Paul sits down with the thoughtful and widely respected John Tomsett, teacher, author and headteacher. Together they cover a wide range of topics including, vulnerability in leadership, learning, the art of listening, what truly matters in schools and how trust and relationships underpin every aspect of education. Leading with VulnerabilityJohn explains his belief that strong leadership isn’t about control or ego, but humility. He recalls his early years as a headteacher, admitting how fear of failure often blocked collaboration. Over time, he learned that authenticity, admitting when you don’t have all the answers, builds far greater trust. Paul agrees, adding that teachers respect leaders who are human, not heroic. Together, they explore how vulnerability in leadership inspires a culture where staff feel safe to speak up and innovate. The Heart of LearningJohn revisits themes from his book This Much I Know About Great Teaching, highlighting how great teachers blend clarity, curiosity and compassion. He stresses that the classroom is not about “delivering” content but cultivating thinking. Paul notes how this resonates with schools struggling under data-driven pressures, they agree that learning cannot be reduced to numbers or league tables.John references Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction, explaining how they’ve been misunderstood and sometimes weaponised by leaders chasing standardisation. He insists principles should guide, not dictate. “Rosenshine never said teaching should look one way,” he reminds listeners, it’s about the thinking behind the method, not the method itself. Trust, Autonomy & the Culture of FearReflecting on the current system, John laments how accountability has drifted into surveillance. He argues that constant monitoring, lesson drop-ins, spreadsheets, walk-throughs, corrodes the professional trust teachers need to thrive. Instead, leaders should “watch the culture, not the clock.”Paul connects this to his own experiences in leadership and teacher development, pointing out that genuine improvement emerges from curiosity, not compliance. They both emphasise that autonomy, when paired with shared purpose, drives excellence far better than fear. Professional Growth & ReflectionJohn shares how he keeps learning himself, through reading, journalling and the occasional “educational rabbit hole.” He quotes Gert Biesta on the importance of teaching as a moral practice, not a technical one. Both agree that reflection should be seen as intellectual nourishment, not an add-on.Paul asks how schools can cultivate reflective habits in staff without adding workload. John suggests weaving reflection into daily routines, department discussions, coaching pairs, or shared professional diaries, to make thinking visible without bureaucratic burden. The Human ConnectionThe episode’s emotional core is John’s belief that relationships are the real curriculum. He recounts stories of pupils who taught him more than any policy or book could, reminding listeners that compassion is as vital as content. “You can’t teach well if you don’t love people,” he says simply.Paul closes by asking what advice John would give to new leaders. His answer: “Listen first, act later. Trust takes years to build and seconds to break.” Key TakeawayThis is John Tomsett at his best, reflective, warm and profoundly grounded. He and Paul remind us that great schools aren’t built on spreadsheets or slogans but on trust, relationships and a shared belief in the joy of learning.Follow us, we're worth it:🔗 Website🔗 Spotify🔗 Instagram🔗 Bluesky🔗 X (Twitter)#leadership #education #teacher #school #schoollife #inspiration #support #podcast #video

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