Shaping Education Through Inclusive Relationships

In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I sit down with Anthony, an experienced headteacher whose journey through education has been anything but conventional. We dive into his early years as a reluctant English teacher who came into the profession to make a real difference not just to teach Shakespeare, but to change lives. Anthony shares how his passion for working with disaffected and disadvantaged young people eventually led him out of mainstream education and into the world of Pupil Referral Units. His turning point came after witnessing the long-term impact of a system that had failed vulnerable children, prompting him to rethink everything he thought he knew about behaviour, inclusion, and leadership.Throughout our conversation, we explore how Anthony has created a radically different school culture rooted in relational inclusion. We talk about what it means to truly see and support not just pupils, but staff too  from daily check-ins using a simple nine-point regulation scale, to investing in ongoing trauma-informed training. I was struck by how these strategies aren’t costly or complicated; they're based on connection, awareness, and creating safe spaces. Anthony’s new book, Educating Everyone, captures this journey and offers practical tools for school leaders and teachers who want to do things differently.It was a privilege to hear his story, and I hope it inspires you as much as it did me.Follow me on:1. Instagram: @rowenaphicks2. Facebook: Rowena Hicks3. Linked In: Rowena HicksEmail me: [email protected] my website for Books, Journals, Free Community and lots of other interesting stuff: www.rowenahicks.com