Paul Hazzard explores leadership, curriculum, behaviour and the values that shape school culture with Duston headteacher, Sam Strickland.The conversation begins with leadership in practice. Drawing on extensive experience, Sam describes how leadership develops through consistency, calmness and credibility rather than authority or personality. They discuss how effective leaders model the behaviour they expect, communicate clearly and build relationships based on respect. Leadership, Sam argues, is an act of service — about creating the conditions for others to succeed and maintaining integrity under pressure.Behaviour forms a central thread and they examine how consistency across staff creates security and fairness for students. Sam explains that behaviour systems should not be about control but about structure and trust. The discussion explores the role of shared routines, language and expectations in creating stability, and how small, consistent actions from every adult establish a calm learning atmosphere. Behaviour, they agree, is everyone’s responsibility and a reflection of the culture that leaders nurture.Curriculum design connects directly to leadership and behaviour. Sam highlights the importance of coherence, knowledge and purpose. They discuss curriculum intent and sequencing, showing how well-structured content enables deep understanding. The conversation emphasises that curriculum is more than planning; it represents a school’s values in action. A knowledge-rich approach gives students the foundation to make sense of the world and the confidence to engage with it. The link between curriculum and culture emerges clearly: both depend on clarity, ambition and collective ownership.Culture itself runs throughout the discussion. They consider how school culture grows through the language of everyday practice, the way staff interact, respond to mistakes and uphold expectations. Sam describes culture as the product of daily habits, not mission statements. The most effective cultures balance discipline with compassion, and consistency with flexibility. They talk about how leaders can protect positive cultures by maintaining fairness, supporting staff wellbeing and sustaining professional dialogue.Leadership is presented as both moral and practical work. The pressures of inspection, accountability and reform are acknowledged, but so is the importance of purpose. Sam reflects on how leaders can retain focus when external demands are high, and how moral clarity provides stability in uncertain times. The discussion recognises the emotional weight of leadership while affirming its potential for influence and service.They also consider what holds schools together. Clear systems, humane leadership and shared professional trust remain essential. Education works best when people understand the purpose behind expectations and are supported to meet them. Sam’s reflections show that strong leadership is built on authenticity, not authority, and that consistency and care can coexist.For teachers, middle leaders, senior teams and policymakers, this episode offers a detailed and grounded perspective on what makes schools effective. It combines reflection with realism, showing how leadership and behaviour policy intersect with curriculum, culture and moral purpose.Education Matters continues to examine the principles and practices that shape contemporary schooling, highlighting the expertise and integrity that sustain the profession.

Ver todos los episodios