2 Cool 4 School Podcast

Most prisoners walk into HMP already years behind in education and that's before the gate even shuts. Sam Omokan joins me to talk about his unconventional route to uni, love for books and what learning really means on the inside.

After experiencing first hand the challenges women face in tech from imposter syndrome to the staggering reality that nearly 50% of women leave the industry by 35. Amber Shand MBCS decided to take action. She created She Bytes Back a platform built to spark conversations, challenge biases, and carve out space for women to not just enter tech, but to stay and thrive. I can’t wait for you to hear her story, her mission, and her vision for the future of women in tech.

I sat with Nana founder of SEN Bytes a passionate SEN consultant making a real difference in the world of Special Educational Needs. Nana brings a powerful perspective that challenges stereotypes and opens up important conversations around parental awareness, EHCP, representation in SEND, breaking down barriers and much more. If you’re a parent, educator, or simply passionate about inclusion, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode I sit down with George the Poet and we explore what it means to learn beyond the classroom, through culture, community and challenges. George has lived at the intersection of all 3 and proves that the journey through education is not always linear

In this reflective episode, I look back on the first year of the podcast journey, the highs, the challenges, and the unexpected lessons that shaped the experience. From learning to trust the process to finding my authentic voice. I'm sharing what worked, what didn't and what I would do differently. Whether you are a creator, entrepreneur, or just someone navigating your own path, I hope these insights resonate and inspire you to keep showing up.

On this episode I sit down with Kemi Oluyinka founder of Black Teachers Network and Co-Author of Black in School. We discuss her book, teaching abroad, supporting black educators and much more.

"While traditional discussions focus on exclusion, the reality is that these harmful trajectories are set much earlier"- Joel Dunn In this episode I sat down with Craig Pinkney founder of Solve: The Centre for Youth Violence and Conflict and Joel Dunn founder of Paradigm Project to unpack one of the most urgent issues affecting our youth. The school to prison pipeline.

I sit down with the amazing Tinuke Awe, founder of Mums and Tea and Five x More, for a heartfelt and powerful conversation around parenting with autism. Tinuke opens up about her personal journey as mother, advocate and changemaker, sharing the highs, challenges and the lessons she has learned along the way

I can't tell my story in education without going back to where it started. The place that shaped me through chaos, culture, resilience and realness, ST BONS! I sat down with 3 of my close friends to discuss learning needs, sanctions, discipline, parenting, influence of music and much more.

I sit down with former students Nick, Ben and Theresa to unpack the real shift from GCSEs to Sixth Form. Their honesty is both refreshing and necessary. My platform exists to amplify the voices. Who else better to share experiences of A-Levels than the students? They aren’t just the future, they’re the present, and their lived experiences deserve space.