Twinkl Trainee Teachers Team
The Trainee to ECT Podcast
A podcast from Twinkl, designed to help trainee teachers and ECTs (NQTs) go into the classroom feeling confident. Ashleigh and Simeon are your hosts on a mission to help you navigate the highs and lows of beginning a career in teaching.
Author
Twinkl Trainee Teachers Team
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Oct 23, 2025
Where to listen?
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Episodes
S5 E9: Inclusion with Hannah Lawrence 23.10.2025 34:41
In this special episode, Simeon is joined by Hannah Lawrence, the Twinkl SEND segment manager. She shares ways trainee teachers and ECTs can break down barriers and adopt inclusive practice in their classrooms. Twinkl SEND: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/ulyhg Twinkl EAL: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/7vzcc
S5 E8: Starting Your Primary or Secondary Teaching Placement 24.09.2025 33:45
In this episode, Simeon and our new team member Gloria go over what you can expect when your begin your teaching placement in a primary or secondary school. Free trial: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/f9y62 Placement packs: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/qc1i4 Twinkl Beyond: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/ci9gt
S5 E7: Preparing for Your ECT Year One 21.08.2025 22:54
In this episode, Simeon looks at ways to feel prepared and ready for your ECT induction and offers his tips along the way. Free Trial: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/okts9 Seating Plan Resource: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/fig40 Evidencing the Teachers' Standards: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/lq82m
S5 E6: Wellbeing for Trainee Teachers and ECTs 29.07.2025 35:36
In this episode, Simeon is joined by Twinkl's National Wellbeing Lead, Beck Dawson. They discuss wellbeing challenges for trainee teachers and ECTs as well as offering wellbeing tips and resources. Simeon's summer blog 🔗 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/v8301 Becky's blog on boundaries 🔗 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/hmatn Mind resources 🔗 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/rnau9
S5 E5: Achieved QTS but Haven’t Found a Position for September… Now What? 26.06.2025 23:08
In this episode, Simeon and Ashleigh go over the many options open to teachers who haven't found a full-time teaching position yet or don't want one. Twinkl Free Trial 🔗👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1lr2bs Twinkl Supply Team 🔗👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1isfv5 Twinkl Tutors Team 🔗👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/skoe1
S5 E4: The Expectations and Realities of a Teacher Training Year with Katie 14.05.2025 30:24
In this episode, we're joined by Katie, a highly organised and motivated trainee teacher undertaking a paid SCITT route that also offers a PGCE and QTS. We discuss what an average week looks like and Katie shares her advice on many aspects of training, including staying on top of your workload. Routes into Teaching Resource 🔗👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1fi6ck Free Trial 🔗👉 https://www.twi...
S5 E3: Job Hunting Step by Step 01.04.2025 31:01
In this episode, Ashleigh and Simeon go through the job hunting process step by step, offering their tips and advice along the way. Free trial: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/hflm3 Job Hunting Mega Pack: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1jpost Mock Interviews: https://forms.gle/qfuN6uq4HthreZbc7 Personal Statement Feedback: https://forms.gle/r6zScgPfZSPuFxaw8
S5 E2: EAL Strategies for Trainee Teachers and ECTs with Helen Bodell 14.03.2025 20:14
In this special, collaborative episode, Simeon is joined by Helen Bodell from the Twinkl EAL team. They discuss way trainee teachers and ECTs can support children with EAL. Trainee EAL resource https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/mmru0 EAL homepage https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/128z6c Free trial https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/xsd7c
S5 E1: Building Positive Relationships with Students (with Jack - How to be a Teacher) 06.02.2025 25:01
In this episode, Simeon is joined by returning guest Jack from How to be a Teacher to discuss the best ways to build positive relationships with students and the impact this can have. Free trial: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1dsmnh Positive Relationships CPD: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1ehr1e Jack's Blog: https://jackwatson1807.substack.com/p/diary-of-a-teacher
S4 E13: Thriving Over the Holidays 12.12.2024 23:46
In this episode, Simeon and Ashleigh discuss ways to finish the term on a high and recharge over the festive period. Twinkl Free Trial: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1a9jzf ECT Festive Checklist: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/iwkgn
S4 E12: Plan a Lesson With Us 01.11.2024 26:47
In this episode, Simeon and Ashleigh go through the process of planning a lesson and offer tips along the way. Free Trial https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/11uptd Lesson Plan Template https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1hvfsy Objectives https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/nv53m National Numeracy Charity schoolsandfamilies@nationalnumeracy.org.uk
S4 E11: Breaking Down Barriers - SEND and the Labour Manifesto 01.10.2024 28:54
In this episode, Simeon and Ashleigh are joined by Hannah Lawrence from the Twinkl SEND segment. We discuss Labour's manifesto promise to 'break down barriers and shatter the class ceiling' and what that might mean for teachers working with children with SEND. Trainee and ECT Tutorial: Classroom routines 🔗👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/mogmt
S4 E10: Setting Yourself up for Success 30.08.2024 29:49
In this episode, Simeon Ashleigh discuss ways to set yourself up for success whether you are beginning your teacher training or your ECT induction. Trainee Teacher Starter Pack 🔗👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/nraml
S4 E9: What to Do over Summer 24.07.2024 25:57
In this episode, Ashleigh and Simeon discuss ways to relax and enjoy yourself over the summer holidays, as well as a few ways to get ready for September (if you feel like it). 🤗🏖️ Simeon's blog on what to do over summer 🔗👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/7c7wv Blog on getting ready for September 🔗👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/c6tlj
S4 E8: Looking back on Your Teacher Training Year With Mr H 25.06.2024 24:57
In this episode, we are joined by a special guest, Mr Hallahan, a TikToker and teacher who has just completed his training year. He takes the opportunity to look back on everything he learned and discuss what he loves about teaching. ECT Induction pack 🔗👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/y9j0m Follow Mr H here: TikTok - @mrhallahan Instagram - @cianhallahan
S4 E7: Report Writing 24.05.2024 29:55
In this episode, Simeon and Ashleigh share their best tips for writing fantastic school reports. They also play a report-based game, which you can try at home. AI report writer tool 🔗👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/6pout General report statements 🔗👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/y1bv3
S4 E6: Pursuing Tutoring with Susie from Twinkl Tutors 25.04.2024 32:45
In this epsiode, we discuss all aspects of tutoring with our lovely guest, Susie, from Twinkl Tutors. We talk about the practicalities, how much you might earn and whether it is something you can do alongside full-time teaching. Tackling Low-level Behaviour Resource 🔗👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/q9elz Everything you need to get going with tutoring! 🔗👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/yc5bv Launching...
S4 E5: Working With Other Adults With Jack (Diary of a Teacher) 27.03.2024 41:39
In this episode, Simeon interviews special guest Jack from Diary of a Teacher and we discuss ways to work well with other adults, primarily TAs. Ashleigh and Simeon share their top tips too! Working with other adults resource: 🔗👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1ds3mm Jack's blog: 🔗👉 https://jackwatson1807.substack.com/
S4 E3: The Realities of Teaching with Ketrina (@teacherteresauk) 27.02.2024 46:00
In this special episode, we are joined by Ketrina (@teacherteresauk), a TikTok teacher with millions of views, who is a fierce advocate for work-life balance. We talk about the realities of teaching in 2024, and what she does to ensure she gets free time outside of work and continues to enjoy teaching. Links 🔗 Ketrina's TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@teacherteresauk Ketrina's Instagram...
S4 E2: The New Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF) 31.01.2024 15:15
In this special episode, Simeon and Ashleigh are joined by Twinkl Digest writer Amy to discuss the newly announced Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF). We discuss the proposed changes and when they will come into effect so you can feel confident wherever you are on your teaching journey. Amy's article: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/125e5t Amy's update: https://www.twi...
S4 E1: Lesson Observations 18.01.2024 28:02
Ashleigh is back! In this episode, she and Simeon discuss lesson observation and share tips to help you feel prepared and confident. More about us: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1kfpu7
S3 E12: Planning 28.11.2023 42:09
Ashleigh's back! In this episode, she and Simeon discuss the different types of planning, how to plan from scratch, how to adpat plans, and they share some planning top tips. Skills map:https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/example-map-skills-progression-t-g-1676630338 Books list: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/book-list More about us: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1kfpu7
S3 E11: The Importance of the Arts in Teaching with Sam Cairns 01.11.2023 22:46
In this episode, Simeon is joined by Sam Cairns from Art Fund to discuss the importance of the arts in teaching. We share tips for getting the most out of museum visits and ways you can create more opportunities to explore the arts in your teaching. https://www.artfund.org/teacher-art-pass More about us: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1kfpu7
S3 E10: Behaviour Management 2023 03.10.2023 30:55
In this episode, Simeon is joined by Mitisha and our new team member, Harriet. We discuss common behaviour management concerns and scenarios and share our best tips to help you feel confident managing behaviour. Tackling Low-Level Behaviour resource: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/tackling-low-level-behaviour-t-tp-1638796383 Twitter: @TraineeTwinkl Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TwinklTrain...
S3 E9: Starting Your Teacher Training with the Twinkl Trainee and ECTs Team 30.08.2023 31:40
In this podcast, Simeon is joined by fellow team members Hannah and Mitisha to discuss common questions and concerns for those starting teacher training and offer our best advice and tips for success. Our teaching term Wiki can be found here: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/teaching-wiki More about us: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1kfpu7
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