Together We Grow

At The Marches Academy Trust 'Together We Grow' podcast, we chat to professionals, policy makers, staff, students and celebrities about the power of education and how we shape the future. We also bring you news and updates from within the Marches Academy Trust. Hosted by CEO Sarah Finch

Schools Week interview with CEO Sarah Finch 01/06/2024

Schools Week interview with CEO Sarah Finch 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 Trust. A bold and energetic leader, she has been instrumental in designing and implementing strategies to enhance leadership development and improve curriculum design. She has developed strength and excellence in areas such as community cohesion, teacher training, organisational development and governance. Today Sarah talks about how she started out in education working for a range of schools across the country and how she was inspired to do so by her sister who has autism. 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 /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/28791048

Carla Whelan - CEO Empower Trust 01/03/2024

Carla Whelan - CEO Empower Trust 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 and learning how to regulate your emotions can help you in your career. 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 /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/28674348

Ryan Smith - Entertainer to teacher 12/27/2023

Ryan Smith - Entertainer to teacher 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 by Audio Library /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/28528601

Sue Smith Football Lioness 11/27/2023

Sue Smith Football Lioness 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 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 /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/28398818

Olympian Beth Tweddle MBE 11/20/2023

Olympian Beth Tweddle MBE 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: https://bit.ly/3unfdOw Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/HVH3GJyejXY /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/28398557

The Skinny Jean Gardener - Lee Connelly 11/22/2022

The Skinny Jean Gardener - Lee Connelly 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 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 https://youtu.be/HVH3GJyejXY /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/24965160

Paralympic Team GB Cycling Coach - Tom Hodgkinson 03/04/2022

Paralympic Team GB Cycling Coach - Tom Hodgkinson 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 https://youtu.be/HVH3GJyejXY /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/22253024

Jamie Edwards - Professional Footballer to Community Leader 02/11/2022

Jamie Edwards - Professional Footballer to Community Leader 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 work, particularly those young people who don’t thrive in the traditional school environment. Jamie kindly shares his story with us, what experiences have shaped him into the person that he is today and how he would change the education system for the better. For more information on Shrewsbury Town in the Community: 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 https://youtu.be/HVH3GJyejXY /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/22078238

A student’s perspective on education - Lucy Craig 12/03/2021

A student’s perspective on education - Lucy Craig 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. /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/21282281

Life after education with Robert Forrester 11/12/2021

Life after education with Robert Forrester 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. /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/21052589

Lifting young women out of poverty through education, with Dr. Zareen Roohi Ahmed 11/05/2021

Lifting young women out of poverty through education, with Dr. Zareen Roohi Ahmed This week Sarah is joined by Dr. Zareen Roohi Ahmed, the Chair of The Halimah Trust, a charity established to fulfil the dreams of her daughter who was tragically murdered in 2007. Zareen has channelled this negative energy into some truly positive and beautiful things, one example being opening an all girls school in Pakistan, built by The Halimah Trust and partners. This school has given young women a much needed education and the opportunity to escape poverty. /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/21020789

Encouraging a Passion and Talent - Dr. Sam Collins 10/29/2021

Encouraging a Passion and Talent - Dr. Sam Collins This week Sarah is joined by Dr. Sam Collins, a leading global voice on women’s leadership, equality and empowerment. /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/20774279

Improving Opportunities for Special Needs Students with Dr. Ellis Crasnow 10/22/2021

Improving Opportunities for Special Needs Students with Dr. Ellis Crasnow This week Sarah is joined by Dr. Ellis Crasnow, director at the STEM³ Academy, a WASC accredited school dedicated to K–12 students who are bright, have a passion for STEM-related fields, and benefit from non-traditional learning methods. /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/20129693

The Vision of Education with BBC's Branwen Jeffreys 10/15/2021

The Vision of Education with BBC's Branwen Jeffreys This week Sarah is joined by Branwen Jeffreys, Education Editor for BBC News. Branwen is a broadcaster and writer with a broad interest in social policy and education. /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/19655942

The Future of Education with Mick Waters 10/08/2021

The Future of Education with Mick Waters Professor Michael Waters is an inspiration to many, including our host Sarah. Mick was the Director of Curriculum at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, based in London, from 2005-9. /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/19245809

Together We Grow 08/25/2021

Together We Grow Welcome to the Marches Academy Trust 'Together We Grow' Podcast /episode/index/show/togetherwegrow/id/19521698

Together We Grow

TOPICS