Advertise on podcast: The Independent School Podcast with Juliet Corbett

In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Louise Simpson, CEO of the British School in the Netherlands, where she leads the BSN across four campuses in and around The Hague. This is Louise's fourth headship and her second stint abroad, having previously been head of Exeter School in Devon, head of St Paul’s, the British School in Sao Paulo, and a GDST head in south London. As you’ll hear, she is delighted to be back in the world of British international education.  Together they explore: What changes when a head steps into a CEO role leading at scaleThe complexity of international education today, from shifting enrolment patterns to increased competitionHow to build coherence across multiple schools while preserving autonomyThe importance of culture, belonging and character in a diverse international communityWhy optimism, reflection and thinking time matter so much when navigating uncertaintyThis conversation offers thoughtful, practical insight into leading strategically in a global context, with clear reflections on decision making, culture and leadership at scale. Episode Links Strategy Development Case Study with Louise Simpson, Head, Exeter School (The Independent School Podcast, Ep 125) An international perspective with Louise Simpson, Head, Exeter School (The Independent School Podcast, Ep 40) The power of hope: A leadership skill for uncertain times (Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast, Ep. 38) Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode of the Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Joanna Povall, Principal at Wales International School in Abu Dhabi and Tes International School Principal of the Year 2024/25. With more than 30 years of leadership experience across the UK, France and the UAE, Joanna brings a distinctive cross-cultural perspective to what kindness really means in leadership. She also draws on her work as a Lead Improvement Partner for COBIS, supporting school improvement across the international schools sector, and on the thinking behind her forthcoming book, Kind Leadership. Together they explore: Why kindness is not the opposite of strengthHow kindness strengthens trust, clarity and psychological safetyThe CHASE framework for putting kindness into actionThe link between kindness, accountability and high performanceWhy managing ego and building self esteem sit at the heart of impactful leadershipYou’ll hear practical examples from Joanna’s leadership across different cultures, as well as insights from her work with COBIS schools around the world and the research underpinning her book. This episode is a reminder that kindness isn’t soft, naïve or vague. It’s a strategic advantage and a core ingredient in every high performing team. Episode links 'Kind Leadership' by Joanna Povall Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Charles Bailey, Headmaster of Worksop College and Ranby House, a thriving independent day and boarding school in Nottinghamshire. Charles joined the school in April 2025 after a decade at Harrow School, where he held senior leadership roles including Director of Studies and Head of Learning Skills. He brings a thoughtful, strategic approach to headship, grounded in authenticity, clarity and a deep belief in the power of community. Together they explore: What authentic leadership looks like in practice in a busy 3–18 schoolHow vulnerability helps leaders build trust, belonging and psychological safetyThe realities of navigating complexity in a Head’s first yearHow to balance long-term strategy with the day-to-day demands of school lifeWhy clarity, simplicity and shared language matter so much for school cultureYou’ll hear honest reflections from Charles’s first year of headship, including the lessons he’s drawing from Worksop’s heritage, community and ethos. This episode offers a grounded, energising look at leadership, culture and the courage it takes to be real in today’s complex school environment. Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode of The Independent School Podcast Juliet Corbett is joined by Julie Robinson, Chief Executive of the Independent Schools Council, where she represents and promotes the work of independent schools across the UK. Julie began her career as a teacher before becoming a head in Sussex prep schools, later moving into national roles and joining ISC in 2015. She is a governor for both an Academy and an all-through independent school in London and is a strong advocate for collaboration across different types of schools. Together they explore: Why positivity and purpose matter when leading through uncertaintyHow to navigate complexity in a fast-moving policy and social landscapeThe role of listening and conversation in building trust and understandingThe value of coaching and reflective space for leaders in demanding rolesWhy self-management, energy and simple habits shape long-term resilienceThis conversation offers grounded, practical insight into leading with clarity and confidence in challenging times, with thoughtful reflections on purpose, complexity and the human side of leadership. Episode links Sector trends with Julie Robinson, CEO, Independent Schools Council (ISC) (Ep. 96) Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett returns to the microphone for a new series focused on real-world leadership in independent and international schools. Juliet shares how her thinking has evolved over recent years through her work as a trusted advisor to experienced leaders, and her episodes of the Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast. She also introduces the ideas she has been developing for a book she's writing about leading sustainably through complexity and uncertainty. Juliet explores three themes that will shape this new season: Staying strategic amidst the daily bustle of leadership: Creating space to think clearly when operational demands never stopMaking high-stakes decisions in uncertainty and complexity: Understanding the difference between complicated and complex challengesCreating and empowering high-performing teams: Building cultures of trust, clarity and shared ownership so leaders are not carrying everything aloneJuliet also offers a preview of the first interviews already recorded, including conversations with Louise Simpson (CEO, The British School in the Netherlands), Charles Bailey (Headmaster, Worksop College and Ranby House, UK) and Joanna Povall (Principal, Wales International School, Abu Dhabi). This episode sets the scene for a thoughtful, reflective series designed to help leaders slow down, sharpen their focus and navigate complexity with clarity and courage. Links Sign up for Juliet's emails: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup 1. Staying strategic amidst the daily bustle of leadership: Making time to think (Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast, Ep 1)What if slowing down helps you speed up? (Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast, Ep 20) 2. Making high-stakes decisions: problem-solving in uncertainty and complexity: Leading through complexity: Tools for thinking and acting clearly (Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast, Ep 43)The hidden reason your strategy isn’t working (Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast, Ep 42)3. Creating and empowering high-performing teams: Are you delegating enough? (Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast, Ep 2)Leadership means changing hats – Is your team ready? (Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast, Ep 41)Explore the Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast: www.quietleadershiprevolution.com Explore all previous episodes of The Independent School Podcast: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/podcast Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Leaders in independent schools are having to make some hard decisions at the moment, especially those in the UK facing the possible addition of VAT to school fees. Some of these decisions could be classified as ‘wicked’ - defined as a problem where multiple stakeholders want different, sometimes contradictory, outcomes. In the last episode Juliet explored how NASA approaches this type of problem, drawing out lessons for school leaders. In this episode Juliet explores further the three questions we finished with last time: What ‘wicked’ problems are you trying to solve, and what contradictory outcomes do the stakeholder want that makes them wicked?What system do you have in place to brainstorm new ways of doing things, anticipate knock-on consequences and rapidly revise the plans?Are you and your team ready to embrace change that might feel hard?Episode links Listen to the last episode: 173: Solving wicked problems the NASA way 'Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant' by  Renée Mauborgne and W. Chan Kim Contact Juliet: [email protected] Sign up at http://www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode. Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

It turns out that NASA rocket scientists think that solving ‘wicked’ problems, where multiple stakeholders want contradictory outcomes, is far harder than the science of sending missions into space. So when we’re trying to solve similarly ‘wicked’ problems in our schools it’s no surprise that leaders sometimes feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. In this week’s episode, Juliet shares how NASA solves these problems and draws out lessons that other leaders can use to make life easier, even if most of us aren’t planning space missions. Episode links 'Inside NASA’s bid to make spacecraft as small as possible', MIT Technology Review Nov/Dec edition Contact Juliet: [email protected] Sign up at http://www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode. Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Coaching, innovation, empowerment, strategy... this episode with guest Claire Robinson, Head of Holme Grange School, dives into many of the topics which school leaders ask me questions about.   As a highly experienced head, Claire shares with us her extensive insights into: 1. How to balance involving staff in strategy development, with the fact that sometimes strategic choices need to be confidential. 2. How senior leaders can empower their teams and utilise the benefits of networking outside their schools to build resilience in times of change. 3. Why strong professional development programmes, an openness to innovation and a coaching culture benefit everyone. 4. Why the development of people and the development of strategy go hand in hand. Episode links Holme Grange School Contact Juliet: [email protected] Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode. Find out more about working together: https://www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coaching Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Strategy is not a game played alone. So if you are seeking a strategic way forward for a project or challenge, it is important to balance individual contemplation and conversation with 'thinking partners'.  In this episode I share my belief that everyone has the ability to think and act strategically, and that combining this with deeper self-knowledge can lead to remarkable results. I emphasise the significance of seeking out individuals who can help broaden our way of thinking, both in the professional realm and beyond. Key Lessons from the Episode: 1. Carving out the time for individual strategic and creative thinking is critical. Often this means taking yourself away from distractions, like taking a walk or sitting on your own in a coffee shop without your phone. But different things work for different people. 2. This solo thinking time can then be complimented by conversation with others; sharing perspectives and talking through ideas with other people can help us gain fresh insights and stimulate a growth mindset. You can think of these people as 'thinking partners'. 3. It's often valuable to have more than one thinking partner, to give you multiple perspectives. These people could be mentors, peers, friends, colleagues or an executive coach. 4. The role an executive coach plays is different from the advice that other thinking partners might give, especially if the coach has knowledge and experience of the independent school sector. The coach's role is to facilitate fresh insights for the leader which clarify a path forward, by helping the leader to see things from a perspective they might not have seen previously. “We need a diverse group of people with whom we can be truly honest and share confidential thoughts to develop an ever deeper knowledge of ourselves. In order to deliver remarkable results, we need to gift ourselves the space to breathe, the time to learn, and the courage to adapt.”  Juliet Corbett Episode links Episode 162: Why Coaching Works: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/162 Contact Juliet: [email protected] Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode. Find out more about working together: https://www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coaching Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

It’s one thing knowing about strategy frameworks and approaches - but knowing how to use these effectively to develop and implement a strategy in a school is a completely different skill. So this week on The Independent School Podcast I’m delighted to be joined by Paul Morgan, from St. Julian’s School in Lisbon, Portugal, a highly experienced head, who talks us through how he’s approached strategy in his two headships. Questions Paul and I address in the episode include: How can a new head lead a strategic development process when they are still fresh in post? How can they balance continuity and change?How can a head structure the leadership team in a way that enables effective delegation of strategic priorities?How can you identify which new initiatives might distract from the core purpose of the school, and which will help deliver a key strategic objective?How can a busy school leader find time for high quality strategic thinking? Throughout the episode we stay rooted in the real world, as Paul shares examples from his current headship at St Julian’s School in Lisbon, Portugal, and his previous role as Principal of The British School of Amsterdam. Episode links St Julian’s School, Lisbon Contact Juliet: [email protected] Discover more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/services Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode Find out more about working together: https://www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coaching Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Exciting news for The Independent School Podcast! In our latest episode, I reveal the top five most popular episodes of 2023. With over 16,000 listens, I am thrilled to know that our podcast has been helping education leaders become more strategic and focused on their priorities. Episode notes: Top 5 episodes of 2023: 136: Partnerships and Service with Alastair Chirnside, Warden, St Edward's Oxford 129: Your inbox is not your job 128: Regular giving with Kristina McClendon, Deputy Director of Development, Magdalen College School, Oxford 134: Four Building Blocks of Strategy 135: Five Elements of Strategic Thinking Top 5 episodes of all time: 001: Bursary Fundraising Then and Now, with John Claughton 101: Creative Thinking and Change with Richard Jones, Head, Bryanston 136: Partnerships and Service with Alastair Chirnside, Warden, St Edward's Oxford 060: Social Mobility with David Goodhew, Head, Latymer Upper School 030: Looking Back on Strategy with John Claughton, former Chief Master of King Edwards' School, Birmingham  Last week’s episode: 168: The Big Picture and Being Human with Jim Knight, The Rt Hon Lord Knight of Weymouth, Chair of COBIS Contact Juliet: [email protected] Discover more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/services Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode Find out more about working together: https://www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coaching Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

For this week's episode I'm joined by Jim Knight, The Rt Hon Lord Knight of Weymouth and Chair of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). We dive deep into the big picture of education, looking at the changing ways that schools prepare young people for their future, the importance of addressing the climate emergency, the increasing role of AI in schools, as well as exploring ways that independent and state schools can learn from each other. About Jim Knight Jim Knight works in education, digital technology and as a legislator. He is a director of Suklaa Ltd, providing advice to clients in education. Jim is the Chair of trust board of E-Act Multi Academy Trust, and chair of the Council of British International Schools. He is a board member of Century-Tech, MACAT International and Educate Ventures Research Ltd, he sits on advisory bodies for Nord Anglia Education, Pearson and BETT. As a government minister and MP, Jim’s portfolios included rural affairs, schools, digital and employment.  He was a member of Gordon Brown’s Cabinet, before joining the Lords in 2010.  He regularly speaks in the Lords on education and technology policy. Key takeaways from this episode: 1. We are striving to create an education system that prepares young people to thrive in an unpredictable future, but this is constrained by its importance in the university admissions system.   2. Schools can play a significant role in helping communities to reduce their carbon footprint, as well as preparing young people to take climate action. 3. The task of AI regulation is not simple, but we must act fast as the technology is changing quickly and young people are already taking advantage of the benefits it brings. Episode links Suklaa Ltd Ashden: Sustainable Schools Contact Juliet: [email protected] Discover more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/services Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode Find out more about working together: https://www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coaching Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Tune into this week’s podcast for a comprehensive insight into school leadership recruitment trends and the crucial conversation around equality, diversity and inclusion. I am joined by Hayley Mintern, Partner at Anderson Quigley and in our thought-provoking conversation, we delve into the world of leadership recruitment in education. Hayley brings her expertise to the table, offering insights on employer branding and developing a pool of talent for future school vacancies. It's a fascinating discussion that underscores the shifting role of school leadership and uncovers the importance of diversifying the talent pipeline in the independent sector. Some Key Takeaways from this episode: 1. Leveraging employer branding, including on LinkedIn, can help schools prepare for future vacancies. 2. Leadership roles in schools are evolving to include strategic and commercial aspects. 3. Diverse senior teams and multiple layers of expertise are crucial for effectively running a school. 4. Schools can benefit from thinking more strategically about their reputation and business model, particularly within the independent sector. Episode links: Anderson Quigley Contact Juliet: [email protected] Discover more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/services Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode. Find out more about working together: https://www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coaching Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Do you have a clear idea of how much you can achieve in a week? It’s very easy to be overly optimistic about what it is possible to get done. And then when you don’t achieve your goals for the week, it’s easy to slip into a habit of working extra hours to tick all those things off your to do list. This kind of overload is inevitable occasionally, but if you are consistently over-estimating what’s possible it can lead to building feelings of overwhelm and then potentially burnout. Key Lessons from this episode: 1) Overwhelm and overload can feel the same, but they are caused by different things and so the solutions are different. 2) Being overly optimistic about how much can be accomplished in a given timeframe can lead to overload. 3) Tracking time to understand how long tasks actually take can provide clarity on workload and prevent overload. 4) Avoiding the pressure to constantly work harder and instead focusing on sustainable productivity is essential. Episode links Episode 165: ‘My Solution to Overwhelm’ Cal Newport podcast episode: ‘Decoding Overload’ Cal Newport podcast episode: ‘Start with Discipline' Discover what it's like to have Juliet as your coach: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coaching Contact Juliet: [email protected] Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode. Find out more about working together: https://www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coaching Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

When overwhelm strikes me it feels like lots of bees buzzing around my head, each reminding me to do something, and a building sense of worry that I’m not going to get it all done. While many of us don't talk about it openly, it's normal to feel occasionally overwhelmed. But if you're having this feeling frequently then that's not a fun way to live. The key for me lies in doing one thing at a time. Research has shown that multitasking is not as effective as we often believe. So one way you could overcome overwhelm is to focus on tackling tasks sequentially, giving each one your undivided attention. Listen in for some more ideas to help you explore what works for you. Key lessons from this episode: 1) Each person's experience of overwhelm and their solution to it will be unique. 2) Not everyone may use the term "overwhelm", but it is a common feeling among leaders. 3) I invite you to try out the three steps that work for me: 1: Get out of my head; 2: Prioritise; 3: Do one thing at a time. Episode links Episode 130: Take control of your Time Episode 129: Your Inbox is not your Job Caffeine for the Soul Podcast with Michael Neill: '101 Things to Do'  Discover what it would be like to have Juliet as your coach: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coaching Contact Juliet: [email protected] Sign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week’s new podcast episode. Find out more about working together: https://www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coaching Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!