In This Together

Joshua Pelled, founder and CEO of Bright Futures UK, joins Becky Dawson to discuss the profound educational and social challenges faced by young people experiencing long-term illness. Joshua shares his personal journey as a two-time cancer survivor to highlight the critical need for a dedicated support system during medical absences. This episode explores the vital role of wellbeing and belonging...

Beth Smithson, an occupational therapist and Director of Lifelong Learning at Sensory Integration Education, joins In This Together to explore the profound link between sensory integration and emotional wellbeing. This episode shifts the focus from diagnosis to the fundamental human experience of how our central nervous system interprets the world to create a felt sense of safety.  The episode exp...

Description Join us for a captivating conversation with Alison Waterhouse, an educational psychotherapist and founder of the Circles for Learning project. This episode explores a unique and powerful approach to wellbeing that involves bringing a parent and their young child into the classroom to foster emotional literacy and connection. In this episode, we delve into how observing a baby’s interac...

Ayse Tanyeri and Kitty Jack-Thomas from Assembly join In This Together to discuss a needs-led, holistic approach to children’s mental health. This conversation moves away from immediate medicalisation to focus on building self-esteem, self-knowledge, and self-acceptance as fundamental life skills. They explore how shifting the perspective from "fixing" a child to supporting their unique we...

Curtis Worrell, Director of Class 13, joins In This Together to discuss the transformative power of equity-focused practice and how educators can move away from deficit ideology. In this episode, Curtis shares his journey from sixteen years in youth work to founding an organization dedicated to helping teachers unpack racial and gender biases. We explore the systemic shift from compliance-based di...

Navigating the complexities of Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) doesn't have to be a source of anxiety for educators. Laura Turner joins In This Together to explore how delivering RSE with joy, laughter, and vulnerability can transform classroom dynamics and foster genuine wellbeing for both students and staff. In this episode, we sit down with Laura Turner, founder of Rabbit RSE, to discu...

Cath Knibbs, CEO of Children and Tech, consultant, and trauma psychotherapist, joins In This Together to explore the complex intersection of trauma, technology, and wellbeing. This episode moves beyond the common scaremongering around screens to look at the evidence-based science of how digital spaces impact a child's nervous system. Cath discusses the vital importance of co-regulation and mea...

Roger Mitchell, Headteacher of Ripple Primary School, joins In This Together to discuss "How do we create emotionally available schools?". Roger shares his twenty-year journey of transforming a fragmented school into an "Outstanding" setting rooted in kindness and professional generosity. This episode explores the vital shift from punitive discipline to relational practice, emphasi...

The In This Together podcast welcomes Nicola Lace, HeadTeacher, and Mia Casey, SENDCo, from Learning Partnership West CIC. They delve into the significant impact of adopting a zero-exclusion, trauma-informed methodology within alternative provision settings. Drawing on their experience at an "Outstanding" rated school, they explore how creating emotional safety and prioritizing relationshi...

Becky Dawson talks with Dr. Sue Roffey, a leading authority on pastoral care, author, and director of Growing Great Schools Worldwide, about the essential connection between well-being and achievement in education. The discussion centres on Dr. Roffey's book, Aspire to Well-being and Learning for All, and the six ASPIRE principles: Agency, Safety, Positivity, Inclusion, Respect, and Equity, wh...

Dr. Nicole Ponsford, CEO of the Global Equality Collective, joins Becky Dawson to discuss how "kaleidoscopic data" can transform inclusion and belonging in schools. This episode explores the move from static, "past tense" data to a multi-dimensional approach that surfaces the hidden voices of students and staff. Dr. Nic shares her journey from being a student who found school to be...

Education consultant and author Zahara Chowdhury joins Becky Dawson to discuss the essential role of belonging in education. This episode explores how fostering a sense of community and validation for every student's identity is the foundation for academic and pastoral success. Zahara shares practical insights on diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI), moving beyond "fitting in" to cre...

Educational consultant and author Karl Pupé joins Becky Dawson to explore the secrets behind effective classroom leadership. Karl shares his journey from a "school terrorist" to an SEMH specialist, offering a masterclass in building trust and managing behavior through relationships. This episode dives deep into the "Action Hero" approach to teaching, prioritizing teacher wellbeing...

Mindfulness trainer and author of The Mindful Teacher's Handbook , Kamalagita Hughes joins Becky Dawson to focus on why mindfulness in education matters and how educators can step out of busyness and find peace. She offers the single most practical mindfulness technique— Pausing for Presence —that teachers can implement in a busy school day to immediately reduce stress and emotional overwhelm....

Senior PSHE Subject Lead Nicole Campbell joins Becky Dawson and Laiba Sheikh on In This Together to discuss "How can we make PSHE matter?" Nicole emphasizes a whole-school approach, student agency, and open communication for effective PSHE/RSE delivery. The episode addresses challenges like age-appropriate topics, sensitive subjects (consent, FGM), and the necessity of confident, supported...

Jaz Ampaw-Farr, author and "resilience ninja" , joins Becky Dawson and Laiba to discuss the profound, life-changing impact that everyday heroes —any adult—can have on a child's life. They tackle the question: What impact do everyday heroes have on a child in trauma? In this powerful episode of In This Together , Jaz Ampaw-Farr and Laiba share their lived experiences of childhood trauma...

Peter Radford, author, speaker, and trainer, joins Becky Dawson to discuss his personal journey and the critical systemic changes needed to support teacher wellbeing and retention. They tackle the question: What does it really take to keep teachers in the classroom?   In this episode of In This Together , Peter Radford shares the deeply personal experience that led him to write Love Teaching, Keep...

In this episode, Shahana Knight, an award-winning childhood trauma and behaviour specialist and director of TPC and Therapeutic Classrooms, discusses what happens when we put emotional wellbeing at the heart of the classroom. Shahana explains how her work is viewed through a trauma-informed lens, focusing on understanding the stress behind a child's behaviour. She details her journey in creati...

How can schools move from simply reacting to stress to proactively embedding staff and student wellbeing as a core principle?  In this episode of the In This Together Podcast , Becky Dawson is joined by Andrew Cowley , a wellbeing consultant, speaker, author, and coach for Designated Mental Health Leads. Drawing on his 30 years as a primary teacher and school leader, Andrew shares his insights on...

How can schools move from good intentions to meaningful impact when it comes to safeguarding Black girls? In this episode of the In This Together Podcast , Becky Dawson is joined by Joel Dunn , CEO and founder of the Paradigm Project, and Jade Ecobichon-Gray , social wellness and equity consultant and PhD researcher at the University of Cambridge. Together, they explore their groundbreaking report...

How can we better support children’s mental health and emotional literacy? In this episode of the In This Together Podcast, Becky Dawson is joined by Jennifer Wyman, founder and director of Bridge the Gap, Child Mental Health CIC. Jennifer shares her powerful journey from childhood trauma to becoming a leading advocate for children’s wellbeing, and why emotional literacy is just as vital as academ...

Today's Focus Question "Does behaviour management need a radical change?" In this episode, Tracey Campbell, a behaviour management consultant, discusses the complexities of behaviour management in education. The conversation explores the need for a radical change in how behaviour is managed, emphasising a trauma-informed approach that prioritises understanding and compassion over contr...

Welcome to the very first episode of "In This Together," Twinkl's brand-new podcast all about wellbeing. Join your hosts, Becky Dawson and Laiba Sheikh, as they introduce themselves and share how they met. In this short episode, you'll learn why they were inspired to create a podcast focused on wellbeing and get a sneak peek at the incredible guests who will be joining them on futu...