Golden Talks

In this episode of Golden Talks, we hear from Danielle, a long-standing member of staff at Oakfield Primary Academy. Having first attended the school as a pupil, Danielle later returned as a teaching assistant and has now spent almost two decades supporting children and families. She reflects on the memories that shaped her childhood, the experience of working alongside former teachers, and the re...

In this episode of Golden Talks, we hear from Alex, a teacher at Fleetdown Primary Academy whose journey into education began as a pupil at one of the trust’s schools. Alex reflects on the teachers and experiences that shaped his childhood and inspired him to pursue a career in the classroom.   He shares how small acts of kindness and recognition from staff left lasting impressions and helped him...

This episode of Golden Talks explores how early school experiences can inspire lifelong careers in education. Alisha and Sophie share their stories of attending schools within the Golden Thread community before returning years later as staff members.   Sophie reflects on her childhood at Temple Hill and the strong family connections that tied her to the school, while Alesha describes how seeing de...

In this episode of Golden Talks, we hear from two colleagues at very different stages of their careers who share one powerful connection – their journey began as pupils at Temple Hill. Sharon reflects on more than 30 years working at the school in a variety of roles, from classroom support to site management, and describes how the sense of pride, community and belonging has remained constant since...

In this episode of Golden Talks, we are joined by Clare and Jackie from West Hill Primary, who share a unique perspective on the school they once attended as pupils and now serve as staff members. The conversation explores their earliest memories of West Hill, the teachers who inspired them, and the traditions that have shaped the school community over many decades.   Through heartfelt stories and...

In this episode of Golden Talks, we are joined by Claire and Lucia from the ToBe Heartsafe team as they deliver CPR training sessions at The Riverview Academy.    Claire and Lucia explain how their medical backgrounds and close connection to the organisation’s mission drive their passion for educating communities about heart health and emergency response. They also discuss the positive impact of t...

In this special episode of Golden Talks, we speak with Kerry Milliken, co-founder and director of the not-for-profit organisation ToBe Heartsafe. Kerry shares the powerful story behind the organisation, which was created following the tragic loss of a young man to sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS), an undiagnosed heart condition.   Kerry explains the importance of teaching young people what...

This episode of Golden Talks brings together Julia McCluskey and Keeleigh Jackson from Oakfield Primary Academy to discuss SEND, inclusion, and the power of belonging in education. They reflect on their professional journeys and the experiences that inspired them to focus on supporting children with additional needs.    They discuss how Oakfield prioritises wellbeing, communication, and individual...

In this episode of Golden Talks, we are joined by Terri Hickey, Operations Manager at The Riverview Academy, to discuss the theme of belonging and the powerful connections schools can build within their communities.   Terri shares her unique journey from being a pupil at Riverview to becoming a key member of the school’s leadership team. She also talks about how Riverview has maintained its strong...

In this episode of Golden Talks, we speak with Fliss Walsh, Deputy Head and Inclusion Lead at The Riverview Academy, about the meaning and importance of SEND and inclusion in schools today. Fliss shares what a typical morning looks like in her role, talks about her journey into inclusion, her passion for working closely with teachers and teaching assistants, and why building trust with parents is...

In this episode of Golden Talks, Temple Hill Primary Academy Headteacher Leon Dawson and Assistant Head for Inclusion Rebecca Crouch discuss what inclusion and belonging look like in practice.   Drawing on years of experience within the school community, they discuss how belonging sits at the heart of their approach to education. For them, inclusion means ensuring every child feels welcomed, respe...

In this Golden Talk episode, we explore inclusion, belonging, and the lived experiences of children and families within today’s SEND landscape with Charlotte Casey, Headteacher of Culverstone Green Primary School.  She reflects on the moments that shaped her commitment to inclusive education, beginning with an inspirational teacher from her own childhood and early teaching experiences supporting p...

In this episode of Golden Talk, Head of School Jack Keen reflects on the journey of The Riverview Academy and the leadership vision that has shaped its culture. Having joined the school eight years ago, Jack witnessed its transition from two separate schools into one unified academy as he describes the challenge of merging two cultures and the commitment to creating a single, coherent identity cen...

In this Golden Talk episode, we hear from long-serving colleagues and headteachers Leon Dawson (Temple Hill) and Rajinder Kaur-Gill (Oakfield), who share their journeys and what Kindness and Courage mean within The Golden Thread Alliance.   Both leaders have grown within the organisation over 17 years, starting as young teachers and progressing to headship. They emphasise that the Trust's unique c...

In this episode, Alice Harrington (Headteacher at Fleetdown Primary Academy) and Charlotte Casey (School Improvement Partner for SEND) talk about what Respect really means within The Golden Thread Alliance.    They share how respect is at the heart of the Trust’s culture, showing kindness, listening carefully, and understanding each other’s pressures, whether we’re working with colleagues, childre...

This episode of Golden Talks features Michele Sowden-Meta, Senior School Improvement Lead, and Toniann Braniff, Acting Head Teacher at Fleetdown Primary Academy, where they discuss the value of Ambition within The Golden Thread Alliance.   They define ambition as striving for excellence, providing opportunities, and supporting individuals to reach their full potential. They explore the value from...

This episode focused on Integrity, another core value of The Golden Thread Alliance, with insights from featuring James Kendall (Director of Education) and Sue Kirby (Executive Assistant to the CEO).    Both speakers share how integrity means doing the right thing, being honest, staying true to your principles, and making the right decisions even when no one is watching. They talked about how this...

The second Golden Talk episode explored the value of Responsibility, with insights from Dan Range, an Assistant Professor and Chair of the Local Governing Committee at Temple Hill Primary Academy, and Philip Vander Gucht, Chair of Trustees. They reflected on what responsibility looks like across the nine schools in the Trust, and how it’s something that’s shared by everyone.   They spoke about res...

In this first Golden Talk episode, the conversation focused on Equality—a value at the heart of The Golden Thread Alliance. Headteacher Nicole Galinis from Wrotham Road Primary School and Jaya Dillon from Temple Hill Primary shared some inspiring reflections on what equality means to them and how it's reflected across the Trust.  Both described equality as making sure every child and adult is trea...