What happens when wellbeing becomes part of the inspection framework, while schools are already under intense pressure?
In this special roundtable episode, The Joy Division – an international group of wellbeing professionals – explore Paradoxfsted, the paradoxical relationship between wellbeing and inspection in education.
🎥 Watch the full discussion here:
The Panel includes
- Rich Head – Director at Motional
- Maria Brosnan – Founder of Pursuit Wellbeing, host of the conversation
- Thérèse Hoyle – Founder of Positive Playtimes , play consultant and trainer
- Vanessa McHardy – Director of Light Education Training and psychotherapist
This is an open, honest, human conversation about what it really takes to stay regulated inside dysregulated systems.
Together, we explore:
- Why staff wellbeing is the foundation of pupil wellbeing
- The difference between inclusion and true belonging
- The role of psychological safety in classrooms and staffrooms
- Why regulated adults are the most powerful behaviour strategy
- How play, joy and the playground shape behaviour and resilience
- The danger of tokenistic wellbeing initiatives
- How to evidence wellbeing impact over time without increasing workload
We also reflect on:
- The emotional cost of inspection culture
- Rising stress in the education workforce
- Behaviour challenges linked to boredom and lack of play
- Why resilience is not about “grit” — but about safety, connection and support
- How leadership presence shapes school culture every day
