The Independent Teacher

Training to Teach: In Conversation with Annie Gouldsworthy

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1839343/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we catch up with Annie Gouldsworthy, Director of ITT at The King Edward's Consortium in Birmingham, to have an engaging and informative conversation about intitial teacher training in the UK. Annie’s teaching career began in 1994, following a few years post-university in various roles. Entering the teaching profession, she gained experience via curricular, pastoral and leadership routes and working in mixed, single-sex, state, selective and alternative provision contexts. A feature of her work in schools throughout the years has always been training and mentorship of trainee teachers and early career teachers. A move out of school-based teaching beckoned and Annie stepped into the position of Director of ITT at KEC in 2022, to lead school-centred ITT for the King Edward VI Academy Trust Birmingham. Annie is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching and a contributor to national organisations and events. The King Edward’s Consortium (‘KEC’) is a partnership of 23 schools throughout Birmingham and the surrounding area, providing SCITT (fee-paying) PGDE + QTS and QTS-only programmes in a wide range of secondary subjects. Trainees gain hands-on experience in their schools from the very first day of their training, which includes experiences in primary schools and special schools. KEC has been training teachers in Birmingham since 2004 and as a smaller provider it is able to offer a bespoke programme of centre-based learning at the training centre in Kings Heath, alongside four full days in school each week under the direct supervision of expert mentors.

Breaking with Convention: Voice & Values in Higher Education with Dr Christie Margrave

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1839343/fan_mail/new] In this episode, I speak with Dr Christie Margrave from Cardiff University about the experiences that have shaped both her academic career and her life beyond the university. Christie reflects on her role at Cardiff and the work that motivates her within higher education, while also sharing the deeply personal story behind her decision to become a solo mum by choice. We also discuss the gender gap in opportunities for promotion, considering the structural and cultural barriers that women still face within academia and leadership. Christie also l looks back at her own formative years at Hull Grammar School in the 1990s.

The Long Game with Tristan Buttle

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1839343/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The Independent Teacher podcast, I’m joined by personal trainer Tristan Buttle [http://tristanbuttle.com/about-me/]to talk about fitness, wellbeing, and why playing the long game really matters. Tristan shares what led him into personal training. He also considers what advice he would give to his younger self, to 18-year-old Tristan. We explore why sustainable change isn’t about quick fixes or extreme routines, but about small, consistent steps that actually last. A practical, grounded listen for anyone looking to build fitness habits that stick — without pressure or extremes.

Promoting Positive Mental Health in Schools with Olivia Isaac

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1839343/fan_mail/new] Olivia Isaac is the Director of Pastoral Care at Barnard Castle School [https://www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk/] in the north of Engand. In our conversation, she talks about the importance of embedding key pastoral initiatives across her school, the HeadSpace wellbeing programme, as well as the school's really innovative AS STEER tracking system [https://steer.education/], which has helped to create an excellent data-informed approach to pupil support. Olivia provides advice to listeners who may want to go down the pastoral route in their own teaching career. She also tells our listeners what she would do if she had the opportunity to become the country's Education Secretary for just one day!!

Innovation and Flexibility: Online Education with Heather Rhodes

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1839343/fan_mail/new] Heather Rhodes has been a pioneer in online education for over ten years, and is a strong advocate of the potential of technology to transform education and was the founding Principal of Harrow School Online. Prior to this, she founded an online tutoring organisation for international students wanting to improve their level of English.  In this episode, we talk about Heather's latest role as the Principal of Highgrove Online School [https://highgroveeducation.com/]. Throughout her career, Heather has gained extensive online teaching and management experience, and has a deep understanding of how pupils learn best in an online environment.  Heather is also a Trustee of Svitlo Online School [https://www.svitloschool.com/], a registered education charity in England and Wales aimed at helping the children of Ukraine and those who have been forced to leave its territory to continue their education and acquire new skills and knowledge.