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In this episode of In This Together, host Becky Dawson sits down with Jonathan Harper FRSA, an award-winning social entrepreneur and founder of CanTeam. Together, they explore how school spaces can be transformed after hours to foster community dining, boost student agency, and nurture whole-school wellbeing. Jonathan shares how opening school canteens strengthens relationships between families, schools, and local communities.

The discussion dives deep into social action, practical leadership skills for young people, and overcoming the challenges of secondary school engagement. By placing students at the heart of hosting and organizing, schools can unlock untapped potential and improve outcomes for everyone.

• Community dining as a wellbeing hub: Opening school canteens after hours builds trust, companionship, and strong community links.
• Empowering young leaders: Involving students directly in hosting and running events develops vital real-world leadership and employability skills.
• Secondary school connection: Bridging the gap between parents and secondary schools creates meaningful touchpoints for family engagement.
• Accessible whole school nutrition: Providing appealing, stigma-free nutritious meals fosters healthier habits for young people and families.
• Intergenerational relationships: Bringing local residents and students together breaks down social barriers and enhances community cohesion.
• Unlocking existing school assets: Reimagining underutilised spaces transforms schools from academic facilities into vibrant community centers.

00:00 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces the episode, host context, and guest Jonathan Harper.

01:30 - The Genesis of CanTeam - Jonathan shares his background in social action and the Grenfell Tower response that inspired community dining.

05:56 - Overcoming Secondary School Challenges - Exploring how to break down barriers, engage secondary students, and reconnect parents.

11:27 - Operational Models and Staff Involvement - Testing different delivery methods and looking forward to sustainable community hub models.

12:43 - Nutrition, Wellbeing, and Student Agency - Why accessible, appealing food combined with student leadership creates real impact.

20:42 - Inspirational Examples from Across the UK - Student-led dining projects in Bognor Regis, Brighton, and Durham.

24:37 - Intergenerational Connection and Cathedral Thinking - The power of bringing older residents into school canteens and bold leadership vision.

27:18 - Key Takeaways and Closing - Practical action points for school leaders and podcast sign-off.

Connect and Engage

Don't forget to follow the podcast and leave us a rating and review! If you have feedback, questions, or ideas to share, contact our team at teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.

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Find out more about our Leader Resources https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/m8jyb

Mental Health Behaviour and Attendance Resource https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/129pkb

How to Manage Staff Attendance https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/19bew1

Find out more about Stephen’s work here:

Website https://hsa.harbourlearningtrust.com/

Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephentlogan/

6 Quick things about attendance: https://www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/six-quick-things-on-attendance/

In this episode of In This Together, host Becky Dawson sits down with Stephen Logan, the proud principal of Healing Academy in North East Lincolnshire, to explore a refreshing, human approach to school attendance. Moving away from the rigid data chase that often leaves leaders feeling pressured, Stephen explains how his philosophy of care, inclusion, and standards helps rebuild engagement from the ground up. They discuss shifting from compliance to curiosity, the profound impact of quality first teaching, and the systemic challenges surrounding educational funding and outreach.

This deep dive offers valuable insights for school leaders looking to implement sustainable behaviour management and foster genuine community well-being. By prioritizing human relationships over percentages, educators can understand the root complexities of severe absence—such as mental health and family context—and create a school environment where young people truly feel they belong.

• Human connection as an attendance driver: Prioritize meaningful, daily interactions with students and staff over immediate compliance checks to build momentum and psychological safety.
• Quality first teaching builds belonging: Getting students through the door is only half the battle; an engaging curriculum and excellent classroom delivery create the intrinsic motivation for them to return.
• Ditch the silver bullets and fads: Avoid wasting public funds on quick-fix motivators or exclusive rewards like prom bans, focusing instead on inclusive strategies and robust careers education.
• The systemic need for targeted funding: True outreach and bridging work with disadvantaged families require sustainable financial resource to employ dedicated pastoral staff.
• Lead with brave, value-driven actions: Educational leaders must remain courageous, staying obsessed with empathetic processes rather than just the final data outcomes.

00:00 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces the podcast and guest Stephen Logan, principal of Healing Academy.

01:05 - Stephen's Journey to Leadership - Discovering a passion for serving others and entering principalship through a relational lens.

01:50 - The Pressure of Attendance Data - Addressing the systemic scrutiny leaders face and shifting focus to human relationships.

02:40 - Driving Momentum Through Connection - How simple morning greetings and trusted adults uncover the root causes of absence.

06:34 - Defining True Belonging in Education - Combining a house system, joy, and quality first teaching to inspire curiosity.

11:04 - Empathy Over Compliance - Why chasing figures fails and how understanding unique family context changes the dynamic.

14:33 - The Flaw of Reward Fads & Prom Bans - Evaluating inclusive attendance policies versus exclusionary quick fixes.

16:48 - Systemic Accountability and Funding - The crucial need for financial resource to support pastoral staff and outreach.

21:02 - Igniting Curiosity Through Careers - Embedding career strategies early to help students see purpose in school.

21:59 - Takeaways for Tomorrow & Outro - Final leadership advice on being brave, and how to connect with the podcast.

We want to hear from you! If you enjoyed this conversation, please follow the podcast and leave us a rating and review on your preferred platform. It helps other educators find these vital discussions on wellbeing.

Have thoughts, questions, or brilliant practice to share from your own setting? Drop us an email at teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.

In this episode of In This Together, host Becky Dawson is joined by Jessica Parker and Gemma Fieldsend—co-founders of Cogspark and authors specialising in trauma-informed practice and mental health education. The conversation explores what trauma-informed approaches look like in education, moving beyond theory into practical, whole-school implementation. Together, they unpack common misconceptions around behaviour management, discuss the necessity of adult wellbeing and boundary setting, and share actionable insights for school leaders seeking to create safe, relational environments.

• Felt safety and relationships form the foundation of learning, emotional regulation, and student agency rather than being secondary considerations.
• Maintaining clear boundaries alongside a compassionate mindset ensures psychological safety without removing structure or expectations.
• Adult wellbeing and nervous system regulation must be prioritised to enable staff to remain calm, reflective, and effective in their practice.
• Curiosity over certainty allows educators to consider underlying causes of behaviour rather than jumping to rapid judgements.
• Amplifying pupil voice provides critical feedback on whether whole-school trauma-informed strategies are genuinely felt by students.

• Please follow the podcast and leave a rating or review to help other educators find these vital conversations.
• We would love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or setting updates! Contact the team at: teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.

00:00 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces guests Jessica Parker and Gemma Fieldsend.

02:22 - What is Trauma-Informed Practice? - A quick summary of the core principles of trauma-informed approaches in education.

03:36 - Writing the Book - The motivation behind bridging the gap between theory and school-wide systems.

11:36 - Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives - Bringing mental health, NHS, and classroom experience together.

16:14 - Common Misconceptions - Challenging myths around trauma histories, behaviour management, and boundaries.

20:35 - Supporting Staff and Adult Wellbeing - Why whole-school approaches must start with the adults' nervous systems.

26:04 - Curiosity, Bias, and Reflection - Overcoming personal biases and avoiding the danger of certainty.

33:15 - Key Messages for Leaders - Essential takeaways regarding relational practice, culture, and felt safety.

39:30 - Actionable Steps for Tomorrow - Practical ideas on evaluating systems and listening to pupil voice.

43:00 - Conclusion and Resources - Final thoughts, calls-to-action, and closing comments.

Connect with Becky's Socials and Content: https://linktr.ee/beckydawsonwellbeing

📌 Subscribe to @twinklresourcesofficial for more resources, discussions, teaching ideas, and wellbeing support. 🎉

Explore our amazing Leaders resources here → https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/dslxw

Buy their book here: https://tinyurl.com/TraumaInformedSchoolsBook