Together We Grow

This week, our host Sarah is joined by Jessica Hill from ‘Schools Week’ but this episode is a little bit different as Jessica is interviewing Sarah. 

In case you don’t know our host too well, Sarah Finch is an outstanding educational leader and the CEO of The Marches Academy Trust (MAT), a multi-academy sponsor based in Shropshire, a county with significant social and economic disadvantage. With over 30 years’ experience in the sector, Sarah plays a major role in challenging underperformance and has a strong reputation for ensuring high educational standards across the Trust. A bold and energetic leader, she has been instrumental in designing and implementing strategies to enhance leadership development and improve curriculum design. She has developed strength and excellence in areas such as community cohesion, teacher training, organisational development and governance.

Today Sarah talks about how she started out in education working for a range of schools across the country and how she was inspired to do so by her sister who has autism. 

For more information about the Marches Academy Trust, visit our website: 

https://www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk/

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This week Sarah is joined by previous Executive Director for Education at Marches Academy Trust now C.E.O of the Empower Trust, Carla Whelan.

Carla Whelan has over 28 years experience in education, in a range of roles including 8 years as a headteacher and 3 years in an executive role. During her career, Carla has worked closely with key educational figures and government ministers, proving key opportunities to explore issues of inclusion, mental health and special educational needs.

Today Sarah ask's Carla how she started out in education and they both discuss how self awareness and learning how to regulate your emotions can help you in your career.

For more information about the Marches Academy Trust, visit our website: https://www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk/

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This week Sarah is joined by teacher Ryan Smith.

Ryan shares his journey to teaching, via retail and working in Egypt!

Today Sarah ask's Ryan about his experiences in the education system, both as a student and now a teacher, and he shares with us how he inspires his students and ensures that they feel a sense a inclusivity.

For more information about the Marches Academy Trust, visit our website: https://www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk/

Music - Good Love by Vendredi https://soundcloud.com/vendrediduo  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3unfdOw Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/HVH3GJyejXY

This week Sarah is joined by female footballer and Lioness, Sue Smith.

Sue Smith is one of the nation’s best loved professional female footballers, who has enjoyed over two decades on the pitch for England. An equally high profile pundit, Smith has reported on some of the most exciting matches in recent years, and remains at the forefront of the sports industry.

Today Sarah ask's Sue how she started out in football playing for the local boys team and how her school shaped and supported her through her triumphs in football. 

For more information about the Marches Academy Trust, visit our website: https://www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk/

Music - Good Love by Vendredi https://soundcloud.com/vendrediduo  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3unfdOw Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/HVH3GJyejXY

This week Sarah is joined by Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle.

Beth Tweddle is one of Britain's most successful ever gymnasts with three world gold medals in her collection, along with six European titles.

Today Sarah ask's Beth how her school worked with her, to help nurture her talent, and what changes she would make to the education system.

For more information about the Marches Academy Trust, visit our website: https://www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk/

Music - Good Love by Vendredi https://soundcloud.com/vendrediduo​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3unfdOw​ Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/HVH3GJyejXY

This week Sarah is joined by Lee Connelly, AKA The Skinny Jean Gardener.

Lee is the UK's no.1 children's gardening educator. Lee has hosted on shows such as CBBC Blue Peter, BBC Teach, BBC Radio 1 as well as appearances on ITV, Channel 4 & 5. He is also the author of 'How to get kids gardening' and host of the Sunday Times Best Gardening Podcast, The Teacher/ Parent Garden Club.

Today Sarah ask's Lee how he found gardening, how it can benefit children and what changes he would make to the education system.

You can check out Lee's podcast here: https://skinnyjeangardener.co.uk/pod

For more information about the Marches Academy Trust, visit our website: https://www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk/

Music - Good Love by Vendredi https://soundcloud.com/vendrediduo​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3unfdOw​ Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/HVH3GJyejXY

This week Sarah is joined by Tom Hodgkinson, Paralympic Podium Coach for the Great Britain cycling team.

We chat about Tom’s fascinating career, he shares the experiences that the world of sport has given him and he tells us how he would change the education system for the better.

For more information about the Marches Academy Trust, visit our website: https://www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk/

Music - Good Love by Vendredi https://soundcloud.com/vendrediduo​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3unfdOw​ Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/HVH3GJyejXY

This week Sarah is joined by Jamie Edwards, CEO of Shrewsbury Town in the Community. Jamie was a professional footballer for Bristol City FC, and played semi-professionally in Australia. He has been a UEFA B License coach since 2007 and founded and managed a sports coaching company from 2005 – 2007.

Shrewsbury Town in the Community creates opportunities for people to lead healthy and active lifestyles through their fun and inclusive programmes. They provide opportunities to help individuals achieve their goals and realise their potential. This includes preparing young people for the world of work, particularly those young people who don’t thrive in the traditional school environment.

Jamie kindly shares his story with us, what experiences have shaped him into the person that he is today and how he would change the education system for the better.

For more information on Shrewsbury Town in the Community: https://www.shrewsburytowninthecommunity.com/

For more information about the Marches Academy Trust, visit our website: https://www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk/

Music - Good Love by Vendredi https://soundcloud.com/vendrediduo​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3unfdOw​ Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/HVH3GJyejXY

This week Sarah is joined by year 13 student Lucy Craig, one of the creators of ‘Herstory’, a student-led newsletter highlighting remarkable women’s stories both contemporary and from history. This is the first time that we have heard from a current student on the Together We Grow podcast and Lucy provides some fascinating insights into what she likes about the education system and what she would like to see change in the near future.

To read Lucy’s impressive work on ‘Herstory’, you can visit the Sir John Talbot’s school website: https://www.sirjohntalbots.co.uk/herstory-newsletter-issue-3-feminism/

For more information about the Marches Academy Trust, visit our website: https://www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk/

Music - Good Love by Vendredi https://soundcloud.com/vendrediduo​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3unfdOw​ Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/HVH3GJyejXY

This week Sarah is joined by Robert Forrester, CEO of Vertu Motors, former head boy of Sir John Talbot’s school (part of the Marches Academy Trust) and a graduate of Oxford University. We chat about the ups and downs of Robert's very successful career journey, who/what influenced him growing up (in and out of school) as well as discussing what schools can be doing differently to better prepare students for life after education.

Robert also shares with us his experience on the ITV show Undercover Big Boss as well as what all billionaires have in common. The answer may not be what you think!

Books mentioned in this episode:

Road Less Stupid - Keith Cunningham

Tools of Titans - Tim ferries

Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand

For more information about the Marches Academy Trust, visit our website: https://www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk/

Music - Good Love by Vendredi https://soundcloud.com/vendrediduo​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3unfdOw​ Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/HVH3GJyejXY