The School Should Be Podcast

The School Should Be Podcast

By Zahara ChowdhuryEducation
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The School Should Be Podcast episodes

  • How can teachers and parents work together to end sexism in schools?
    End Sexism in Schools are a grassroots organisation made up of individuals from up and down the UK, and as far afield as New Zealand, united by a shared vision of ending sexism in UK schools. The campaign began with founder, Debbie Brazil's experiences with her son’s school brought home the real need for change — both in the curriculum and in school culture.
    After garnering initial support from members of the Women’s Equality Party, after it was brought to the 2020 WEP Conference, the campaign began to find its feet independently, involving anyone who shares our vision for change. The decision to work independently from any specific political affiliation was made because the issue of sexism in schools is not a party political one. It impacts people from all walks of life and across the political spectrum. Anyone is welcome — in fact, invited — to get involved with our work. Wherever our broader political views might differ, our shared desire to see children and young people educated in safe and supportive environments, without gendered expectations, unites us.
    The campaign is young but ambitious, small but growing, and they welcome you to join them on the journey! In this episode Rachel and Debbie speak candidly about the changes needed in schools to systemically and structurally end sexism in schools.
    1 hr 6 min
  • How can we navigate conversations about masculinity at school?

    Shuaib Khan is a teacher, author, podcaster and proud brother to his late brother Kasim Khan. Shuaib is a teacher of 6 years, specialising in RE and sociology, and has been a dedicated teacher and role model in his local community. Shuaib's tweets are lyrical, nuggets of wisdom and he has amassed a social media following of over 6000. In this episode, Shuaib talks to me candidly about how we can have conversations about masculinity with teenagers in and out of school, especially as the phrase 'toxic masculinity' is being used more and more in schools now.


    On the podcast we talk about masculinity, grief, diversity and inclusion along with Shuaib's own experiences as a young British Pakistani man, navigating identity, culture, belonging and more in the UK.

    Shuaib's wonderful younger brother, Kasim was diagnosed with leukaemia just a few weeks before his death in May 2022. Shuaib writes, 'when I am in pain, I pick up the pen' and in the summer of 2022, Shuaib published a beautiful book of poetry and thoughts, Small Circle, Big Heart, all about love, grief, relationships and more in memory of his loving brother. Please support Shuaib and keep Kasim and the Khan family in your thoughts and prayers by purchasing a copy of the book here. All profits go towards charity.

    1 hr
  • Captains and Poets: how can we help children build a sense of identity and belonging at school?

    Jan and Jennifer are co-founders of Captains and Poets: a groundbreaking Kindergarten – Grade 12 Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program that students will take with them their entire lives. It is a research-based program that has been built by a passionate team of educators, parents, SEL and equity consultants to help young people reach their full potential. 

    Jan and Jen explain what Captains and Poets are and how every student, teacher and parent can discover their own captain and poet for a true and authentic understanding of their identity. The programme is built for all ages and captures the true meaning of diversity and inclusion: teaching young people to embrace themselves and empowering young individuals to ally and empower one another too.

    Find out all about Captains and Poets here: https://captainsandpoets.com/


    42 min
  • Why should young people work in construction? Diversifying career and academic choices for young women

    Dr Whitney Bevan is a lecturer in Construction Management at Robert Gordon University . Whitney's research and teaching focuses on sustainable energy, wellness and socio-economic development within the construction industry. As a leading expert in her field, Whitney wants to encourage more young people, especially young women, into the field of construction. It is so much more than hard hats and building sites. In many ways, it is the foundation (no pun intended!) of the world we live in.

    This episode is for young people, teachers, parents and careers advisors looking to diversify careers education and learn more about different pathways within the construction industry. Feel free to contact Whitney and Robert Gordon University to find out more about how they can support you and your school with more information.

    46 min
  • How can schools and parents support students with hidden disabilities?
    Aleha is a year 12 student, who has a hidden disability. Her disability is called panhypopituitarism, a disability that impacts the functionality of the pituitary gland. For her Extended Qualification Project, an additional research project A level students can do when in Sixth Form or college, Aleha is focusing on the relationship between Hidden Disabilities and mental health. As part of her project, Aleha has recorded a podcast for the School Should Be podcast to discuss what it feels like to grow up with a hidden disability and speaks very candidly about the everyday impact this can have on a young person's life. Aleha has navigated living with her illness with great strength and resilience and now wants to help all young people who may be struggling or feel lonely as a result of their condition. In this podcast she shares some excellent tips and strategies for schools, teachers and parents on how we can support young people with hidden disabilities. It hasn't all been smooth sailing for Aleha and she speaks authentically about her experiences, whilst injecting hope and applying a positive lens to living a life with a hidden disability.  
    39 min
  • Dyslexia and Me: navigating dyslexia and entrepreneurship at school from the age of 12!

    Onyinye Udokporo is an entrepreneur, Neurodiversity consultant and LinkedIn creator. A magnificently eclectic career so far, Onyinye works to enable and support the use of education as tool to ensure young people, private and public organisations can enable success and achievement for all. Her company, Enrich Learning makes education equitable and accessible for young people. She has written papers on the Urban Digital Divide, received by the Prime Minister and has also conducted research in parental engagement - effectively to bridge divides in education accessibility for all students. She has authored the excellent book, Dyslexia and Me, part-memoir, part training material for educators to understand how to create spaces that are accessible for Dyslexic people.

    In this very candid, warm and insightful episode, Onyinye talks about how she discovered she is dyslexic, the support systems that should be available to all students in the education system, becoming an entrepreneur at the ripe age of 12 and building her business whilst studying for her degree too. Onyinye gives a very honest and transparent insight into what life is like as a Black, neurodivergent, female entrepreneur and how she now aims to enable and open doors for young people across the country...and soon across the world too! 

    First 30 minutes: entrepreneurship and me! 

    Last 30 minutes: how to navigate neurodiversity in schools. 

    1 hr
  • Big Talk: how teachers and students can have meaningful conversations in schools
    Kalina Silverman is the Creator and Founder of Big Talk: a groundbreaking movement, which is increasing human connection, communication, empathy, and kindness, one conversation at a time. What was at one point a conversation with a friend at university, Big Talk is now a global movement, company, and game providing resources, workshops and so much more, which aims to cut through the small talk so we can have meaningful and purposeful conversations. Big Talk is invaluable to the classroom, the staffroom, and the dinner table. The questions have the power to transform your conversations, listening, understanding and relationships, and in many ways, it is a perfect way of overcoming bias and truly having diverse discussions. 
    This podcast will tell you all about Big Talk, how to have Big Talk with teenagers, and Kalina's wonderful experiences and journey with Big Talk. 
    Kalina is a Fulbright Scholar and Ambassador, Northwestern University graduate, and Founder of Big Talk. Connect with Kalina on LinkedIn and get in touch with Big Talk here: https://www.makebigtalk.com/contact/.
    30 min
  • What all students need to know about financial planning

    Sophia Lerche - Thomsen talks to me about what students need to learn and know about financial planning. She explains the key foundations of financial planning, how students can effectively plan and prepare for the financial futures, what the word investment means (including Bitcoin and NFTs!) and she shares her career journey and how she navigated her choices as a student to the present day. A very useful episode for students and teachers, especially to support financial education in schools. 

    Sophia has spent 10 years working in financial services in London, Dubai and with a global client base. A Times top rated adviser, Sophia helps her clients with financial planning, investment options and specialises in family financial planning and sustainable investment. Sophia’s main goal is to help families make smart, timely and effective decisions with their money. Ultimately, she wants every family (especially women) to turn their income into wealth, protect their finances and reduce tax!

    Feel free to contact Sophia to discuss financial planning and your choices here

    The information in this episode is purely education and not advisory. It is recommended that you seek professional financial advice before making financial decisions. 

    1 hr 4 min
  • How can teachers prevent and overcome everyday sexism?

    Kirsty Pole is an English Lead in secondary education in the UK. Kirsty has been teaching for 12 years and has over 5000 followers on social media; Kirsty shares her own views about the education sector and most recently her tweets to warn parents and teachers about social media influencer, Andrew Tate received some necessary (and a lot of unnecessary) attention. 

    Kirsty talks about how teachers can address sexism in the classroom and outside of the classroom, particularly against women. She shares a range of practical tips and information on how schools from leadership to all staff can address gender discrimination and the exposure young people have to social media. We also discuss how all school stakeholders, including parents can help navigate these discussions with young people. An extremely candid, pragmatic and enriching conversation that can help teachers, leaders and parents. 

    Feel free to get in touch with Kirsty on Twitter (@TeacherBusy) for a CPD session for staff on tackling sexism in secondary schools. 

    1 hr 8 min
  • Teachers & Leaders: How can the 4-day work week 'work' for schools?

    Charlotte Lockhart is CEO of the 4 Day Work Week, now a Global Foundation that advocates, supports, and funds research about 4-day week practices, policies, workplace wellbeing and the future of work. Charlotte, along with her co-founder Andrew Barnes has recently launched the international pilot project here in the UK, and has had 100s of companies express an interest.

    In this insightful and valuable episode, Charlotte talks to me about how the 4 Day global program can work for schools specifically, strategic plans and questions school leaders need to address about flex, and how teachers and leaders can adapt their mindsets to make 'school' work for the 21st-century context - a context that quite rightly is working towards hybrid 'work', flex, productivity, technology and prioritising mental health and wellbeing. 

    Watch this space for more info on the '4 Day Work Week' for schools...coming soon! 

    Feel free to get in touch with Charlotte and the 4-day Global team via LinkedIn, Twitter and https://www.4dayweek.com/ 

    1 hr 11 min

About The School Should Be Podcast

From the publisher's feed

A discussion of all the things we wish we knew, learned and discussed at school. From wellbeing to finance, prejudice to the school system...our aim is to give students, teachers and professionals a…