We sat down with Kemi Oluyinka, educator and co-author of Black in Schools, to explore the rising trend of Black teachers relocating from the UK to the UAE. In this candid episode, Kemi shares her personal journey of over 300 job rejections, her leap of faith to the Middle East, and why she believes more teachers are choosing sanity and safety over surviving the UK system.

From salaries and utility allowances to cultural differences and career progression, we unpack the real reasons educators are making the move — and what life is really like on the other side.

🎧 If you’ve ever considered teaching abroad, this one’s for you.

📚 Follow Kemi at @blackteachersnetwork on Instagram

📘 Book: Black in Schools

💬 Hosted by the SLT Team

In this powerful episode, we sit down with author, community organiser, and education leader Kemi Oluyinka to discuss the heart behind the Black in Schools anthology and her journey building the Black Teachers Network UK.

From surviving SLT roles to the impact of early role models, Kemi shares candid reflections on identity, leadership, and the challenges Black educators face in the UK school system.

💬 “I didn’t realise the impact she had on me until I started writing the book.”

Whether you’re an ECT, school leader, or simply someone passionate about equity in education—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

📱 Follow the Journey:

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Join Our WhatsApp Community → ‎https://chat.whatsapp.com/LiTpC4FbUA2CqWHP1Mcrwz

#BlackInSchools #SLTPodcast #BlackTeachersNetwork #EducationLeadership #SeriousLeadersTalking

In this Q&A episode, we’re joined again by Nana Otrit from SEN Bytes to tackle some of the big questions parents and teachers are facing right now:

• Is an apprenticeship a good fit for a teen who isn’t academic?

• What if you don’t agree with the college your local authority has named for your child with SEND?

• Why is work experience getting harder to secure—and what can parents do?

• How do you support low-attaining SEND students without losing hope?

  
  

We also explore how to know if a child is truly ready for the workplace, the hidden impact of resilience, and why preparation should start long before Year 11.

This is an honest, practical conversation for parents navigating big decisions—and for educators trying to support them.

💬 “Any progress is still progress. And any preparation is better than none.”

✅ Listen & Subscribe:

Spotify: SLT Podcast

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Hosted by Rena Johnson (Deputy Head, SENCO, DSL) and Ziggy Moore (Assistant Headteacher & Founder of Moore Education).

#SLTPodcast #ParentingQandA #SENDSupport #Apprenticeships #EducationLeadership #SeriousLeadersTalking

In this episode, we sit down with Nana Okyere from SEN Bytes—Preparing for Adulthood Team Manager and SEND consultant—to unpack the real story behind EHCPs.

We explore why many parents feel let down by the system, how schools use (or misuse) funding, and the government’s controversial plans to narrow or replace EHCPs altogether.

Nana also shares his journey from TA to local authority panel chair, offering grounded insights into what needs to change—now.

🎙️ Topics include:

• The truth about EHCP implementation

• Why some schools apply just to move students on

• SEND funding misuse

• What real inclusion looks like

• Why so many kids are out of school for years

This one’s for parents, educators, and anyone fighting for real change in SEND education.

In this episode, we’re joined by Stuart Lawrence: educator, author, public speaker, and activist as we respond to real questions from parents navigating the education system today.

With Stuart’s insight and lived experience, we explore how families and schools can work together to better support our youth, especially in communities that often feel overlooked.

#SLTPodcast #StuartLawrence #ParentQuestions #EducationSupport #YouthEmpowerment #BlackEducators #RepresentationMatters #PodcastEpisode #SENSupport #CommunityLeadership

In this special episode, we’re joined by Stuart Lawrence; educator, bestselling author, leadership consultant, public speaker, and advocate for social justice. Stuart reflects on his journey in education, the legacy of his brother Stephen Lawrence, and the role of teaching in creating long-term change for young people, particularly within Black communities.

We sit down with Stuart to explore how representation, mentorship, and community leadership can shape the next generation and why visibility in schools truly matters.

#StuartLawrence #SLTPodcast #StephenLawrence #EducationMatters #LegacyThroughTeaching #RepresentationMatters #BlackEducators #YouthEmpowerment #BreakingBarriers #CommunityLeadership

In this episode, we’re joined by Rena, a SENDCO expert, to answer real questions from parents navigating the education system with children who have special educational needs and disabilities. From securing support in schools to understanding EHCPs, we explore how families can better advocate for their children and what schools should be doing to meet their needs. A must-listen for any parent or educator wanting to make the system more inclusive.

#sltpodcast #podcast #sltpodcast #SENSupport #SENDAwareness

#SpecialEducationalNeeds #ParentAdvocacy #NeurodiverseKids #SENDCO

#EHCPJourney #InclusiveEducation #SupportingEveryChild #EducationForAll

For years, many Black parents in the UK have made the tough decision to send their children back home often to places like Nigeria, Ghana, or the Caribbean in hopes of instilling discipline, culture, and a stronger sense of identity. But does this approach actually work?

In this episode, we dive into the reality of parental exile- why some families feel it's necessary, the impact on the children who experience it, and whether this tough love method truly delivers the results parents expect.

#SLTPodcast #BlackParenting #LondonToLagos #CulturalIdentity #DisciplineOrDisplacement #RaisingTheNextGen #UKtoAfrica

In this episode, we sit down with Alison Kriel (CEO of Above & Beyond) and Elizabeth Olulari (National Education Lead for Racial Justice at the Church of England) for another Q&A session.

Tackling your biggest questions on leadership, education, and representation & sharing personal experiences, lessons learned, and advice for navigating the challenges within the system.

#SLTPodcast #EducationMatters #WomenInLeadership #QandA #BreakingBarriers #representationmatters #sltpodcast #podcast #slt #motivation

In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8th, this special women-only episode of The SLT Podcast brings together three inspiring women in education.

We are joined by Alison Kriel, CEO of Above & Beyond, and Elizabeth Olulari, National Education Lead for Racial Justice at the Church of England. Together, we have an honest and powerful discussion about the realities of being women in leadership, the challenges we've faced, and the impact we're making in education.

#InternationalWomensDay #SeriousLadiesTalking #SLTPodcast #WomenInLeadership #EducationMatters #RepresentationMatters #AboveAndBeyond #ChurchOfEngland #BreakingBarriers #womenineducation