Schools Week interview with CEO Sarah Finch
Together We Grow
This week, our host Sarah is joined by Jessica Hill from ‘Schools Week’ but this episode is a little bit different as Jessica is interviewing Sarah. In case you don’t know our host too well, Sarah Finch is an outstanding educational leader and the CEO of The Marches Academy Trust (MAT), a multi-academy sponsor based in Shropshire, a county with significant social and economic disadvantage. With over 30 years’ experience in the sector, Sarah plays a major role in challenging underperformance and has a strong reputation for ensuring high educational standards across the...
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Carla Whelan - CEO Empower Trust
Together We Grow
This week Sarah is joined by previous Executive Director for Education at Marches Academy Trust now C.E.O of the Empower Trust, Carla Whelan. Carla Whelan has over 28 years experience in education, in a range of roles including 8 years as a headteacher and 3 years in an executive role. During her career, Carla has worked closely with key educational figures and government ministers, proving key opportunities to explore issues of inclusion, mental health and special educational needs. Today Sarah ask's Carla how she started out in education and they both discuss how self awareness...
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Ryan Smith - Entertainer to teacher
Together We Grow
This week Sarah is joined by teacher Ryan Smith. Ryan shares his journey to teaching, via retail and working in Egypt! Today Sarah ask's Ryan about his experiences in the education system, both as a student and now a teacher, and he shares with us how he inspires his students and ensures that they feel a sense a inclusivity. For more information about the Marches Academy Trust, visit our website: Music - Good Love by Vendredi https://soundcloud.com/vendrediduo Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3unfdOw Music promoted...
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Sue Smith Football Lioness
Together We Grow
This week Sarah is joined by female footballer and Lioness, Sue Smith. Sue Smith is one of the nation’s best loved professional female footballers, who has enjoyed over two decades on the pitch for England. An equally high profile pundit, Smith has reported on some of the most exciting matches in recent years, and remains at the forefront of the sports industry. Today Sarah ask's Sue how she started out in football playing for the local boys team and how her school shaped and supported her through her triumphs in football. For more information about the Marches Academy Trust, visit our...
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Olympian Beth Tweddle MBE
Together We Grow
This week Sarah is joined by Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle. Beth Tweddle is one of Britain's most successful ever gymnasts with three world gold medals in her collection, along with six European titles. Today Sarah ask's Beth how her school worked with her, to help nurture her talent, and what changes she would make to the education system. For more information about the Marches Academy Trust, visit our website: Music - Good Love by Vendredi https://soundcloud.com/vendrediduo Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:...
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The Skinny Jean Gardener - Lee Connelly
Together We Grow
This week Sarah is joined by Lee Connelly, AKA The Skinny Jean Gardener. Lee is the UK's no.1 children's gardening educator. Lee has hosted on shows such as CBBC Blue Peter, BBC Teach, BBC Radio 1 as well as appearances on ITV, Channel 4 & 5. He is also the author of 'How to get kids gardening' and host of the Sunday Times Best Gardening Podcast, The Teacher/ Parent Garden Club. Today Sarah ask's Lee how he found gardening, how it can benefit children and what changes he would make to the education system. You can check out Lee's podcast here: For more information about the Marches Academy...
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Paralympic Team GB Cycling Coach - Tom Hodgkinson
Together We Grow
This week Sarah is joined by Tom Hodgkinson, Paralympic Podium Coach for the Great Britain cycling team. We chat about Tom’s fascinating career, he shares the experiences that the world of sport has given him and he tells us how he would change the education system for the better. For more information about the Marches Academy Trust, visit our website: Music - Good Love by Vendredi https://soundcloud.com/vendrediduo Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3unfdOw Music promoted by Audio Library...
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Jamie Edwards - Professional Footballer to Community Leader
Together We Grow
This week Sarah is joined by Jamie Edwards, CEO of Shrewsbury Town in the Community. Jamie was a professional footballer for Bristol City FC, and played semi-professionally in Australia. He has been a UEFA B License coach since 2007 and founded and managed a sports coaching company from 2005 – 2007. Shrewsbury Town in the Community creates opportunities for people to lead healthy and active lifestyles through their fun and inclusive programmes. They provide opportunities to help individuals achieve their goals and realise their potential. This includes preparing young people for the world of...
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A student’s perspective on education - Lucy Craig
Together We Grow
This week Sarah is joined by year 13 student Lucy Craig, one of the creators of ‘Herstory’, a student-led newsletter highlighting remarkable women’s stories both contemporary and from history. This is the first time that we have heard from a current student on the Together We Grow podcast and Lucy provides some fascinating insights into what she likes about the education system and what she would like to see change in the near future.
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Life after education with Robert Forrester
Together We Grow
This week Sarah is joined by Robert Forrester, CEO of Vertu Motors, former head boy of Sir John Talbot’s school (part of the Marches Academy Trust) and a graduate of Oxford University. We chat about the ups and downs of Robert's very successful career journey, who/what influenced him growing up as well as discussing what schools can be doing differently to better prepare students for life after education.
info_outlineThis week Sarah is joined by Dr. Sam Collins, a leading global voice on women’s leadership, equality and empowerment. She is a social entrepreneur, a coach and author. Sam and her team at Aspire for Equality give women the freedom and support to change themselves and the world. Their trailblazing events spark action and their community sustains it. Aspire For Equality have worked with thousands of women around the world and know that change can be difficult but it is possible, and daring to imagine a different future is where it starts.
Join us for this conversation where Sam shares some of her own childhood educational experiences as well as some interesting and inspiring insights on how she sees the future of education for our children. Sam believes, particularly with special needs education, that we need to encourage a passion or talent, instead of obsessing over fixing a weakness.
Sarah and Sam agree that education should be more of an experiment because children have different needs. We should resist the urge to fit them all into one system and show them more trust. Listen to what they think they need, their answer might pleasantly surprise us!
For more information on Aspire For Equality you can visit their website: https://aspireforequality.com/
For more information about the Marches Academy Trust, visit our website: https://www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk/
Music - Good Love by Vendredi https://soundcloud.com/vendrediduo
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3unfdOw
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/HVH3GJyejXY