Rachel Belk

Ackworth Acorns to Oaks: The Trunk...Our Parent Podcast

Education EN ↓ 3 episodes

The Trunk: The heartwood of the Ackworth community is the work of teaching and learning. In this series, Ackworth staff share ideas from educational research and classroom practice to support parents in helping their children grow and flourish. We explore practical questions about learning, development and wellbeing, while also reflecting on The Ackworth Way — how the Quaker Testimonies and the belief in the inner light of each person shape the school’s approach to education. These conversations look beyond exams to the wider purpose of schooling: helping every young person discover their stre...

Author

Rachel Belk

Episodes

Managing Childhood Allergies: Part 1 - Our Parents' Perspective 27.03.2026 51:54

This podcast episode explores the intricate realities of living with childhood allergies, emphasizing the necessity for awareness and understanding. We hear into the powerful narratives of parents navigating the challenges posed by allergies, revealing the emotional landscape that accompanies these medical conditions. The discussions illuminate not only the day-to-day difficulties faced by childre...

Empowering Children Through Guerrilla Learning 12.12.2025 15:08

Today's discussion revolves around the concept of guerrilla learning. Guerrilla learning emphasizes the importance of facilitating learning opportunities for children in a way that is both engaging and unobtrusive. Elizabeth Bowey and Amanda McShane explore ideas that can help children acquire knowledge and skills in playful contexts, so enhancing their retention and enjoyment of the learning proc...

The Power of Thinking About Thinking: Metacognition Explored 21.11.2025 21:52

This first episode in the new Ackworth School podcast, Ackworth Acorns to Oaks , explores the pivotal concept of metacognition and its profound influence on a child's learning journey. Elizabeth Bowey and Amanda McShane discuss the importance of fostering metacognitive skills, which empower children to actively engage in their own learning processes by 'thinking about their thinking'. They emphasi...