Staffroom Soapbox

In the final episode of seasons 1, Ian speaks to the amazing Jo Brassington who talks about Bottled Book and how speaking about our feelings is so important for the mental health of our young people. Jo (they/them) is a trans, non-binary former primary school teacher, who now supports schools, universities, charities and businesses to create more LGBTQ+ inclusive space, with greater awareness of trans identities. Jo is the co-founder of Pride & Progress: a podcast, platform, and community group who supports and amplifies the voices of LGBTQ+ educators, and explores ways to make educational spaces more inclusive. They have recently published their second book - Pride & Progress: Making Schools LGBT+ Inclusive Spaces.

In this episode Ian talks to Andrew Lowery about the importance of teaching grammar, and how the website 'Rollama' can help students rehearse their grammar skills. Andrew taught Secondary English and then KS2 for 15 years in England, Malaysia and China. In 2021, his school in Shanghai was facing some challenges with EAL, so he wanted to make English SPAG more fun for his students to practise. Andrew and his wife Beth, who makes the artwork, started building a website of mini-games. It has grown into Rollama, which launched in August 2022, and is growing in popularity, especially in UK primary schools. He now runs the business full-time.

In this episode, Ian is joined by George White, a trans catholic teacher who shares his experience growing up and transitioning during his time as a teacher. About George: I am a Catholic & transgender teacher of Religious Education. I completed a PGCE in Secondary Religious Studies at the University of Cambridge in 2016/17. I am currently a Teacher of Religious Education & Diversity and Inclusion Lead at St Paul’s Catholic School, Leicester. Prior to my PGCE, I spent 4 years in higher education at the University of London (Heythrop College and King's College London) studying Philosophy, Theology and Ethics. I am particularly interested in conversations between Catholic organisations and LGBT communities and I lead on this work with the various organisations including NEU, Million Minutes, Quest, Diverse Educators, ASCL, NAHT, Just Like Us, Christian Brothers Network and more. I have appeared on BBC Radio Leicester, BBC radio 4 & GB News to discuss the importance of LGBT+ inclusion in Catholic Schools.

This week Ian talks to James A Lyons, author or Paper Boy, about becoming a self-published author, the importance of inclusion and diversity in our libraries, and a random segment about erotic cakes!! James A Lyons was born in Oxford, England and now resides in Bournemouth. He has long had a passion for equality and rights of those in the LGBTQ+ community and writes LGBTQ+ fiction for young adults. He released his latest young adult comedic novel The Paper Boy in September 2022. Previously, he released Doorway 54 in August 2018, which is due to be reissued in early 2023. James has also previously published a collection of adult short stories named Blinded by Nostalgia in 2020. In 2023 he is working on a sequel to The Paper Boy, and working on a novella alongside actor Bradley Riches (Heartstopper, Netflix) Outside of writing, James is a keen runner and holds down an administrative day job. He now resides in Bournemouth. He has a passion for equality and the rights of those in the LGBTQ+ community. He also supports Oxford United FC.   James A Lyons on Social Media www.goodreads.com/jamesalyons www.twitter.com/jalwrites www.facebook.com/jalwrites www.jamesalyons.co.uk

Join Mike Glavin and Ian where they talk about who the classroom belongs to and how we can change our practice to give ownership to the pupils.  Mike has a proven track record of significant improvement at many levels within education, including: Mae gan Mike enw da am welliant sylweddol ar sawl lefel mewn addysg, gan gynnwys Teacher  Athro Headteacher Pennaeth NPQH tutor Tiwtor CPCP System leader / Challenge adviser Arweinydd System / Ymgynghorydd Her Senior local authority officer Uwch Swyddog Awdurdod Lleol Managing director of regional consortia Rheolwr Gyfarwyddwr Consortia Rhanbarthol Check out his blog here: https://glavincatalyst.co.uk/2021/02/17/my-oh-my-whose-learning-environment/

In this episode, Ian has an emotional and thought-provoking talk with T.J. Hoogsteen about the challenges of working in rural schools in Saskatchewan, Canada, and particularly how the historical treatment of indigenous populations continues to impact on students today. T.J. Hoogsteen has worked in public education since 2008.  He has spent his entire career working in rural schools in Saskatchewan.  Over the last 15 years, he has accumulated 11 years of school leadership experience as a Vice-Principal and Principal, as well as being a classroom teacher, literacy interventionist and coach.  Passionate about personal development, he completed his doctorate from the University of Western Ontario in 2018.  Since then, T.J. has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals, and has taught at the Master's level for Royal Roads University.Twitter: @marexdadLink to Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tj-Hoogsteen

On St David's Day, Ian talks to Joe and Angharad about why learning Welsh is so important in schools and how they led their department to improve both attitudes to and results of the Welsh language.  Joe Woodland and Angharad Jones work in Chepstow School, Monmouthshire and are passionate about learning the Welsh language. Joe is an Assistant Headteacher and Head of the Welsh Department and Angharad is the Head of Bilingual Development.

In our last episode for LGBT+ history month 2023, Ian talks to Catherine Lee about what life as an LGBT+ teacher was like during the time of Section 28, her new book Pretended: Schools and Section 28, and advising on the BAFTA nominated film, Blue Jean.  Professor Catherine Lee has an MBE for services to equality in education. She is also a National Teaching Fellow in recognition of her work to improve the national landscape in schools and universities. Before working in higher education, Catherine spent over twenty years as a teacher, both in inner-city Liverpool and rural Suffolk. She was initially a PE teacher before gaining promotion to learning development and pastoral leadership roles in mainstream schools. Catherine has published extensively on the theme of LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools. In 2016, working with schools she helped to set up Courageous Leaders, a leadership development programme for LGBTQ+ teachers Catherine has been nominated for a number of national awards for her work in education, including a British Diversity Award and National Diversity Award. She also featured in the LGBT Pride Power List in 2019 as one of the most influential LGBT people in the UK. Catherine has a number of strategic governance roles in the education and charity sectors, where she uses her national profile in pursuit of inclusive education and to improve the lives of those on the margins. In 2022, she worked as an adviser on the BAFTA nominated feature film, Blue Jean about the experiences of a teacher under Section 28.

In this episode, Ian talks to James Mayhew, illustrator and author, about his experiences growing up hiding his sexuality, and his journey to become an author, illustrator and champion of promoting diversity through picture books.  James has been creating books for children for over 30 years. His many titles include the classic best-selling Katie series, Ella Bella Ballerina, Once Upon A Tune, and illustrations for the Mrs Noah books by Jackie Morris, Joyce Dunbar’s Mouse & Mole series, Zeb Soanes’s Gaspard the Fox and the Polari Prize-winning Nen & the Lonely Fisherman by Ian Eagleton. Alongside his work in publishing, James also presents classical concerts for children that incorporate art created live on stage in time to the music. His collaborations with the London Mozart Players, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra include Pictures at an Exhibition, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Peter & the Wolf and many other favourites. He lives in Suffolk, where the big skies and gentle light are perfect for artists.

In this episode Ian talks to Catrina who talks us through the challenges of being a neurodivergent teacher, but also why neurodivergent teachers can be an asset to schools.  Catrina founded Neuroteachers to help educational settings work with their autistic and neurodivergent learners to find simple solutions for inclusive practice. Catrina is neurodivergent herself, having the dual diagnosis of dyslexia and bipolar disorder. She is a qualified special needs teacher and an experienced SENCO and advisory teacher. Catrina’s particular area of research is around exclusion prevention. She has written two papers for the Good Autism Practice Journal. The first in 2018 was a case study about preventing exclusion for an autistic, ADHD boy with extreme demand avoidance. The second, publish in 2020 looked at reintegrating autistic children into school after a period of persistent absence. Catrina believes passionately in true inclusion for all.

In this episode, Ian talks to Ian Eagleton, author of books that include LGBT+ themes and characters, about the difficulties he had being gay in school, and what lessons we can learn to ensure effective LGBT+ inclusion today.  Ian was born in Essex. Having 13 years as primary school teacher, which has included being an English Coordinator, Phase Leader and member of Senior Management he is now a resource writer for The Literacy Shed and Authorfy as well as Director of The Reading Realm and creator of The Reading Realm app!

In this episode, Oliver and Ian talk about the importance of us valuing our staff, but also valuing ourselves, and banning words such as 'just' and 'only' in order to empower every member of the school community. Oliver Wright is the sector manager for Senior Leadership at Twinkl. He has over 20 years’ teaching experience, including eight years as a headteacher. He has worked in a range of primary schools from small, remote, rural settings to large, challenging city schools.

In this episode, Ian talks to Sue Sanders about the origin of LGBT+ History Month, and why it is important now, more than ever.  Professor Emeritus Sue Sanders of the Harvey Milk Institute is an “out and proud” lesbian. She is co-chair of Schools OUT, an education charity founded in 1974 whose aim is to educate out prejudice, making schools safe and inclusive for everyone. As co-chair with Paul Patrick they founded LGBT+ History Month, celebrated every February across the UK. This opened a world of queer history to schools, educational settings and the wider community. Sue has spread the concept of LGBT+ History Month internationally helping organisations form LGBT+ History Months in Europe.

In the first episode of Staffroom Soapbox, I talk to Dr Adam Brett, who talked about growing up not knowing about LGBT history, about discovering this history later in life, and the importance of LGBT+ inclusion today (and the possibility of a Girls Aloud Episode). 

Coming February 2nd: Staffroom Soapbox. The new 15 minute Podcast where people in education get on their soapbox and tell us what is important to them, and why you should care about it