The Independent School Podcast with Juliet Corbett

In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Philip Britton MBE, Head of Foundation at Bolton School and Chair of HMC.

In this reflective conversation, they explore the leadership lessons that only become obvious over time. In particular, they discuss the shift from relentless ‘doing’ to intentional ‘being’, and the judgement required when decisions are complex and sometimes represent the least bad ...

In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Simon Herbert FRSA, Director of the IB Curriculum at GEMS Education, whose leadership career has spanned senior roles at Fettes College in Edinburgh, Dulwich College Beijing and GEMS International School in Dubai. He now oversees IB provision across the GEMS group of more than 50 schools.

In this reflective and internationally focused conversation, they e...

In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Andy Johnson, Head of Truro School, to explore why leaders must stand for something - and what it takes to develop a clear and distinctive point of view.

In this conversation, they examine what it means to lead with what they call a 'spiky purpose' - not a spiky personality - and why conviction, agency and authenticity matter in shaping both ind...

In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Guy Pascoe, Chief Executive of Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ), to explore what school leaders can learn from sector leadership - where authority is earned through influence.

In this thoughtful and strategically focused conversation, they examine how leadership works when there is no hierarchy to rely on, and why trust, clarity and disciplined f...

In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Graham Catt, Chief Executive Officer of Independent Schools Australia (ISA) - the national peak body representing over 1,200 independent schools across Australia.

In this conversation, they explore what it means for school leaders to operate inside a national policy and advocacy environment, and how leaders can influence decisions when education becomes i...

In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Vanita Uppal OBE, Director of The British School New Delhi and an international educator with more than thirty years of leadership experience, whose work is recognised globally through the roles she holds and the organisations she serves.

In this thoughtful and human-centred conversation, they move beyond titles and structures to explore the inner life of...

In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Helen Olds, Director of the British International School Jeddah, with more than 20 years of leadership experience across international schools in Asia and the Middle East.

In this thoughtful conversation, they explore how leadership needs to adapt across cultures and contexts without losing authenticity, and why understanding people is just as important a...

In this episode of The Independent School Podcast Juliet Corbett is joined by Alex Hems, Executive Head of The Aldenham Foundation since 2022.

In this thoughtful and honest conversation, they reflect on what it takes to lead well when the pace is intense and the stakes are high, and why creating space to think - both individually and collectively - can be one of a leader’s most powerful tools.

Together they explore:

• What ‘slow dow...

In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Jaideep Barot, Head of Bristol Grammar School since 2018 and a returning guest to the show.

In this important conversation, they explore what it really takes to sustain bursary and partnership work under pressure, and how leaders can protect morally important work when time and capacity are stretched.

Together they explore: 

• What true partnership betwee...

In this episode of The Independent School Podcast, Juliet Corbett is joined by Louise Simpson, CEO of the British School in the Netherlands, where she leads the BSN across four campuses in and around The Hague.

This is Louise's fourth headship and her second stint abroad, having previously been head of Exeter School in Devon, head of St Paul’s, the British School in Sao Paulo, and a GDST head in south London. As you’ll hear, sh...

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 Improvem...

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, g...

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...

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...

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 lesso...

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 an...

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 s...

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 ...

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.