Leadership, Culture and Responsibility in Further Education with Hayley Ross

2026-02-19

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Further education sits under constant pressure, balancing funding constraints, public scrutiny, safeguarding responsibilities, and rising learner need. This conversation explores what leadership really looks like inside that reality, not in theory, but in day-to-day decisions that shape culture.I’m joined by Hayley Ross, Head of HR and Organisational Development at Salford City College Group, to talk about the emotional load leaders carry in vocational systems, where people care deeply about outcomes and responsibility doesn’t end at the job des...

I’m joined by Hayley Ross, Head of HR and Organisational Development at Salford City College Group, to talk about the emotional load leaders carry in vocational systems, where people care deeply about outcomes and responsibility doesn’t end at the job description.

Our discussion looks at culture as the result of small, consistent choices. From onboarding and workload management to accountability, values, and difficult conversations, Hayley shares how leadership teams can protect wellbeing while still delivering under sustained pressure.

This episode is for anyone leading in complex systems, especially where the stakes are human and the margin for error is small.

Highlights:

(01:00) Why leadership decisions shape culture in further education

(05:10) The emotional weight carried by leaders in mission-driven systems

(09:30) How small operational choices influence wellbeing

(14:00) Accountability, values, and difficult conversations

(31:00) Pride, belonging, and what makes people stay

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