The Independent Teacher

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we focus on how we can best support the mental health of young people with well-being advocate and trainee health psychologist, Lydia Brown. Lydia is currently undertaking a  doctorate in Health Psychology at GCU.  We also talk about Lydia's work as an 'Active Listening Volunteer' with the Samaritans as well as her role as a 'Peer Wellbeing Sup...

Send us Fan Mail In this captivating episode, we talk to teacher, writer, philosopher, musician, artist & poet DaN McKee .  Our conversation covers DaN's decision to leave his Head of Department position and how he eventually re-discovered his love of the teaching profession. Dan talks about mental health and well-being, the role of creativity in his life, dealing with grief, as well as h...

Send us Fan Mail Dr Rachel Shanks is a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Aberdeen, as well as one of the editors of Human Rights Education Review, and an Associate Director of the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science.  In this episode, Rachel discusses her research on school uniform policy . We cover so many fascinating areas, including the historical context of school unifor...

Send us Fan Mail Dr Aled Singleton is a Research Fellow at Swansea University with a professional background in managing community and urban regeneration projects.  Aled's PhD focused on the post-war environment including industrial renewal, increased use of private motor vehicles, and semi-detached suburban living. In this interesting episode,  Aled explains the importance of walking convers...

Send us Fan Mail  Vicky Randall is a former Physical Education teacher who has worked in education for over 20 years. Now working in higher education within the area of initial teacher education and Physical Education, Vicky is a published author, editor, and a regular contributor to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood. Vicky is the co-founder of the Primary Physical E...

Send us Fan Mail Marnie Ginsberg, Founder of Reading Simplified, is a reading difficulties detective, who streamlines the science and art of reading instruction so teachers can rapidly learn effective techniques that help students accelerate to grade level and beyond. She also helps translate the latest understandings from science into practical, easy-to-implement activities. In the late 1990s, Ma...

Send us Fan Mail In this fascinating episode, fashion designer Eva Neville discusses her love of art and all things creative.  She reminisces about her own education and reflects on her decision to leave the UK to study in the USA. Eva also discusses the importance of sustainable fashion, as well as her own plans for the future.

Send us Fan Mail In this fascinating episode featuring Brantley Turner, Director of East Asian Education at Dwight Schools, and an expert in global educational leadership, we talk about the role of AI in education, including ChatGTP, as well as the importance of the arts in the curriculum. Brantley also shares her knowledge on how to create global citizens and nurture curious minds. 

Send us Fan Mail With nearly two decades of experience as a school governor across infant, primary and secondary schools, Al Kingsley discusses his latest book, My School Governance Handbook, and provides his top tips and advice for anyone who may be considering taking on the role of a school governor. At the end of the show, Al gives his views on Artificial Intelligence, in particular, ChatGPT an...

Send us Fan Mail In the first episode of the 'Independent Teacher' in 2023, we speak to the inspirational author and educator Dr Matthew Courtney about the power of data and evidence-based research. By creating and sharing high-quality content, Matthew is on a mission to empower educators at every level. He is passionate about the power of research and data analysis to inform instruction...

Send us Fan Mail In the last of our Summer 2022 'Out and About' episodes, I caught up with former school leader Cas Britton. During the course of our conversation, Cas reflected on her life and career in teaching.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we talk to Simran Debnath about studying Computer Science at university, breaking down the barriers in a male dominated industry, imposter syndrome, as well as the best ways to prepare young people for their future careers.  

Send us Fan Mail In the third and final show of our series of programmes looking at alternatives to mainstream education, I caught up with one of the UK's leading advocates of unschooling, Heidi Steele.

Send us Fan Mail Chartered accountant Jessica Delaney-Hall describes what it was like being fired from her first-ever graduate job. We discuss whether education prepares young people for failure and rejection. Jess reflects on the advice she would give her 11-year-old self, as well as giving her top tips for students beginning their university studies.   

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we talk to the inspirational Nadia Mendoza, founder of 'The Self-Esteem Team' an organisation that delivers a wide range of interactive workshops for young people focused on stress, anxiety,  body image, self-esteem, drugs and diversity.  Nadia talks about her career as a journalist, her love of writing and reading, as well as her first published novel,...

Send us Fan Mail Multi-award-winning financial advisor Dan Williams reflects on his own education at Hull Grammar School. He also discusses the vital work he now does with secondary schools in the UK running much-needed financial literacy courses. Since we recorded the programme Dan was named the UK's Personal Finance Awards Education Champion of the Year 2022. It's an interesting, engag...

Send us Fan Mail In this fascinating episode  Julian Mather ,  author of The Second Best Job in the World , keynote speaker, educator and former ABC cameraman, discusses the importance of effective communication in our digital world.  Julian explains why video communication is increasingly vital in schools, as well as in the business world. 

Send us Fan Mail In this thought-provoking episode featuring Fabienne Vailes, podcaster and author of two wonderful books, How to Grow a Grown Up  and The Flourishing Student, we talk about self-care, flourishing children and parents, perfectionism, excessive competition and ultimately 'walking the talk' towards a new life and new beginnings.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the podcast, we talk to Tom Spreyer, Deputy Head Teacher at Rugby School Thailand , about innovative approaches to professional development, the inspirational evidence-based research of Robert Coe , as well as learning about Tom's leadership journey.  Tom also provides our listeners with top tips and advice for anyone considering a career working in an inte...

Send us Fan Mail In this captivating episode, we talk to autism specialist and award-winning author Paul DiPietro about his career in education. Paul also tells us about his writing career, his company called Growing up with Courage, and his beautiful, moving book: "The Adventures of Auggie Otter: It’s Ok To Be You”.

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, we talk to the Canadian CEO of Omnis Education , Jenn Sutherland-Miller about North American schooling, and why learning beyond the traditional school system can open up so many opportunities for young people. Why is 'self-directed' learning so important? How do you make sure children learn what is relevant to their own individual needs? Why does Jenn b...

Send us Fan Mail Dr Amanda Cole , Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Language and Linguistics at the University of Essex, discusses the role of 'accentism' in our society. We talk about Amanda's extensive research in this area and her own involvement in The Accentism Project .  It's a fantastic, thought-provoking episode covering everything from class, identity,...

Send us Fan Mail Award-winning early career teacher, Dr Jo Young talks about her decision to change careers, leaving behind a very successful role in marketing to enter the teaching profession. We chat about the excellent guidance and support she has received from Now Teach and all her school mentors. Jo reflects on the challenges she has faced but also why she has no doubts that she has made the...

Send us Fan Mail In the first of our episodes focusing on alternative approaches to education, we catch up with former secondary school teacher and Trustee of Phoenix Education , Sophie Lovett . We talk about Sophie's decision to leave the education system and how she is working to bring about change in the lives of children whilst ensuring that young people have the skills to survive in our...

Send us Fan Mail Marie Hemingway founded the non-profit organisation Speak Out Revolution in 2020. If you have been bullied or suffered from harassment in the workplace, fill in the Speak Out Survey & share your experience & help to bring an end to the culture of silence associated with workplace harassment and bullying. This is a 'must listen-to episode' for HR professionals, li...