A Headteacher's Perspective Podcast

A Headteacher's Perspective Podcast

Reflections on 20 years of being a primary school headteacher in 5 schools, 3 LAs, Academy, Catholic, Anglican and Local Authority. Podcasts about school leadership, DfE releases, research, useful resources and professional development courses. paulurry68.substack.com

  1. 12/26/2025

    Becoming a Future Head: Purposeful, Principled, and Prepared - An Introduction

    Headship is not simply a role you apply for — it is a responsibility you grow into. This podcast accompanies the Becoming a Future Head course and is designed for experienced leaders who are beginning to sense the call to headship. Through reflective episodes, each aligned to a course module, the podcast explores the moral, emotional, and strategic realities of leading a school. Listeners are invited to think deeply about leadership identity, purpose, culture, systems, decision-making, and sustainability. Episodes unpack what it truly means to hold vision, people, pressure, and accountability with integrity — without losing clarity, compassion, or self. This is not a podcast about shortcuts or slogans. It is a space for thoughtful reflection, honest challenge, and professional formation, supporting leaders to step forward with confidence, coherence, and moral courage. Best listened to alongside the course articles, videos, and workbook. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

    11 min
  2. Stepping Into School Leadership Course

    12/12/2025

    Stepping Into School Leadership Course

    Stepping Into School Leadership is a weekly companion podcast designed to support teachers who are ready to grow their influence, deepen their confidence, and take their first steps into leadership. Each episode is released alongside the weekly course unit and workbook, creating a reflective space where we explore the ideas in more depth—what they look like in real schools, why they matter, and how you can use them straight away in your role. Across eight modules and forty thoughtfully structured episodes, we unpack: * the real meaning of leadership in schools * how to build credibility and trust * the practicalities of leading teams, projects, and change * how to communicate with clarity and confidence * ways to thrive personally and professionally * what the wider school system expects from its leaders * how to develop your own leadership identity * and how to build a portfolio that opens future opportunities This is not abstract theory. It’s leadership you can feel, recognise, and apply. Whether you’re preparing for subject leadership, phase leadership, or simply want to understand what leadership demands—and what it can unlock—this podcast will guide you step by step. Each week, join me for honest reflections, practical tools, real examples, and the reassurance that leadership is not about title or status… it’s about mindset, influence, and growth. Listen, reflect, apply, grow.Your leadership journey starts here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

    9 min
  3. Perspective Podcast #64 Leadership Mini-Guide: Responding Wisely, Not Quickly

    12/10/2025

    Perspective Podcast #64 Leadership Mini-Guide: Responding Wisely, Not Quickly

    In this episode, we explore one of the most underrated leadership disciplines in schools: the ability to pause. When pressure rises, leaders are often expected to react instantly — to fix, decide, reassure, respond. But quick answers can narrow the problem, cloud judgement, and pull us into firefighting rather than leadership. This conversation digs into why wise responses matter more than fast ones, how to create space for thoughtful decision-making, and what it looks like to regulate the emotional temperature of a room. We explore the power of perspective, the courage of “I’ll get back to you,” and the art of widening the lens before choosing a course of action. If you’re navigating complexity, holding multiple demands, or simply feeling the pull toward constant urgency, this episode offers a grounded reminder:leadership isn’t about speed — it’s about steadiness, clarity, and the quality of our thinking. A short guide for leaders who want to respond with intention, not impulse. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

    8 min

  4. 12/09/2025

    Perspective Podcast #63 MFL: Identity, Culture and Confident Communication

    In this episode, we explore why Modern Foreign Languages are far more than curriculum content. We discuss the role of language in shaping identity, expanding cultural understanding and building confident communicators. For school leaders and MFL leads alike, this conversation reframes language teaching as a strategic act of connection, belonging and global awareness. A short, reflective listen for anyone wanting to elevate MFL from classroom subject to whole-school culture. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

    8 min

  5. 12/08/2025

    Introduction to the Excellent Teacher Programme

    The Excellent Teacher Programme is a structured, research-informed professional development journey designed to help teachers refine their practice, strengthen their confidence, and build the habits that lead to long-term excellence in the classroom. Created for educators at every stage of their career, the programme blends clarity, practicality, and depth, offering a sustainable pathway for continuous improvement. Each week, participants explore one focused aspect of effective teaching through a short video, a podcast version, and an accompanying written article. These sessions are intentionally concise, allowing busy teachers and school leaders to engage meaningfully in around twenty minutes. A downloadable workbook supports reflection, goal-setting, and the translation of new learning into purposeful action. Across eight modules and forty sessions, the programme examines the full landscape of professional practice — from the moral purpose of teaching and the science of how pupils learn, to planning, modelling, behaviour, inclusion, and the habits that sustain professional wellbeing. The aim is not quick fixes, but steady, deliberate growth that strengthens teaching in a way that is both achievable and transformative. Whether used by individual teachers, coaching pairs, phase teams, or whole-school staff, The Excellent Teacher Programme provides a coherent CPD spine that builds shared understanding, collective ambition, and a culture of ongoing development. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

    9 min

  6. 11/28/2025

    December on From a Headteacher’s Perspective: A Month of Strength, Focus and Growth

    Here’s what December looks like on From a Headteacher’s Perspective.This short video walks you through a month created with intention—one that supports leaders through the busiest stretch of the school year with calm guidance, meaningful subject leadership development, international education insights every Saturday, and weekly DfE updates every Sunday. You’ll also see how we’re completing the 16-part Subject Leader Companion series with Reading, MFL and Phonics, and how December prepares us for a major new chapter in January: four video-based professional learning programmes designed for leaders who want depth without overload. If you’re looking for direction, clarity and a sense of community as we close the year, this video is your starting point. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

    7 min
  7. December on From a Headteacher’s Perspective: A Month of Strength, Focus and Growth

    11/27/2025

    December on From a Headteacher’s Perspective: A Month of Strength, Focus and Growth

    Here’s what December looks like on From a Headteacher’s Perspective.This short video walks you through a month created with intention—one that supports leaders through the busiest stretch of the school year with calm guidance, meaningful subject leadership development, international education insights every Saturday, and weekly DfE updates every Sunday. You’ll also see how we’re completing the 16-part Subject Leader Companion series with Reading, MFL and Phonics, and how December prepares us for a major new chapter in January: four video-based professional learning programmes designed for leaders who want depth without overload. If you’re looking for direction, clarity and a sense of community as we close the year, this video is your starting point. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

    7 min
  8. Perspective Podcast #56 Podcast #35 In Depth #35 Behaviour and Attitudes: The Everyday Habits That Shape School Culture

    11/19/2025

    Perspective Podcast #56 Podcast #35 In Depth #35 Behaviour and Attitudes: The Everyday Habits That Shape School Culture

    Behaviour and attitudes aren’t built through systems alone — they’re shaped by the everyday habits, routines, and expectations that adults model and reinforce. In this in-depth episode, we explore how seemingly small behaviours form the foundations of school culture, pupil confidence, and staff consistency. * Why behaviour is a cultural signal, not just a management system * The subtle adult habits that make or break consistency * How leaders can create environments where expectations are lived, not laminated * Practical ways to strengthen attitudes, resilience, and readiness to learn * The connection between relational practice, fairness and emotional safety * Stories of how shifts in daily habits transformed whole-school culture Whether you are a headteacher, deputy, pastoral lead, or classroom teacher, this episode breaks down what truly shapes behaviour — and how leaders can create a calm, purposeful school built on habits, not hype. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulurry68.substack.com/subscribe

    10 min
See All (66)

About

Reflections on 20 years of being a primary school headteacher in 5 schools, 3 LAs, Academy, Catholic, Anglican and Local Authority. Podcasts about school leadership, DfE releases, research, useful resources and professional development courses. paulurry68.substack.com

Information