In this episode of The School Run Podcast, Jane is joined by singer, West End performer, and Little Voices Principal Rosa O’Reilly, for an honest, inspiring conversation about confidence, creativity, and running your own race.

Rosa shares her journey from being a shy child who loved performing behind closed doors, to starring in major West End productions including We Will Rock You, Les Misérables, Wicked, and Dirty Dancing. She opens up about rejection, self-belief, and why confidence is far more than being loud or extroverted.

Now the Principal of Little Voices Kingston & Merton, Rosa explains what drew her to Little Voices, why mental health and wellbeing matter so deeply to her, and how building confidence in children can transform lives far beyond the stage.

Together, Jane and Rosa explore:

• ​ What confidence really is (and what it isn’t)
• ​ Why talent alone is never enough
• ​ How rejection and setbacks shape resilience
• ​ The power of encouragement from “just one person”
• ​ Why running your own race matters more than comparison
• ​ How drama and singing support literacy, wellbeing, and self-esteem
• ​ What Rosa wishes school had taught her about life, money, grief, and mental health
• ​ The joy of seeing children flourish in safe, small, inclusive spaces

Rosa also reflects on her proudest moments as a new Principal, shares moving stories of children finding their voice, and leaves listeners with a simple but powerful message:

You’re stronger and more capable than you think. Try the thing.

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🔗 Links & Resources

• ​ Find out more about Little Voices and classes near you:

👉 https://www.littlevoices.org.uk/find-a-class

• ​ Follow Little Voices Kingston & Merton on social media @littlevoiceskm

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Every listen helps these stories reach further ❤️

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

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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

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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