2 Cool 4 School Podcast

What happens after a permanent school exclusion? In this episode, I sat down with Meka to hear a first hand account of being permanently excluded, the impact it had on family life, the appeals process, transitioning to a PRU, and how one decision shaped the years that followed.

In this upcoming episode Azryah Harvey, a SENDCO and EDI Lead, shares what it's really like working on the frontline of education while living with ADHD herself. We explore the realities of leading SEND provision, championing inclusion, balancing the demands of school leadership, and how receiving her own ADHD diagnosis changed the way she understood both herself and the children she supports. If...

I sat down with former student turned professional boxer TINO BELLOTT. This isn’t just a conversation about boxing. It ’s about discipline when nobody’s watching. Believing in yourself when nobody’s clapping. Taking losses without letting them define you and having family, friends and community in your corner when the lights go off. We spoke about the sacrifices, the setbacks, the mindset and the...

What does it mean to be a positive role model in a young person's life? In this episode we're joined by the team from Black Men Teach for a powerful conversation about the impact of Black male educators, father figures, and mentors in shaping the next generation. We explore the challenges and rewards of teaching, what it means to champion students when they're struggling, the importance of represe...

From academy dreams to finding purpose beyond the pitch. This episode is deeper than football. I sat down with Jevonté Small to talk pressure, setbacks, identity, and the silent battles a lot of young boys face growing up chasing a dream that sometimes doesn’t love you back. Through faith he found direction beyond the game. Now he’s pouring everything he’s learnt into the next generation, coaching...

In this special episode, I sit down with Revive Congo to dive into their inspiring journey of giving back to the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. From education and IT initiatives that empower young minds to community programs. We explore what led the founders to dedicate their lives to service, the power of the Congolese diaspora, and how community coming together fuels lasting change....

In this episode, we sit down with a social worker to unpack the reality behind one of the most misunderstood professions. We explore what social work really looks like in practice, the key legislations that shape decisions, and the complex cases that rarely make headlines. It’s a raw and eye-opening conversation that challenges assumptions and reveals the human side of the system. If you’ve ever w...

In this episode, we sit down with Nana (social worker) to unpack the reality behind one of the most misunderstood professions. We explore what social work really looks like in practice, the key legislations that shape decisions, and the complex cases that rarely make headlines. It’s a raw and eye-opening conversation that challenges assumptions and reveals the human side of the system. If you’ve e...

In this episode, we explore the changing landscape of education with a special guest, diving into the biggest issues facing schools today. From student attendance and the rise of AI in the classroom to the growing teacher retention crisis and the debate around phone bans, we unpack what’s really going on behind the headlines. It’s an honest, thought-provoking conversation about where education is...

What does faith in schools actually look like in today’s society? In a world that’s constantly changing, where values are shifting and young people are facing more pressure than ever, the role of faith in education has never been more important or more questioned. This episode dives into the reality of faith in schools today. Is it still relevant? Is it being lost? Or is it more needed now than ev...

In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to support a child in a football academy beyond the training sessions and match days. From managing expectations and handling pressure, to understanding the academy environment and your role as a parent, this conversation is all about giving families the tools to better support young players on their journey. We talk about the realities of academy...

Most people grow up believing there’s only one path to success, but what if that’s not true? In this episode, I sat down with Joel Debrah who chose to earn while learning, gaining real skills and real experience outside the classroom. We talk about what apprenticeship life is actually like, the pressure of choosing your own path, and why more young people are starting to question the traditional r...

In this episode, we sit down with Jossy to talk about what it really means to be a male nanny in a world that often questions men in caregiving roles. From breaking stereotypes to redefining masculinity, Jossy shares the challenges, rewards, and powerful impact of showing up with strength and softness. This conversation dives into why representation matters, not just for families and children, but...

Racism in the workplace doesn’t always look loud. Most of the time, it’s quiet, polished, and easy to deny. In this episode, I sat down with Dr Keisha York and we unpack how bias, discrimination, and unequal power dynamics show up in offices, corporate spaces, and everyday work culture. This conversation breaks down how workplace racism impacts mental health, career growth, and long-term stability...

I sat down with my friend and grime MC Griminal for an honest conversation about where it all began. We talk school days, upbringing, and discovering music early, then navigating the chaos of talent, attention, and stardom as a teenager in the grime scene. Griminal opens up about growing up fast, finding his voice, and what it really meant to come up in an era that shaped UK music forever. This ep...

“Bet365 had me in a chokehold. So did the roulette machine. Coral. Ladbrokes. William Hill. I’ve hit them all”- Yannick Buditu What starts as “just a bet” can quietly become routine, normalised. Hard to notice until you stop and look. In this episode I sit down with Ryan Taylor Hines Project lead for Betknowmore UK to discuss GAMBLING! We don’t glamorise gambling or shame anyone. We talk about the...

I sat down with @fizvancasso , content creator and photographer who didn’t wait for permission to chase the vision burning inside him. We talked about his passion for photography and the quiet courage it takes to turn a craft into a career. Through his lens, Fiz captures more than images, he captures moments, emotion, and intention, one frame at a time. If you’ve ever felt called to create, but sc...

In this episode, I’m joined by Alex, who speaks openly about his experience of living and working with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Alex reflects on navigating diagnosis alongside career pressures, identity, and expectations within community. This conversation explores invisible disability, resilience, and what society still needs to understand about inclusion, wellbeing, and lived experience.

On this episode I sat down with Rhia (Founder of Black Teachers Connect) to discuss teaching, her community impact, support and advocacy for black educators plus so much more. Our discussion centres around Rhia's mission to to increase the representation of Black educators at all levels of the education system by supporting and promoting educators into Leadership roles through intentional personal...

Is there more to nursing than just the ward?” In this episode, I’m joined by Angela Attere, nurse, entrepreneur and all-round powerhouse, to talk honestly about the opportunities that exist beyond the traditional nursing path. If you’ve ever felt stuck, burnt out, or simply curious about what else your skills can unlock… this one’s for you. NHS nurses, students, career-switchers…let’s open the doo...

In this episode I sat down with Educator and Cancer Survivor, Vanessa P. She opens up about one of the most life altering moments of her journey, finding out she had CANCER. In this raw, honest and incredibly powerful episode we discuss teaching, faith, parenting and the big C. If you or someone you love has faced a diagnosis like this, this conversation is for you.

In this episode I sit down with Richard Anti Scholar and former membership manager of The Ivors Academy Tareic Alphonse and Malaika Dixon Art Consultant and founder of Chenjerai Design We discuss the slow disappearance of creative arts from our classrooms and society as more than a curriculum change, but a cultural loss. When music, drama, and art are undervalued, we silence imagination, critical...

A special live event at Autograph. A deep dive into the British school system through the lens of migration, identity, and generational experience. I explore what it means to navigate education, the challenges, resilience, and cultural exchanges that shape our experiences. I was joined by my mother, a first-generation immigrant who navigated an unfamiliar system so I could thrive in it. Nick Fotsi...

Most prisoners walk into HMP already years behind in education and that's before the gate even shuts. Sam Omokan joins me to talk about his unconventional route to uni, love for books and what learning really means on the inside.

After experiencing first hand the challenges women face in tech from imposter syndrome to the staggering reality that nearly 50% of women leave the industry by 35. Amber Shand MBCS decided to take action. She created She Bytes Back a platform built to spark conversations, challenge biases, and carve out space for women to not just enter tech, but to stay and thrive. I can’t wait for you to hear he...