There’s a Genius in Every Child: Rethinking Education, Confidence & Life Skills with Aatif Hassan, Duke’s Education

What if the child who struggles in school today is actually sitting on their greatest strength?

In this powerful episode of The School Run, Jane sits down with education leader and founder of Dukes Education, Aatif, to explore what education gets right… and what it’s still missing.

From being expelled at 13 to building a global education group, this is a story of resilience, belief, and the power of the right teacher at the right time.

Together, Jane and Aatif dive into:

• ​ Why ADHD and dyslexia can be superpowers
• ​ The life-changing impact of one great teacher
• ​ What a truly great school feels like
• ​ Why confidence is the foundation of everything
• ​ The missing pieces in education:

👉 emotional literacy

👉 financial literacy

👉 digital wisdom

• ​ How the military shaped leadership, resilience and decision-making
• ​ Why failure might be the most important thing we teach children
• ​ The importance of human connection in an AI-driven world

You’ll also hear:

• ​ Why children should have a voice in shaping education
• ​ The concept of a “bounce quotient” (and why it matters more than IQ)
• ​ What Aatif would say to his younger self
• ​ And the one simple habit every child should build early: reading

​@dukes_education

Linkedin ………. dukes-education

Dukes Education is the largest premium education group in the UK and one of the fastest-growing families of schools in Europe. Dukes Education was founded by Aatif Hassan in 2015 to give young people an outstanding start in life.

The Dukes family now has 63 education brands and over 80 settings, across 11 countries, supporting more than 24,000 pupils and nearly 5,000 staff. Dukes also operates a number of leading summer short courses, university and medical school consultancies, immersive career experience providers, and one-to-one student support offerings, creating a cradle-to-career suite of services.

💬 Jane’s Reflection:

“This episode reminded me that every child has something incredible to share we just need to create the space for it to be seen.”

🎧 Whether you’re a parent, educator, or someone passionate about helping young people thrive, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about what success really looks like.

Podcasts for us are all about learning and sharing, of course free to listen to.

We have some small costs to cover so if you would like to buy us a virtual cup of tea /coffee when we are planning them out please click here https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun

\

Get In Touch: Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials @‌theschoolrun_official / @‌mrsjanejames on Instagram, or search and follow Jane James on Facebook. We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at jane@littlevoices.org.uk

Links: For information on Jane’s company Little Voices head to http://www.littlevoices.org.uk⁠⁠

@littlevoiceslimited

You will often hear references to The Olive Jar to find out more follow @theolivejarcourse

www.theolivejar.online

‌

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are just a mum and daughter, sharing their thoughts and chatting with guests that we really respect and sharing our personal stories and insights. Please seek professional advice if you need it.

This episode is edited by Mike Roberts of Making Digital Real

What if the life you really want is waiting on the other side of courage?

In this episode of The School Run with Jane – Little Voices, Big Stories, Jane is joined by leadership coach and aviation specialist Sam Sloan, Director of 123 People Development and Resilient Pilot.

Sam has spent over two decades developing people, leaders and teams: first through a successful career in retail leadership and now through coaching, leadership development and aviation training.

But beneath all of that work lies a powerful question:

How much of your potential have you actually activated?

This conversation explores confidence, curiosity, courage and the mindset shifts that help people move forward in their lives and careers.

Sam also shares the story behind her newest project Cultivating Confidence, a Bravery Boot Camp, designed to help women reconnect with dreams, ambitions and possibilities they may have put on hold.

Together, Jane and Sam discuss:

✨ What confidence really means

✨ Why curiosity is the key to great leadership

✨ The power of coaching conversations

✨ Why we aren’t taught how to ask good questions at school

✨ How Sam combined leadership development with aviation training

✨ The courage it takes to start your own business

✨ What holds people back from activating their potential

✨ The difference between mentoring and coaching

✨ Why it’s never too late to change direction

✨ How to recognise the signs of your natural strengths

Sam also reflects on the mentors and leaders who shaped her path, and the simple yet powerful mindset that drives her forward:

“What else is possible?”

This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered if they are capable of more.

Because sometimes the only thing standing between you and your next chapter is the courage to ask a better question.

⸻

About Sam Sloan

Sam Sloan is the Director of 123 People Development, specialising in leadership and coaching. She also serves as Director of Learning and Development at Resilient Pilot, supporting pilots and aviation professionals through coaching and development programmes.

Sam combines her passion for leadership, human potential and aviation to create powerful development programmes that help individuals and organisations unlock performance and confidence.

She is also co-creator of Cultivating Confidence – a Bravery Boot Camp, helping women rediscover purpose, courage and possibility.

Samantha Sloan on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-sloan-123pd

Little Voices

www.littlevoices.org.uk

Support the podcast

www.buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun

Podcasts for us are all about learning and sharing, of course free to listen to.

We have some small costs to cover so if you would like to buy us a virtual cup of tea /coffee when we are planning them out please click here https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun

Get In Touch: Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials \@‌theschoolrun_official / \@‌mrsjanejames on Instagram, or search and follow Jane James on Facebook. We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at jane@littlevoices.org.uk

Links: For information on Jane’s company Little Voices head to http://www.littlevoices.org.uk⁠⁠

@littlevoiceslimited

You will often hear references to The Olive Jar to find out more follow @theolivejarcourse

www.theolivejar.online

‌

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are just a mum and daughter, sharing their thoughts and chatting with guests that we really respect and sharing our personal stories and insights. Please seek professional advice if you need it.

This episode is edited by Mike Roberts of Making Digital Real

What do music, drama, confidence, education and lifelong learning all have in common?

Connection.

In this episode of The School Run with Jane – Little Voices, Big Stories, Jane is joined by the wonderful Susan Bisatt — highly respected soprano, educator, vocal specialist, former Principal of Little Voices Stockport, and recently retired lecturer in Primary Music at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Susan has spent decades working at the highest level in both music and education, shaping lives through performance, teaching and leadership. From growing up in York with access to the arts, to training at conservatoire, performing professionally, working in education outreach, teaching future teachers, and leading within Little Voices, Susan reflects on the many threads that have connected her career and the ripple effect those connections create.

This is a thoughtful, uplifting conversation about the power of the arts, the importance of safe and creative spaces for children, and why music and drama are about so much more than performance.

This episode is full of warmth, wisdom and a beautiful reminder that when children feel safe, seen and supported, they flourish.

About Susan Bisatt

Susan is a highly respected soprano, educator and vocal specialist. She recently retired from her role as Lecturer in Primary Music at Manchester Metropolitan University, where she helped shape the next generation of teachers. She also spent more than 10 years as Principal of Little Voices Stockport, helping hundreds of children grow in confidence through music and drama.

Susan continues to champion the value of the arts and is also part of Impropera, an improvising operatic ensemble bringing creativity and musical brilliance together in a completely unique way.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Little Voices: littlevoices.org.uk

• Impropera

• Cultural Learning Alliance: culturallearningalliance.org.uk

• Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun

Connect with us:

• Podcast Instagram: @theschoolrun_official

• Little Voices: @littlevoiceslimited

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, leave a review, and share it with someone who would love it too. Your support helps us keep these conversations going.

Podcasts for us are all about learning and sharing, of course free to listen to.

We have some small costs to cover so if you would like to buy us a virtual cup of tea /coffee when we are planning them out please click here https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun

\

Get In Touch: Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials \@‌theschoolrun_official / \@‌mrsjanejames on Instagram, or search and follow Jane James on Facebook. We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at jane@littlevoices.org.uk

Links: For information on Jane’s company Little Voices head to http://www.littlevoices.org.uk⁠⁠

@littlevoiceslimited

You will often hear references to The Olive Jar to find out more follow @theolivejarcourse

www.theolivejar.online

‌

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are just a mum and daughter, sharing their thoughts and chatting with guests that we really respect and sharing our personal stories and insights. Please seek professional advice if you need it.

This episode is edited by Mike Roberts of Making Digital Real

In this powerful return episode of The School Run with Jane – Little Voices, Big Stories, Jane is joined once again by Wendy Gardner, speaker, author and passionate advocate for helping women stop waiting for life to start and begin truly living it.

If you listened to Wendy’s first appearance on the podcast in Episode 109, you’ll already know just how honest, wise and deeply human she is. This time, Wendy returns with even more to share, including the journey behind her newly launched book, Diary of a Misfit Penguin, and the life lessons that have shaped her over the last 18 months.

Together, Jane and Wendy explore the masks we wear, the labels we adopt, and the cost of becoming the person the world expects us to be. Wendy speaks openly about her years in the corporate world, where she was known as “the machine”, and how that identity brought success on the outside while disconnecting her from herself on the inside.

She also shares the deeply personal turning point that changed everything: walking alongside her daughter through severe anxiety and depression, and realising that while she could not fix everything for her child, she did need to begin learning how to love and understand herself.

This is a conversation about courage, fear, healing, confidence, boundaries, gratitude, self-worth and the power of listening to your body.

In this episode, Jane and Wendy talk about:

❤️ Wendy’s new book Diary of a Misfit Penguin

❤️ what has changed in Wendy’s life since her first appearance

❤️ the metaphor of being a “flamingo inside a penguin suit”

❤️ the pressure of performing success and losing yourself in the process

❤️ parenting through mental health struggles

❤️ why children need to see us becoming who we want them to be

❤️ what confidence really means

❤️ fear, visibility and putting your story into the world

❤️ community, support and asking for help

❤️ listening to your body and managing your mental health

❤️ why gratitude can shift your energy and perspective

❤️ the importance of boundaries and learning to say no

❤️ how healing happens through movement, music, singing, dance and stillness

This episode is honest, hopeful and full of wisdom for anyone who has ever felt like they were performing their way through life, while quietly longing to feel more like themselves.

About Wendy Gardner

Wendy partners with women to get promoted, lead with heart, and be fully present at home and at work. After years in the corporate world, Wendy now works as a speaker, coach and author, helping women navigate identity shifts, confidence, visibility and meaningful change. She is also the author of Diary of a Misfit Penguin.

Podcasts for us are all about learning and sharing, of course free to listen to.

We have some small costs to cover so if you would like to buy us a virtual cup of tea /coffee when we are planning them out please click here https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun

\

Get In Touch: Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials \@‌theschoolrun_official / \@‌mrsjanejames on Instagram, or search and follow Jane James on Facebook. We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at jane@littlevoices.org.uk

Links: For information on Jane’s company Little Voices head to http://www.littlevoices.org.uk⁠⁠

@littlevoiceslimited

You will often hear references to The Olive Jar to find out more follow @theolivejarcourse

www.theolivejar.online

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are just a mum and daughter, sharing their thoughts and chatting with guests that we really respect and sharing our personal stories and insights. Please seek professional advice if you need it.

This episode is edited by Mike Roberts of Making Digital Real

In this episode, Jane is joined by Caron Kelly, Principal of Little Voices West Kent and Southend-on-Sea, for a heartfelt conversation about confidence, creativity, teaching and what it really means to help children feel seen.

Caron shares her journey from a childhood filled with music and performance, to teaching, motherhood, franchise ownership and building a business that changes children’s lives through drama and singing.

Together, Jane and Caron explore why confidence has to be nurtured, the life-changing impact of great teachers, why drama matters in schools, and how Little Voices helps children develop skills that go far beyond the stage.

A warm, funny and honest episode about reinvention, resilience and confidence for life.

Podcasts for us are all about learning and sharing, of course free to listen to.

We have some small costs to cover so if you would like to buy us a virtual cup of tea /coffee when we are planning them out please click here https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun

\

Get In Touch: Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials \@‌theschoolrun_official / \@‌mrsjanejames on Instagram, or search and follow Jane James on Facebook. We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at jane@littlevoices.org.uk

Links: For information on Jane’s company Little Voices head to http://www.littlevoices.org.uk⁠⁠

@littlevoiceslimited

You will often hear references to The Olive Jar to find out more follow @theolivejarcourse

www.theolivejar.online

‌

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are just a mum and daughter, sharing their thoughts and chatting with guests that we really respect and sharing our personal stories and insights. Please seek professional advice if you need it.

This episode is edited by Mike Roberts of Making Digital Real

What happens when you bring together charity, people and community? In this episode, Jane sits down with Jo Reeder — experienced communicator, fundraiser and senior leader — for a conversation about belonging, confidence, career twists, and the power of connections that count.

Jo shares what school felt like in the 80s, how being boxed into “teacher, nurse or office job” didn’t reflect her gifts, and how she built a meaningful career by leaning into what she was good at: people, communication and community.

This episode is packed with honest reflections on navigating the working world, finding the confidence to walk away from unhealthy environments, and why network and relationships are everything — especially in the charity and not-for-profit space.

In this episode, we cover

• ​ Why belonging has shaped Jo’s whole life and career
• ​ School in the 80s: when grades were everything and options felt limited
• ​ “I didn’t feel as good as my friends” — and what that can do to confidence
• ​ The moment Jo decided: “I’m never being treated like that again.”
• ​ What confidence looks like now: building a toolkit over time
• ​ How theatre and performance develop transferable skills for work
• ​ Jo’s journey through BT, local press, fundraising, senior leadership and CEO roles
• ​ What a CEO/Chief Exec in the charity/not-for-profit sector actually does
• ​ Where charity funding comes from — and why collaboration matters now more than ever
• ​ What Jo would tell her younger self: be curious, listen, build relationships
• ​ A fun School Run memory: the pyjama school run (and the sweet shop stops!)

About Jo Reeder

Jo Reeder is an experienced communicator, fundraiser and senior manager with a love for all things charity, people and community. She has worked across fundraising, marketing and leadership, and is passionate about collaboration and strengthening communities through meaningful partnerships.

Connect with Jo

• ​ Find Jo on LinkedIn: Jo Reeder

Connect with Jane / Little Voices

• ​ Instagram: @theschoolrun_official / @mrsjanejames
• ​ Little Voices: @littlevoiceslimited + www.littlevoices.org.uk

Subscribe / Follow

If this episode resonates, please follow, share, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show ❤️

Podcasts for us are all about learning and sharing, of course free to listen to.

We have some small costs to cover so if you would like to buy us a virtual cup of tea /coffee when we are planning them out please click here https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun

\

Get In Touch: Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials \@‌theschoolrun_official / \@‌mrsjanejames on Instagram, or search and follow Jane James on Facebook. We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at jane@littlevoices.org.uk

Links: For information on Jane’s company Little Voices head to http://www.littlevoices.org.uk⁠⁠

@littlevoiceslimited

You will often hear references to The Olive Jar to find out more follow @theolivejarcourse

www.theolivejar.online

‌

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are just a mum and daughter, sharing their thoughts and chatting with guests that we really respect and sharing our personal stories and insights. Please seek professional advice if you need it.

This episode is edited by Mike Roberts of Making Digital Real

What if confidence isn’t something you’re born with… but something you build?

In this episode of The School Run with Jane: Little Voices, Big Stories, Jane is joined by Sally Walker; career and executive coach, cultural intelligence & intercultural trainer, guest lecturer and author.

Sally shares the “lightbulb moment” that changed everything: being tasked with running a redundancy programme early in her HR career and witnessing how the right support can turn a devastating moment into a powerful reinvention.

Together, Jane and Sally explore confidence as a skill, the importance of values, why we don’t need a “perfect” career plan, and how to do a simple annual Career MOT to check in with what matters most.

In this episode, we talk about:

• ​Sally’s journey from HR to career coaching and the moment she knew she’d found her purpose
• ​Why coaching is about questions, not advice (and why “we often already know the answer”)
• ​Confidence as a skill you can build and Sally’s favourite reminder: “You are good enough.”
• ​The difference between career values and bedrock values (and how they can shift through life)
• ​How to spot your “threads”: childhood interests, flow moments, curiosity and natural strengths
• ​Teachers’ transferable skills and why so many don’t realise how valuable they are
• ​The myth of a “job for life” and the freedom of pivoting without “getting it perfect”
• ​What a first coaching session actually looks like (and why chemistry matters)
• ​The power of slowing down and creating space for reflection
• ​Sally’s school run memory: laughter, connection, and those back-seat conversations you don’t realise you’ll miss

Guest: Sally Walker

Career & Executive Coach | Cultural Intelligence & Intercultural Trainer | Guest Lecturer | Author

➡️ Find Sally on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyannwalker

➡️ Website www.swcareercoaching.com

About Little Voices:

Little Voices is the UK-wide award-winning performing arts organisation helping children aged 4–18 build confidence for life through small group drama and singing lessons, plus accredited LAMDA qualifications.

Stay connected:

• ​Podcast Instagram: @theschoolrun_official
• ​Little Voices: @littlevoiceslimited
• ​Support the podcast (Buy Me a Coffee): buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun
• ​Edited by: Mike, Making Digital Real (details in show notes)

Podcasts for us are all about learning and sharing, of course free to listen to.

We have some small costs to cover so if you would like to buy us a virtual cup of tea /coffee when we are planning them out please click here https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun

\

Get In Touch: Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials \@‌theschoolrun_official / \@‌mrsjanejames on Instagram, or search and follow Jane James on Facebook. We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at jane@littlevoices.org.uk

Links: For information on Jane’s company Little Voices head to http://www.littlevoices.org.uk⁠⁠

@littlevoiceslimited

You will often hear references to The Olive Jar to find out more follow @theolivejarcourse

www.theolivejar.online

‌

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are just a mum and daughter, sharing their thoughts and chatting with guests that we really respect and sharing our personal stories and insights. Please seek professional advice if you need it.

This episode is edited by Mike Roberts of Making Digital Real

In this episode Jane speaks with Julie Armstrong about all things confidence.

Julie is the Principal of Little Voices Peterborough .

@littlevoicespeterborough

Podcasts for us are all about learning and sharing, of course free to listen to.

We have some small costs to cover so if you would like to buy us a virtual cup of tea /coffee when we are planning them out please click here https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun

\

Get In Touch: Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials \@‌theschoolrun_official / \@‌mrsjanejames on Instagram, or search and follow Jane James on Facebook. We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at jane@littlevoices.org.uk

Links: For information on Jane’s company Little Voices head to http://www.littlevoices.org.uk⁠⁠

@littlevoiceslimited

You will often hear references to The Olive Jar to find out more follow @theolivejarcourse

www.theolivejar.online

‌

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are just a mum and daughter, sharing their thoughts and chatting with guests that we really respect and sharing our personal stories and insights. Please seek professional advice if you need it.

This episode is edited by Mike Roberts of Making Digital Real