Creating Value in Schools | Sustainability | People, planet and resources

Liz Worthen
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Education
  • Updated Biweekly

How can we make schools more sustainable – in all senses of the word? How can school leaders promote a sustainable way of working? Make best use of our resources, in a way that’s good for people and planet? In conversation with educators, we exchange insights and ideas. Hosted by Liz Worthen, an educator, researcher and writer, whose career in education spans teaching, training and  content development. For more from the Creating Value in Schools community, visit www.createvalueschools.com

  1. 39m ago

    Creating the Conditions to Thrive | Yamina Bibi

    Yamina Bibi explores how removing barriers, creating belonging and providing the right support can help people thrive – and why that matters for recruiting, retaining and getting the best from our school workforce. Drawing on learning from the Mission 44 Diversity in ITT project, Yamina talks to host Liz Worthen about how schools can remove barriers to recruitment, retention and progression for staff with protected characteristics. They discuss: The connection between inclusion, retention, belonging and thriving. The importance of building your own awareness of racial literacy and the impact of other protected characteristics. How organisations need to be proactive in putting processes in place to respond to discrimination, learning from safeguarding approaches and recognising that just because it’s not been reported so far, it doesn’t mean it’s not happening. The responsibility of leaders to be active in removing barriers, rather than expecting individuals to overcome them. How reasonable adjustments and inclusive practice can benefit everyone. What a portfolio career can look like and bringing your authentic self to work. “We're talking a lot about belonging for young people, but are we talking about it for staff and staff with protected characteristics?” Yamina Bibi FCCT is a former deputy head and English teacher, a consultant, CPD trainer and author of A Little Guide for Teachers: Thriving in Your First Years of Teaching. She is the Chiltern Teaching School CTS Lead for Strategic Partnerships and School Transformation. Liz Worthen’s career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development. Creating Value in Schools is all about sustainable working: taking care of people, planet and resources to secure better outcomes for children and communities. Links and resources Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/i2429o Kim Scott’s TED Talk, How to lead with radical candour: https://www.ted.com/talks/kim_scott_how_to_lead_with_radical_candor  The radical candour framework: https://modelthinkers.com/mental-model/radical-candor-framework  Mission 44 Diversity in Teaching project: https://mission44.org/diversity-in-education-fund/ Increasing Diversity in Initial Teacher Training (free online course) https://chartered.college/diversity-in-itt-course/  WomenEd: Women Leaders in Education https://womened.com/ Belonging Effect (formerly Diverse Educators): https://www.thebelongingeffect.co.uk/ Maisie Cass episode: https://createvalueschools.com/podcast/what-about-the-adults-neuroinclusion-in-schools--maisie-cass/ Hannah Wilson episode: https://createvalueschools.com/podcast/who-gets-to-belong-in-schools-with-hannah-wilson/ Find recommended reads in the Creating Value in Schools bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Big Question 00:49 Mentors Who Made a Difference 03:05 Radical Candour Explained 04:16 Mission 44 Diversity Project 05:08 Barriers in Recruitment Retention Assessment 08:00 Leader Strategies and Racial Literacy 11:59 Reporting Policies and Zero Tolerance 13:43 Intersectionality and Neuroinclusion 17:07 Reasonable Adjustments and Advocacy 19:18 Community Networks and Reading Picks 21:49 What's Next for Yamina 23:32 Closing and Further Listening

  2. Sep 22

    What About the Adults? Neuroinclusion in Schools | Maisie Cass

    We know that inclusive environments matter for pupils. But do we apply the same thinking for staff? Maisie Cass explores what a more neuroinclusive approach could look like – and how small changes can reduce friction, support retention and create space for belonging. We have an increasingly neurodiverse workforce. What does that mean for staffing in your setting? Unmet neurodivergent needs can show up as behaviour that gets interpreted as laziness, procrastination or rudeness, when in reality it’s more about anxiety and overwhelm. Host Liz Worthen and Maisie talk about: Why we need to talk about neurodiversity in terms of the adults in school, as well as the students. Simple, no-cost ways to reduce stressors and remove friction. How we reduce burnout and turnover in a changing workforce. The role of frameworks and unpicking process. The four Cs framework: curiosity, confidence, compassion and consistency. The difference between fitting in and belonging. “Everybody's going to experience the world in a very slightly different way… Get really curious before you decide whether it's an inability to do the job, whether they're overloaded or whether it's something to do with willingness and conduct.” Maisie Cass is Founder and Chief Curiosity Officer at Diversity Does, helping schools and organisations to move beyond neurodiversity awareness and make neuroinclusion part of everyday working practice.  Maisie is working with the SBL Support Hub to provide insights and training for school business managers around how they can better manage themselves and others with a neuroinclusion lens.  If you're a school business manager who is diagnosed, exploring, suspecting or self-identifying as neurodivergent, they'd love you to complete the survey at https://www.sblsupporthub.com/neurodiversity-survey/ And if you want a better understanding of neurodiversity to enhance your leadership, check out their upcoming webinar: https://www.sblsupporthub.com/webinars/  Liz Worthen’s career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development. Creating Value in Schools is all about sustainable working: taking care of people, planet and resources to secure better outcomes for children and communities. Links and resources Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/i2429o Find out about ways to work with us: https://createvalueschools.com/work-with-us/ Find out more about Maisie’s work with education organisations: https://maisiecass.co.uk/homepagediversitydoes Check out the SBL Support Hub: https://www.sblsupporthub.com/ Research around neuroinclusion in the workforce: https://www.disabilityin.org/articles-and-updates/disability-in-unveils-innovative-evidence-based-framework-to-advance-neuroinclusion-in-the-workforce Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com/ Belonging in schools: https://createvalueschools.com/blog/belonging-in-schools-are-we-asking-the-wrong-questions/   Chapters 00:00 Neuro Inclusion Focus 01:12 Neurodiversity Terms 04:22 Why It Matters at Work 07:02 Retention and Burnout 09:28 Small Friction Fixes 10:34 Intranet Maze Example 12:14 Team Barriers and Misreads 18:52 Recruitment Ecosystem 21:59 Leader Actions and Frameworks 29:04 Four Cs Framework 30:29 Belonging Over Fitting In 33:53 Wrap Up and Resources

  3. Sep 8

    Falling Pupil Rolls: Risk, Experience and Opportunity

    What can schools do when pupil numbers are falling? We explore how to anticipate the risks, create experiences that attract families, and find new opportunities in changing circumstances. Falling birth rates and demographic shifts mean many schools are grappling with declining pupil numbers – and the knock-on effects for budgets and staffing. In this episode, Liz Worthen draws on conversations from recent podcast guests to share three practical strands for tackling the challenge: managing risk, creating memorable experiences, and spotting opportunity. In this episode: Why falling rolls should be treated as a strategic planning risk, with insight from school business leaders Helen Burge and Emma Gray on monitoring KPIs, staff turnover and pupil movement. The reputational and communications risks of restructuring, and why bringing stakeholders into the conversation early matters. How to take a customer-centred approach to open evenings and first impressions – lessons from Sufian Sadiq, Chief Talent and Transformation Officer at Chiltern Learning Trust, on curating an experience families remember. Why an enterprising mindset matters for identifying fresh opportunities, featuring insight from Justin Smith's master's research into creating an income generation culture. Real examples from the DfE's education estates strategy on repurposing surplus space – from wraparound hubs to specialist SEND bases. “If you can see it happening in three years’ time, you need to do something about it.” “It's putting yourself in the shoes of the customer, thinking about our kids and our parents as customers, and how we engage and communicate with them.”   Liz Worthen is an educator, researcher, podcaster and writer. Her career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development, creating resources which enable leaders to flourish in their roles. Creating Value in Schools is about exploring sustainable working in education, to secure better outcomes for learners and communities.  Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter for ongoing insights, and get in touch to share your own experience of changing pupil demographics. Featured episodes Episode 26: Unbound SBLs: Reconsidering Risk with Helen Burge and Emma Gray Episode 34: Think Like an Entrepreneur: Creative Solutions for School Leaders with Sufian Sadiq Episode 30: Win-Win: Fundraising relationships for lasting impact with Justin Smith, Vicki Newsome, Richard Manville and Matthew Smith MBE. Links and resources Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/i2429o Get in touch: https://createvalueschools.com/contact/ More on risk management as a tool for strategic planning: https://createvalueschools.com/blog/more-than-a-tick-box-exercise-turning-risk-into-strategy/ More on fundraising: https://createvalueschools.com/need-to-know/five-steps-to-effective-school-fundraising About the DfE’s estates strategy: https://createvalueschools.com/need-to-know/towards-a-sustainable-education-estate The DfE education estates strategy: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-estates-strategy   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and the challenge 00:58 Risk planning for falling rolls 01:55 Staffing culture and reputation 05:30 Create a customer experience 06:05 Open evening details that matter 10:51 Think like an entrepreneur 11:18 Enterprise mindset and culture 12:45 Using surplus space creatively 13:40 Summary and next steps

  4. Aug 25

    Quiet Leadership: The Changing Role of the Headteacher’s PA

    Milli Cowling talks about the shift from diary management and meetings to influence and impact, and the quiet leadership behind the role – from protecting leaders’ time and capacity to spotting patterns, solving problems and helping shape school culture.  In conversation with host Liz Worthen, Milli talks us through: A day in the life of a headteacher’s PA How and why the role has changed so much What gets missed or misunderstood Essential skills: trust, communication, balance, adaptability and emotional intelligence Why the PA’s partnership with the headteacher is so key How PAs and executive assistants (EAs) can develop in their role. Be curious and ask! “Contribution isn’t measured by visibility. It’s measured by impact.”  “The role has evolved much faster than the language around it.”   Milli Cowling is an experienced headteacher's personal assistant as well as a certified coach. At Woodbridge Park Education Service, a multi-site and multi-age alternative provision, she works closely with the senior leadership team to provide strategic and organisational support that helps create a positive, high‑performing environment for staff and pupils. Liz Worthen’s career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development. Creating Value in Schools is all about sustainable working: taking care of people, planet and resources to secure better outcomes for children and communities. Links and resources Sign up for the Creating Value in Schools newsletter for insights, tips and resources: http://eepurl.com/i2429o Milli’s reading recommendation: The Founder & The Force Multiplier, by Adam Hergenrother with Hallie Warner. Find details at https://founderandforcemultiplier.com/books-for-executive-assistants-chiefs-of-staff-and-force-multipliers/ Find more recommended reads in the Creating Value in Schools bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools Milli’s Schools Week article: https://schoolsweek.co.uk/the-role-of-a-heads-pa-has-changed-why-hasnt-our-language/ Chapters 00:00 Meet the Head’s PA 01:12 A Day in the Life 04:56 How the Role Evolved 08:11 Why PAs Get Misunderstood 10:51 Core Skills and Quiet Leadership 14:10 Working With Different Heads 15:43 Isolation and Support Networks 16:59 Professional Development Pathways 20:41 Defining Impact and Value 22:56 Learning and Recommendations 24:07 Final Advice and Wrap Up   #PersonalAssistant #ExecutiveAssistant #Headteacher

  5. Aug 11

    Tackling the Confidence Gremlins: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in School Leadership

    Host Liz Worthen welcomes Nickii Messer to discuss imposter syndrome, how it shows up in school roles, and practical ways to challenge the ‘confidence gremlins’. Nickii shares how self-doubt nearly stopped her becoming chair of governors for two schools, and explores how imposter thoughts link to the ‘Ps’ of perfectionism, procrastination, perspective and panic.  They talk about: Challenging the gremlin voice through reflective practice Celebrating achievements and accepting ‘good enough’ where appropriate Reframing the ‘comfort-stretch-panic’ model as ‘comfort-gremlin-magic’ Creating safe leadership cultures where asking for help is normal Being 10% braver. “You can let the brakes help you slow down to check for hazards, but don't let them stop you.” Nickii Messer of All the Geese is a school business management and leadership specialist, providing training, development and mentoring expertise. She’s also chair of governors of two schools.    Liz Worthen’s career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development. Creating Value in Schools is all about sustainable working: taking care of people, planet and resources to secure better outcomes for children and communities. Links and resources Sign up for the Creating Value in Schools newsletter: http://eepurl.com/i2429o Karl Rohnke’s Comfort, Stretch, Panic model: https://www.crowe-associates.co.uk/coaching-tools/comfort-stretch-panic-coaching-tool/ Nickii Messer on honest conversations: https://createvalueschools.com/blog/call-them-honest-conversations-to-empower-understand-and-resolve/ Ready to grow? Professional development suggestions: https://createvalueschools.com/need-to-know/professional-development-opportunities-for-sbms/ Find recommended reads in the Creating Value in Schools bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup 01:08 Nickii’s Imposter Story 03:51 What Is Imposter Syndrome 06:42 Mentoring and Common Patterns 10:18 Solo Strategies and Perspective 12:15 Comfort Stretch Panic Model 13:46 Perfectionism and High Achievers 16:35 Leading Through Self Doubt 18:46 Affirmations and Culture Shifts 20:53 Failure Lessons and Social Comparison 23:01 Books and Being 10% Braver 27:39 Final Takeaways and Goodbye

  6. Jul 28

    Unbound SBLs: What do we mean by value in schools?

    Liz is joined by Unbound SBLs Emma Gray and Helen Burge to unpack what ‘value’ really means for school business leaders – and how to create more of it, even when time and money are tight. The conversation opens with a listener challenge: an SBL facing a leadership decision that carries real financial risk, while the rest of the room seems ready to nod it through. Should they speak up or go along with the consensus? Helen and Emma talk through impact assessments, risk registers, and the courage to be the lone dissenting voice – borrowing from Edward de Bono's six thinking hats along the way. From there, the discussion turns to what value actually looks like in practice: reducing friction in everyday systems, managing supplier contracts as relationships rather than transactions, and making the most of staffing budgets. Key talking points:  Cutting friction – why removing small barriers and duplication has a snowball effect on team performance. Data gathering – a starting point for curiosity, identifying issues, planning and prioritising.  The DfE's maximising value in schools guidance – collective buying agreements, the teacher vacancy service and financial benchmarking tool.  Staff absence – how return-to-work conversations, line manager training and small culture shifts (like speaking to a person rather than an answerphone) can reduce costs. Time management – how to prioritise strategic work when the diary is dominated by day-to-day firefighting and practical tools for getting things done.  Where to start in a new SBL role – talking to staff at every level, gathering procurement and contract data, and mapping priorities against the school development plan. Emma Gray and Helen Burge have both been executive business leaders in trusts, and now support school business professionals through coaching, training and consultancy. Emma is a DfE accredited school resource management advisor, and Helen co-chairs the UK Schools Sustainability Network Operations Group. They are fans of risk management, internal scrutiny and operational excellence.  Liz Worthen’s career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development. Creating Value in Schools is all about sustainable working: taking care of people, planet and resources to secure better outcomes for children and communities. Previous Unbound SBL episodes: Episode 26: Unbound SBLs: Reconsidering Risk Episode 20: Unbound SBLs: sector support and striving for excellence Episode 14: From food waste to future-proofing: the SBL year in review Links and resources: Sign up for the Creating Value in Schools newsletter: http://eepurl.com/i2429o Edward de Bono’s six thinking hats: https://www.debonogroup.com/services/core-programs/six-thinking-hats/ What is operational excellence? https://createvalueschools.com/need-to-know/what-is-operational-excellence-and-why-does-it-matter DfE maximising value for pupils guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/maximising-value-for-pupils-guidance-for-schools-and-trusts More on maximising value: https://createvalueschools.com/need-to-know/maximising-value-resources-for-schools Get help buying for schools: https://get-help-buying-for-schools.education.gov.uk/ Eisenhower Matrix: https://www.eisenhower.me/eisenhower-matrix/ Find recommended reads in the Creating Value in Schools bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Setup 01:10 Listener Risk Dilemma 01:48 Tools for Dissent 05:36 Defining Value 07:18 Removing Friction 08:40 Contracts and Procurement 10:08 DfE Value Guidance 11:17 Staff Absence Value 17:22 Benchmarking Debate 20:01 Listener Time Crunch 24:16 Strategic Time Habits 27:56 Frogs Elephants Chocolate 29:09 New SBL First Steps 31:29 Inspiration and Wellbeing 33:37 Final Thanks and Wrap   #Schools #SchoolBusinessLeadership

  7. Jul 14

    What’s got you through this year? Reflections, survival and celebrations

    In this reflective episode at the end of the school year, host Liz Worthen draws on the experiences of podcast guests to wonder: what’s got you through? What, or who, has sustained you? What storms have you survived? What do you want to celebrate?  Emma Gray recommends stepping into corridors, classrooms and playgrounds to reconnect with the energy and impact of young people Viv Grant shares how painting trees and leaning into nature during cancer treatment reshaped her perspective on wise leadership and surviving storms Paul K Ainsworth speaks to the “perma-crisis,” stressing that recovery is a process and urging leaders to rebuild reservoirs of hope by reaching out for support Carl Smith emphasises connection, integrity, self-forgiveness and hope. “What else can I do, but my best in this situation?”  Liz closes with Tees Valley Education’s ‘counting the flowers’ practice – regularly naming green shoots and wins – plus an invitation to rest and refresh.  Liz Worthen is an educator, researcher, podcaster and writer. Her career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development, creating resources which enable leaders to flourish in their roles. Creating Value in Schools is about exploring sustainable working in education, to secure better outcomes for learners and communities.  Featured episodes and resources Unbound SBLs: sector support and striving for excellence with Emma Gray and Helen Burge Viv Grant on Creativity, Courage and Inner Wisdom Crisis recovery in schools: ‘it will get better’ With Paul K Ainsworth Enjoy what you do: hope, joy and staying power with Josephine Smith and Carl Smith  Find recommended reads in the Creating Value in Schools bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools Join the Creating Value in Schools community: https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/ 00:00 Year-End Reflection 01:06 Sustained By Students 03:09 Nature And Resilience 05:28 Recovering From Crisis 07:13 Reaching Out For Support 10:25 Practising Hope 11:28 Celebrate And Rest   #Schools #Education #StaffWellbeing

  8. Jun 30

    Think Like an Entrepreneur: Creative Solutions for School Leaders | Sufian Sadiq

    Liz Worthen interviews Sufian Sadiq, Chief Talent and Transformation Officer at Chiltern Learning Trust, about using innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking to work more sustainably in schools.  Sufian shares how his background in business studies and entrepreneurship shapes a talent strategy that has recruited 350 teachers without paid adverts, driven by social media, local presence and long-term relationship-building. He explains targeting local demographics, using platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, and partnering with local influencers to boost ITT recruitment and improve diversity and retention through local hires.  Sufian argues that schools should treat job applicants, trainees, pupils, parents and staff as customers by curating consistent, high-quality experiences – from reception interactions to the classroom, CPD events and open evenings – so schools become valued community hubs. “Every interaction with us has to be an interaction that feels like a positive interaction. It needs to be consistent, it needs to be carefully curated, and it needs to make sure it meets the needs of our customers to exactly the level that we need it to be at.” “As soon as you start doing that, you start creating schools that are real hubs in communities, and you create a sense of belonging for everyone, because you've thought about what it means for them to belong.”  Sufian Sadiq is Chief Talent & Transformation Officer at Chiltern Learning Trust, and Co-President Elect of the Chartered College of Teaching. Responsible for the Chiltern Teaching School, Sufian brings an innovative approach to trainee and staff recruitment, as well as the delivery of high-quality CPD. He hosts the Muslim Teachers' Association podcast, ‘An audience with’.  Liz Worthen is an educator, researcher, podcaster and writer. Her career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development, creating resources which enable leaders to flourish in their roles. Creating Value in Schools is about the exploration of sustainable working in education, to secure better outcomes for learners and communities. #Schools #Education #SchoolBusinessLeadership 00:00 Welcome and theme 00:28 Sufian’s entrepreneurial roots 02:46 Recruiting without adverts 05:44 Social media talent pipeline 10:11 Localised recruitment strategy 14:28 Community pride and retention 16:42 Harrods level customer care 25:25 Curating the open evening experience 30:44 Entrepreneurial thinking for all 33:07 Know your stakeholders 35:20 Final thanks and wrap up

See All (41)

About

How can we make schools more sustainable – in all senses of the word? How can school leaders promote a sustainable way of working? Make best use of our resources, in a way that’s good for people and planet? In conversation with educators, we exchange insights and ideas. Hosted by Liz Worthen, an educator, researcher and writer, whose career in education spans teaching, training and  content development. For more from the Creating Value in Schools community, visit www.createvalueschools.com

Information