All Chalk

How can structured debate and oracy unlock confidence, literacy, and engagement for students in an SEMH setting? In this episode of All Chalk , we speak to Danny Hart , Head of Literacy at the Observatory School in Wirral . Danny shares how their growing SEMH provision is using structured pupil voice and debate to support students who have often felt unheard in their education journey. By embeddin...

How can a school council help prepare every student for life beyond the classroom, especially in an SEN setting? In this episode of All Chalk , we speak to Hannah Jarman , Head of PSHE, SRE, and Preparation for Adulthood at Penn Fields School in Wolverhampton . Hannah shares how their SEN school has created a truly inclusive student council - one that reflects the voice of every learner, not just...

How can pupil voice thrive in a specialist SEMH setting? In this episode of All Chalk , Greg chats with Damien Cresswell , Associate Head of Parkhouse School , an SEMH school in South Yorkshire and part of the Keys Group . Damien shares how their school council has evolved into a powerful, inclusive platform for student voice that goes far beyond traditional models. With just 24 pupils, Parkhouse...

How can a school council reflect every voice, especially in a diverse international school? In this week’s episode, Greg chats with Louise Russell , a Year 5 teacher and personal development lead at The British International School Budapest . Louise shares how she took a traditional student council model and transformed it into an inclusive, pupil-led approach that works for every learner. In this...

What does it look like when every pupil becomes a leader of change? This week, Greg chats with Lisa Taylor , Headteacher at Halling Primary School in Medway . Lisa shares how she’s built a truly inclusive culture of pupil voice—where every young person, from Reception to Year 6, has the opportunity to speak up, lead projects, and make r eal change in their school . In this episode, we discuss: ✅...

How can debating help visually impaired students challenge stereotypes, grow confidence, and shape their own futures? This week, Greg chats with Conor McSorley , Humanities Teacher at St Vincent’s School for Visually Impaired Pupils in Liverpool. Conor shares how debate and pupil voice play a vital role in helping his students feel seen, heard and powerful—from building a thriving debate club to r...

How can schools move beyond traditional school councils to create a truly inclusive approach to pupil voice? This week, Greg chats with Rachel Gray , Character Development Lead at Kells Lane Primary School in Gateshead. Rachel shares how her school ensures that every student—from nursery to Year 6—has a genuine voice in shaping their school community. We discuss: ✅ How Kells Lane expanded pupil v...