The Educational DilEmma

This episode of The Educational Dilemma explores how schools and families can best support children through separation and divorce. Featuring Head of Upper School and Mental Health Lead Mary-Kate Edwards alongside child and adult psychotherapist Tara McDonald, the conversation focuses on the importance of open communication, emotional containment and a child-centred approach. Together, they discuss how children experience change, the value of consistency and stability, and the role schools play in providing support and understanding. With practical insights on everything from difficult conversations to maintaining strong relationships with both parents, the episode offers thoughtful, reassuring guidance for families navigating complex transitions.If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heelsOr if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxfordAnd if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected] - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon SchoolMary-Kate Edwards - Mental Health Lead at the Dragon SchoolTara McDonald - Trainer, Author, and PsychotherapistProducer and Co-Ordinator - Jess FordeAssistant Producer - Sheena LawrenceCo-Ordinator – Imelia TaylorTechnical Producer - Seb EngertCover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio

This episode opens up one of the most important and often avoided conversations in parenting and education.Hosted by Emma Goldsmith, with insights from Matt Allen (Senior Boys Boarding House Parent and Teacher) and Gus Faulkner (Head of Boarding and CHE) we explore how to approach conversations about sex with honesty, confidence, and care.From early foundations to navigating tricky questions, this episode highlights that the “talk” isn’t just one moment it’s an ongoing dialogue. Expect practical advice, thoughtful perspectives, and reassurance for parents figuring it all out.This is one conversation you don’t want to skip.If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heelsOr if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxfordAnd if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected] - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon SchoolMatt Allen - Boarding Houseparent and teacher at the Dragon SchoolGus Faulkner - Head of Boarding, Head of CHE at the Dragon SchoolProducer and Co-Ordinator - Jess FordeAssistant Producer - Sheena LawrenceCo-Ordinator – Imelia TaylorTechnical Producer - Seb EngertCover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio

After Reece Witherspoon's recent comments around 'chasing your talents and not your dreams' we invited entrepreneur Ed East, and executive coach Harry Hastings to delve a bit deeper into the concept - which should we nurture? Or are they intrinsically linked? Listen for lots of interesting discussions and remember the importance of the word 'yet'! If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heelsOr if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxfordAnd if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected] - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon SchoolEd East – Founder and Group CEO at Billion Dollar BoyHarry Hastings – The Values Coach – Executive Coach ACC (ICF)Producer and Co-Ordinator - Jess FordeAssistant Producer - Sheena LawrenceCo-Ordinator – Imelia TaylorTechnical Producer - Seb EngertCover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio

In this episode of The Educational DilEmma, Emma, Rosalee and Lisa discuss how to instil a philanthropic mindset in our children. Useful discussions around whether empathy can be taught, how to start small and to not overwhelm, why your immediate community is so important, and why using your child's own passions as a starting point can be so valuable. We really enjoyed this uplifting conversation and hope you will find some inspiration for your own families from it. If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heelsOr if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxfordAnd if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected] - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon SchoolLisa King – CEO of Dreams Come True Rosalee Rich – Head of Social Impact at The DragonProducer and Co-Ordinator - Jess FordeAssistant Producer - Sheena LawrenceCo-Ordinator – Imelia TaylorTechnical Producer - Seb EngertCover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio

This episode will reshape your relationship with the type of content we, and our children, consume, and how we go about it. Kaitlyn and Emma explore how digital technology, especially smartphones, social media, and algorithm-driven platforms, are changing childhood, family life and education. Rest assured! Kaitlyn offers practical advice for parents who are not happy with their families 'digital diet'. This episode is not to be missed. If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heelsOr if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxfordAnd if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected] - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon SchoolKaitlyn Regehr – Associate Professor of Digital Humanities at University College LondonProducer and Co-Ordinator - Jess FordeCo-Ordinator – Sheena Lawrence & Imelia TaylorTechnical Producer - Seb EngertCover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio

During this tough but valuable conversation Emma and guests delve into how we can best support children going through loss and grief of a loved one. We look at how the emotional and mental health consequences of bereavement can be reduced as much as possible, what support you should expect from your school, what practical actions can be taken, and how important it is to give yourself some grace.If you are looking for support through a diagnosis or bereavement and are in the Oxfordshire area please do get in contact with SeeSaw. SeeSaw provides support to families when a parent/carer or sibling is terminally ill or has died. Families can self-refer, and they can accept self-referrals from older young people up to the age of 18. There is no time limit on referrals – contact can be made at any point following a death. They offer advice, information, suggestions for resources and activities, and direct work with children and young people if needed.They also offer advice, support and training to schools and other professionals involved with the family. If you are a teacher or school representative this might be a useful free resource for you.If anyone listening outside of Oxfordshire would like to find out more about child bereavement services in their area, they can search via the Childhood Bereavement Network. Other national child grief organisations are CBUK and Winston's Wish, and you will also be able to find resources on your local council website, through the NHS online, or through your doctor. If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heelsOr if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxfordAnd if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected] - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon SchoolAnnie Brylewska-Cooper – SeeSaw Charity representative and Children and Families PractitionerJames Rose – Director of Talk Education and father of three boysProducer and Co-Ordinator - Jess FordeCo-Ordinator – Sheena Lawrence & Imelia TaylorTechnical Producer - Seb EngertAssistant Technical Producer - Ali OrrCover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio

In this episode of The Educational DilEmma, the first of the second series, Emma and guests discuss what it means to be a free thinker. Why is free thinking an important skill to nurture and what are the benefits of free thinking? We delve into how schools and parents can encourage this skill, and whether or not ‘thinking’ can be taught.If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heelsOr if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxfordAnd if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected] - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon SchoolKath Harvey – Deputy Head PastoralWill Dickson – Deputy Head AcademicProducer and Co-Ordinator - Jess FordeCo-Ordinator – Sheena Lawrence & Imelia TaylorTechnical Producer - Seb EngertAssistant Technical Producer - Ali OrrCover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio

If you have children starting school or moving school this September, this is the episode for you! Equally all children can feel a bit vulnerable when moving up a year and the summer is often a good time to open to lines of communication and to discuss their fears. Emma, Emma and Bruce talk through the anxieties that children, and parents have when going through these changes, and what parents can do to support them both physically and emotionally.If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heelsOr if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxfordAnd if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected] - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon SchoolEmma Gage – Head of Early Years at the Dragon SchoolBruce Anderson – Head of Lower School at the Dragon SchoolProducer and Co-Ordinator - Jess FordeCo-Ordinator – Sheena Lawrence & Imelia TaylorTechnical Producer - Seb EngertAssistant Technical Producer - Ali OrrCover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio

In this episode Emma talks to Patrice Lawrence, Author and Journalist, and Emily Ainsworth, Head of English at the Dragon about where they found their love of reading and what it means to them. They talk about how reading has changed with technology, the real effect of representation in books, escapism, access to books, and how forming habits with your children can set them up for a lifetime love of reading. Some great advice is offered too; on understanding your child’s reading journey, and how we shouldn’t be too snobby about what they choose to consume.If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heelsOr if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxfordAnd if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected] - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon SchoolPatrice Lawrence MBE, FRSL - Author and JournalistEmily Ainsworth – Head of English at The DragonProducer and Co-Ordinator - Jess FordeCo-Ordinator – Sheena Lawrence & Imelia TaylorTechnical Producer - Seb EngertAssistant Technical Producer - Ali OrrCover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio

In this episode of The Educational DilEmma we discuss developing our children’s skills to be prepared for careers of the future, many of which don’t yet exist. Topics such as ‘can you teach entrepreneurship and what does that look like’, ‘does post school education actually work’, and ‘what could employers do to engage with young people,’ provide some thought provoking discussions. This episode is reassuring to those parents who are concerned about the effect AI is having; it focuses on cautious optimism for the roles of the future, and that AI should enable us to be more human.If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heelsOr if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxfordAnd if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected] - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon SchoolRick Mower – RAW // RAW PotentialAsa Calow – MadLabProducer and Co-Ordinator - Jess FordeCo-Ordinators – Sheena Lawrence & Imelia TaylorTechnical Producer - Seb EngertAssistant Technical Producer - Ali OrrCover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio

In this episode of The Educational DilEmma Emma Goldsmith, Dupe Witherick (Human Design Consultant, Podcast Host, Author, and Accredited Alcohol-Free Wellbeing & Transformational Coach) and Tom Schuller (Academic, International Bureaucrat, and Author of The Paula Principal) discuss how gender can affect your child’s experience through out their education and into the work force. They talk about the difficulties different genders might encounter, how this might have changed over the years, and how we can promote equality and empower our children as educators and parents. They also touch on how jobs of the future are going to be vastly different to what we know now, and how we can support children to embrace and thrive in careers that we’re currently unfamiliar with. We hope you enjoy this discussion as much as we did.If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heelsOr if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxfordAnd if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected] - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon SchoolProducer and Co-Ordinator - Jess FordeCo-Ordinator – Sheena Lawrence & Imelia TaylorTechnical Producer - Seb EngertAssistant Technical Producer - Ali OrrCover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio

Neurodiversity Now (Josie Evans - Head of Learning Support at the Dragon, Louise Barr - SENCO at St Edward’s and Katrine Sawtell – Parent of two neurodiverse children)In this episode Emma and guests discuss how neurodiversity looks now in comparison to times gone past and when and how to go about getting a diagnosis and what this might mean. They talk about what to look out for in your childs behaviour, how to support your children, how to support yourself as the parent, and getting the help you need from your school. We hope you enjoy this valuable and important discussion.If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heelsOr if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxfordAnd if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected] - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon SchoolProducer and Co-Ordinator - Jess FordeCo-Ordinators – Sheena Lawrence & Imelia TaylorTechnical Producer - Seb EngertAssistant Technical Producer - Ali OrrCover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio

In this episode Jack, Emma and Jack discuss the importance of creativity in education and childhood. Specifically that we shouldn’t forget the benefits of having fun, playing and to being a bit silly! They talk about the positives and negatives of social media and creativity today, what they look for in an education for their children, and share some healthy advice for our young creatives.If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heelsOr if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxfordAnd if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected] - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon SchoolProducer and Co-Ordinator - Jess FordeCo-Ordinators – Sheena Lawrence & Imelia TaylorTechnical Producer - Seb EngertAssistant Technical Producer - Ali Orr & Michael PittsCover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio

Moving town or city feels like a huge and daunting step; in this episode Emma sits down with Hero Brown – Editor in Chief Muddy Stilettos, Ben Procter – Founder of Oxford Property Consultants, and Alanna Clear – recent London to Oxford relocater, to discuss the positives and negatives of relocating, how to find the right school and home for your family, how to find your tribe, and what you need to do to make it happen.If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heelsOr if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxfordAnd if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected] - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon SchoolProducer and Co-Ordinator - Jess FordeCo-Ordinators – Sheena Lawrence & Imelia TaylorTechnical Producer - Seb EngertAssistant Technical Producer - Ali OrrCover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio

In this hugely valuable episode Tom George (Olympic rower), Maia Bouchier (international women's cricketer) and Jonathan Turner (Director of Sport at Dragon School) join Emma Goldsmith to discuss everything from the mental health benefits of sport, how your family can support your sporting interests, gender mixed sports, and much more.If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heelsOr if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxfordAnd if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected] - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon SchoolProducer and Co-Ordinator - Jess FordeCo-Ordinators – Sheena Lawrence & Imelia TaylorTechnical Producer - Seb EngertAssistant Technical Producer - Ali OrrCover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio