What happens when a headteacher leads not with policies, but with purpose? In this inspiring episode of the Able to Care podcast, behaviour specialist Andy Baker speaks with Fiona Booth, Headteacher at St Nicholas Church of England Primary Academy, a school recently featured by the BBC for its outstanding, relationship-driven approach to education.
With 12 years in leadership, Fiona shares how she rebuilt a “dark” school culture into one where every child—and adult—feels safe, seen and supported.
From tucking in shirts as a symbol of belonging to using data as a torch, not a hammer, Fiona’s message will resonate with caregivers, educators and parents navigating systems while trying to hold onto humanity.
This is an essential listen for anyone who believes behaviour is communication, and that education—and care—must start with connection.
💙 Sponsored by: Carers Card UK
This episode is proudly supported by Order your card today
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
💡 Three Key Messages:
Love is not soft—it’s structured.
Compassion and boundaries are not opposites. They work best when they walk hand-in-hand.
Real behaviour change comes from consistency and culture.
Building trust, not fear, leads to safer, stronger systems—for children and adults alike.
Every human being carries light.
A school should be a lighthouse: guiding, warning, celebrating. When we see the light in others, they begin to see it in themselves.
⏱ Timestamps / Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction and Sponsor: Carers Card UK
01:40 – Meet Fiona Booth: Relationship-Centric Leadership
03:00 – What is a relationship-first school and why does it matter?
06:00 – Finding the untold stories behind behaviour
08:00 – How trauma-informed leadership reshapes whole school culture
11:00 – Building trust, not compliance, with staff and students
14:00 – Stories of real transformation: from despair to belonging
18:00 – The 'shine' philosophy and embracing every child’s light
22:00 – Rethinking data: Is it a hammer or a torch?
28:00 – Boundaries, belief and building expectations
34:00 – Being a lead learner: How Fiona models continual growth
39:00 – Music, movement and joy as staff wellbeing strategies
44:00 – What Ofsted and the DfE miss about real behaviour change
48:00 – Gratitude journals, emotional literacy and peer celebration
53:00 – Culture-shifting through connection, one moment at a time
56:00 – Final stories: Why this work really matters
01:05:00 – What drives Fiona on hard days
🎯 Why Listen to This Episode:
Discover how to build compassion-led culture in any school or care setting
Learn why vulnerability is a strength in leadership, not a weakness
Explore how boundaries + empathy create safety
Be inspired by real-life stories of hope, healing and transformation
Gain tools to help you connect before you correct in behaviour support
If you're a parent, teacher, caregiver—or anyone supporting people through challenges—this episode offers emotional insight and practical hope.
📲 Stay Connected:
🎧 Listen to all episodes: www.able-training.co.uk/podcast
📘 Andy’s Book – Targeting the Positive: Buy on Amazon
💳 Carers Card UK Offer: 🎟️ Order your card today
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