Olympic podium, including the years of sacrifice, relentless training and challenges of balancing GCSEs with an elite sporting career. His mum offers a unique perspective as both a parent and experienced teacher, discussing how schools can support young people pursuing elite sport, the importance of working with families, maintaining academic expectations and recognising that every child may need something different. The conversation also explores the sacrifices made by the whole Harding family, Anthony's struggles and strengths at school, consistency, discipline, handling pressure and the mentality required to perform when it matters most. Whether you're a teacher, school leader, parent, coach, student or young athlete, this episode offers a brilliant insight into what happens when education, family support and an extraordinary ambition all collide. Topics Covered: 🏫 Balancing school with elite-level sport 🥉 The journey to becoming an Olympic medallist 📚 Managing GCSEs alongside an intense training schedule 👩‍🏫 A teacher and mother's perspective on supporting young athletes 👨‍👩‍👦 The sacrifices families make behind sporting success 🎯 Discipline, consistency and maintaining high standards 🧠 Handling pressure, setbacks and self-doubt 🏊‍♂️ What people don't see behind an Olympic medal 🤝 How schools can better support elite young athletes 🌟 Talent vs hard work and what it really takes to reach the top 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 the UK’s #1 Motivational Speaker for Secondary Schools and owner of Dreams 2 Reality Education.  Subscribe to The School Podcast for more honest conversations with people from across education, sport, business and beyond. #theschoolpodcast #education #olympian #diving #anthonyharding

Katharine Birbalsingh is often described as Britain’s strictest headmistress, but is what she’s doing actually wrong? Headteacher David Karim joins Cameron Parker to discuss the controversy surrounding Katharine, Michaela Community School and the wider debate around strict behaviour, high expectations and standards in schools. David shares his perspective as a successful headteacher, questioning why consistency and enforcing school policies can become so controversial in education. The conversation also explores whether schools sometimes confuse being strict with simply having high expectations, why leaders need to “hold the line”, and whether we are too quick to criticise approaches we personally disagree with, even when they deliver results. 🎙️ Don't forget to watch the full episode of The School Podcast with David Karim. Topics Covered: 🎓 High expectations in schools 🏫 Katharine Birbalsingh & Michaela Community School 📏 Strict schools vs consistent schools 👔 Uniform and behaviour policies 🧠 Challenging the education echo chamber 📈 Standards, expectations and outcomes 🗣️ Why education needs open debate 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. #Education #Headteacher #KatharineBirbalsingh #TheSchoolPodcast

Successful Headteacher David Karim joins the UK's top Motivational Speaker for Secondary Schools Cameron Parker for a powerful and honest conversation about leadership, behaviour, high expectations and the realities facing schools today. From leaving school with few qualifications and working job after job, to entering university at 26 and eventually becoming a headteacher, David shares how his own experiences shaped the leader he is today. The conversation explores why schools must stop lowering expectations for disadvantaged children, why strong behaviour and consistent standards matter, and why great leadership starts with being visible, accountable and willing to lead from the front. Cameron and David also discuss teacher retention, staff culture, parenting, additional needs, knife crime, school uniform, strict schools, work-life balance and the changing challenges facing education. David also explains why teaching can never simply be treated as another job, the importance of protecting staff, and why young people from the most challenging backgrounds often need higher expectations rather than more excuses. Whether you're a teacher, school leader, parent, governor or simply passionate about education, this episode is packed with honest opinions, personal experiences and plenty of debate. Topics Covered: 🎓 Why we need to stop lowering the bar for disadvantaged children 🏫 The reality of being a headteacher 📈 High expectations vs unrealistic expectations 👊 Behaviour, discipline and consistency in schools 👨‍🏫 Why teaching is more than just a job 🧠 Supporting and retaining teachers 🔥 Creating a positive staff culture 👀 Why great headteachers need to be visible 👨‍👩‍👧 The changing relationship between schools and parents 📱 How society and childhood have changed 🚨 Knife crime and the challenges facing young people ⚖️ Strict schools, standards and accountability ❤️ How David's childhood shaped his approach to leadership 💬 The conversations education sometimes avoids A huge thank you to David Karim for joining us and sharing his story, experiences and views so openly. This episode is proudly sponsored by Nisai Learning. https://www.nisai.com/ Nisai provides flexible online and blended learning for young people who need a different approach to education, supporting schools, local authorities and learners across the UK. 👇 Join the conversation in the comments: Are we lowering expectations for disadvantaged children? 👍 Like the episode 💬 Leave a comment 🔔 Subscribe to The School Podcast for more conversations from across education. #TheSchoolPodcast #DavidKarim #Headteacher #Education #DisadvantagedStudents

What happens when a student swears at you, refuses an instruction or completely pushes you away? In this throwback episode of The School Podcast, Amjad Ali and Cameron Parker explore behaviour, relationships, expectations and why teachers must remember who the adult is in difficult situations. The conversation looks at why poor behaviour should never become personal, the importance of resetting relationships after incidents, and why some of the young people who push adults away the most are often the ones who need positive relationships the most. Amjad also explores the danger of low expectations, how our language can influence what students believe about themselves, and why allowing a disengaged student to simply sit quietly can reinforce the belief that they aren't capable of succeeding. The discussion finishes by looking at the power of praise and a simple three-stage approach: reset the relationship, introduce praise, and then connect that praise directly to success so students understand exactly what they're doing well and can repeat it. Topics Covered: 🤬 What to do when a student swears at you 🔄 Why teachers need to reset after difficult behaviour 🧠 Remembering who the adult is ❤️ Why challenging students often need relationships the most 📈 The danger of low expectations 💬 How teacher language shapes student belief 👏 Why praise can be so powerful in the classroom 🎯 Connecting praise directly to student success 🏫 Building better relationships without lowering standards A huge thank you to Nisai Learning for sponsoring The School Podcast and supporting conversations that challenge thinking across education. Subscribe to The School Podcast for more honest conversations with teachers, school leaders, experts and people working across education. Cameron Parker is the UK's #1 Motivational Speaker for Secondary Schools and he runs the organisation Dreams 2 Reality Education #TheSchoolPodcast #Education #AmjadAli

Sian Lord joins the UK's #1 motivational speaker for secondary schools Cameron Parker for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about the life-changing accident that resulted in the loss of her leg and the journey that followed. Sian takes Cameron back to the day of the accident, sharing what she remembers from those first moments, the people who rushed to save her life, and the moment she heard the words “possible amputation” from inside the ambulance. The conversation explores trauma, survival, fear, perspective and what happens mentally when your life changes in a matter of seconds. Sian also shares a powerful reflection on the idea that your life flashes before your eyes, explaining that for her, it wasn't her whole life, it was the happiness she had finally created and feared she was about to lose. An incredibly honest conversation about facing unimaginable adversity, adapting to a completely different future and finding the strength to move forward. Topics Covered: 🚗 The accident that changed Sian’s life forever 🦿 The moment she discovered she could lose her leg 🚑 What happened inside the ambulance 🧠 Fight or flight and the immediate impact of trauma ❤️ The effect of the accident on Sian and those around her 💭 What really flashed before her eyes 🔥 Surviving a life-threatening situation 💪 Adapting when life changes without warning 🌱 Perspective, resilience and moving forward A powerful throwback episode of The School Podcast with Sian Lord. 🎧 Listen to The School Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. A massive thank you to our sponsor Nisai Learning for supporting The School Podcast. #TheSchoolPodcast #SianLord #Education

Former headteacher and leadership coach Diana Osagie joins Cameron Parker for a powerful and honest conversation about leadership, pressure, vulnerability and why nobody should try to navigate life alone. Drawing on her experience leading schools and coaching headteachers, Diana discusses the hidden loneliness of leadership, why so many leaders struggle to ask for help and the dangers of feeling like you always need to have the answers. Diana also opens up about her own struggles during headship and explains why building a strong support network or as she calls it, your “tribe” can transform both your leadership and your life. Cameron and Diana discuss burnout, mental health, loneliness, vulnerability, asking for help and why the strongest leaders still need people around them. Whether you're a teacher, school leader, trust executive, CEO or simply someone carrying significant responsibility, this episode is packed with honest reflections, humour and important lessons. Topics Covered: 👥 Why every leader needs to build their tribe 🏫 The hidden loneliness of school leadership 🧠 Leadership, stress and mental health ❤️ Why asking for help matters 👔 The pressure on headteachers to have all the answers 🔥 Recognising burnout before crisis point 🤝 Building a genuine support network 💬 Creating space for vulnerability 🎭 Looking successful vs feeling successful 🚀 Why you shouldn't attempt leadership — or life — alone A huge thank you to our sponsors, Nisai Learning https://www.nisai.com/ #dianaosagie #courageousleadership #TheSchoolPodcast

Former headteacher, executive leader and founder of Develop2Teach, Paul Collin joins Cameron Parker for a powerful conversation on what it really takes to improve schools and why there are no shortcuts when it comes to lasting change. Drawing on more than 25 years in education and over a decade as a headteacher and executive leader, Paul shares his honest thoughts on school improvement, leadership, behaviour, attendance, culture and why schools must stop searching for quick fixes. The conversation explores why great school improvement starts with strong foundations, how leaders can build cultures where both staff and students thrive, why relationships matter more than ever, and how schools can create environments where young people genuinely feel valued. Cameron and Paul also discuss work-life balance, sustainable leadership, disadvantaged communities, attendance, behaviour, teacher development, school culture, the importance of consistency, and why improving schools is always a long-term journey rather than an overnight success. Whether you're a teacher, school leader, trust executive, governor, parent or simply passionate about improving education, this episode is packed with practical insights and thought-provoking ideas. Topics Covered: 🎓 Why you can't cheat school improvement 🏫 Building strong school culture that lasts ❤️ Why every student deserves to feel valued 👔 Behaviour, boundaries and school uniform 📉 Improving attendance through relationships 🧠 Sustainable leadership and avoiding burnout 👩‍🏫 Supporting teachers to grow and thrive 🤝 Why coaching beats quick fixes 🌍 Leading schools in disadvantaged communities 🚀 Creating long-term, meaningful change in education A huge thank you to our sponsors, Nisai Learning https://www.nisai.com/ ABOUT PAUL COLLIN Paul Collin is an experienced educational leader, former headteacher, executive coach and founder of Develop2Teach. Drawing on more than 25 years in education and over a decade in headship and executive leadership, Paul supports school and trust leaders to strengthen culture, improve attendance and lead with greater clarity, consistency and confidence. He is also the host of Headship After Hours, a podcast offering honest conversations about school leadership, professional challenge and the realities behind the role. CONNECT WITH PAUL 🌐 Develop2Teach https://develop2teach.com 🎙️ Headship After Hours Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/0YPdjShu6RRB2x33VXR3mp 💼 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-collin 🎙️ Hosted by Cameron Parker, founder of Dreams 2 Reality, motivational speaker and youth coach, working with schools across the UK to improve attendance, behaviour, motivation and outcomes for young people. 📺 Don't forget to Like, Comment and Subscribe for more conversations with some of the biggest voices in education. #TheSchoolPodcast #SchoolImprovement #EducationLeadership #Headteacher #SchoolCulture #Attendance #Behaviour #Education

Are schools excluding too many children, or are there times when permanent exclusion is necessary? In this throwback conversation, Wayne Norrie shares an honest and balanced perspective on exclusions, alternative provision, SEND and the growing pressure facing schools. We discuss why schools work so hard to avoid exclusion, but also why serious behaviour towards staff cannot simply be accepted. Wayne also explores: 🚸 Why schools work so hard to avoid exclusions ⚖️ When permanent exclusion becomes the right decision 💬 The debate around alternative provision 🎓 Why one curriculum doesn't fit every child 🧩 The growing SEND crisis in schools 🏫 Why specialist provision isn't keeping up with demand 👨‍👩‍👧 The pressures facing parents and families ❤️ "Every child is somebody's baby" a powerful lesson for every educator 📉 Why schools are being asked to do more with less 🔄 What needs to change in education This is an open and important discussion about how we create an education system that protects staff while still giving every young person the right support and the right pathway. Let us know your thoughts in the comments: Are schools excluding too many children, or are exclusions sometimes unavoidable? Subscribe to The School Podcast for more honest conversations with leaders, teachers, young people and professionals from across education. A massive thank you to our sponsor, Nisai Learning, for helping us make these conversations possible. This podcast is delivered by the UK's #1 Schools Motivational Speaker Cameron Parker. #TheSchoolPodcast #Education #behavior  #schools

Former headteacher, author of Punk Leadership, and Executive Trust Leader Keziah Featherstone joins Cameron Parker for one of the most honest and thought-provoking conversations yet on The School Podcast. With over 30 years in education, Keziah challenges some of the biggest debates facing schools today, from strict behaviour systems and uniform policies to inclusion, belonging, leadership and why so many young people are becoming disconnected from education. The conversation explores whether schools have become too focused on compliance, why authentic leadership matters, the pressures faced by teachers and school leaders, and why kindness should never be mistaken for low standards. Cameron and Keziah also debate school uniform, hair policies, attendance, curriculum, student wellbeing, resilience and whether the current education system is truly preparing young people for life beyond school. Whether you're a teacher, school leader, parent, governor, policymaker or simply passionate about improving education, this episode will challenge your thinking and leave you asking some important questions. Topics Covered: 🎓 Authentic leadership in education ❤️ Why kindness belongs in every school 🏫 Behaviour vs belonging 👔 School uniform and hair policy debates 🧠 Student wellbeing and mental health 📉 Why attendance continues to fall 📚 Is the curriculum still fit for purpose? 👩‍🏫 Supporting teachers and preventing burnout 🌍 Inclusion, diversity and educational leadership 💭 Why young people feel disconnected from school A huge thank you to our sponsors, Nisai Learning https://www.nisai.com/ 🎙️ Hosted by Cameron Parker, founder of Dreams 2 Reality, motivational speaker and youth coach, working with schools across the UK to improve attendance, behaviour, motivation and outcomes for young people! 📺 Don't forget to Like, Comment and Subscribe for more conversations with some of the biggest voices in education. #theschoolpodcast #cameronparker #keziahfeatherstone #education