PiXL Leadership Bookclub

"Education has been the primary instrument of change in my own life, the lever upward in the world." In this episode, Rachel Johnson and sixth-form leader, Balli Dail & Head of school, Sara Marshallsay, reflect on Michelle Obama's book 'Becoming'. Michelle's guidance counselor once told her she wasn't 'Princeton Material'. Much of the conversation focuses on metaphorical glass ceilings and how we all have a role to play in our schools to promote possibility, to allow everyone to feel seen, and to develop in students an inner voice that reassures them that they are 'good enough'. PiXL is a partnership of 3,000 schools and colleges spanning KS1-5, focusing on equipping leaders and teachers to bring a better future and brighter hope to young people. Learn more at www.pixl.org.uk

In this episode, Rachel is joined by school leaders, Christopher Harris and Dave McPartlin, to discuss Malcolm Gladwell's bestseller 'David and Goliath'. The trio talk about a range of subjects, from being the underdogs, to how they have tried to raise aspiration in young people, and why often unconventional thinking should be welcomed. This episode has lots of laughter but also touches on some profound topics related to education and leadership. PiXL is a partnership of 3,000 schools and colleges spanning KS1-5, focusing on equipping leaders and teachers to bring a better future and brighter hope to young people. Learn more at www.pixl.org.uk

The book 'How Women Rise' focuses on 12 habits that have been identified consistently as holding women particularly back from success in their careers. Whatever your gender, all of us need help to overcome the areas of our character that hold us back. Bijal Pandya and Emma Pitcher, both senior leaders, join Rachel Johnson to discuss their key takeaways from the book, speaking about how it resonated with each of them in turn. With honesty and humour, join them to explore the things that can stop us all being the leaders we want to be. PiXL is a partnership of 3,000 schools and colleges spanning KS1-5, focusing on equipping leaders and teachers to bring a better future and brighter hope to young people. Learn more at www.pixl.org.uk

Join school leaders Daniel Opoku and Richard Tyrrell as they delve into the concept of Essentialism by Greg McKeown, emphasizing doing less but better, disciplined pursuit of less, and living a meaningful life. They discuss work-life balance, setting boundaries for joyful leadership, and strategies for effective time management in education.

Series 2 of PiXL's Leadership Bookclub begins with a discussion around a classic leadership book: Legacy by James Kerr. Rachel Johnson (CEO of PiXL) speaks with school leaders Matthew Crawford (CEO of Embark Federation) and Sue Plant (Head of School at John Taylor Free School) about their key takeaways from the book. What legacy do you hope to create? What is your place in your school's history, and how can you lead it into a bright future? PiXL is a partnership of 3,000 schools and colleges spanning KS1-5, focusing on equipping leaders and teachers to bring a better future and brighter hope to young people. Learn more at www.pixl.org.uk

Welcome back to Series 2 of PiXL's Leadership Bookclub. In this podcast, Rachel Johnson (PiXL CEO) and school leaders discuss their takeaways from the best leadership books, from Legacy by James Kerr to Becoming by Michelle Obama. PiXL is a partnership of 3,000 schools and colleges spanning KS1-5, focusing on equipping leaders and teachers to bring a better future and brighter hope to young people. Learn more at www.pixl.org.uk

In this final episode of the season, things are a bit different. Rachel Johnson is joined by guest, Adrian Kneeshaw CEO of the Carlton Academy Trust Good To Great focuses on the gap between the organisations that do well and the organisations that become outstanding in their field. Rachel and Adrian speak about this in the context of schools. This podcast will get you thinking about how you could take the leap from good to great in your school. PiXL is a partnership of 3,000 schools and colleges spanning KS1-5, focusing on equipping leaders and teachers to bring a better future and brighter hope to young people. Learn more at www.pixl.org.uk

In this episode, Rachel Johnson is joined by two school leaders; Jess Leonard of Walton Academy and Marcus Shepherd of Wells Academy, to discuss 'Drive' by Daniel Pink. The premise of the book is that rather than being driven by external rewards, we are truly motivated by intrinsic rewards - to have autonomy, purpose, and mastery in our lives. Talking about the book's tenets in the context of schools, this podcast will get you considering the role of motivation in your own context - be it with students or staff. How might you effectively harness the power of motivation? PiXL is a partnership of 3,000 schools and colleges spanning KS1-5, focusing on equipping leaders and teachers to bring a better future and brighter hope to young people. Learn more at www.pixl.org.uk

The PiXL Leadership Bookclub makes a return this week, with Rachel Johnson speaking virtually with school leaders Sonette Schwartz and Hamira Shah. The trio discuss their key takeaways from Matthew Syed's book 'Rebel Ideas: The Power of Diverse Thinking', applying them to a school setting. Could your team be collectively blind, operating in an echo chamber of validation? Where do the best ideas come from – and are you harnessing the power of cognitive diversity to tease them out? PiXL is a partnership of 3,000 schools and colleges spanning KS1-5, focusing on equipping leaders and teachers to bring a better future and brighter hope to young people. Learn more at www.pixl.org.uk

Brené Brown's book 'Dare to Lead' holds the central tenet that when we dare to lead, we don't pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. In this episode, Rachel Johnson, Nav Sanghara and Aziza Ajak exemplify this leadership approach: they explore vulnerability, perfectionism, self-compassion and fear of failure in this 'whole-hearted' and open discussion that we hope will allow you to reflect on your own leadership style. PiXL is a partnership of 3,000 schools and colleges spanning KS1-5, focusing on equipping leaders and teachers to bring a better future and brighter hope to young people. Learn more at www.pixl.org.uk