In this episode of In This Together, host Becky Dawson welcomes Seth Butcher, the founder of Future Decided, to explore a powerful approach to student aspiration and re-engagement. Seth shares his passion for helping young people establish a compelling vision for their future —a mindset shift that transcends standard testing and traditional university pathways. Together, they discuss the critical link between student motivation and school attendance, highlighting how identifying a personal "why" empowers individuals to push through significant barriers.

This episode delves into effective behaviour management and student wellbeing by challenging educators to look beyond standard intervention methods. Seth unpacks his "climbing wall" analogy of attendance, demonstrating why reducing negative triggers is only half the solution if schools fail to strengthen the "top magnet" of ambition. Through practical examples and a passion for alternative pathways, this conversation provides actionable insights for cultivating resilience and redefining what it means for every child to be wired for greatness.

• A compelling vision drives attendance: Cultivating an individualized, motivating goal allows students to develop the resilience needed to push through anxiety, social difficulties, and school avoidance.
• Strengthening the top magnet of ambition: Traditional interventions often focus solely on reducing anxiety or modifying timetables; educators must equally amplify a student's long-term aspirations and intrinsic drive.
• Redefining greatness beyond test scores: While academic qualifications remain valuable pathways, true fulfillment comes from supporting young people to find their unique lane and thrive.
• Connecting education to real-life skills: For students who value learning but struggle with the institutional structure of school, framing the environment as a practice ground for essential interpersonal and workplace skills can unlock engagement.
• A contagious mindset shift for staff wellbeing: Shifting focus toward lasting student impact reminds educators of their core purpose, boosting staff morale and transforming the wider school culture.

00:00 - Introduction - Host Becky Dawson introduces Seth Butcher and outlines the episode's focus on intentional well-being.

01:11 - The Genesis of Future Decided - Seth explains the vision behind his platform and moving away from a rigid university-for-all agenda.

03:30 - Embracing Individual Pathways - Discussing the value of technical trades and encouraging high expectations across all career lanes.

06:29 - Sparking Motivation: The Power of a Goal - A practical look at how finding a distinct personal drive makes challenging curriculum content purposeful.

08:41 - Understanding Systemic Attendance Barriers - Examining post-COVID school avoidance and why traditional intervention models fall short.

11:32 - The Climbing Wall Analogy & The Top Magnet - A breakdown of the tension between easing school challenges and building a powerful future vision.

13:50 - Engaging the School-Averse Learner - Addressing the growing cohort of students who value education but reject the traditional school layout.

15:21 - Redefining Greatness in Modern Education - Shifting away from a deficit model to focus intentionally on student potential and strengths.

17:21 - From Alternative Provision to a Brighter Future - A case study of a disengaged student discovering a legal, structured path toward a construction career.

Find out more about Seth’s work here:

Website https://www.futuredecided.com/

Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbutcher-futuredecided/

In this episode, host Becky Dawson is joined by Penny Phillips, a coach supervisor and founder of the Parent Village . Penny shares the story of how her work in local authorities evolved into a peer-led, evidence-based model that upskills parents to support one another's mental health and wellbeing . The conversation explores the vital role parents play as experts through experience and how schools can better bridge the gap between home and the classroom .

The episode delves into the challenges of navigating the education system, particularly for families dealing with social and emotional needs or a cancer diagnosis. Penny offers profound insights into why perfection in parenting is a myth and how educators can use vulnerability and "relational approaches" to build genuine trust with the families they serve . From relieving the pressure of "adulting" to supporting parents through recovery, Penny provides a roadmap for compassionate collaboration.

• Value expertise through experience: Peer-led support models recognize that parents are the fundamental relationship in a child's life and possess unique skills that should be valued and scaffolded.
• The "Armour" of interaction: Both educators and parents often approach difficult conversations with defensive "armour"; taking a bit of yours off first can invite the parent to do the same, fostering vulnerability.
• Relieving the perfectionism trap: Perfection in parenting does not exist; "good enough" parenting—being the best you can be in your current circumstances—is the goal that leaders should champion.
• Broaching support with sensitivity: Recommending parenting groups should be done through a lens of empathy and shared struggle rather than as a "tick box" or a critique of a parent's current skills.
• Humans do well when they can: Adopting the mantra that people—both children and adults—want to do well but may currently lack the capacity or support to do so changes the tone of school interaction.
• Support beyond treatment: For families "parenting with cancer," the need for school support does not end when treatment does; ongoing scaffolding is required as they navigate long-term emotional and physical impacts.

00:01 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces Penny Phillips and the concept of the Parent Village.

01:42 - The Birth of the Parent Village - How a peer-led parenting team grew into a digital community across borough boundaries.

04:02 - Valuing Peer Expertise - The importance of upskilling and paying parents to share their lived experiences.

06:24 - Challenges Facing Families - Discussing global factors, the cost of living, and the daily juggle of "adulting".

10:45 - The Secondary School Context - Why secondary leaders must set a tone that prioritises partnership and trusted adults over rigid rules.

14:19 - Dropping the Armour - How vulnerability and admitting you don't have all the answers can improve one-to-one parent conversations.

19:08 - Recommending Parenting Support - Tips on how to suggest courses without making parents feel like they are failing.

22:53 - The Myth of Perfection - Moving away from social media's perfect images and embracing "good enough".

26:48 - Humans Do Well When They Can - Applying Dr. Ross Green's principles to both children and "blustery" parents.

31:37 - Parenting with Cancer Project - A specialized focus on supporting families through a diagnosis and its lifelong impacts.

38:29 - Scaffolding Beyond Treatment - Why schools must continue to hold families in mind even after medical treatment ends.

40:37 - Takeaways for Tomorrow - Final reflections on relational approaches and taking off the armour.

Join the Conversation We would love for you to follow the podcast and leave a rating or review on your preferred platform . If you have thoughts, questions, or want to share the brilliant work you're doing for wellbeing, please email us at teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.

Find out more about Penny’s work here:

The Parent Village: https://www.theparentvillage.org.uk/

Fruitfly Collective (parenting with cancer): https://www.fruitflycollective.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/penny-phillips/