Summary:

In this episode of Beyond the Status Quo, Tamara and Kathryn speak with Laura-Jayne. Rawlings MBE, CEO of Youth Employment UK, about the growing disconnect between education, employment and the realities facing young people today. Drawing on her own experience of poverty and an unconventional route into work, Laura-Jane challenges the assumption that current systems are serving young people well. The conversation explores findings from Youth Employment UK’s Youth Voice Census, highlighting rising anxiety, inequality, lack of work experience opportunities and a growing sense of futility among young people. Laura-Jane argues that the social contract has broken down, with hard work no longer guaranteeing opportunity. She calls for greater youth voice, system-wide change, shared leadership responsibility and a renewed focus on purpose, agency and joy.

Take Aways:

· Young people want to work but face growing barriers to opportunity.

· The “social contract” feels broken for many young people.

· Youth voice must shape policy, education and employment systems.

· Trusted adults can empower agency rather than direct decisions.

· Apprenticeships offer lessons in personalised learning and support.

· Leadership is everyone’s responsibility, not just those with titles.

· System change requires shared purpose across organisations.

· Joy, belonging and hope are essential for meaningful learning and work.

Links:

Youth Voice Census - Youth Employment UK

About Youth Employment UK | Youth Employment UK

Young people and work: interim report - GOV.UK

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Summary

In this episode of Beyond the Status Quo, Jade Garratt talks to Tamara and Kathryn about why psychological safety matters so deeply in education and more widely, in leadership. Drawing on her experience as a teacher, researcher and co-founder of Psych Safety, Jade reflects on the power dynamics, accountability pressures and cultural norms that shape whether people feel able to speak up, take risks and learn together.

Jade challenges the idea that psychological safety is about comfort or “bringing your whole self to work,” instead describing it as the shared belief that it is safe to speak up with ideas, questions, concerns and mistakes. The conversation explores how fear, hierarchy and high-stakes accountability can silence innovation, while trust, curiosity and thoughtful leadership can create environments where people collaborate, experiment and improve together.

Take Aways:

· Psychological safety means feeling safe to speak up.

· Strong teams learn through challenge and honesty.

· Power dynamics affect whether people contribute.

· Fear and accountability can silence innovation.

· Leadership behaviours shape team culture.

· Curiosity and questions reduce hierarchy barriers.

· Collaboration creates safer professional learning.

· Middle leaders can build safe team cultures.

· Psychological safety enables reflection and change.

· Schools should extend this mindset to adults too.

Links:

Psychological Safety: Workplace Training, Online Workshops and Consultancy​ - Psych Safety

Reducing Power Gradients - Psych Safety

https://psychsafety.com/making-it-safer-to-fail-in-teaching/ Making it safer to fail in teaching- article about Joint Practice Development

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Summary

In this episode of Beyond the Status Quo, Jonny Uttley reflects on challenging systems, from his upbringing to leading schools and multi-academy trusts. He explores the tension between education’s moral purpose and a system that often works against inclusion and equity.

Jonny argues that many schools deliver inclusive education despite the system, not because of it. He examines how accountability measures, competition and narrow definitions of success can leave young people behind, while calling for a more collaborative and community-focused approach.

At the same time, this conversation is hopeful. Jonny highlights the power of courageous leadership, thought partnership and human connection, and challenges leaders to move beyond fear, competition and short-term metrics towards systems built on trust, belonging and shared responsibility.

Takeaways:

· Education should challenge the status quo, not reinforce it.

· Inclusive leadership often happens despite the system, not because of it.

· Competition and accountability measures can create barriers to inclusion.

· Staff wellbeing is essential to improving outcomes for children.

· Sustainable improvement comes from shared thinking, not imposed solutions.

· Context matters, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to schools.

· Leaders need to communicate the “why” behind change.

· Collaboration during COVID showed what schools are capable of without high-stakes pressure.

· Shared accountability across communities could transform outcomes for young people.

· Relationships, trust and human connection remain powerful forces for change.

Links:

Jonny Uttley Education

Jonny’s Substack | Substack

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