Claim OwnershipThe Independent School Podcast with Juliet Corbett
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The Independent School Podcast shares real-world leadership conversations with Principals, Heads and CEOs from across independent and international schools, exploring what it means to lead well in an increasingly complex world.
Hosted by executive coach and trusted advisor Juliet Corbett, the podcast offers clear, practical insight into staying strategic amidst daily pressures, making high-stakes decisions with confidence and shaping high-performing school cultures. Juliet brings her cross-sector experience and more than two decades of work in education to conversations designed to spark your best thinking.
If you want calm, reflective insight that helps you slow the pace, sharpen your focus and navigate complexity with clarity and courage, this podcast is for you.
178 Episodes
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In this episode of the Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Joanna Povall, Principal at Wales International School in Abu Dhabi and Tes International School Principal of the Year 2024/25. With more than 30 years of leadership experience across the UK, France and the UAE, Joanna brings a distinctive cross-cultural perspective to what kindness really means in leadership. She also draws on her work as a Lead Improvement Partner for COBIS, supporting school improvement across t...
In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Charles Bailey, Headmaster of Worksop College and Ranby House, a thriving independent day and boarding school in Nottinghamshire. Charles joined the school in April 2025 after a decade at Harrow School, where he held senior leadership roles including Director of Studies and Head of Learning Skills. He brings a thoughtful, strategic approach to headship, grounded in authenticity, clarity and a deep belief in the pow...
In this episode of The Independent School Podcast Juliet Corbett is joined by Julie Robinson, Chief Executive of the Independent Schools Council, where she represents and promotes the work of independent schools across the UK. Julie began her career as a teacher before becoming a head in Sussex prep schools, later moving into national roles and joining ISC in 2015. She is a governor for both an Academy and an all-through independent school in London and is a strong advocate for collaboration ...
In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett returns to the microphone for a new series focused on real-world leadership in independent and international schools. Juliet shares how her thinking has evolved over recent years through her work as a trusted advisor to experienced leaders, and her episodes of the Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast. She also introduces the ideas she has been developing for a book she's writing about leading sustainably through complexity and u...
Leaders in independent schools are having to make some hard decisions at the moment, especially those in the UK facing the possible addition of VAT to school fees. Some of these decisions could be classified as ‘wicked’ - defined as a problem where multiple stakeholders want different, sometimes contradictory, outcomes. In the last episode Juliet explored how NASA approaches this type of problem, drawing out lessons for school leaders. In this episode Juliet explores further the three ques...
It turns out that NASA rocket scientists think that solving ‘wicked’ problems, where multiple stakeholders want contradictory outcomes, is far harder than the science of sending missions into space. So when we’re trying to solve similarly ‘wicked’ problems in our schools it’s no surprise that leaders sometimes feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. In this week’s episode, Juliet shares how NASA solves these problems and draws out lessons that other leaders can use to make life easier, e...
Coaching, innovation, empowerment, strategy... this episode with guest Claire Robinson, Head of Holme Grange School, dives into many of the topics which school leaders ask me questions about. As a highly experienced head, Claire shares with us her extensive insights into: 1. How to balance involving staff in strategy development, with the fact that sometimes strategic choices need to be confidential. 2. How senior leaders can empower their teams and utilise the benefits of networking ...
Strategy is not a game played alone. So if you are seeking a strategic way forward for a project or challenge, it is important to balance individual contemplation and conversation with 'thinking partners'. In this episode I share my belief that everyone has the ability to think and act strategically, and that combining this with deeper self-knowledge can lead to remarkable results. I emphasise the significance of seeking out individuals who can help broaden our way of thinking, both i...
It’s one thing knowing about strategy frameworks and approaches - but knowing how to use these effectively to develop and implement a strategy in a school is a completely different skill. So this week on The Independent School Podcast I’m delighted to be joined by Paul Morgan, from St. Julian’s School in Lisbon, Portugal, a highly experienced head, who talks us through how he’s approached strategy in his two headships. Questions Paul and I address in the episode include: How can a new head ...
Exciting news for The Independent School Podcast! In our latest episode, I reveal the top five most popular episodes of 2023. With over 16,000 listens, I am thrilled to know that our podcast has been helping education leaders become more strategic and focused on their priorities. Episode notes: Top 5 episodes of 2023: 136: Partnerships and Service with Alastair Chirnside, Warden, St Edward's Oxford 129: Your inbox is not your job 128: Regular giving with Kristina McClendon, Depu...
For this week's episode I'm joined by Jim Knight, The Rt Hon Lord Knight of Weymouth and Chair of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). We dive deep into the big picture of education, looking at the changing ways that schools prepare young people for their future, the importance of addressing the climate emergency, the increasing role of AI in schools, as well as exploring ways that independent and state schools can learn from each other. About Jim Knight Jim Knight works i...
Tune into this week’s podcast for a comprehensive insight into school leadership recruitment trends and the crucial conversation around equality, diversity and inclusion. I am joined by Hayley Mintern, Partner at Anderson Quigley and in our thought-provoking conversation, we delve into the world of leadership recruitment in education. Hayley brings her expertise to the table, offering insights on employer branding and developing a pool of talent for future school vacancies. It's a fascinatin...
Do you have a clear idea of how much you can achieve in a week? It’s very easy to be overly optimistic about what it is possible to get done. And then when you don’t achieve your goals for the week, it’s easy to slip into a habit of working extra hours to tick all those things off your to do list. This kind of overload is inevitable occasionally, but if you are consistently over-estimating what’s possible it can lead to building feelings of overwhelm and then potentially burnout. Key Lesson...
When overwhelm strikes me it feels like lots of bees buzzing around my head, each reminding me to do something, and a building sense of worry that I’m not going to get it all done. While many of us don't talk about it openly, it's normal to feel occasionally overwhelmed. But if you're having this feeling frequently then that's not a fun way to live. The key for me lies in doing one thing at a time. Research has shown that multitasking is not as effective as we often believe. So one way you...
This is the second in my two-part series about Fundraising Campaigns, and in this episode it’s all about breaking the rules! Having discussed the five essential phases of a campaign last week, this time I’m taking you a step further to explore how these phases can be adjusted. Warning! Some caution is needed in breaking these rules, so listen in to hear more. Key Lessons from the episode: 1) The best practice structure for fundraising campaigns includes distinct phases: planning, feasibil...
This is the first in my two-part series about Fundraising Campaigns. In this episode, I speak about how to structure a campaign over multiple phases to maximise the opportunity for success. Whether you're new to school fundraising or looking for advanced strategies, this two-part series has got you covered. Next week, we will take a deeper dive into some more advanced topics, including when you can 'break the rules'. Some Key Takeaways: 1. To maximise the opportunity for success in a campa...
Coaching has become increasingly recognised for its positive impact on educational leaders, helping them find strategic focus, empower their teams and regain control over their time. In this episode, host Juliet Corbett shares her personal experience of working with coaches and highlights the five reasons why coaching works. Key lessons from this episode: 1. Coaching helps leaders step out of their own thoughts and gain new perspectives. 2. Our thoughts don't always align with reality, and c...
In this episode, my focus is on you! I’m keen to show you that unlocking your next career step is a process that requires dedication, self-reflection and strategic planning. A few areas I touch on are networking, career plans and the importance of flexibility. Remember, your career journey is unique to you. It's okay to have a general direction instead of a rigid plan. Take a listen to this episode and allow yourself to explore, grow and adapt. With these insights and your determination, you...
In this episode, I talk about the shift from being solely goal-oriented to embracing problem-based strategy, inspired by the insights shared by strategy guru Richard Rumelt. Rather than solely focusing on goals and visions, it is essential to diagnose and address the sticking points or challenges that are holding you back. By identifying the key problems, you can develop effective solutions that align with your overall vision. Don't fall into the trap of relying solely on positive thinking...
In today's episode, we're diving into the topic of delegation once again. But this time, we'll be exploring a trap that many leaders, including myself, have fallen into - the 'Done For You' Delegation Trap. I discuss the idea of three service levels, a concept well established in the wider service sector, how this relates to delegation and how it can help you identify and avoid this common trap. Key lessons from this episode: 1. In the wider service sector there is a well-established concep...
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