School Podcast

From Hood to Headship: Grief, Grit & Leadership in Education | Miriam Manderson

Cameron Parker

In this powerful episode of The School Podcast, we sit down with Miriam Manderson to explore an extraordinary journey — from her upbringing and the devastating loss of her mum, to becoming a headteacher and leading school culture through some of the most challenging years education has ever faced.

Miriam speaks openly about:

Growing up and the experiences that shaped her mindset
Losing her mum and how grief influenced her leadership
Building strong culture and values in schools
Stepping into headship and the realities of the role
Leading staff and students through Covid
What school leadership really looks like behind the scenes

This is an honest, human conversation about resilience, responsibility, and leadership, with lessons for teachers, school leaders, aspiring heads, and anyone working in education.

🎧 Whether you’re in the classroom, SLT, or thinking about headship, this episode is packed with insight, reflection, and real-world experience.

👉 Watch the full episode and join the conversation

📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with anyone in education who needs to hear this.

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