Leadership Story: Joanne Smith

Schools Relations Lead, Portal Training

Who or what inspired you to be a leader in Wales?

I think from an early age, I was surrounded by people who made me feel that anything was possible if you applied yourself. That included family and teachers. Sometimes it was a nudge in an unexpected direction making me realise I could do new things and challenge myself. My first teaching job was in a middle school in the early 1990s. My headteacher was a dynamic force in the tallest heels who had the knack of getting me to agree to things beyond the familiar and my comfort zone through connecting, inspiring and enabling me to grow. Her creativity and commitment helped me realise that I could also be a difference maker. It was thanks to her that I gained the confidence to swap my job, house and car for a year and live and teach in Australia. I swapped the literacy and numeracy hour for a red-bellied black snake in a jar at show and tell! Whilst in Queensland, I was Teacher in Charge of the Speech and Language Unit. I learned a great deal about the strength of the team, authenticity and humour.

What do you actively do to inspire and support the next generation of leaders?

I keep learning. I get involved and I share. After 32 years in teaching, it is fair to say I am a reflective practitioner. That reflection has helped me to evaluate, prioritise and connect with those around me to help support and develop their leadership. In the 2000s, I worked as an advisory teacher in Torfaen, leading and developing a passionate team to build the skills of teaching and support staff. I realised that high quality training, well-researched professional learning at the right time nurtures belief and empowerment. I built on this as a Headteacher in Caerphilly for 7 years, ensuring my dedicated staff were supported and encouraged to believe and achieve.

As a leader, how do you model prioritising your own well-being as an example to staff?

I am convinced fresh air gives a fresh perspective. I am an avid hiker. I have gained great clarity trekking the local hills, or peaks of Eryri or walking the Camino. It is crucial to have headspace to make the best decisions for you, your setting and community. My staff needed to see me walking the talk and connecting, being present and active so they could too. It was essential throughout the challenges of the pandemic to give time to ourselves as well as others. I recently discovered Professor Michael West’s work on compassionate leadership through the National Academy for Educational Leadership. This has resonated with me.

‘There is clear evidence that compassionate leadership results in more engaged and motivated staff with high levels of well-being, which in turn results in high-quality care (West 2021).’

One of my staff ventured to Sweden to explore well-being good practice and brought back lots to share and inspire. It gave us agency for new approaches and strength to embed others.

What book/professional learning opportunity/piece of research have you recently utilised to inform your leadership practice?

Recently, I have been reading fascinating insights via the King’s Fund to learn more about Compassionate Leadership. Relationships are key to successful education systems and Professor Michael West’s writing gives reassurance to the difference we can make where our environments are psychologically safe and inclusive.

I have also been reading a colleague’s doctoral thesis examining identity and emotional competence in leadership experiences. Personalisation and room to grow as leaders are key components. This fits well with where I currently work as Schools Relations Lead with Portal Training. I support schools with their professional development journeys and the Leadership and Management programmes we offer are flexible, bespoke and accredited. It is uplifting to see new and aspiring leaders developing in the fertile soil we have helped create.

What has been a career highlight for you during your time as a leader in Wales?

I am extremely proud of what we achieved leading schools through the pandemic and the development and implementation of the new Curriculum. I loved the support and passion exhibited by my cluster colleagues, making collaboration meaningful and relevant. A highlight has to be the provision we built in my primary school, adding to the two Special Resource Bases, with a further provision to help county-wide after the impact of the pandemic and the quality of support and outreach.

How have you connected and collaborated with peers beyond your own organisation to have an impact on the wider system?

I am fortunate in my current role to work pan Wales. I am privileged to meet school leaders and connect to share good practice, help shape professional learning offers. We recently hosted a Portal Promise Event showcasing different sectors and the impact of quality professional learning with school leaders reflecting on what they did and the differences it made. Sharing success and professional dialogue is empowering.