Past leaders have so much to offer new and up-and-coming leaders within the
education sector. In this episode, Gay Wales offers her insights.

Gay is an experienced leader of strategic change who is passionate about delivering
engaging, relevant, inquiry-based education with a strong emphasis on individual needs
and the development of holistic skills for the future of work. She consistently initiated the
building of inspired, connected teams; improved the opportunities for senior and junior
school students. Her 13 years of practical experience in the business world also led Gay
to develop her career in transformational leadership.

Having recently moved to the UK from her native Australia; in this episode, Gay shares
her journey, lessons and advice as well as what the future holds now she has stepped
away from the Principals office.

We also cover -

● How does Gay describe herself as a leader vs. how would others describe her?
● A key element in Gay’s past recruitment process that helped make great hires
● The catalyst that ignited Gay’s education career
● Gay’s experience with starting a private senior school in Australia
● The personal journey that taking a break from leadership has allowed Gay to
embark on
● The one change in who’s making the decisions that would make all the difference
● Essential advice for aspiring leaders

Gay is passionate about making a difference with a broader lens and has a huge
amount to offer in this episode.

LEARN MORE

MCSA - https://msca.edu.au/

Operam Education Group - https://www.operameducationgroup.com/

CONNECT

Gay on LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/gay-wales-1647ab52

Operam Education Group on LinkedIn -
https://www.linkedin.com/company/operam-education-group/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4InMvkhwJCrfJKW9hOZ77l

Apple Podcasts -
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inspirational-education-leaders/id1642736187

Editing by Clarion

Leaving an education leadership role can be a difficult transition. It can be hard to know when the right time to leave is, and can be even more difficult to figure out where to go next.

In this episode, we speak with Peter O’Brien, an education professional of 30 years experience who left his role as a head teacher after an offer presented itself that he couldn’t refuse. Peter is now involved in working on strategy to improve education standards for pupils across the country.

In our chat with Peter, we dive deep into life after leadership. Peter shares his reason for leaving and the key factors that pushed him to make the decision. The role of the head teacher has changed since Peter left into a more multifaceted role. We talk about what those new responsibilities are and how the role must change to reflect the community. Peter also offers words of wisdom for both current head teachers looking for support in an often isolated role, and for teachers wanting to move into a leadership position.

We also cover: 

• How can leavers make the transition easier?
• The main reason why 48% of leaders are looking to leave.
• Alternative roles within education for leaders looking to change things up.
• Has Peter ever considered leaving the education sector?
• What does Peter miss most about being within an education environment?
• Would Peter have had the same passion if the new opportunity wasn’t in education?

Peter has a passion for education and a wealth of knowledge that makes this episode essential listening for anyone in education leadership - particularly if you’re looking to leave your current role.

LEARN MORE

Operam Education Group - https://www.operameducationgroup.com/

CONNECT

Peter on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-o-brien-85084460

Operam Education Group on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/operam-education-group/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4InMvkhwJCrfJKW9hOZ77l

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inspirational-education-leaders/id1642736187

Editing by Clarion

The education landscape is ever-changing. And over the last two years, we’ve seen more tremendous change than ever. It takes strong leadership to pull teams together and continue steering the ship in the right direction.

Primary school headteacher, Tanya Watts, speaks with us about what inspires her and keeps her motivated as a leader in education. We learn about the role model teacher who guided Tanya’s journey through education.

We dive into the changes we’ve seen over the last two years and how Tanya has managed to bring staff on board and keep the school going. Tanya shares with us her ‘solution focussed’ approach that can help deal with problems that arise as a result of change. We uncover the challenges that Tanya faced during the pandemic and how she was able to work around individual needs to ensure that parents, pupils and staff alike got the support they needed.

We also ask Tanya - 

• What needs to be changed in primary education to make it better for all?
• Why are more leaders leaving the sector?
• What are the biggest challenges in education today?
• How did Tanya support people’s anxieties to make them feel safe?
• What new considerations are there to arranging trips?
• How can we recognise internal talent? 
• What one piece of advice would Tanya give to someone considering applying for a leadership role?
  

Tanya has been through drastic change and has come out the other side, offering essential advice to anyone in the education sector.

LEARN

Operam Education Group: https://www.operameducationgroup.com/

CONNECT

Christian Walshe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-walshe-44894137/

Developing a school takes time. And adapting a school when leading abroad takes patience and understanding.

Clive Rogers has been a leader in education for over 40 years and has developed international schools and educational programmes at all levels in the United Kingdom and abroad. Clive is a dynamic visionary leader with a proven track record in collaborating with the school community, increasing student academics and maintaining excellence in education all over the world. From Kuala Lumpa to Milano, Clive has proved to be a worthy custodian and leader of each school community he has managed. 

In this episode, we dive into Clive’s journey and discover what inspired him to get into teaching and take his skills overseas. He talks about the benefits and pitfalls of working abroad, as well as the challenges of adapting systems to different cultures. 

We also discuss - 

• What type of person do you need to be to work abroad?
• What did Clive gain from working abroad?
• How has the pandemic changed teaching and learning?
• What one thing would Clive change about his career?

Clive's passion for leaving a legacy in people’s lives through education leads to an inspiring and informative conversation.

LEARN MORE

International College: https://en.ic.edu.uy/

Operam Education Group: https://www.operameducationgroup.com/

CONNECT

Operam Education Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/operam-education-group/

The journey to leadership isn’t always smooth. And this was the case for Sarah North, Co-CEO for The Oak Academy Trust. Before embarking on her career in education, she was advised not to go into teaching as she was “too introverted” - she proved them wrong! She went on to teach science and moved forward into multiple leadership positions.

In our first episode of Inspirational Education Leaders, our host Christian Walshe sat down with Sarah and found out more about her inspiring journey. We learnt about how she got to where she is today, the biggest challenges that she faces now as a leader of a school and her motivations and beliefs.

We also spoke about: 

• The power of supporting staff and the knock-on effect this has on pupils
• Developing an open culture where people can feel comfortable with asking questions
• Offering flexible working and staff retention benefits 
• Has the cost of living crisis affected staff and pupils?
• Common myths about school leaders
• How can ECTs progress to a head teacher position?
• What would Sarah do differently if she was to start her career tomorrow?

Our conversation with Sarah was an inspiring and informative start to the podcast.

Learn More

Operam Education Group

Connect

Sarah North on LinkedIn

Christian Walshe on LinkedIn