Join us in this insightful episode as we explore the transformative journey of SWPS transitioning to a co-educational school. Dr Steven Berryman and Heather O'Connor discuss the motivations, challenges, and exciting opportunities that come with this significant change. Discover how the school is preparing its staff and students for a new era of inclusive education.

Key Highlights:

• The rationale behind SWPS's decision to become co-educational.
• Insights into the phased approach and its impact on current students.
• How the school is maintaining its strong academic and pastoral care reputation.
• The role of staff training in preparing for a co-ed environment.
• Exciting new opportunities in arts and sports with the inclusion of boys.

Summary

In this episode, Dr Rachel Fenton shares her journey from being a student at Sir William Perkins’s School to becoming a diplomat and soon-to-be ambassador. She reflects on her various roles within the UK government, the impact of her education in classics on her professional development, and the vital role of cultural understanding in diplomacy. Rachel underscores the importance of pursuing one’s passion and offers thoughtful advice to students about discovering purpose in unexpected places.

Takeaways

• Rachel’s career path was shaped by her early interest in diplomacy.
• Her education in classics provided critical thinking skills essential to her role.
• Cultural understanding is fundamental in international relations.
• Becoming an ambassador is both a great honour and a significant responsibility.
• Rachel highlights the importance of passion when making career choices.
• She encourages students to embrace non-linear and unexpected career paths.
• Inspirational teachers can leave a lasting impact on students’ lives.
• Language skills are crucial for success in diplomacy and global engagement.
• Her experiences in Japan and Germany underscore key cultural differences.
• It’s never too late to pursue personal passions, such as music and dance.

Links

www.swps.org.uk

Summary

This conversation explores the Peter Jones Foundation's Tycoon Challenge, an initiative aimed at fostering entrepreneurial skills among students. The discussion includes insights from teachers and students about the challenge, their business ideas, the lessons learned, and the importance of sustainability. The conversation also touches on the broader educational opportunities for developing entrepreneurial thinking and the debate on whether entrepreneurial skills can be taught or are innate.

Takeaways

• The Tycoon Challenge encourages entrepreneurial spirit among students.
• Students create business plans and receive loans to start trading.
• The challenge is open to students across the UK, free of charge.
• Participants develop transferable skills like teamwork and problem-solving.
• Sustainability was a core focus of the students' business ideas.
• Time management was crucial for balancing schoolwork and business.
• Financial literacy was a key lesson learned during the challenge.
• Networking with business owners provided valuable insights for students.
• Educational initiatives help students practice entrepreneurial skills.
• Entrepreneurial skills can be taught and are essential for future success

Links

www.swps.org.uk

Summary

This conversation explores the importance of oracy in education, with a particular focus on how it supports students’ communication skills, self-confidence, and overall academic achievement. The discussion features insights from both educators and students, highlighting the practical use of oracy in school settings, the value of extracurricular involvement, and the crucial role parents play in helping children build these abilities.

Takeaways

• Oracy is vital for developing clear communication and confidence.
• Students gain from structured opportunities to practise oracy.
• Strong oracy skills help prepare pupils for future job interviews.
• Activities such as Model United Nations effectively enhance oracy.
• Teachers are key in supporting and guiding oracy development.
• Confidence in public speaking improves with regular practice.
• Oracy skills are relevant across multiple subjects and learning areas.
• Parental encouragement plays an important part in oracy development.
• Effective time management contributes to academic success.
• Pupils should make full use of school resources to strengthen their skills.

Links

www.swps.org.uk

Summary

In this podcast episode, Dr Steven Berryman and Ms Picton discuss the future of education, focusing on the balance between innovation and pupil well-being, the need for assessment reform, the impact of artificial intelligence, and the value of interdisciplinary learning. They stress the importance of preparing pupils for an unpredictable future while ensuring they enjoy their educational experience. The conversation explores both the challenges and opportunities posed by technology in education and underscores the importance of community involvement.

Takeaways

• Preparing pupils for a future that cannot be fully predicted is vital.
• Balancing educational innovation with pupil well-being is essential.
• Assessment methods must evolve to better reflect real-world skills.
• AI brings both opportunities and challenges to the classroom.
• Interdisciplinary learning boosts pupil engagement and real-world relevance.
• Collaboration and critical thinking are key areas of focus for pupils.
• Technology should be used thoughtfully to enhance learning.
• Strong community engagement enriches pupils’ educational experiences.
• Pupils value a school environment without mobile phones during the day.
• Education should strike a balance between subject knowledge and skill development.

Links

www.swps.org.uk

Summary

In this conversation, Bex shares her inspiring journey from being a passionate athlete to becoming a firefighter. She discusses her early influences in sport, her experiences competing at elite levels, and the challenges she faced due to injuries. Bex highlights the importance of community, mentorship, and resilience, offering valuable life lessons for both teenagers and adults considering career changes.

Takeaways

• Bex always dreamed of becoming an Olympian, which shaped her path in sport.
• She represented Great Britain in surf lifesaving and held a world record.
• Bex earned 19 caps for the Welsh rugby team while working full-time.
• Her transition from swimming to rowing was driven by her Olympic ambitions.
• Injuries led her to retire from elite sport, which was a difficult adjustment.
• Bex found motivation in setting small goals during her recovery.
• She loves the unpredictability and adrenaline of being a firefighter.
• The fire service community feels like a family, offering strong support.
• Bex emphasises the importance of enjoying life and not stressing over small things.
• Change is possible at any age, and it’s never too late to pursue new paths.

Links

www.swps.org.uk

https://www.instagram.com/rowerugby/?hl=en

Summary

This conversation explores the Model United Nations (MUN) experience from the perspectives of students and their teacher. The discussion covers the structure of MUN, the process of debating global issues, personal growth through participation, and the impact of attending conferences. The students share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations, highlighting the importance of understanding diverse perspectives and the value of engaging with serious global topics.

Takeaways

• MUN allows students to represent different countries and debate global issues.
• Students prepare by researching their assigned countries and relevant topics.
• Debating in MUN helps develop critical thinking and public speaking skills.
• Participation in MUN fosters personal growth and confidence.
• Students often feel intimidated at first but find support among peers.
• MUN encourages collaboration and teamwork among students from different year groups.
• Attending conferences provides valuable real-world experience.
• Students learn to advocate for perspectives that may differ from their own.
• MUN discussions often tackle serious and complex global issues.
• Engagement in MUN can inspire students to explore global cultures and issues further.

Links

www.swps.org.uk

Summary

This discussion delves into the significance of VE Day, particularly in light of its 80th anniversary, through the perspective of students engaging with historical documents and personal reflections. Pupils share their experiences of learning from letters written during the war, emphasising the emotional impact and the importance of understanding history. The conversation also considers the legacy of Winston Churchill and how his role is viewed in today’s society, underlining the need to remember and educate others about past sacrifices.

Takeaways

• Engaging with historical documents fosters empathy and understanding.
• Pupils discovered personal connections to history through wartime letters.
• VE Day commemorations encompassed both celebration and mourning.
• The effects of war on young people are profound and enduring.
• Churchill’s legacy continues to shape contemporary views of British identity.
• Historical narratives reveal enduring human experiences across generations.
• Commemorating major historical events remains essential.
• Pupils’ projects reflect meaningful engagement with history.
• Letters offer unique insights into the everyday lives of people during wartime.
• Educators play a vital role in helping students understand the past.

Links

www.swps.org.uk