Dame Alison Peacock

In this episode of the Leadership Passport podcast, Kevin Fullbrook speaks with Dame Alison Peacock, Chief Executive of the Chartered College of Teaching. They discuss Alison's journey from disliking school to becoming a passionate educator, her defining moments in leadership, and the importance of building trust and collaboration in educational settings. Alison shares insights on navigating challenges, the future of education, and the significance of listening as a leadership practice. She emphasizes the need for joyful learning environments and offers advice for aspiring leaders, highlighting the importance of community and personal growth in education.

Guest Bio

Dame Alison Peacock is currently the Chief Executive of the Chartered College of Teaching based in the UK, a charitable Professional Body that seeks to empower a knowledgeable and respected teaching profession through membership and accreditation. Prior to joining the Chartered College, Dame Alison was Executive Headteacher of The Wroxham School in Hertfordshire. Her career to date has spanned primary, secondary and advisory roles. She is an Honorary Fellow of Queens' College Cambridge, Hughes Hall Cambridge and UCL, a Visiting Professor of Glyndŵr University and a trustee for Big Change, the Helen Hamlyn Trust and an adviser to the Institute for Educational & Social Equity.  She is a Director of the Edge Foundation and has honorary degrees from the University of Brighton and University of Bath Spa. She is a Deputy Lieutenant for Hertfordshire. Her research is published in a series of books about Learning without Limits offering an alternative approach to inclusive school improvement.

Takeaways

• Alison disliked school and wanted to change that for others.
• Her leadership style is about doing things her way.
• Building trust is fundamental to effective leadership.
• Listening to others is vital for understanding needs.
• Education should be a joyful experience for all.
• Technology should enhance, not replace, human interaction in learning.
• Leaders should not feel they have to have all the answers.
• Creating a sense of agency in students is crucial.
• Personal growth and community support are essential in leadership.
• Every day in education is a new opportunity for growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dame Alison Peacock

02:52 Defining Moments in Leadership

05:46 Navigating Challenges in Education

08:43 Building Trust and Agency

11:36 Learning from Mistakes

14:56 Handling Imposter Syndrome and Burnout

17:25 The Future of Education and Leadership

20:43 Creating Joyful Learning Environments

23:25 Advice for Aspiring Leaders

26:08 Influential Books and Leaders

29:14 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Links

Chartered College of Teachers - https://chartered.college/

Host

Kevin Fullbrook is an international school leader with 25+ years of global education experience across Australia, China, and the Middle East. As host of The Leadership Passport Podcast, Kevin dives into the stories, strategies, and insights of education leaders from around the world. With a passion for inclusive leadership, student agency, and sustainable school cultures, he brings thoughtful conversations and practical takeaways for educators, aspiring leaders, and anyone interested in the future of learning.

Connect with him on Instagram (@kevin.fullbrook) and LinkedIn (Kevin Fullbrook)

Keywords

education, leadership, teaching, trust, collaboration, future of education, school improvement, inclusive education, student agency, professional development, chartered college of teachers