In this episode, Lee Parkinson, also known as Mr. P, is joined by Professor Julia Waters – Professor of French at the University of Reading, with over 30 years of teaching experience in Higher Education.

Julia spoke to TTS, however, as the sister of Ruth Perry, the headteacher who took her own life in January 2023 as a result of a ‘rude and intimidating’ Ofsted inspection that the coroner described as ‘lacking fairness, respect and sensitivity’.

Together, they discuss teacher mental health with regards to school inspections, as well as shine a light on Ruth Perry’s legacy. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of TTS.

Please be warned that this episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health. If you need to seek support, please visit the NHS website to find help.

Lee Parkinson, also known as Mr. P, is joined by another exciting and insightful guest, Dr Martin Brunet. Martin is a GP and Medical Educator, who has combined his passion for teaching with an interest in mental health. Throughout this episode, Lee and Martin continue the discussion around the theme of mental health in teaching.

They start by looking at burnout, the concept of moral distress and the steps teachers can take to set effective boundaries in their day-to-day lives.

They then dive into how the teaching calendar means that unlike many professions, teachers are all running a joint long-distance sprint as opposed to a relay race with their colleagues. They also explore other common teaching mental health concerns including anxiety and imposter syndrome, and how to manage these difficult feelings.

Lee Parkinson, also known as Mr. P, is joined by our incredibly inspirational and insightful guest, Ben West. Ben is a Mental Health campaigner, best-selling author & social media influencer, and one of the most engaging and inspiring young male voices in the UK today. Together, Lee and Ben discuss a range of big topics around the theme of mental health in teaching.

They begin by looking at the steps teachers can take to protect their own mental health and wellbeing, as well as the warning signs to be aware of and look out for.

They then dive into the mental health of our pupils, including the impact of social media, the positive moves we can make to support them both in the classroom and working with parents, and the role the education system plays.

TW: this episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health