Claim OwnershipThe Independent School Podcast with Juliet Corbett
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© 2025 The Independent School Podcast with Juliet Corbett
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Leading an independent school can be incredibly demanding, leaving little time or energy to identify the right priorities and see the bigger picture clearly. But with the right guidance it is possible to flourish as a leader, and make a meaningful difference in the world.
Join Juliet Corbett, an executive coach and strategy adviser, for actionable tactics and strategies covering everything from fundraising to fees, strategy to leadership.
How can private schools secure their future for generations to come amid turbulent times? How can they balance their long heritage with modern business acumen? Listen in for interviews and insights to find out.
176 Episodes
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After a short break, The Independent School Podcast is returning later in 2025 – and this time, we’re doing things a little differently. In this short bonus episode, Juliet Corbett shares a behind-the-scenes update on the next chapter for the podcast. Expect candid conversations with heads and senior leaders from independent and international schools around the world, exploring how they sharpen their focus, make tough decisions and lead strategically – without burning out. Whether you’re a lo...
After four incredible years and 175 episodes, we’re bidding farewell to The Independent School Podcast. It has been an amazing journey filled with valuable insights, thoughtful conversations, and connections with passionate leaders in the school sector. Juliet would like to thank everyone who has played a part in it: the listeners, the guests and the wonderful team behind the scenes. But as one chapter closes, a new one begins! Juliet is thrilled to introduce The Quiet Leadership Revolution P...
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...
In this episode, I delve into the strategic importance of encouraging governors, trustees, and senior leaders in our schools to contribute themselves to fundraising projects. With insights from the IDPE Benchmarking report offering valuable guidance to navigate this compelling topic, I uncover the importance of leadership giving, the role of governors and senior leaders in setting an example and practical ideas for fundraisers to encourage their support. Tune in and discover how to empower...
In this episode, I delve into the concept of strategy as a coherent collection of decisions. I explore the definition of strategy and its relevance in the context of schools. While many view strategy as being solely focused on occasional big decisions made by leadership, I discuss how everyday decisions made by all members of the school community are equally strategic and contribute to the realisation of the school's vision. There’s also emphasis on the importance of the coherence of these ...
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