Pivotal Podcast

JUST FOR KIDS LAW exists to help children and young people overcome all the difficulties they face, from problems at school and issues with immigration status to trouble with the police. They work with and for young people to ensure their legal rights are respected and promoted, and their voices heard and valued. Last time, Lynsie Monroe spoke to three Just For Kids Law team members: * Chief Executive Officer, Enver Solomon* Natalie Bichard, Youth Advocate* Alex Temple, Public Lawyer and Policy Officer For part two of this episode, we hear from two young people, Harry and Kadeem, who have supported the School Exclusion Project and campaign as well as advocate for social change on the issue of school exclusion.

JUST FOR KIDS LAW exists to help children and young people overcome all the difficulties they face, from problems at school and issues with immigration status to trouble with the police. They work with and for young people to ensure their legal rights are respected and promoted, and their voices heard and valued. Aika Stephenson and Shauneen Lambe established Just for Kids Law in 2006. Shauneen, a barrister and an attorney, had previously acted for death row defendants in the US, and Aika, a solicitor, had become a lawyer after working with the youth offending team and remand prisoners at Feltham Young Offenders Institution. Shauneen and Aika recognised that the children and young people they worked for often needed more than legal representation – they also needed support and advocacy to address the issues that had led them into the youth justice system in the first place – school exclusion and a lack of support for children with special education needs, children with mental health issues, children in the care system who were not receiving support, and children with housing problems. Since our first youth advocate was appointed in 2008, we have expanded into an organisation offering a unique holistic service that combines direct advocacy with youth opportunities support and legal representation, while we have also used strategic litigation to change the law on issues as diverse as holding of children in police cells, the law of joint enterprise and access to student finance. We have spread our impact through the advice and training delivered by our Youth Justice Legal Centre and widened the scope of our work from casework and campaigning to holding government to account on their child rights obligations through the merger with the Children’s Rights Alliance for England in 2015. Lynsie Monroe spoke to three Just For Kids Law team members: * Chief Executive Officer, Enver Solomon* Natalie Bichard, Youth Advocate* Alex Temple, Public Lawyer and Policy Officer

Kiran began her career in inner-city London, as an English teacher in schools serving the most deprived postcodes in the country.  After five years on the frontline, Kiran left to work in education policy, searching for solutions to the rising number of vulnerable children who fall through the gaps.  Kiran was working at Social Mobility Commission when she conceived the idea for The Difference.  She has led its work full-time since January 2017. Kiran is driven by her own family experiences. Growing up with two adopted sisters, Kiran witnessed the long-term effects of childhood trauma and the lack of support for young people with complex needs. This insight is what keeps Kiran striving for the most vulnerable children to get the education they deserve. Hear from Aidan McQuaid about how The Difference’s Inclusive Leadership Training has already benefited him, his school and his students this year. Applications are now open for September 2020. https://t.co/GHcVmom2wf pic.twitter.com/hAHx34HdD4— The Difference (@TheDifferenceEd) March 27, 2020 You can find out more about Kiran and what drove her to set up The Difference in these Schools Week, Guardian and TES interviews, and in these pieces she has written in The Times, Schools Week and TES. In a detailed and wide-ranging conversation with Pivotal Education’s Mark Bocker, we learn a huge amount about Kiran – her story, what motivates her, hat The Difference stands for and a lot more. Listen if you believe that we can do much better to support the most vulnerable children in our schools and find out more about The Difference here. Tweets by TheDifferenceEd

Former footballing star, Kris Boyd This week, a new presenter to the Pivotal Podcast, Cathy Duncan, spoke to the Scottish former football star, Kris Boyd. After a very successful career, Kris now works to help improve the mental health of those in need. Kris grew up in the South Ayrshire village of Tarbolton and started his senior football career with Kilmarnock. He transferred to Rangers in January 2006, and was their top goalscorer in each of his seasons at Ibrox. He is the top goalscorer in the history of the Scottish Premier League, with 167 goals in total. Pivotal Education Principal Trainer, Cathy Duncan Boyd had a short spell in English football with Middlesbrough, during which time he was sent on loan to Nottingham Forest. He signed for Turkish club Eskişehirspor in 2011, but terminated his contract after five months and moved to the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer in January 2012. He later returned to both Kilmarnock and Rangers. Having played several games for the Scotland U21 and Scotland B teams, Boyd received his first cap for the senior Scottish national team in 2006. He scored seven goals in eighteen appearances for the senior national side over four years. In 2016, Boyd’s younger brother Scott took his own life aged 27. The Kris Boyd Charity was founded in January, 2018. As Kris says: My wee brother Scott tragically took his own life in September, 2016 and it has left my family devastated. There’s not a day goes by when I don’t think about him and I know it’s even worse for my parents, I feel for them even more as they try to get on with their lives as best they can without Scott being a part of it.Is the reason I’ve set up The Kris Boyd Charity solely down to what happened to Scott? No. Is it a big part of the reason? Yes.To be hit with Scott’s tragedy was a big wake-up call for me which led me to start looking into the different circumstances as to why people commit suicide. It is clear to me now that any given individual doesn’t wake up one morning and, on a whim, decide to end it all. It’s a gradual process which takes place over a period of time. My own wife, Christine, suffers from anxiety. Christine has had to fight internal battles that led to her being unable to do certain things over the years and I did not deal with them properly. I was not fully aware of what she was going through and still goes through on a daily basis, I should have been there for her, been more comforting and understanding. I’m the first to admit I’ve had my failings when trying to deal with Christine’s battles with anxiety, however, I am now listening and I’m learning. It is absolutely vital to do both and this is what I want to impart on those who are living with someone suffering from depression or anxiety.The aim of this charity is to educate people and get people to engage with others when they are in need of help instead of dismissing them or brushing of their feelings as being “weak”. We hope that, in time, society can speak openly when they have issues, it’s about them knowing there will be someone there for them who will show decency and a level of understanding. With young people today mental health is being an ever prevalent issue, due to teenagers being so focused on their phones and social media instead of being active and socialising with their peers in person. This also leads to more online bullying as well as unrealistic beauty standards which add mounting pressure on young people, and can lead to mental health issues.https://www.thekrisboydcharity.co.uk/who-we-are/

Serena Clark, formerly of Ark Globe Academy This week, Lynsie Monro speaks to Harrow International School Hong Kong‘s Deputy Head of Lower School (Pupil Wellbeing), Serena Clark. Serena is an award winning mentor and the recipient of outstanding leadership judgements from Ofsted in 2014 and 2018. With extensive experience of delivering the highest professional standards of educational and parochial care, she has been a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead since 2015 with FGM and Positive Handling specialist training. Serena believes in the value of lifelong learning, the equality and rights of every child and the crucial role education has in building our future. As you can imagine, Serena is able to share many insights into her experiences of teaching through lockdown, particularly how to maximise learning at a distance. Tweets by serenaclarkhk

Adrian Bethune Mark Bocker picks the brains of Wellness champion, Adrian Bethune this week. Adrian Bethune is a Healthy Body and Mind Leader and Teacher at a primary school in Hertfordshire. He was awarded a ‘Happy Hero’ medal at the House of Lords on the UN International Day of Happiness in 2013, and has been on stage with the Dalai Lama and Lord Richard Layard in 2015 talking about teaching happiness in his school. He is passionate about children’s mental health and happiness and has been interviewed by numerous national newspapers and other press organisations, including The Telegraph and Teach Primary Magazine. Adrian is founder of www.teachappy.co.uk Adrian is the author of, Wellbeing in the Primary Classroom – A Practical Guide to Teaching Happiness, which is out now: In a wide-ranging, in-depth discussion, Mark and Adrian explore the importance of wellbeing for children and adults in our schools as well as Adrian’s story and plans for the future.

This week, Mark Bocker speaks to Shahana Knight, Childhood Trauma and Mental Health Specialist. Shahana is the Founder and Director of TPC therapy Ltd. A mental health service for children and young people. She manages a large team of play therapists who work with vulnerable children in schools, adoption, fostering and homicide across the UK. She is the founder of the ‘Therapeutic Schools Programme’ through which she works with schools across England to put children’s wellbeing at the core of education. Shahana is pioneering a vision/mission for all schools to become therapeutic. Her unique approach is making a significant impact and has been recognised by BBC newsround and BBC Teach who have both done features in which she has appeared. She is also a finalist in the upcoming Ladies First Awards 2020, in the categories of; ‘Inspirational Women’ and ‘Business Entrepreneur’. Shahana writes a regular segment in Headteachers Update, the national magazine for primary schools, sharing therapeutic teaching ideas and techniques. She is also a governor of a primary school and sits on two foster care panels.Her own experiences of childhood trauma inform her work, offering a unique perspective based on empathy, understanding and a raw truth that cannot be found in textbooks alone. In a detailed and expansive conversation, we learn a great deal about Shahana’s work and plans. Tweets by TPC_PlayTherapy https://www.headteacher-update.com/best-practice-article/therapeutic-schools-behaviour-incidents-pupils-vulnerable-learner/224984

Lynsie MonroPrincipal Trainer This week, new presenter Lynsie Monro speaks to Dr Harry Hope about how he has led his Primary School through the opening stages of the Coronvirus emergency. It’s a fascinating interview and Harry shares a huge amount about his approaches and stresses what he thinks is most important for everyone to remember at times like these. Harry earned his medical degree and worked as a Junior Doctor before following his true passion, education. He hung up his stethoscope and trained to become a teacher. Working across a range of settings in both the UK and in Singapore, Harry cultivated a strong belief in lifelong learning and developed a his expertise in the leadership and management of curriculum change. After taking on the role of Deputy Headteacher in East Sussex, Harry was appointed as Principal of Waterfield Primary School in the Summer Term of 2019. Harry holds firm the belief that we all have an important role in developing our children to become global citizens who are equipped with the skills they will require to tackle the world of tomorrow. School should be a happy place, where every child has the freedom to explore and discover their talents amongst a strong foundation of essential core skills. Our interviewee is Dr Harry Hope (MBChB PGCE NPQH) @DrHopePrincipal Waterfield Primary School @Waterfield_TCT

This week, Huw talks to the amazing Baby J about the alternative provision in Derby he runs called Baby People. We use the term ‘inspirational’ a lot but Baby J is definitely an inspiration to the many young people who have benefited from what he has achieved. Baby J is an established record producer who has been working in the industry for over a decade. Artists he has worked with include Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Skinnyman, Jamelia and Plan B. Alongside his production work Baby J runs Baby People, a music and arts development agency that produces events and runs educational provision for young people. Baby People’s Educational work covers everything from one of workshops to full academic year placements. Working from Primary school age to Adult Education. Their focus is on working with young people that struggle to engage in mainstream education. Classes can take place at their recording studios or offsite. Their tutors all work professionally in their field and include UK champion Breakdancers, commissioned artists, and MC, Songwriters and producers that have been played on BBC Radio 1, BBC 6Music, BBC Introducing and 1Xtra aswell as MTV and have toured with Jay Z and Mark Ronson. Baby People can provide workshops and educational classes in Music Production, Creative Writing & Lyrics, Breakdance, Aerosol and Graffiti Art and more. https://www.babypeople.co.uk/ Tweets by babypeopleuk https://www.instagram.com/babypeopleuk/

This is a compilation episode with clips from the following episodes: Sarah Wild on girls and autism…it’s not just a boy thing – PP159 Autistic? Genius! with Tom Bowes – PP192 Do we know enough about Inclusion? Tara Elie speaks to Emma Brown – PP204 Emma Brown is back! Listener Questions on Autism – 210 Kevin and Mark Bocker introduce the clips and stress the importance of understanding Autism. You can listen to the full episodes referred to on http://www.pivotalpodcast.com/

Dame Benita Refson DBE Benita is Founder of Place2Be and a qualified counsellor. Benita was CEO for 20 years until 2014 when she stepped down and was appointed life time President and continues to support the organisation enthusiastically through her role as President. Benita received an OBE for Services to Children and Families in 2007; was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of East London in 2009; in 2014 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Institute of Education, University of London and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Birthday 2016 Honours List in recognition of services to education. Currently Benita is Trustee of Children of Success Schools, FORWARD TRUST and a Governor at Bridge Academy Hackney. This week, Mark spoke to Benita about the issues and potential solutions around child mental health. They talk about Place2Be as well as how we should be helping schools to provide as much help as they can. Benita believes there is a lot of wonderful practice happening today and discusses the current state of collaboration and co-ordination amongst schools and agencies. https://www.place2be.org.uk/

Professor Rachel Lofthouse Rachel Lofthouse is Professor of Teacher Education in the Carnegie School of Education. She has a specific research interest in professional learning, exploring how teachers learn and how they can be supported to put that learning into practice.  Rachel joined Leeds Beckett University in July 2017, and has established the Research and Practice Centre ‘CollectivED: The Mentoring and Coaching Hub’. Rachel is a teaching educator and researcher. She has a particular interest in how teachers learn through approaches such as coaching, mentoring, lesson study, professional enquiry and inter-professional practice. She marries these interests with a concern for the development of innovative pedagogies and curriculum design. Key to all of these are the opportunities for that professionals at all stages of their career and in all roles have for dialogue and creative and critical thinking. Rachel works with student teachers and their school-based mentors, teacher coaches, postgraduate students and school leaders as well as a range of educational practitioners, including those interested in community curriculum development and professional coaching for speech and language support in multicultural early years and primary settings. Mark speaks to Rachel this week about her varied and fascinating background as well as her thoughts on the value of mentoring and coaching – and also what the difference is. There’s also, of course, time for our favourite question – “What’s the best thing you’ve ever learned from a child” and Rachel’s favourite passage from a book. Rachel’s Leeds Becket University page Rachel on Twitter

Gavin is a truly motivational speaker. His inspiration for what he does comes from where he started out his career—primary school teaching. He is a firm believer that we as adults can be every bit as inspired by young children as they can by us grown-ups. Gavin transports his audience back to when they were just 5 years of age, a time when we feared nothing and embraced everything. You will laugh, you will cry, you will feel and you will never eat broccoli in the same way again! Over the past decade, delivering on themes such as Leadership, Engagement, High Performing Teams and Creativity, Gavin has inspired literally hundreds of thousands of people to rediscover and embrace “that wee piece of magic”. Gavin is now regarded as one of the most talented and sought after speakers in the world. This week, Tara Elie speaks to Gavin about how adults need to be more like children and how we should all give ourselves permission to play and enjoy life. He offers suggestions for teachers on how to remain sane at Christmas with their classes and also reads his favourite book – you might be surprised to hear what it is! Tweets by gavinoattes https://gavinoattes.com/ Tweet of the Week Calling all educators. If you could ONLY #change1thing4MH for teacher wellbeing what would it be? In your response let me know HOW you would go about it? Curious about the range of concerns out there. Thanks in advance. @RiscaCCS_Head @julierees100 @gdmorewood pic.twitter.com/4arzGSQU2U— Nina Jackson #Talk2MeMH (@musicmind) November 26, 2019

This week, Tara was invited onto Voice of Islam Radio to take part in a programme about the link between exclusions and crime, including knife crime. About Voice of Islam Voice of Islam Radio Voice of Islam Radio is a new Digital DAB 24hr radio station which offers news, views, discussion and insight on Islam’s Perspectives on the world today. It is a new channel that will inform, engage and give you a chance to express your views on a range of topics. Broadcasting 24 hours a day the station aims to give everyone a space for discussion, for people of faith, no faith or just those with an interest in social peace and greater justice. Welcome to Voice Of Islam

This week, Mark talks to Kirstie Mackey from Barclays Life Skills which provides: Tool tips and learning resources for you to help yourself or to support you in the development of others For students, educators and parents, the scheme provides City and Guilds approved activities and resources covering a huge range of work/life topics. https://barclayslifeskills.com/ contains an enormous range of help for student and Mark has very positive memories of working with the scheme when he was headteacher of a Pupil Referral Unit. Kirstie Mackey In 2013, Kirstie created and launched LifeSkills. From teaching CV writing skills in classrooms to hiring people for her various teams, Kirstie has years of experience in knowing what employers are looking for and how to get ahead in your chosen career. As well as heading up LifeSkills, Kirstie is a champion for young people and is leading the call for businesses to support young people get work ready. In her role as Head of LifeSkills, Kirstie is also a contributor to publications such as Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan and Glamour. Listen to the whole, fascinating story of how Kirstie founded and developed the scheme and find out a little bit about the amazing range of activities which are on offer – free of charge!