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/

Host Becky Dawson is joined by psychologist Purvi (Vi) Gandhi, author of The Little Guide for Teachers on Student Mental Health. They explore shifting from reactive clinical models to proactive "psychological fitness," empowering students to study their own mental health using a curriculum developed over 11 years. Vi explains how schools can act as society’s "central nervous system" and introduces practical frameworks like the SEA model to build student resilience.

• Proactive Fitness: Focus on building psychological literacy to recover from life's challenges, rather than just diagnosing ill health.
• Students as Researchers: Teach students to investigate psychological mechanics (memory, mindfulness) to find tools for their own "toolkit."
• SEA Framework: Use feedback to Spot strengths, Explain them in context, and Appreciate their impact.
• Wellbeing in Practice: Focus on four measurable areas: acknowledging strengths, managing stressors, working productively, and community contribution.
• Character Integration: Embed character development (e.g., perseverance) into daily lesson objectives.
• Social Action: Support students in launching their own health campaigns to foster community contribution.

00:00 - Introduction

00:57 - The Psychologist in the Classroom

03:06 - Psychological Literacy vs. Ill Health

05:25 - A 11-Year Curriculum Journey

09:57 - The Responsibility of Response

11:29 - Putting the SEA Framework into Practice

12:59 - Wall Sits and Grit

14:13 - Schools as the Central Nervous System

16:58 - Teachers as Enablers, Not Clinicians

18:59 - The Zone of Flow

21:19 - Learning from Failure

24:04 - A Game-Changer for Tomorrow

26:33 - Recommendations and New Projects

Join the Conversation

Follow the podcast and leave a review. For thoughts or wellbeing initiatives, email us at teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.

Resources & Links

• LinkedIn

• A Little Guide for Teachers: Student Mental Health

• Watch Austin’s Butterfly

Today, we are joined by the brilliant Sophie Smith-Tong, author of Teacher Autonomy: Where Has It Gone and Why We Need It Back and founder of Mindfulness for Learning. In this episode, host Becky Dawson and Sophie explore why the education system’s heavy focus on data and high-stakes accountability has led to the "infantilising" of the profession and a decline in educator wellbeing. They discuss the vital link between professional trust and classroom impact, highlighting how restoring autonomy allows teachers to respond to children with genuine "humanness". Sophie shares practical insights on moving beyond "nonsense" tasks to create a more compassionate, human-centered school culture.

• The link between autonomy and wellbeing: Wellbeing in schools is often misunderstood as "perks" like yoga or cake, but the true driver of educator health is being treated like a professional and having a voice in decision-making.
• The impact of "The Nonsense Tree": Many educators are burdened by repetitive data entry and "cut and paste" tasks that offer little pedagogical value, leading to physical frustration and a loss of passion.
• Trust as a foundation for learning: A lack of teacher autonomy directly restricts child autonomy; when teachers feel controlled by rigid scripts or success criteria, they lose the flexibility to respond to students' emotional and social needs.
• Challenging the fear of accountability: High-stakes measures like Ofsted often create a "vicious cycle" where leadership feels forced to implement blanket rules, which stifles creative and nuanced teaching.
• Starting small with radical change: To embed autonomy, leaders should notice and remove "patronising" interactions—such as requiring stamps for verbal feedback—and instead foster a culture of vulnerability and professional trust.

00:01 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces Sophie Smith-Tong, author and wellbeing consultant .

01:02 - Sophie’s Journey - Reflections on a challenging school experience and finding a sense of belonging through teacher training .

02:26 - Discovering Early Years and Wellbeing - How falling into Early Years and reading Adrian Bethune changed Sophie's career path .

06:47 - The "Eye Roll" of Wellbeing - Discussing the barriers to self-care when the system is not conducive to it .

09:11 - Defining Teacher Autonomy - Why feeling controlled and patronised is the ultimate barrier to educator mental health .

11:39 - Accountability and the Refresh of Fear - How the Ofsted framework influences leadership and restricts room for movement .

13:45 - Impact on Children - Why a lack of teacher freedom results in a loss of compassion and patience for students .

16:51 - Pruning the "Nonsense Tree" - Identifying the soul-destroying tasks that take a physical toll on staff health .

20:07 - The Power of Context - Why blanket rules fail and why the teacher is the only person who knows their classroom’s unique needs .

25:56 - Support Staff and Teamwork - The importance of giving teaching assistants a voice and building informal relationships .

27:59 - Advice for Leaders - Practical steps for senior leaders to start noticing patronising systems and building trust .

34:10 - Bringing Back the Joy - Final thoughts on democratic schools and trusting curiosity in education .

Join the Conversation

We would love for you to follow the podcast and leave a rating or review on your preferred platform! These conversations are vital for the education community. 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 Sophie’s work here:

https://teacherautonomy.com/

https://www.mindfulnessforlearning.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-smith-tong-7b3891207/

In this episode, host Becky Dawson welcomes James Aidoo, CEO and chief storyteller at Innerscope, an organisation dedicated to applied emotional intelligence in education. James draws on his extensive background as an award-winning youth practitioner and his work in alternative education to discuss tackling complex student engagement issues. The conversation explores how coaching, emotional intelligence, and a "both-and" approach to support and challenge can transform school culture for both students and staff. James emphasizes that for interventions to have long-term impact, educators must look beyond personal heart-to-hearts and address the social and structural contexts of a young person’s life.

Viewers can expect to learn how to move from unintentional interactions to purposeful leadership by asking, "What is it like being on the other side of you?". James shares powerful personal anecdotes about the lasting influence of educators and provides a roadmap for schools to embed a culture of coaching that fosters student agency and personal accountability. This episode is a deep dive into how understanding identity and narrative can help young people rewrite their stories and thrive within the education system.

• The three pillars of impact: Long-term change requires a blend of personal (heart-to-heart), social (peer culture), and structural (school rhythms) interventions.
• High support and high challenge: Effective behaviour management and empowerment happen when educators maintain high standards and accountability while providing deep emotional support.
• Emotional intelligence is a hard skill: Applied EI involves the difficult work of self-reflection, regulation, and intentionally managing the "imprint" we leave on others.
• Addressing the identity crisis: Many behavioural challenges are actually "identity crises" where students perpetuate negative stories they have internalised about themselves.
• The power of the youth work approach: Education can learn much from youth practitioners who excel at building empowering relationships in high-pressure, informal settings.
• Embedding a coaching culture: Leaders should experience coaching themselves first, then train staff in key skills like active listening and solution-focused questioning.

00:01 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces James Aidoo and his history with Innerscope.

01:29 - The Innerscope Story - James discusses his journey from an Islington estate to becoming a youth practitioner.

03:30 - Beyond Personal Interventions - Why the social and structural context is vital for long-term student success.

08:05 - Emotional Intelligence in Leadership - Asking the fundamental question: "What is it like being on the other side of you?".

11:36 - Leaders as Learners - Overcoming blind spots and courageously evaluating leadership habits.

13:54 - Support and Challenge Matrix - Balancing relational warmth with high expectations and accountability.

16:36 - The Weasel Story - A personal anecdote on how high challenge from a teacher can change a student’s life.

19:31 - Learning from Youth Work - The "secret sauce" of building relationships with marginalized young people.

23:19 - Identity vs. Behaviour - Helping students separate their exam results from their inherent value to rewrite their narrative.

28:34 - First Steps to Coaching - Practical advice for school leaders on implementing coaching strategies.

32:01 - Closing Remarks - Call to action and contact information.

Connect with us: If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and leave us a rating or review to help other educators find these important conversations. For feedback, questions, or to share the brilliant work you are doing in your setting, email us at: teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.

Connect with James here https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-aidooleadershipspeaker/

In this episode, host Becky Dawson talks with Chloe Fox, an educator and alternative provision lead, about the critical importance of seeing students as human beings rather than just data points. Chloe shares her personal journey from growing up in a single-parent household on a council estate to becoming a passionate advocate for inclusion after experiencing significant professional burnout. The conversation focuses on the necessity of systemic change, the value of lived experience in education, and how alternative provision models can offer lessons in flexibility and relationship-building for mainstream settings.

Chloe and Becky delve into the challenges of the current educational landscape, discussing how high-pressure environments and a "complaints culture" contribute to depleted staff wellbeing. Viewers can expect to gain insights into creating psychologically safe environments for both staff and students, the importance of setting boundaries with digital communication, and why humanity must be at the heart of school leadership. This episode provides a roadmap for moving from a fear-based system to one rooted in empathy and community.

• Data as a signal, not the story: Recognise that while data is necessary for informing processes, it must coexist with the unique human narrative of every child.
• The "Gatekeeper" effect: Small, consistent interactions, such as a morning greeting at the school gate, build the emotional capital needed to support students through harder times.
• Prioritising staff wellbeing as a foundation: Leaders must ensure staff are healthy and regulated, as you cannot pour from an empty bucket or effectively support children if your own wellbeing is depleted.
• Healthy digital boundaries: To prevent burnout, educators should avoid checking emails at all hours; scheduling communications for work hours helps protect personal mental energy.
• Moving beyond the "Mainstream" mould: Alternative provision offers a unique space for children who fall through the cracks of a rigid system, demonstrating that engagement often requires flexible, tailored approaches.
• Vulnerability in leadership: Being honest about personal struggles and lived experiences, such as neurodivergence or mental health, can break down barriers and foster trust with young people.

00:00 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces Chloe Fox and her passion for inclusion.

01:14 - Chloe’s Educational Background - Growing up with a pastoral leader parent and the unique path into the profession.

03:55 - Hindsight and the Southampton Demographic - Realising the need for creative and flexible education in mixed demographics.

05:07 - Navigating Burnout and LinkedIn - How a period of exhaustion led Chloe to find a community and voice online.

06:37 - Alternative Provision (AP) vs. Mainstream - The benefits of flexibility in AP and why mainstream systems are currently overstretched.

09:30 - Lived Experience and Connection - The power of being the adult you needed as a child and removing formal barriers like titles.

13:17 - Data vs. Humanity - Discussing how to balance statutory data requirements with the stories behind the numbers.

18:48 - Systemic Pressures on Staff - Why the "tutor role" and "gate duty" have become burdens in a depleted system.

21:17 - The Magic Wand: Systemic Change - Chloe’s vision for putting hearts and humanity back at the centre of school leadership.

25:27 - Signs of Burnout and the Autism Diagnosis - Identifying the obsessive cycles of work and the impact of a late-life diagnosis.

29:27 - Email Culture and AI Complaints - The stress of the modern "complaints culture" and setting digital boundaries.

Connect with us:

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and leave us a rating or review to help other educators find these important conversations.

For feedback, questions, or to share the brilliant work you are doing in your setting, email us at: teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.

In this episode, host Becky Dawson sits down with Kieran Smith, founder of SEMH Education and an experienced Education Officer in youth justice, to explore practical approaches for supporting children with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Kieran shares his journey from mainstream teaching to specialist settings, offering unique insights into how educators can bridge the gap between these environments to improve student outcomes. The conversation focuses on a whole-school approach to wellbeing, the necessity of trauma-informed practices, and the vital role of multi-agency collaboration in supporting our most vulnerable learners.

Kieran discusses the reality of high-pressure environments, such as classrooms with high EAL and SEMH populations, and provides tangible strategies for behaviour management through regulation and pacing. Educators can expect to learn how to design a school day that prioritises mental health and student agency, moving away from rigid structures toward flexible, relationship-focused education. This episode is a must-listen for teachers looking for "nuggets" of wisdom to help co-regulate with pupils and reduce classroom crisis points.

• Pacing the school day for regulation: Alternating high-demand and low-demand lessons ensures that both students and staff remain regulated and ready to learn.
• The "wasted time" paradox: Investing 10 minutes in regulation breaks—such as box breathing, sensory activities, or calm transitions—saves significant time by preventing crises later.
• Proactive identification of Stage One behaviours: Spotting a child's unique "micro-signals" (like tapping a pen or stretching) allows for early intervention before an escalation occurs.
• Designing "Soft Landings": Creating a 15–30 minute window at the start of the day for check-ins and low-pressure activities supports children coming from difficult home environments.
• Multi-agency puzzle building: Collaborating with social care, police, and health professionals via email chains or meetings is essential to create a full picture of a child’s needs.
• The value of specialist experience: Mainstream teachers should consider "testing the waters" in specialist SEMH settings to rediscover autonomy and learn advanced regulation techniques.

00:05 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces Kieran Smith and the SEMH Education Substack.

01:33 - Kieran’s Journey - Moving from a class of 36 in Wrexham to specialist SEMH settings.

09:55 - Specialist vs. Mainstream - Discussing the freedom, autonomy, and flexibility found in alternative provision.

11:46 - The Birth of SEMH Education - Why Kieran started writing his newsletter to capture teaching tips.

13:52 - Biggest Challenges for Educators - Mental energy, micro-decisions, and environmental stressors in the classroom.

17:42 - Designing an SEMH-Friendly Day - Pacing, regulation breaks, soft landings, and calm transitions.

26:41 - Multi-Agency Collaboration - The importance of shared information and tapping into local authority resources.

33:14 - Top Tip: The Six Stages of Crisis - How to identify and act on "Stage One" behaviours to prevent escalation.

Connect with us: If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and leave us a rating or review to help other educators find these important conversations. For feedback, questions, or to share the brilliant work you are doing in your setting, email us at: teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.