Season 2 Episode 5 - Living with Autism

Season 2 Episode 5 - Living with Autism

Episode 5 – Living with Autism with Lauren Redgewell and Charlotte Bray In the final episode of Season 2 of Inclusion Matters, Professor Pamela Burnard speaks with Lauren Redgewell and Charlotte Bray about lived experience, autism, masking, belonging and inclusive practice. Lauren shares her experience of growing up as an autistic child without a diagnosis, including situational mutism, masking, anxiety and the importance of later finding the language to understand herself. She reflects on why she chose to work with children and how her own experiences shape the way she supports autistic and neurodivergent pupils today. Charlotte discusses the impact Lauren has had on the school community, from supporting children and families to helping colleagues understand autism from a lived-experience perspective. This powerful practitioner episode brings the season to a close by showing how inclusion is not only a policy or principle, but something lived through relationships, safety, representation, understanding and trust.

Season 2 Episode 4 - Learning Coaches and Inclusive Practice

Episode 4 – Learning Coaches and Inclusive Practice with Daniela Tonazzoli and Bryony Wooldridge In this episode of Inclusion Matters, Professor Pamela Burnard speaks with UCPS learning coaches Daniela Tonazzoli and Bryony Wooldridge about the central role learning coaches play in inclusive practice at the University of Cambridge Primary School. Daniela and Bryony discuss why UCPS uses the term “learning coach” rather than “teaching assistant”, and how this reflects a strong focus on the learner, the child and the relationships that make learning possible. They share how learning coaches work alongside teachers, support children with different needs, build trust and belonging, and contribute their own specialist expertise across the school. The conversation highlights the importance of teamwork, professional development, lived experience, research-informed reflection and a shared commitment to seeing the child at the centre of every decision. This practitioner-focused episode offers a powerful insight into the expertise of support staff and asks how schools might better recognise, value and professionalise the work they do.

Season 2 Episode 3 - Expanding Possibilities for Inclusive Learning

Episode 3 – Inclusion Practices with Charlotte Bray and Kat Bates In this episode of Inclusion Matters, Professor Pamela Burnard speaks with Charlotte Bray, Assistant Head Teacher at the University of Cambridge Primary School, and Kat Bates, UCPS SENDCo leader, about how inclusion is lived and developed across the school community. The conversation explores how inclusion goes beyond statutory compliance and is built through relationships, trust, belonging and a strong understanding of each child and family. Charlotte and Kat discuss transition into school, the role of learning coaches, professional development, collaboration with families, and the importance of building a network of trusted adults around children. This practitioner-focused episode also reflects on the challenges of being a highly inclusive mainstream school, including work with the local authority, stretched resources and the need to move carefully when supporting children at risk of exclusion. At its heart, the episode shows inclusion as ongoing, reflective work: child-focused, research-informed and rooted in daily practice.

Season 2 Episode 2 - Researching Neurodiversity

Episode 2 – Researching Neurodiversity with William Farr In this episode of Inclusion Matters, Professor Pamela Burnard speaks with William Farr from the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education about his research at the University of Cambridge Primary School into neurodiversity, executive function and inclusive classroom practice. The conversation explores how research can help teachers move beyond general awareness of neurodiversity towards more practical, classroom-based strategies. William discusses the importance of understanding children’s individual learning profiles, supporting executive function, listening to children’s lived experiences and reconnecting education with creativity, joy and belonging. The episode also considers the role of parents, carers, teacher education and research-informed practice in building stronger bridges between home, school, policy and the classroom. As part of Season 2, this episode adds a research perspective to the practitioner voices across the series, asking how schools can translate theory into thoughtful, responsive and inclusive practice.

Season 2 Episode 1 - Autism Unpacked

Episode 1 – Autism Unpacked with Sir Simon Baron-Cohen In the opening episode of Season 2 of Inclusion Matters, Professor Pamela Burnard is joined by Simon Baron-Cohen following his visit to the University of Cambridge Primary School, where he spoke with children, teachers and staff about autism, neurodiversity and belonging. Drawing on examples from lived experience, research and classroom practice, the conversation explores how schools can create environments in which autistic and neurodivergent children feel welcomed, understood and included. Topics include neurodiversity, mental health, diagnosis, belonging, special interests and the importance of creating school communities that support wellbeing alongside learning. The episode also reflects on how children themselves think about difference, identity and inclusion, highlighting the thoughtful questions raised by pupils during the visit. As throughout this season, the conversation connects research perspectives with the lived realities of schools, classrooms and inclusive practice. Listeners interested in wider perspectives on inclusion may also wish to revisit Season 1 of the UCPS 10th Anniversary Podcast Series, including the episode featuring Alison Peacock discussing inclusion and learning without limits.