The Podcast

At last – we’ve landed a SENCO! Probably the busiest individual in any school, and the subject we get the most questions about. Kate answers all of the questions that have been pitched by members and people who follow our social channels.

Elspeth joins us to talk about how exercise can be so be so beneficial in the run up to exams. Instagram.com/elspethfit Instagram.com/elspethphoto Instagram.com/elspethillustrates www.elspethvanderhole.com www.elspethillustrates.com

Sara Charles from Eduqas/WJEC joins us to talk about the dos and REALLY don’ts of tackling English Literature GCSE revision and exam papers. Knowledge organiser – https://resources.eduqas.co.uk/Pages/ResourceByArgs?subId=57 https://www.shmoop.com/teachers/best-practices/subject/english.html https://mrbruff.com/ https://www.sparknotes.com/

We talked to Tom about what we as parents can do to support an ‘introvert’ child – including how (and if) to help them stretch their comfort zone, along with the importance of ‘recharge time’.

Whether your child is questioning their gender identity, or whether they have a friend they want to support better, this was a fascinating talk about how to navigate that journey. Find more from Esther (Fifty Shades of Gender) here:https://estherlemmens.com/https://www.fiftyshadesofgender.com/https://www.instagram.com/50shadesgender/ And find Kit Marie here: Geogramblings

Catherine is a regional representative for WJEC/Eduqas for English Language. Before this job role, she was the head of English in her time as a teacher. The information she gives is relevant to all the English Language exams, no matter the exam board being studied by your teen. Knowledge Organiser: https://resources.eduqas.co.uk/Pages/ResourceSingle.aspx?rIid=1461

Lewis is the face and brains behind GCSE physics online and the Physics Online YouTube channel. There’s nothing Lewis doesn’t know about GCSE physics, and the step up required to be successful in the subject at A level or the IB. https://www.gcsephysicsonline.com/ GCSE Physics Exam Revision Notes – Amazon Twitter: @legophysicsguy Youtube channel: https://youtube.com/@PhysicsOnline

Matt Buttery from Triple P joins us to talk about the importance of resilience in teens and how to help build it up as GCSE and post-16 exams approach. https://www.triplep-parenting.uk.net/uk/triple-p/

Rachel talks to us about the importance of having a positive connection with your teen daughter and where reconnection is required, she’s the expert! Mum’s retreat: www.positivetouch.net/teen-whisperer-retreat The ‘Disconnection to Connection’ Toolkit via my website at www.positivetouch.net

Amy is the Science Subject Advisor for OCR and joins us to provide some top tips about how students should best prepare for the GCSE science exams. Useful links: https://www.ocr.org.uk/students/  Student hub with easy access to past papers, preparing for exams and well-being. https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/blog/free-chemistry-gcse-revision-for-ocr-gateway-a/ – A link to resources to revise with that are specific to…

Francesca talks to us about her journey from ‘normal’ job to turning her journalling passion product into such a hit that it is now to be found in Waterstones. She talks about the science of happiness and how journalling can help your teen (and you!). https://happyselfjournal.com

We talked with Harry Smith, who has created countless revision guides and resources for Pearson (Edexcel) about what examiners are looking for. There are some gold nuggets of wisdom in here for anyone heading for GCSEs!

Nicole talks to us about how she helps anxious children and teens to communicate their feelings using her fabulous idea of a ‘box full of joy’. https://aboxfullofjoyuk.co.uk/ https://facebook.com/a.box.full.of.joy.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/a.box.full.of.joy.uk/

Juliet talks about the benefits of meditation and how these can help teens who are worrying about teen issues, but particularly the stresses caused by impending exams. Insta: @wild_flower_meditations www.Innatebeing.com.au www.lorinroche.com

Hayley Perkins is a counsellor and mentor to both children and adults. She talks to us about teenage depression and give parents strategies to help their children cope. hayleyperkinstherapist@gmail.com

Miss Tinks talks to us about how to help teenagers better deal with stressful situations particularly with an eye on GCSE mock and real exams. www.misstinks.co.uk Attitude is Everything – Jeff Keller The Compound Effect – Darren Hardy What to say when you talk to yourself – Shad Helmstetter

Mel talks to us about how to move from surviving to thriving as a family unit with strategies to overcome teenage mental health issues. www.meljriley.co.uk

Satveer focuses her efforts around talking to students, school staff and parents about the ever increasing prevalence of self-harm. This episode is aimed at parents to help with their awareness of the issue. http://satveernijjar.com/

James Hawes has been a school councellor and psychotherapist for over 25 years and joins the ParentGuidetoGCSE podcast to talk about how to break bad news to teenagers. www.JamesHawes.org www.synergycounselling.com

Caroline is a teenage boys mental health expert and an adolescent wellbeing coach. She helps teenage boys and young men to worry less, talk more, and become happier and more successful.    Founder of ‘Mums of Growing Up Sons’ Facebook Group. Email: hello@carolinejacobs.co.uk Website: www.carolinejacobs.co.uk Get your ‘How to Feel More Connected to your Growing Up…

Jenny Eastwood works for The Parent Team and her expertise in neuroscience and brain development enables her to provide great advice on positive parenting, especially for parents of teens approaching assessments ….. and all the stresses they bring. She also has brilliant advice around building motivation and confidence in teenagers. https://www.theparent.team/ What’s My Teenager Thinking?…

James shares his remarkable story of overcoming considerable health challenges. His journey from headteacher designate to motivational speaker is awe-inspiring. www.icanandiam.com

Dr. Mark King is the admissions director for Lucy College at Cambridge University. In the second instalment of the 2-part podcast, he talks through the final stages of the admissions process and covers a lot of the FAQ’s about applying to these two universities. In these two episodes, he leaves no stone unturned in explaining…

Dr. Mark King is the admissions director for Lucy College at Cambridge University. In this 2-part podcast, he talks through the admissions process from start to finish. How important are GCSE grades? What post-16 subjects should be studied? What are the stages to an Oxbridge application? In these two episodes, he leaves no stone unturned…

Kim Ward is the CEO of Katie’s Mission, a non profit organisation that focuses on suicide prevention. In this episode she shares her powerful story about her sister Katie and the work she does with mental health and suicide awareness.

As part of our ‘difficult (but important) conversations series, Viv Quick talks to us about the common issues that teenagers have when it comes to sex and pornography. Viv has worked for the NHS since 1960 and more recently has been a school nurse and a young persons sexual health worker. She was awarded an…

Tash Walker has been helping and supporting people to understand their gender identity through her work with the Switchboard LGBT organisation. Here she offers advice to parents with teens who have identified as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Tammy has over 20 years of experience working across the criminal justice and social care sectors. This experience includes operational and management roles in statutory and charitable homelessness services, and as CEO of a charity working to prevent sexual abuse. 

Clare Josa is considered the UK’s leading authority on Imposter Syndrome, having spent nearly 20 years specialising in the field, including publishing the landmark 2019 Imposter Syndrome Research Study and her new book: Ditching Imposter Syndrome, which already has readers in over 30 countries. She is the author of eight books and has been interviewed by…

This is one of our ‘Difficult (but important) Conversations to have with your child’ series. These have mostly all been live-streamed via Facebook, but we will gradually be adding them to the podcast too. Uju Asika is a multiple award-nominated blogger, screenwriter and creative consultant. On her popular blog, Babes About Town, she shares witty, informative…

Liz Loly is a qualified teacher and parent to a delightfully dyslexic son. With a background in communications, which began when working on the London 2012 Olympic bid, Liz now works as a Communications and Education Consultant. Liz is personally and professionally dedicated to sharing knowledge, empowering people and enabling everyone the opportunity and strategies to…

Tune in to find out all the answers (that we actually have) about what happens when schools return fully in September, as well as what’s going on behind the scenes to get everything ready. Jonathan Lewis is the Director of Education for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.  

Joseph has come a long way since being expelled from school at 15 years old. Now 30, he’s created (and sold) a nationwide gas installation business, won the BBC Apprentice series of 2015 which made him Lord Sugar’s business partner, and has now set up the Power to Succeed and the Trade Mastermind coaching academies. …

Deborah is the author of ‘How to keep your daughter from slamming the door’. As an ex-teacher and a mother, Deborah has a wealth of experience dealing with teenagers.  Join us for some great advice on how to build a great relationship with your teenager (yes, this works for sons too). Our favourite bit was…

WARNING:  This episode contains discussions about suicide and self harm. Since November 2012, Dick has been visiting schools, universities and organisations to help raise awareness of mental health issues.  Did you know that 10% of young people are suffering from a diagnosable mental health disorder today? Not only does this mean that a vast number of…

Ronit Baras is an expert in personal development, specializing in accelerated learning, communication, relationships, parenting, work-life balance, self esteem, confidence and stress management. She has guided parents and kids on their search for passion, purpose and happiness for over 33 years. Check her out at: https://www.behappyinlife.com/ https://www.ronitbaras.com/

We talk helping parents create a healthy environment for teenagers, why the teenage brain is not naturally ‘wired’ for revision, and the importance of an end goal to help with motivation. We also talk about how we can all stay sane while cooped up together for the next few months… ?

Kim Ades is the President and Founder of Frame of Mind Coaching™ and JournalEngine™ Software. Author, speaker, entrepreneur, coach and mother of 5, Kim is recognized as one of North America’s leading experts on performance through thought mastery. Kim talked to us about emotional resilience, and how the ability to not just bounce back but…

In this episode, we talk about motivation, ideas for reward systems, and procrastination.

Who better to advise your teen on their GCSEs than students who successfully made it through, and are in the next stage of their journey!?

We talk to Helen Wade, a Languages teacher with 35 years experience about everything you need to know about Languages GCSEs!

In this episode, we talk to Kamal Ellis-Hyman of ‘Aim a Little Higher’ about how he works with students in schools to inspire them to up their game.

In this episode: How to revise for English, which exam expects what, Kindles vs actual books, and why it’s okay to PEE in your exam.

The ‘King of Routine’ himself, John Lamerton, on how to put the ‘teen’ in routine!