In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I sit down with Angela, a veteran educator with over 25 years of experience, to explore the often hidden realities behind teacher burnout. Angela shares a powerful story about a time when her personal life and work-related stress led to a mental health crisis, forcing her to step back from her role. What followed was a transformative journey where she embraced vulnerability, leaned into support, and challenged the stigma around not coping. Her insights reveal how the pressure to appear in control - especially as women in leadership - can be isolating and unsustainable, and how showing our humanity can open doors to deeper connection and empathy.

Together, we unpack the importance of school culture, empathetic leadership, and setting realistic boundaries. Drawing from Dr. Corey Keyes' book Languishing, we explore five pillars of wellbeing - curiosity, warm relationships, purpose, transcendence, and play, and how they can help teachers navigate chronic stress and reconnect with joy. Whether you’re leading a team, in the classroom, or simply feeling the weight of unrealistic expectations, this episode reminds us that putting our well being first isn’t weakness - it’s wisdom.

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In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I sit down with Sahreen, an experienced executive headteacher and director of Teaching School Hubs, to unpack the powerful concept of visible leadership in education. Drawing on her deep leadership and frontline experience, Sahreen explains why tackling burnout and stress in schools requires more than just well-being initiatives—it demands a holistic, strategic approach based on four key pillars: leadership, behaviour, marking and feedback, and sustainable well-being.

We explore why visible, courageous, and child-centred leadership is essential, especially during those high-pressure times like the end of term. Sahreen shares how leadership teams can build authenticity, mutual support, and safe spaces to manage stress effectively. We also dive into behaviour management, with a focus on supporting staff who face challenging students. Sahreen challenges traditional marking and feedback practices and advocates for evidence-informed, even AI-supported, approaches to reduce workload. Finally, we discuss how well-being is both personal and strategic, highlighting the importance of flexibility, empathy, and teaching soft skills like prioritisation and setting boundaries. This episode is essential listening for school leaders and educators who want to lead sustainably and thrive in their roles.

Connect with Sahreen Sadquie:

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahreen-siddiqui-a00634b3/

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In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, we’re joined by Simon Addison, Headteacher of Hastings Academy, who shares how he’s leading with empathy, flexibility, and trust. After experiencing burnout and a lack of understanding during his own recovery from illness, Simon made a commitment to put people before policies. He opens up about building a school culture where staff are supported both professionally and personally, even when life doesn’t fit neatly into term time.

Simon explains how small but meaningful changes—like coaching sessions, flexible timetabling, and even weekly donut breaks—have created a sense of belonging and psychological safety among staff. He talks about the importance of listening, trusting staff to lead their own CPD, and fostering a community where people feel seen and valued. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes schools can be places where both staff and students thrive.

Connect with Simon Addison:

Website: www.thehastingsacademy.org.uk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thehastingsacademy

X: www.twitter.com/hastingsacademy

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In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, we sit down with Andrew Lewin, a former headteacher who now works as a workplace resilience and wellbeing practitioner. With years of leadership experience in education and a deep understanding of the pressures teachers face, Andrew brings thoughtful insights into how burnout takes root in schools—and, more importantly, how it can be addressed.

He shares his personal journey from headship to wellbeing advocacy, highlighting the emotional toll of school leadership and the importance of creating psychologically safe environments for staff.

Andrew and I explore what resilience truly means in the context of education, moving beyond the buzzword to examine practical ways schools can support their teachers. We discuss how school culture, leadership behaviours, and systemic demands all influence staff wellbeing, and Andrew offers realistic strategies for leaders to build healthier, more compassionate school communities.

Whether you're a teacher feeling the strain or a leader wanting to do better by your team, this conversation is full of honest reflections and hopeful solutions.

Connect with Andrew Lewin:
Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-lewin-resilience-wellbeing
Website: www.project1000.co.uk

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In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by David Huntingford, the head teacher of William Ford Church of England Junior School. David shares his inspiring journey of implementing significant changes within his school to foster a thriving environment for both pupils and staff.

He discusses the school's core curriculum intent – for pupils to thrive, not just survive – and how this underpins their approach to learning, making it purposeful and connected to future aspirations. David also bravely details impactful decisions such as the removal of traditional marking and homework, explaining the positive effects on teacher workload, pupil well-being, and even attendance.

The conversation delves into David's leadership philosophy, particularly regarding the restructuring of TLRs to empower a smaller, more focused leadership team with dedicated time for impactful work.

He highlights the importance of trust and autonomy in leadership, allowing subject leaders to drive improvements based on their understanding of the school's needs.

Furthermore, David explains their strategic approach to CPD, ensuring it aligns with school development priorities and fosters a culture of peer support and continuous improvement. The episode concludes with a discussion on the school's impressive staff retention and low levels of work-related stress, a testament to the positive changes implemented under David's leadership.

Connect with David Huntingford:
Tel: 0208 270 6582
Email: DHuntingford@williamfordschool.co.uk
Website: www.williamfordschool.co.uk

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In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, we’re joined by Trystan Williams, an experienced headteacher who shares his insights on compassionate and authentic leadership. With over two decades of leadership experience, Trystan discusses how building deep human connections is key to creating a thriving school environment.

He reflects on how his leadership style has evolved over the years, emphasising the importance of listening more and prioritising the well-being of staff and students alike. Trystan also talks about how vulnerability and open communication have shaped his leadership, helping him build a culture of psychological safety within his school community.

Throughout this conversation, Trystan shares the challenges of managing stress and conflict in schools, as well as his personal journey towards finding a balance between caring for others and maintaining his own well-being. He also discusses the significance of staff retention, especially among support staff, and how creating a safe, supportive work environment has led to a reduction in stress-related absences.

Trystan’s passion for fostering a compassionate leadership culture is inspiring, and his practical advice offers valuable takeaways for educators looking to thrive in their careers while maintaining their mental health.

To learn more about Trystan Williams, find him on:
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/trystan-williams-55b06a29b

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In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by Priv, a passionate and resilient Religious Education teacher from Portsmouth, who shares her powerful and deeply moving journey as an Early Career Teacher (ECT). From beginning her training while five months pregnant during the pandemic to enduring a challenging and unsupportive mentorship, Priv opens up about the overwhelming pressures she faced and the emotional cost of feeling unseen and undervalued. Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, support, and the right school culture to help teachers thrive.

What really stood out to me was how, after finally finding herself in a nurturing and encouraging environment, Priv experienced the emotional release of everything she had been holding in. She speaks with heartfelt honesty about asking for help, building a strong support network, leaning on her faith, and learning to prioritise rest over relentless productivity. Her insights are incredibly valuable for new teachers, mentors, and school leaders who want to build healthier, more compassionate school communities.

To learn more about Priv Obrike, find her on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priv-obrike-15b76221b

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In this episode of The #BeatTeacherBurnout Podcast, we explore the power of journaling, purpose-driven planning, and emotional management with guest Nathan Marr, coach and co-founder of the Semester Student Planner.

Nathan shares the inspiring journey behind the creation of the planner, born out of personal challenges he and his business partner faced during and after university. From academic overwhelm to burnout recovery, they transformed their experiences into a tool that not only helps students but has unexpectedly resonated with teachers and school leaders.

Nathan explains how their planner acts as a “Trojan horse” for personal growth, embedding coaching strategies and emotional intelligence practices into daily routines.

We also dive into practical strategies for managing overwhelm, fostering creativity in teaching, and embedding well-being at both individual and organizational levels. Nathan highlights the importance of gratitude, emotional intelligence, and physical wellness as foundational habits to build resilience.

He shares actionable tips like the “love it, loathe it” task assessment and the "rule of two" for habit-building, all rooted in self-awareness and sustainable change. If you’re a teacher, leader, or parent feeling the pressure, this conversation is full of relatable insights and realistic solutions that can help you and your team thrive.

To learn more about Nathan Marr, find him on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-marr-semester/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nathanmarrs
Semester LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/72464677/

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