Featuring Phil Harrison, Kate Staples, Laura Green & Kelly Percival on the “Beat Teacher Burnout” Podcast

In Episode 83 of Rowena Hicks’ Beat Teacher Burnout podcast, our leadership team – Phil Harrison, Kate Staples, Laura Green and Kelly Percival – explore one powerful question:
What does it take to build a school culture where staff feel they belong, thrive and choose to stay?
The conversation is honest, energising and full of practical insight.

Creating Psychological Safety through Authentic Listening
CEO Phil Harrison highlights how culture is built on daily human connection – not policies.
He speaks about:
🔵 Creating psychological safety
🔵 Being present, visible and willing to listen
🔵 “Hanging out” and understanding what life is like on the ground
🔵 And the truth that:

“When you create conditions where adults thrive, young people thrive too.”

Authentic listening, not formality, is the true foundation of trust.

Modern Leadership: Modelling Balance, Not Burnout
COO Kate Staples reflects on how leadership has shifted. The old belief that leaders must be first in and last out created unhealthy expectations.
Today, she argues, leaders must:
✅ Model balance
✅ Show that boundaries are allowed
✅ Demonstrate that wellbeing is a leadership responsibility
Staff watch what leaders do — not what they say.

Wellbeing Pillars: Prevention Over Intervention
Head of People Laura Green brings a preventative lens to the discussion.
Wellbeing has many pillars, she explains, and schools often invest heavily in one while neglecting others.
Laura is currently focused on strengthening the social wellbeing pillar:
💬 Open‑door leadership
🤝 Building strong, healthy staff relationships
😌 Making sure people feel connected, seen and supported
Because belonging isn’t accidental – it’s designed.

Doing It Together: Support, Vulnerability & a Culture of Safety
Operations Officer Kelly Percival emphasises the importance of shared responsibility. When schools struggle, her instinct is to step forward and say:

“Let’s do it together.”

This collaboration removes pressure and builds trust.
Kelly also reflects on the cultural shift within our organisation – a shift that now makes it safe to say:
🟡 “I don’t know.”
🟡 “I need help.”
🟡 “I made a mistake.”
These may seem like small admissions, but they signal psychological safety at its strongest. Mistakes aren’t punished; honesty is valued. Support isn’t conditional; it’s embedded.
This is how real culture change happens – through everyday behaviours that make vulnerability feel safe.

✅ Why This Conversation Matters
In a time where education faces immense pressure, meaningful staff culture is no longer “nice to have” — it’s essential.
This episode is a reminder that:
✨ Belonging is created with intention.
✨ People need safe spaces to be human.
✨ thriving adults lead to thriving young people.
🎧 Listen to Episode 83: Creating a School Culture Where Staff Truly Belong, Thrive and Stay
EP : 83 Creating a school Cult… – Beat Teacher Burnout! – Apple Podcasts
EP : 83 Creating a school Culture Where Staff Truly Belong, Thrive and Stay – Beat Teacher Burnout! | Podcast on Spotify
EP: 83 Creating a school Culture Where Staff Truly Belong, Thrive and Stay

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