On The Air with Culford School

In this episode, Senior School pupil Harriet sits down with renowned soprano Laura Wright for an inspiring and insightful conversation. Known for her powerful voice and captivating performances, Laura has sung at major events across the globe, and continues to be a leading figure in the classical and crossover music scene. In 2012, Laura was nominated for a Classical Brit Award and received the PP...

In this special episode, Upper Sixth student Ellena takes on the role of both producer and broadcaster as part of her individual podcast project, focusing on the fascinating history of the Culford Estate. Ellena interviews Mrs Fisher, Foundation Officer, to explore how the estate transformed into a functioning school, its resilience through two World Wars, the famous figures associated with Culfor...

In this special International Women’s Day episode, Sixth Form students Dami and Luisa dive into the ways cultural traditions shape the perception of women around the world. From beauty standards to societal expectations, they explore how social media influences these narratives and share personal insights on embracing identity and empowerment.  Tune in for an honest, uplifting and thought-provokin...

In this episode of On the Air, CulfordVI student Dami chats with Jairo from Ecuador, Fatima from Kazakhstan and Oluwademilade from Nigeria. Together, they share insights into their cultures, unique traditions and the surprising similarities and differences they’ve discovered. They also discuss the culture shocks they faced upon moving to the UK, how the Culford community has embraced their backgro...

In this special episode of On the Air, the Prep School pupils turn the tables on our podcast producer and social media manager, Miss Bradbury. Before she heads off on a new adventure to Australia this April, they take the opportunity to quiz her about her time at Culford, stepping from behind the scenes into the hot seat. From the challenges and contradictions of social media to the reasons behind...

In this episode, Elizabeth welcomes Atharva, Bertie and Jack to the studio to discuss The Space, a new initiative introduced by Ruth Radlett, Culford’s Whole School Mental Health Lead. Ms Radlett also joins the conversation to share her vision and the ideas behind this weekly men’s talking circle designed for Lower Sixth boys. The boys explore how The Space creates a safe, judgement-free environme...

Celebrate the festive season with our Prep School podcast team as they open the studio doors to the Head of Prep School Mr Spowart, Teacher of Art Mrs Parker and Head of Science Mr Venables to go head to head in their Christmas quiz! With cookies, Jaffa Cakes and a crunchie bar up for grabs, the game is on. From everyone at On the Air, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

In this episode, Elizabeth and Holly sit down with Niki Francis, Head of Careers at Culford, to discuss the dynamic changes in careers education she has introduced. As students navigate a wider range of options after school, from university and degree apprenticeships to gap years and direct employment, Ms Francis is leading the way in providing tailored support to help them make informed decisions...

In this episode, Evie and new co-host Lily sit down for an inspiring chat with the one and only Mrs Hunt. Teacher of Art and Textiles, Mrs Hunt, is one of Culford's longest-serving teachers who’s been making an impact in the classroom since 1984. In the episode, the podcast team discuss how she’s grown throughout her teaching career, what first drew her to education, and why fashion and texti...

Welcome to Season 4 of On the Air. In this exciting Prep School Takeover, hosts Lily, Darcey, and Amelia welcome Culford's new Head of Prep School, Mr Spowart, to the studio.  Tune in as they dive into his vision for Culford Prep School, reflect on his own school experiences in Birmingham, and uncover his secrets to success. Don’t miss this perfect opportunity to get to know our new Head.   A...

In the final Prep School takeover of the year, Amelia, Darcey and Lily chat to Miss Steers and four PP2 children, Amelie, Ben, Eleanor, and Finn, on their transition into Prep School in September.  Miss Steers shares how the Pre-Prep supports the children as they move on to the next stage of their education. The children share their thoughts on what excites them most about starting at the Prep Sch...

 In this mini-episode, join podcast host Holly as she reconnects with Old Culfordians Elle, James, Alice, and Emily after the inspiring two-day Life After Culford event. Dive into their stories and discover the experiences that have shaped their lives since leaving school. From the highs and lows of university life to the exciting twists and turns of their professional careers, these inspiring Old...

Welcome to the second episode of our Sit Down With mini-series! Join CulfordVI students Ellena and Holly as they chat with Mr Walker, a Senior Chemistry Teacher and the driving force behind the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) programme at Culford. In this episode, they delve into why the EPQ is a fantastic opportunity for Sixth Form students, discussing its benefits and the academic growth it...

 In this episode, your hosts Evie and Elizabeth sit down with two of our international Sixth Form boarders, Max from Hong Kong and Dami from Nigeria. Tune in as Max and Dami share their unique experiences of joining Culford from overseas.  Discover the biggest culture changes they've experienced (ham sandwiches), the reasons they chose Culford, and their advice for other new joiners. Whether...

In this second Prep School takeover, Darcey, Amelia, and Lily interview Lucy Holder, an Old Culfordian and international hockey player. Lucy, a former pupil at Culford, holds a Master's in Sports Psychology and has had an impressive career as an international hockey player, having been part of England's Under 16, 18, and 21 squads.  Lucy plays for Wimbledon Hockey Club in the Premier Wom...

In this episode, Fourth Form podcaster Harriet, takes to the studio to interview Anika Hussain, an emerging YA author, about her latest book, "Desi Girl Speaking." Joining us over Zoom on her book's release date, Anika delves into her experiences as a writer for young adults, the significance of representation in literature, and advocates for open conversations about mental health....

Welcome to a special episode of On the Air: the first-ever Prep School Takeover! In this episode, Third Form pupils Amelia, Lilly, and Darcey chat with Mrs. Shoesmith, Head of the Fourth Form, about what's ahead in Senior School. In their debut podcast interview, the girls learn about Mrs. Shoesmith's love for the outdoors, including her adventurous wedding with white water rafting. They...

In this episode, the podcast team debate whether celebrities should use their influence to speak on social and political issues. They tackle questions about aligning views with the majority and whether fame qualifies them to speak on politics. Tune in to discover which side of the argument you believe in most.

In our latest mini-series, our podcast features insightful conversations with different staff members about their careers, life stories, interesting facts, and valuable advice gained from years of experience. In this episode, CulfordVI student Ellena interviews Ms Lizzi Williams, our Assistant Head Academic, exploring her journey from teaching to becoming Head of Continual Professional Development...

In the second instalment of our International Women's Day series, CulfordVI hosts Evie and Holly are joined by School Chaplain Dr Hannah Stammers, Head Girl Katie, and PRE student Olivia in the studio. Dr Stammers delves into the representation of women in the Bible, Methodist values, and emphasises the importance of acknowledging our progress and understanding what remains to be achieved.  K...

In the first of two International Women's Day episodes, the podcast team amplifies male voices in our community. Recognising the importance of inclusivity, Prep School teacher Mr Gallagher, Senior History teacher Mr Jones, and CulfordVI student Charlie chat with Ellena and Elizabeth about their role models, historical and contemporary women, and the impact of social media and cancel culture....

Join hosts Harriet and Holly as they welcome with Charlie, the Head Boy, and Mr. Rackowe, the Head of Sixth Form to the podcast studio. In this episode, they delve into CulfordVI's flexible approach to nurturing future leaders. Chatting about the correlation between flexibility, bravery and resilience, the discussion emphasises the power of vulnerability in leadership.  Charlie reflects on th...

In this compelling episode, Sophie, a CulfordVI student, opens up about her journey living with cystic fibrosis. Hosted by Elizabeth and Holly, this episode delves into the themes of resilience and the transformative power of sport. Culford Golf Professional, Mr Sadler, shares his personal connection to cystic fibrosis within his family and announces his upcoming London Marathon run in April to ra...

''My New Years resolution is to be kind to everybody.'' Celebrate the festive season with our entire podcast team as they open the studio doors to Prep School and Pre-Prep children for the very first time! Get ready for a Christmas quiz and an upbeat song from the Pre-Prep Nativity, that will undoubtedly fill you with the festive cheer. From everyone at On the Air, we wish you...

In this episode of On the Air, we're spotlighting the incredible strength, resilience, and inspiration black women have contributed to our world. Join our podcast committee as we celebrate and salute some remarkable individuals who have left an indelible mark on history and continue to shape our present. Throughout the episode, the team discusses Beyoncé, Michelle Obama, Harriet Tubman, Alek...