As February is LGBTQ+ History Month, CHS’s Equality Society has come together to bring you a very special edition of the Ed. Podcast!

Hear Adam Barkes, Associate Director of Education, Youth and Sport at Stonewall, tell us about the current initiatives Stonewall are supporting and how Schools can continually strive towards LGBTQ+ Equality; take part in a quick-fire LGBTQ+ History Quiz with Waconians Hannah, Olivia and Toby; and stay up to date with current news and events with Equality Society member and Ed. Podcast newscaster, Erin.

Welcome back to The Ed Podcast! Your new host Sidney kicks off Season 3 by painting you a picture of the UK’s most ambitious Art Fair, where the impressive artwork of CHS’s very own artists was on display!

Hear from Head of Art & Design Mr Hayley as he lets us into the preparation that goes into CHS’s pupil exhibition at the fair; and feel like you’re at the fair with a chat with pupils taking part in live demonstration and workshops in front of thousands of people. And finally, take a peek into the creative mind of Manchester born artist Stanley Chow as he talks about the creation of his iconic celebrity portraits.

This International Women’s Day, Lower Sixth pupil Thomas introduces some fascinating stories as we discover how Cheadle Hulme School’s Waconians - past and present - have been inspired by the women in their lives.

Over 30 minutes, meet Sixth Form water-skiing star, Lucy who reveals more about what it takes to balance her studies whilst balancing on water, as she shares what gender equality looks like in her sport.

Lower Sixth Scientist and musical theatre lover Audrey talks all things rocket science and pursuing her love of STEM subjects in an often male-dominated field after leaving her school in Mexico and moving to the UK in Year 9.

Meanwhile aspiring structural engineer Grace discusses building the bridges in her path towards her perfect career after receiving the coveted Arkwright Scholarship Award and work experience with Network Rail.

Old Waconian and Imperial College student Lauren, Class of 2019, joins the discussion to share the post-school view and reveals how her study of medical bio science has developed her passion for human health and will be taking her overseas to New York.

Senior School pupil Amy discusses gender equality and the conclusions of her research about “Why Men Should be Feminists” which picked up one of this year’s CHS Duncan Mathison prizes.

And hear the views of some pupils offering the ‘male’ perspective about the importance of International Women’s Day.

Who do they all pick as their own inspirational role models? There’s only one way to find out…

“Pam and I first 'noticed' each other when Pam was in the 3rd Form and I was in the 4th. We didn't begin dating until we were in Sixth Form and were married the year after university. CHS has a strong affection for both of us.”  - Pam and Alan, Class of 1963.

In a very special, short and very sweet, Valentine's Day edition of Cheadle Hulme School's Ed. Podcast, former pupils and childhood sweethearts Pam and Alan Thorniley kindly took some time to share their own School days love story.

Join CHS's Alumni Relations manager, Charlotte to hear the couple reminisce of their times together and apart; joining the School as individuals and later, becoming husband and wife during their own Old Waconian wedding. And how, 55 years later, their love has never been stronger.

What were the reactions when they first got together? And do they have any wise words of wisdom for what makes a happy marriage? Tune in to find out.

Cake-making, musicals, jazz music, marketing and psychology are all hot topics of discussion in this episode as we catch up with the prize-winners of CHS’s annual Duncan Matheson Award.

Discussing their chosen topics, the pupils talk about why they chose such fascinating subjects to research during their summer holidays; they even share a few tips for those embarking upon their own project entries for the Duncan Matheson prize in future.

Mrs Dalton-Woods, CHS’s Duncan Matheson Award programme co-ordinator, whose specific role involves looking after the School’s Independent Learning programmes, also shares what skills are developed by taking part and how this can help pupils who later decide to embark upon projects for the Higher Project upon the Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) in Year 10 as an additional subject which is equivalent to half a GCSE, or the academic Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in Lower Sixth as a fourth option and equal to half an A Level which prepares pupils for study beyond Sixth Form.

CHS’s Duncan Matheson project is introduced at the end of Year 8 and handed in at the start of Year 9. A 10-hour challenge, pupils choose their own topic title to investigate and present their findings in a format of their choice. It is designed to give pupils time to be creative and explore their passions away from the curriculum whilst increasing their understanding and use of CHS’s Thinking Skills developed in lesson time.

If you’ve ever found yourself strolling towards Cheadle Hulme School's big green door during the Autumn term, you will find yourself greeted by a parade of world flags lining the pathway. They can mean only one thing... it’s time for CHS's very own Model United Nations conference, more affectionately known as MUNCH!

Each year the weekend-long event sees pupils from Schools around the region gather at CHS to debate world issues.

It’s where pupils come together to discuss topics that matter; subjects as diverse as human rights, political affairs, humanitarian aid, sustainable development and communications… 

So join Year 10 pupil host, Sol, in the classrooms-come-conference rooms as he takes you behind the scenes and to the very heart of the debating action.

Hear from CHS’s own delegates, committee leads and those running the event, not to mention some of the staff and Old Waconians who continue to be involved including;

- MUNCH 2021 Head of Press, Rohit

- Chats with the Human Rights, Security and Political Committee Chairs and delegates

- MUNCH Co-ordinator, Mrs Shand

- Old Waconian and former MUNCH Secretary General, Dr Aaron Hewitt, Class of 2012

Need more time in your day? To relax more? Extra motivation? To sleep better? Or to reconnect with your mind and body?

In the latest edition of our award-winning Ed.Podcast, CHS’s Waconian Programme lead, Mr Wrathall is guest host and in the very first teacher-led episode, he shares his top ten, 2-minute wellbeing takeaways for how to feel good.

Packed with practical tips and advice, Mr Wrathall looks at an aspect of daily life and discusses small adjustments which can easily be integrated into our routines to benefit us all and allow us to live our lives better.

Compiled from the weekly posts on his Looking After Ourselves blog shared with the School community during lockdown, Mr Wrathall has recorded his simple suggestions to help us all stay well and support each other, including;

· How to sleep better

· Getting more lux light

· Learning how to breathe

· Getting away from tech

· Scheduling your day

· Transition

· Being mindful

· Being active

· Having a rest

· Creating habits

Taking you from Broomefield to Broadway, Year 11 host Annie guides you through 3 Acts to raise the curtain on the exhilarating and dramatic world of Musical Theatre at CHS.

Since 2015, the School’s all-singing, all-dancing Co-Curricular activity has provided an expressive and creative outlet for many pupils – often going on to become familiar faces appearing in TV series on the BBC and Netflix, or performing at the West End – but how has musical theatre at CHS helped them? What is it really like to be involved? And why are more and more students taking part each year?

Waiting in the wings, current CHS thespians shine a spotlight on their own centre-stage experiences and discuss the buzz of backstage as they reflect upon recent shows including 13, Les Misérables, Seussical The Musical, Grease and Chicago!

Tread the boards with Old Waconian thespians who invite you to follow their dramatic post-CHS journeys, and reveal the highlights of their most memorable performances from their time in school.

Hear what happens during countless hours of ensemble rehearsals with CHS’s talented musicians as Musical Theatre Music Director, Mr Mann explains why the magic of a strong melody should never be underestimated.

And don’t forget your dancing shoes as you step into CHS’s dance studio to meet the School’s Musical Theatre Choreographer, Mr Clarke, who shares a few secrets to the shows’ dance routine success.

4 weeks since Cheadle Hulme School’s first Giving Day, experience the buzz and calling hub chatter for yourself; the School Council’s altruistic Sixth Form pupils reveal what it was like to really push themselves beyond their comfort zone and rise to the ultimate fundraising challenge; to call the School’s former students (Old Waconians), swap stories, and together raise more than £30,000 for The Bursary Fund.

Head Boy, James and Head Girl Beth speak candidly about leading and supporting the Council team through the process, not to mention a spot of healthy competition!

Council member Alex shares his own charitable highlights of becoming a Giving Day caller, and Mehar talks of what it was like to speak with the Old Waconian who helped fund his own place at CHS.

Returning to the Ed. Podcast, Year 13 medic Maisha explains why Giving Day is still as relevant today as when she first became a Bursary Waconian herself.

And the School’s Fundraising Manager, Jen Miller tells how Giving Day fed into the School’s “Amazing” campaign to offer support and increase social diversity within the CHS community.

Bringing you a Remembrance special, Year 11 student Thomas is your host and guides you through Cheadle Hulme School’s annual Service of Remembrance.

In the absence of a physical ceremony, usually held annually in front of the School’s main building, join students, staff and Old Waconians in marking 75 years since VE Day and VJ Day by listening to them recall the poignant story of the Spanish Flu, alongside a selection of readings, a 2-minute silence and the Last Post.

Hear from an  Old Waconian (former pupil) currently serving on the Front Line, Lieutenant Jamie Grace, Class of 2012 who speaks directly from his base in Estonia; discover the hidden history of CHS’s Sundial memorial; and hit the high seas with Old Waconian doctor-in-training and Naval Officer, Hal Dewhurst, Class of 2016.

Readings include;

‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McCrae, read by Lieutenant and Old Waconian, Jamie Grace, Class of 2012

James Niven’s Story, read by Year 8 pupils, Alex Viveash and Emmie Roberts

Reconciliation by Siegfried Sassoon, read by CHS Infant & Junior School Head, Mr Vincent Weightman

CHS Story: Old Waconian Frances E Smith, read by Year 11 students Josh Chalk and Charlotte Freeman

Sonnet by John Buxton, read by CHS Deputy Head (Academic), Mr Nick Axon

Excerpt from Pandemic 1918 by Catharine Arnold, read by Head Boy, James Whelan

Can We Start Over, read by Mrs Jessica Feraille

There Will be Peace, read by Head Girl, Beth Harrison

Extract from ‘The Fallen’ read by CHS Head, Mr Neil Smith