Roger Mitchell, Headteacher of Ripple Primary School, joins In This Together to discuss "How do we create emotionally available schools?". Roger shares his twenty-year journey of transforming a fragmented school into an "Outstanding" setting rooted in kindness and professional generosity. This episode explores the vital shift from punitive discipline to relational practice, emphasising that creating a sense of belonging for pupils, staff, and families is the foundation of educational success.

• The "Why" Before the "What": Always investigate the reasons behind a behavior or action before deciding how to respond to it.
• Professional Generosity and Maturity: Building a culture where staff look out for one another and act with integrity ensures a stable, kind environment for pupils.
• Relationships Over Sanctions: Meaningful change in behavior is driven by the connections built between adults and children, not by the punishments imposed.
• Belonging is Inclusion: True inclusion means every individual feels they have a rightful place in the school community.
• Consistency in Leadership: Headteachers must model the emotional availability and kindness they expect to see throughout the entire school.
• Contextualized Justice: Similar to a court of law, school "judgments" should consider personal circumstances and remorse rather than following a zero-tolerance, one-size-fits-all approach.

Roger Mitchell recommends three essential books for educators looking to transform their school culture:

• The Kindness Principle by Dave Whitaker: A highly accessible guide to using unconditional positive regard in education.
• When the Adults Change, Everything Changes by Paul Dix: A foundational text on how adult behavior dictates the culture of the classroom.
• Becoming a Trauma-Informed Restorative Educator by Joe Brummer and Margaret Thorsborn: A practical resource for implementing restorative justice and relational practice.
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More information on emotionally available schools can be found on Roger’s website

https://emotionallyavailableschool.com/

Don't forget to follow us on your podcast platform and if you feel able to, give us a rating and review to help more educators find these crucial conversations. Share your thoughts, comments, questions, or brilliant work by emailing the team at teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk..

00:01 - Introduction - Meeting Roger Mitchell and the focus on emotionally available schools.

00:47 - The 20-Year Journey - Transforming a fractured school into a community.

01:50 - Professional Generosity & Maturity - Core values that frame the school's mission.

04:50 - Recruiting for Kindness - Smothering the school with love and hiring the right people.

07:52 - Removing Detentions - Moving away from "policing" and exiting children from class.

11:04 - Relationship Building - Treating children with the same decency as adults.

13:42 - Belonging and Identity - Why belonging is the most powerful word in inclusion.

16:11 - Academic Success - Proving that a relational approach leads to high academic outcomes.

18:40 - Teaching Behavior - Why behavior should be taught just like maths or spelling.

21:50 - The "Professionally Lazy" Option - Critiquing zero-tolerance and context-free sanctions.

25:58 - Supporting Staff - Applying Maslow's hierarchy to a teacher's readiness to teach.

33:53 - Scaffolding Emotional Intelligence - Moving from student anger to sadness and worry.

39:19 - Engaging Families - Removing the "yellow line" and welcoming parents as clients.

47:19 - Sharing is Caring - Roger’s top three book recommendations for educators.

The In This Together podcast welcomes Nicola Lace, HeadTeacher, and Mia Casey, SENDCo, from Learning Partnership West CIC. They delve into the significant impact of adopting a zero-exclusion, trauma-informed methodology within alternative provision settings. Drawing on their experience at an "Outstanding" rated school, they explore how creating emotional safety and prioritizing relationships can rewire neural pathways for students with complex needs. The episode explores the practicalities of restorative practice, the necessity of staff wellbeing, and how mainstream schools can adapt these core principles to support the most vulnerable learners.

Takeaways

• Safety as a Foundation: For students who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), emotional safety is a prerequisite for any academic learning to occur.
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• Consistency and Predictability: Reliable, positive interactions—such as consistent greetings at the school door—help build the trust necessary for student regulation.
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• Reflective Practice: Moving away from punitive systems requires staff to be "reflective practitioners" who can apologize to students and hold each other accountable when triggered.
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• The "Triangle of Trust": Every student should have at least three emotionally available adults of their own choosing to advocate for them.
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• Individualized Success: Measuring progress through personalized "fresh starts" every lesson and daily "briefs and debriefs" to adjust the curriculum to the student’s immediate needs.
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Nicola Lace and Mia Casey recommend several resources for those looking to deepen their inclusive practice:

• Masculinity in Schools by Lewis Wedlock: A look at the experiences of young men in education and helping them navigate the complexities of adolescence.
• Research by Dr. Craig Johnson: Insights into marginalized communities in alternative provision and how to improve their representation.
• Level 5 Diploma in Trauma-Informed Schools UK: A transformative training course that provides the psychological grounding for relational practice.



Don't forget to follow us on your podcast platform and if you feel able to, give us a rating and review to help more educators find these crucial conversations. Share your thoughts, comments, questions, or brilliant work by emailing the team at teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.

00:00 - Introduction - Nicola Lace and Mia Casey's background in neuro-inclusion.

01:45 - The "Outstanding" Ofsted - Discussing the impact of a glowing report on a non-traditional setting.

03:56 - Building Emotional Safety - Why vulnerability and apologizing to students is a leadership tool.

05:57 - Fresh Starts and Reliability - Modeling regulation and discussing behavior, not the student.

07:42 - Challenging Punitive Systems - Why students "test" boundaries and how to stay emotionally safe as staff.

09:00 - Staff Wellbeing and Supervision - The role of external supervision and massage in tackling secondary trauma.

12:18 - The PACE Approach - Using Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy. 14:41 - Rewiring the Blueprint - How one trusted adult can change a child’s internal working model of relationships.

21:57 - Zero Exclusion in Practice - Using diverse spaces like farms and adventure playgrounds to co-regulate.

24:30 - Restorative Breakfasts - Why "rewarding" a student after an incident is actually vital reflective work.

28:49 - Daily Briefs and Debriefs - The importance of team communication for daily flexibility.

32:38 - Mainstream Applications - How large schools can implement "emotionally available adults".

37:31 - The Triangle of Trust - Student-led choice in finding advocates within the school. 44:01 - Sharing is Caring - Professional recommendations for trauma-informed practice.

Dr. Nicole Ponsford, CEO of the Global Equality Collective, joins Becky Dawson to discuss how "kaleidoscopic data" can transform inclusion and belonging in schools.

This episode explores the move from static, "past tense" data to a multi-dimensional approach that surfaces the hidden voices of students and staff. Dr. Nic shares her journey from being a student who found school to be her "safe place" to becoming a researcher and EdTech founder dedicated to making that experience a reality for everyone. We dive into the "Global Equality Collective" (GEC) framework, which uses anonymous, intersectional data to help school leaders move beyond tick-box exercises and toward meaningful, sustainable culture change.

The discussion covers the vital role of "linking social capital," where leadership strategically gives power and resources to all groups to foster true belonging. From testing internal biases to leveraging "tech for good" like assistive technologies, this conversation provides a roadmap for brave leaders ready to get "sticky in the middle" of uncomfortable but necessary conversations.

• Shift to Kaleidoscopic Data: Move beyond static "past tense" metrics like attendance and grades to understand the fluid, lived experiences of your school community.
• Prioritize Psychological Safety: Use technology to create anonymous, safe spaces where staff and students can share truths they might otherwise hide from line managers or teachers.
• Understand Social Capital: Recognize the three types of social capital—bonding, bridging, and linking—and ensure leadership is actively "linking" groups to prevent siloed inclusion efforts.
• Design with Participants: Improve data reliability by involving students and staff in the design of surveys and audits, ensuring the methodology centers on their specific needs.
• Adopt "Tech for Good": Leverage assistive technologies and AI to unlock curriculum accessibility for neurodivergent and multilingual learners.
• Be a Brave Leader: Accept that school improvement takes time (2–3 years) and requires leaders to be comfortable with uncomfortable feedback to surface hidden voices.

Dr. Ponsford recommends exploring "GEC Know-How" on the Global Equality Collective website, which features the UK's largest collection of inclusion and wellbeing resources, including diverse booklists for all ages, playlists, and e-learning playbooks.

Don't forget to follow us on your podcast platform and give us a rating and review to help more educators find these crucial conversations. Share your thoughts, comments, questions, or brilliant work by emailing the team at teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.

• 00:00 - Introduction: Meet Dr. Nicole Ponsford, CEO of the GEC.
• 01:19 - Core Inspiration: School as a safe place and the mission for inclusion.
• 03:42 - Defining Belonging: Moving from EDI "buzzwords" to Maslow’s hierarchy.
• 06:20 - The Inclusion Index: Why only 18% of students strongly feel they belong.
• 08:30 - Mapping the Field: Moving from academic research to lived experience.
• 10:57 - The Problem with Static Data: Why "past tense" metrics leave kids invisible.
• 15:05 - What is Kaleidoscopic Data?: A 360-degree view of the school ecosystem.
• 20:37 - Participatory Research: Designing surveys with students and staff.
• 24:54 - Impact vs. Intention: Handling uncomfortable feedback from students.
• 31:56 - Social Capital in Schools: Bonding, bridging, and linking for leaders.
• 40:53 - Hope for the Future: Tech for good and inclusive curriculum changes.
• 43:17 - Sharing is Caring: GEC Know-How and diverse library resources.

Education consultant and author Zahara Chowdhury joins Becky Dawson to discuss the essential role of belonging in education. This episode explores how fostering a sense of community and validation for every student's identity is the foundation for academic and pastoral success. Zahara shares practical insights on diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI), moving beyond "fitting in" to creating spaces where students and staff feel safe, seen, and heard.

The discussion delves into the power of appreciative inquiry, a strength-based approach that focuses on what is working well within a school rather than defaulting to a deficit model. Zahara emphasizes the importance of authenticity and "being real" with students to build deep rapport. From navigating the complexities of social media to the simple power of a smile, this conversation offers a roadmap for leaders and teachers to cultivate a genuine culture of belonging.

• Distinguish Between Fitting In and Belonging: Understand that true belonging allows students to remain themselves while being part of a community, rather than forcing them to change to fit a mold.
• Utilize Appreciative Inquiry: Improve EDI by centralizing and scaling what is already working in your classroom or school, rather than only focusing on barriers and deficits.
• The Power of "Being Real": Students value truth and authenticity; building rapport often starts with being honest about expectations and school realities.
• Foster Equitable Belonging: Recognize that every student has a different lived experience and may need different "belonging bites" or communication styles to feel included.
• Middle Leadership as the Pillar: Senior leaders should focus on supporting the relationship between middle managers and teachers to sustain a healthy school culture.
• Incorporate Simple Acts of Kindness: Small interactions like smiling and saying hello are powerful, low-barrier tools for nurturing a sense of belonging among both staff and students.

Zahara recommends the book "Bringing Up Race: How to Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World" by Uju Asika for its deep dive into lived experiences and practical advice on navigating multicultural and multilingual identities. You can also find more of Zahara's work in her book, "Creating Belonging in the Classroom".

Don't forget to follow us on your podcast platform and give us a rating and review to help more educators find these crucial conversations. Share your thoughts, comments, questions, or brilliant work by emailing the team at teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.

• 00:00 - Introduction: Meet Zahara Chowdhury, EDI consultant and author.
• 02:33 - Defining Belonging: Why it is essential for student success and school culture.
• 05:34 - Fitting In vs. Belonging: Insights from Brene Brown on the pressure to conform.
• 09:24 - Equitable Belonging: Using the school uniform analogy to understand individuality.
• 10:57 - Innovation in the Classroom: How a sense of belonging leads to student engagement and success.
• 14:10 - "Tell Us the Truth": What students taught Zahara about authenticity and rapport.
• 18:44 - Navigating Social Media: The challenge of multiple "versions of truth" for teenagers.
• 20:34 - Appreciative Inquiry in EDI: Focusing on success stories to drive school-wide change.
• 25:11 - Multilingualism vs. EAL: Reframing language skills from a deficit to a strength.
• 28:10 - Collective Learning: Building a team environment in the classroom.
• 31:10 - Kindness as a Strategy: Simple interactions that foster community.
• 32:40 - Advice for Leaders: Walking the corridors and supporting middle leadership.
• 37:30 - Sharing is Caring: A recommendation for "Bringing Up Race" by Uju Asika.

Educational consultant and author Karl Pupé joins Becky Dawson to explore the secrets behind effective classroom leadership. Karl shares his journey from a "school terrorist" to an SEMH specialist, offering a masterclass in building trust and managing behavior through relationships. This episode dives deep into the "Action Hero" approach to teaching, prioritizing teacher wellbeing and human connection over rigid curriculum delivery

• The "Maslow before Bloom" Philosophy: Why establishing a safe, caring relationship is the prerequisite for any academic learning
• Trust Mountain: A breakdown of the four types of student behavior—Disruptor, Compliant, Reflective, and Engaged—and how to move students up the mountain
• The Leadership Zone: Finding the balance between "Authority" and "Warmth" while avoiding the pitfalls of being a "Dictator," "Doormat," or "Yo-yo" teacher
• Teacher Wellbeing as Co-regulation: Understanding how a teacher’s emotional state acts as the "bellwether" for the entire class
• Whole-School Consistency: The importance of crystal-clear, simple rules that every staff member upholds to prevent students from "bending" the system

• Prioritize Connection: No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care; relationships are the "North Star" of behavior management
• Read the Room: Use "two-minute check-ins" at the door to gauge student temperatures and catch potential issues before they escalate
• The Student Triangle: Effective teachers understand the three pillars of a student's life: their personality, their home environment, and their school experience
• Establish a Social Contract: Build a classroom culture from day one by making respect explicit and involving students in the "unwritten rules" of the room
• Seek the "Trusted Adult": If you're struggling with a student, find the one person in school they trust (a coach, TA, or cleaner) and use that bridge to build your own rapport

• Karl Pupé recommends visiting Young Minds for mental health resources and exploring the Boxall Profile to understand childhood attachment and practical psychology
• To learn more about Karl’s "Action Hero" framework, visit actionheroteacher.com or follow his daily "bite-sized brilliance" on LinkedIn

• 00:00 - Introduction - Meet Karl Pupé, author of The Action Hero Teacher
• 01:17 - The Action Hero Origin - How a "school terrorist" became an educational consultant
• 07:06 - Maslow Before Bloom - Debunking the myth that curriculum comes before relationships
• 10:12 - Teacher Wellbeing & Co-regulation - Why you are the "emotional bellwether" of your class
• 14:49 - The Burnout Crisis - Addressing why 40,000 teachers are leaving the profession
• 17:37 - Trust Mountain - Identifying the four levels of classroom behavior
• 22:56 - The Leadership Zone - Balancing authority and warmth in your teaching style.
• 24:27 - Styles to Avoid - The Dictator, the Doormat, and the Yo-yo teacher
• 27:18 - Whole-School Approach - Why "crystal clear" rules beat complex policies
• 30:57 - Practical Psychology - Why behavior leadership is a learnable skill
• 33:56 - The Two-Minute Check-in - A simple habit to build trust.
• 37:05 - The Student Triangle - Seeing the whole child beyond the desk.
• 43:04 - The Social Contract - Advice for new teachers on establishing culture

47:33 - Sharing is Caring - Recommended resources for trauma-informed practice

Senior PSHE Subject Lead Nicole Campbell joins Becky Dawson and Laiba Sheikh on In This Together to discuss "How can we make PSHE matter?" Nicole emphasizes a whole-school approach, student agency, and open communication for effective PSHE/RSE delivery. The episode addresses challenges like age-appropriate topics, sensitive subjects (consent, FGM), and the necessity of confident, supported teachers who value honesty and parent consultation. Nicole highlights the need to acknowledge external learning via technology for PSHE to have a transformational impact.

• Parental involvement and shared responsibility are vital for RSE/PSHE, requiring informed consultation.
• Teaching consent must begin much earlier (nursery age) for effective prevention.
• Balancing age-appropriateness is challenging; sensitive topics (like FGM) need careful pitching, while others (like pornography's dangers) demand early intervention due to accessibility.
• Specialist PSHE/RSE teachers with passion and knowledge are crucial for better student outcomes.
• A whole-school approach is necessary; PSHE must be prioritized and embedded interdisciplinary, not an "add-on."
• Teachers uncomfortable with a topic should communicate this or, if they must teach it, be honest and adopt a learner seat approach with students.

Nicole recommends embracing child-led social media campaigns and collaborative group projects as a teaching method. This gives young people agency and voice while reducing the pressure on teachers to lecture, especially on sensitive topics.

Don't forget to follow us on your podcast platform and if you feel able to, give us a rating and review.

Share your thoughts, comments, questions, or brilliant work by emailing the team at teamwellbeing@twinkle.co.uk.

00:00 - Introduction - Nicole Campbell, PSHE Subject Lead

00:49 - Age Restrictions - Discussing age restrictions on teaching RSE/PSHE topics and the role of parents.

01:04 - Parent Communication - The need to work with parents and listen to their concerns.

02:30 - Student Agency - Understanding where young people are at and giving them more agency over their learning.

03:02 - Foundation of Knowledge - Why we need to understand students' existing knowledge in PSHE.

04:10 - Trauma-Informed Delivery - The importance of teaching PSHE in a trauma-informed way.

04:47 - Teaching Consent - Arguing that consent should be taught from a much earlier age.

06:51 - Prevention vs. Cure - Is there more harm in teaching things later than earlier?.

09:28 - Relevance Challenge - Adapting the curriculum and tackling relevance when teaching life lessons.

11:23 - The Specialist Teacher - The importance and impact of having specialist PSHE/RSE teachers.

13:18 - Interdisciplinary Approach - Embedding PSHE throughout the whole school curriculum.

15:02 - Team Teaching - School and parents working together as a team to teach PSHE.

17:13 - Personal Motivation - What motivates Nicole to teach PSHE and RSE.

18:33 - Student-Led Curriculum - Making education more pupil-led and relevant to life.

23:22 - Teacher Confidence - Advice for non-specialist teachers who feel uncomfortable or lack confidence in delivering PSHE.

23:51 - The Learner Seat - Putting yourself in the learner seat and valuing honesty with students.

26:47 - Primary vs. Secondary Impact - Comparing the time constraints and impact of teaching PSHE in primary versus secondary school.

29:25 - Sharing is Caring - Recommending student-led social media campaigns.