Discover how supporting staff and pupil wellbeing begins with self-acceptance, emotional regulation, and psychological safety in education. In this episode, host Becky Dawson sits down with speaker, performer, and ‘professional human’ Lizzie Bean, founder of Beanology. Together, they explore practical behaviour management through nervous system regulation, the challenge of overcoming perfectionism, and the critical need to cultivate compassionate, shame-free school environments.

Delving into the root causes of workplace burnout and low self-esteem, Lizzie breaks down the process of ‘unbecoming’ the unrealistic expectations placed on both educators and young people. The conversation tackles the pressures of modern body image narratives, the necessity of leadership training around conflict resolution, and why sustainable school leadership requires self-compassion first.

• Self-regulation as emotional ground: True empowerment and effective behaviour management start when staff and students learn to regulate their nervous systems to navigate challenging moments with clarity.
• The practice of ‘unbecoming’: Educators frequently face perfectionism and imposter syndrome; unravelling external expectations allows leaders and teachers to embrace being ‘good enough’.
• Prioritising psychological safety: Meaningful staff wellbeing relies on safe workplace cultures where educators can engage in honest dialogue, challenge ideas, and resolve conflict without fear.
• Reframing body image and health: Neutralising food and weight discussions helps dismantle shame-based anxieties, empowering pupils and staff to build self-worth beyond societal trends.
• Leadership through self-compassion: School leaders must grant themselves permission to drop unrealistic standards of perfection, reconnect with their humanity, and attend to their own wellbeing.

Don't forget to follow the podcast on your favourite platform and leave a rating or review! If you have thoughts, feedback, or examples of wellbeing practice to share, email the team at teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.

00:00 - Introduction to In This Together - Becky Dawson introduces the podcast’s mission and welcomes guest Lizzie Bean.

00:46 - What is Beanology? - Redefining magic, embracing imperfection, and prioritising joy over performance.

02:08 - The Pressures of Modern Wellbeing - Avoiding toxic positivity, rigid checklists, and individualised self-esteem crises.

03:40 - Regulation and Managing Overwhelm - Practical tools to calm the nervous system during intense school days.

05:40 - The Concept of ‘Unbecoming’ - Shedding societal narratives and shifting away from relentless pedagogy perfectionism.

07:29 - School Leadership and Psychological Safety - Navigating isolation, conflict resolution, and building open staffrooms.

09:30 - Body Image Narratives in Schools - Combatting comparison culture, social media pressures, and weight stigma.

12:00 - Building Resilience and the 'Good Enough' Mindset - Teaching failure as part of the human experience through PSHE and RSE.

13:40 - Closing Reflections and Advice for Leaders - Extending compassion to self, embracing human connection, and final wrap-up.

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

Transforming behaviour management is key to supporting teacher wellbeing and improving student outcomes. In this episode of In This Together, host Becky Dawson sits down with Dr Laura Oxley, a postdoctoral researcher in psychology and education, to discuss moving beyond rigid punishment systems like detentions. They explore how persistent sanctions fail at-risk students and examine how proactive, relational alternatives can reshape school culture.

The conversation delves into the emotional labour required by educators and the systemic changes leaders must make to prevent burnout and boost staff retention. Dr Oxley highlights practical frameworks including restorative practice, collaborative problem-solving, and tailored support for students with complex needs. School leaders will gain actionable insights on reducing administrative burdens and building supportive, reflective spaces for staff.

• Break the sanction cycle: Traditional detentions often fail to change persistent challenging behaviour for at-risk students.
• Protect teacher wellbeing: Relational behaviour management requires emotional labor; leaders must support staff wellbeing to prevent burnout.
• Reduce administrative burden: Streamlining behaviour logging and report-writing frees up energy for effective teaching and learning.
• Implement tailored strategies: Adopt restorative practice and collaborative problem-solving tailored to individual student needs rather than blanket policies.
• Prioritise peer support and recovery: Psychological detachment, clear boundaries, and informal staff support build capacity for managing complex behaviour.
• Foster reflective leadership: Creating spaces for educators to discuss challenges and seek help enhances staff retention and school culture.

00:00 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces Dr Laura Oxley and the episode focus on behaviour management and wellbeing.

00:46 - Background in Education - Dr Oxley shares her journey from teaching assistant to postdoctoral researcher.

02:08 - The Sanction Cycle - Why traditional punishments like detentions fail to create positive behaviour change.

04:12 - Barriers to Radical Change - Research insights on funding, resources, and leadership perspectives.

06:05 - Behaviour and Staff Wellbeing - Examining the emotional labor of educators and its link to staff retention.

07:56 - Wellbeing Frameworks - Applying job design, job crafting, and recovery processes in education.

10:18 - Relational Behaviour Approaches - Implementing restorative practice and collaborative problem-solving.

12:50 - Complex Needs and Understanding - Strategies for supporting students with callous-unemotional traits through playful learning.

15:37 - Reflective Supervision - The value of creating safe spaces for staff to reflect on classroom challenges.

17:15 - Key Takeaways for Leaders - Essential guidance on seeking support and fostering connection in school communities.

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Enjoying the show? Please follow the podcast and leave us a rating and review! If you have thoughts, feedback, or work to share, drop us an email at teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.

In this episode of In This Together, host Becky Dawson is joined by former deputy head, Senco, and educational consultant Rowena Hicks to tackle the critical topic of school staff wellbeing and burnout. Rowena shares her personal experience with extreme stress, exploring how high-achieving, conscientious educators often push themselves to the brink. Together, they discuss practical strategies to reclaim joy in teaching, protect mental health, and foster psychological safety across school leadership and staff teams.

Discover actionable approaches to education leadership, workload reduction, and positive culture change in schools. Rowena introduces her "5 Minutes to Thrive" concept, demonstrating how tiny habit changes and leveraging personal strengths can transform workplace stress into sustainable energy. Whether you are a teacher, assistant head, or senior leader, this conversation offers vital insight into balancing professional dedication with personal wellbeing, proving that caring for yourself is essential to supporting young people.

• Recognise the warning signs of burnout: High achievers and conscientious staff often ignore stress symptoms, making early intervention and self-awareness essential.
• Implement tiny habits: Whole-school wellbeing does not require massive overhauls; consistent 5-minute practices build trust and psychological safety.
• Leverage personal strengths: Aligning daily tasks with core values like kindness and problem-solving boosts motivation and productivity.
• Prioritise authentic leadership: Open, vulnerable communication from school leaders models healthy risk-taking and reduces cognitive overload.
• Streamline bureaucracy: Utilizing tech solutions and flexible working arrangements helps eliminate unnecessary workload and restores joy to teaching.

00:00 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces Rowena Hicks and the importance of educator wellbeing.

00:52 - Rowena's Journey in Education - Overcoming severe burnout and transitioning from deputy head to wellbeing advocate.

05:28 - Identifying Symptoms of Overload - Physical, cognitive, and emotional impacts of chronic stress in school environments.

07:19 - 5 Minutes to Thrive - Small daily habits that create sustainable culture change and psychological safety.

09:42 - The Power of Personal Strengths - How leaning into core values can boost motivation and manage giant to-do lists.

12:31 - Authenticity & Values in the Classroom - Being true to yourself as an educator and creating space for creativity.

16:05 - Leadership Wellbeing & Psychological Safety - How senior leaders can model vulnerability, pause, and reduce team stress.

24:45 - Bringing Joy Back to Teaching - Reducing bureaucracy, leveraging tech, and treating staff as human beings.

30:52 - Final Thoughts & Summary - Wrapping up key takeaways and contact details.

Connect & Engage

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If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and leave us a rating and review! Have feedback, questions, or wellbeing success stories to share? Drop us an email at teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.

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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.

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

📌 Subscribe to @twinklresourcesofficial for more resources, discussions, teaching ideas, and wellbeing support. Sign up here https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/1eq866 🎉

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.

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In this episode of In This Together, host Becky Dawson sits down with Rob Webster, Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of Life Course Development at the University of Greenwich. With over two decades of research in special educational needs and the school workforce, Rob addresses the crucial role teaching assistants play in holding together school communities and student wellbeing. The conversation tackles the systemic challenges facing TAs—such as workload, deployment, professional recognition, and inadequate school funding—while exploring how school leaders can actively value and support this essential workforce.

• Teaching assistants as essential school infrastructure: TAs function as the "mortar in the brickwork" of schools, directly driving pupil wellbeing, classroom management, and overall operational stability.
• The impact of improper deployment: Utilising TAs for routine class cover to manage teacher shortages disrupts targeted SEN interventions, heightens TA workload stress, and undermines professional relationships.
• Cultivating professional standing and recognition: School leaders can drive cultural change through simple, low-cost actions like public celebrations, inclusion in team meetings, and explicit daily gratitude.
• Targeted training and professional development: Addressing TA CPD gaps with tailored, in-house opportunities boosts confidence, improves retention, and creates clear pathways for those seeking career progression into teaching.
• Understanding the TA workforce: Leaders must proactively engage with TAs to map out their skills, identify training needs, and understand their specific workplace challenges to build a supportive environment.

To help us reach more educational leaders, please follow the podcast and leave us a rating and review! We’d love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or success stories—reach out to our team at teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.

Connect with Becky's Socials and Content: httpslinktr.eebeckydawsonwellbeing

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

Explore our amazing Leaders resources here → httpswww.twinkl.co.ukrdslxw

Share this with your TAs! CPD content https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/1ghp74

TA Weekly Toolkit https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/ecxpn

00:00 - Introduction and National Teaching Assistants Day - Becky Dawson introduces the episode, celebrates UK National Teaching Assistants Day, and outlines the focus on support staff.

02:01 - Rob Webster's Career and Research Background - Rob shares his journey from primary, secondary, and specialist TA to spending two decades researching inclusion and the TA workforce.

03:17 - The Critical Role of TAs in Pupil Wellbeing - Discussion on how TAs support student mental health and key findings from Twinkl's survey of over 3,000 educators.

05:00 - TAs as the "Mortar in the Brickwork" - Exploring how schools rely on support staff to function and the retention risks linked to low pay and workload pressure.

11:45 - The Challenges of TA Deployment and Class Cover - An analysis of how deploying TAs to cover teacher absences impacts SEN provision, intervention groups, and TA wellbeing.

21:13 - Elevating Professional Standing and Culture - Practical, low-cost strategies for school leaders to recognize, appreciate, and signal the value of teaching assistants.

28:23 - Addressing CPD Gaps and Professional Growth - The importance of accessible training, conducting regular check-ins, and leveraging TA expertise to foster long-term retention.

37:51 - Final Takeaways and Wrap-Up - Key actionable advice for school leaders to get to know their TA workforce, followed by closing podcast details and resources.