In this episode, we speak to Franck Corrido, Headteacher of Hopewell School, an independent special school in Dagenham. Franck shares his story, including his French heritage, his journey into teaching and his experiences in France and the UK. Throughout our conversation, Frank's warmth in character, his passion for inclusive learning environments and commitment to his school, staff and young people were very clear to see.
We hope this podcast brings you some useful takeaways but most of all, you enjoy our conversation.
Enjoy
David and Roger discussed the transformation of Ripple Primary School into an emotionally available school, emphasising the importance of addressing staff's emotional well-being first to better support students, and the impact of relational approaches over punitive measures in education.
Roger's passion for inclusive education which will enable every young person to thrive was clear to see.
We hope this podcast brings you some useful takeaways and most of all that you enjoy our conversation.
Enjoy
Sharon who is the Director of Educating Horizons is an award winning strategist with over 20 years' experience working in schools and focusing on children and young people (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those who were in Alternative Provision (AP) such as Pupil Referral Units (PRUs).
We hope you enjoy our conversation.
In this episode, I spoke to Clare Baker from Restlessminds UK an organisation that provides bespoke person centered support to young people and adults.
Clare has experienced varied types of education throughout her career. We also discussed Clare's experience of Unschooling and her diagnosis of ADHD as an adult.
We hope you enjoy our open and honest conversation.
Enjoy
In this week's episode, I had the absolute pleasure of talking to Adam Dabin. Adam is the former Head Teacher of Sir Bobby Robson School in Ipswich and since then has moved on to be a Director of SEND for Unity Schools Partnership.
In our conversation, we discussed balancing work and family, SEMH, Mainstream SEND and the importance of relationships and school communities.
Enjoy!
In this podcast, Jack and I discussed his journey through education and his experiences. Jack was excluded from mainstream education in his middle school years, Jack discussed his experiences through his school years and throughout our conversation, he speaks about the work that was done to turn his life around once he moved to specialist provision.
As someone with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) he discusses the fact he was aware that mainstream wasn’t for him and holds no hard feelings and is pleased that he was placed into specialist provision.
Jack also talks about his passion to start a career within education where he wants to follow his dream to help others who may be experiencing similar journeys to himself.
I hope you enjoy it.
In this episode, I had my second chat with Stu Evans who is the Headteacher of New Leaf Inclusion Centre in Walsall. I first spoke to Stu around the first lockdown and it was great to speak to him about the ongoing work that has been in place since he arrived at what was, at the time an 'Inadequate' rated Pupil Pupil Referral Unit.
In this podcast, James Lowe and I discussed his journey into education and the journey he has been on so far as the Founder/Director of both EdStart and Next Level Learning.
After teaching sport, public services and social policy in different sectors across Manchester, James registered the school alongside Chris Irwin and a small team. From there he has been responsible for the growth of the school from its original site, to the several centres across Greater Manchester. Having led the school to successive 'Good' Ofsted inspections his aim is to further strengthen the offer to the region's young people. James has supported several local authorities in developing the landscape of alternative provision, most recently working on the successful DfE 'Alternative Provision Innovation Fund' bid for Salford City Council.
Established in 2014 Next Level Learning was aimed at ‘closing the gap’ in education. Our founding Directors identified a need for outreach tuition in the alternative provision field as students were not attending any education offered to them for several reasons. Our first approach was home or in school support tuition and from there it has developed into sessions being delivered in various settings to young people with a variety of different needs. Now we cover areas across Greater Manchester and the North West, delivering to students from KS1 through to KS4. We have grown purely through hard work, commitment and recommendation which gives us pride in what we have achieved and ambition for future goals.
Rebecca Harbord – Social Channel and Brand Manager at Woodmor Foundation C.I.C
In this episode I chatted to Rebecca Hardbord who is the Social Channel and Brand Manager at Woodmor Foundation C.I.C. The foundation provides unique employment initiatives which showcase employability skills for our participants. We do this by creating a digital CV called a ‘Me Movie’ which supplements traditional CV’s and helps gain purposeful paid employment for disabled, disadvantaged or vulnerable individuals.
In our conversation Rebecca discusses having Bipolar Type 2 her journey through education as a young person who was suffering from depression. Rebecca is proud to be part of a foundation that has such strong values and beliefs when it comes to helping those with a disability.
Natalie Reardon – Deputy Head Teacher and SENCo at Kedleston Group
In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of talking to Natalie Reardon who is a passionate member of the Kedleston Group SLT team. Natalie is currently Deputy Head Teacher and SENCo at a SEMH / Autism School in Bury, Greater Manchester.
In our conversation, we spoke about the benefits of giving young people more autonomy, respect, trust and help create pupil lead learning, which in 2021 is something most of us look for and appreciate. Natalie’s passion for bringing the best out of learners is evident and it was refreshing to also discuss the area of self care and being the best, we can be.
We also discussed the importance of making sure we all have our own free time outside of work, in a world that is becoming more adaptable to working from home, we both feel strongly that this is an important part of looking after our own well being.
I hope you enjoy our conversation.
Warren King - In this episode I spoke to Warren who is an Ex-drug dealer, ex-gang leader, ex-prisoner, sentenced to three and a half years in prison for possession with intent to sell Class A & B drugs, and production of a class B drug.
Warren had no qualifications before his incarceration and thought: “All I would ever be good at was selling drugs.” I lacked confidence and had no self-esteem. I was lost and ended up in the dark place that is prison. However, I eventually found education. Education and learning new things gave me the direction and motivation I needed to go on and do better things. My journey is continuing to the London School of Economics where I will be studying BSc Sociology. I present workshops to secondary and/or at-risk students nationally. I use my lived experiences to educate young people on the unintended consequences of addiction, drugs, and crime, in the hope that they can learn from my experiences. I talk about mental health, drugs, county lines, gangs, violence, and prison. I would like to use sport as a platform of engagement, for those particularly at risk of gang related crime to help facilitate the building of positive relationships with their peers and positive mental health attitudes.
Having spoken to Warren I think his journey is one that can now be used to help educate those who are at risk of making decisions that have negative consequences. Warren is now highly motivated to educate himself and is a strong believer in the power of education.
I hope you enjoy our chat.
Stephen Steinhaus – Principal of Solihull Academy & Frontman/Singer
In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking to Stephen Steinhaus from Solihull Academy in the midlands. Solihull Academy opened in April 2018 because Solihull needed an additional, alternative solution for a number of students for whom mainstream education is simply not working (for a range of reasons).
Put bluntly, Solihull Academy is not your run-of-the-mill school. Solihull Academy is a game changer for pupils in the borough who really need the game to change. With a balanced mix of academic and pastoral intervention, challenge, rigour, The SA team have created a structured, therapeutic environment to give some of our students in the borough a chance to truly succeed. Make no mistake, though…Stephen and his team work incredibly hard, but play hard as well, and they are creating a community that can and will change the educational futures and life chances for every student that engages, thereby, change what education looks like in Solihull.
Stephen talks about the comparisons between being a singer/frontman and getting engagement from the crowd vs achieving the same engagement with pupils. Throughout our podcast, we spoke about the work involved when working in AP.
I hope you enjoy.
Sarah Dove Founder of Phoenix Education Consultancy and President of PRUsAP
Sarah has over 15 years’ experience working in Pupil Referral Units and Alternative Provisions, ‘I am passionate about and dedicated to, ensuring every child, regardless of the severity of their vulnerabilities or complexity of their needs, are given an opportunity to embrace all components of education rather than simply experience a curriculum.’
Founder & CEO - Phoenix Education Consultancy
At Phoenix Education Consultancy we aim to improve the education system whilst ensuring every child it serves is able to embrace all aspects of education. We recognise that an inclusive education system is an aspiration and whilst taking steps to reach that goal, we focus on every child that needs support to maximise the outcomes of their learning.
We are experts and well experienced in working with children with severe vulnerabilities and complex needs in Pupil Referral Units, Alternative Provisions, Hospitals and Secure Training Centres.
At Phoenix we have developed a series of tools, programmes and services that ensure we all deliver a standard that reaches best practice rather than minimal compliance and provided.
President – PRUsAP
PRUsAP represents the Alternative Provision sector of Education regionally and nationally. We challenge the stereotypes associated with AP and promote the success of schools and vulnerable young people in AP settings. Not only do we represent the sector, we work with politicians, the media, organisations and other school leaders across the education spectrum to help them understand Alternative Provision and the impact it can have on young people's lives. We provide support and advice to schools, both in alternative provision and mainstream. Our Annual Conference is the focal point of our continuing professional development with additional events throughout the year that provide an opportunity for AP leaders to meet and discuss practice.
Sarah is also close to releasing her book ‘Behaving Together In The Classroom’ which provides teachers with frameworks and processes to help them identify, understand and support the issues children bring to the classroom. Using a clear five step formula, the book explores the perspectives of children, to guide teachers as they support them within the school environment.
The book explores the nature of emotional health and well-being and the real implications of this on the way children are seen to act within the school. Rather than punishing unwanted behaviour, the book begins with the assumption that behaviour is our innate form of communication, that should be supported rather than controlled. It recognises the network of relationships within a school’s community and provides helpful resources to support a child’s inclusion in school life
I hope you enjoy.
Jeremy Dodd Co-Headteacher at The Academy of Central Bedfordshire. Central Bedfordshire School's Forum member.
In this episode, I had the pleasure in chatting to Jeremy. He is an educator who has a clear passion for inclusivity and care for his staff and pupil’s. The Academy of Central Bedfordshire is an alternative provision free school and is set across two sites. The staff works holistically with pupils to create an environment in which they can learn, mature and thrive.
The work Jeremy and his team have and continue to do within the school is fantastic and I really believe that Jeremy is a great example of what it means to work in the sector, at times in our conversation I could really see the passion in Jeremy.
I hope you enjoy!!
Hannah is an award-winning leader, speaker and influencer, with a huge heart for young women and for every girl to know her true worth. Hannah founded Cherished in 2011, in response to her own personal experiences and seeing the attachment needs of young girls not being met.
‘I’ve always felt strongly about the need for girls to be understood and being a part of their journey to become strong, confident, young women.’
Hannah wrote the Cherished Course while she studied for a degree in Youth, Children’s and Community Work in Nottingham. She began delivering the course in secondary schools in 2011, to an overwhelmingly positive reception.
Cherished has flourished under Hannah’s leadership and inspirational determination to bring out the true potential and value of girls. We have now worked in over 35 schools across North Birmingham and the Midlands, have a dedicated team of 70 volunteers and continue to nurture the vision of every girl being able to access the support she needs to feel safe, seen, soothed and secure.
‘My heart’s desire is that Cherished allows girls to live their lives knowing that they were made with purpose and reason; they were created to be cherished and adored.’
Since starting The Alternative Path, I have met some amazing people, Hannah is an inspirational lady who through her own challenges is now through her organisations is making a real positive impact on young people’s lives.
I hope you enjoy our chat.
Nikki Mears & Nick Boothroyd - The founding team behind Naturally Talented Me
Naturally Talented Me (NTM) is a Community Interest Company that has been launched to address longstanding inequalities in the employment market. Inequalities that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 lockdown as many millions are being displaced from previously secure and long-term jobs and are unclear as to where they now fit in the new world of work.
Current recruitment processes focus on certifications and experience, whereas NTM provides a new approach; one that reflects the attributes of a much more dynamic and diverse talent pool and better meets the needs of employers.
It was developed to support the most disadvantaged in our society – groups such as SEND, older workers, ex-military and ex-offenders – and the intervention organisations that represent them. COVID-19, and the impact it has had on sectors such as Hospitality, Retail, Entertainment, Travel and Leisure, has highlighted the importance of this new way of profiling individuals’ talents across the entire job market.
Nikki and Nick have created a platform that offers individuals from all backgrounds and abilities a mechanism to showcase themselves in an effective way that is fit for 2021. And its free for individuals to use.
I hope you enjoy our chat.
In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Ben Levinson Headteacher at Kensington Primary School in Newham, London. Ben and Kensington Primary School won Teaching Awards Primary School of the Year and TES Wellbeing and Mental Health School of the Year.
Having spoken to Ben and got a good understanding of what he has created at Kensington it is clear to see that Ben, his Team, Pupils, and Community have worked collectively to make Kensington Primary School the centre point of their community. By doing this they have and are achieving fantastic things together.
I really apricated Ben talking about the importance of when even as a leader, we do not always have the answers and sometimes you need to take some time for your self to be the best you can be.
It was a pleasure talking to Ben and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Fay Greaves - Engagement for Learning Lead (SLT SEMH School)
In this episode, I chatted to Fay Greaves who is an SLT from an Essex based SEMH Residential School for boys. She has worked in the sector for over 30 years and through her love of sports in particular basketball, she has helped a number of young people re engage with education.
Fay’s skills have been enhanced by the 35 years she has spent playing, coaching sport and in doing so she has built up a good network of friends across the globe, particularly in basketball (WNBA/NBA and Basketball Aus).
Fay shares my thoughts on the power of collaboration, and I look forward to chatting with her again soon.
I hope you enjoy!!
Aniesa Blore - Independent Pediatric Occupational Therapist – Author
Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy in 1999 at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on paediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of paediatric fields and has extensive experience in children’s issues from autism to learning difficulties. Her speciality areas of practice include Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Delays and Dyspraxia. Aniesa has extensive experience in using standardised and non-standardised assessment for establishing a baseline on which intervention can be delivered and continually evaluated. Sensational Kids Therapy.
In 2020 Aniesa released a book – Link to Parenting the Conundrum Child
“Over my 20 years experience as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, I’ve become aware of a cohort of children being referred to me who do not have any diagnosis. Somewhere along the line, usually around the time formal schooling starts, things have started to go wrong. Subtle hints. Nothing glaring, but parental instincts have said that something is off.
They may sleep badly, struggle to socialise, not cope (or go) on playdates, find restaurants distressing. Friends and family are likely to say ‘nothing’s wrong!’ or ‘you’re overreacting’.
Aniesa calls these children conundrum children - wonderful, (sometimes frustrating), unique kids who need some extra support to be independent, fulfilled, and happy.
This book is for all those parents with a conundrum child, who want their children to thrive, to succeed, and simply not to have to struggle with what seems to come so easily to other kids their age. It’s for parents who want to connect with their kids and have peace of mind that their kids will be OK.
Aniesa is a fantastic human being who is making a positive impact in a lot of different way, we hope you enjoy our chat as much as we did.
Podcast links
Anchor FM - The Alternative Path with David Robson
Spotify – The Alternative Path with David Robson
Apple – The Alternative Path with David Robson
Google Podcast - The Alternative Path with David Robson
Radio Republic – The Alternative Path with David RobsonThe Alternative Path with David Robson
