The NEC Podcast

Episode 8 - Exploring School Attendance

In this episode Esther and Samreen discuss the critical issue of school attendance, engaging in an enlightening conversation that sheds a light on various aspects of the growing concern over attendance levels and what is being done to address the issue.
They begin by looking at the lastest data, which reveals that whilst primary school attendance is showing signs of recovery, getting closer to pre-pandemic levels, secondary schools continue to grapple with attendance. 

Episode 7 - Inclusion and Protective Characteristics

In this episode of the podcast, Samreen Shah and Esther Chesterman talk about inclusion, protected characteristics and identity-based bullying in schools. Identity-based bullying refers to any form of bullying related to the characteristics considered part of a person's identity - this can include their disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or belief or sexual orientation.

Episode 6 - Stages & Transitions in Education

In this episode, Esther is joined by NEC's very own Karyn Nash, who is a qualified teacher and Pastoral Support Officer. Together they discuss the important stages and transitions in education that some students may find challenging and how to deal with them.

Episode 5 - Postbag

Hosts Esther Chesterman and Samreen Shah take a look back at the past four episodes of the podcast as they respond to comments left by listeners which expand on the topics covered previously.

Episode 4 - ADHD: a Personal Perspective

In this episode, Esther and Samreen are joined by Karyn Nash, who is a qualified teacher and Pastoral Support Officer at the National Extension College. Karyn was diagnosed with ADHD in her 50s and is currently working towards a Masters specialising in ADHD and autism. This episode focuses on Karyn's personal journey with ADHD as well as methods of early detection and the benefits of early intervention for students with ADHD.

Episode 3 - Supporting Emotional Wellbeing Within Educational Settings

Esther and Samreen are joined by global educator and specialist in positive psychology, mindfulness and social emotional learning, Dr Helen Maffini to discuss emotional wellbeing within education. In this episode, the discussion touches on the reasons why students' emotional wellbeing is so important and Helen suggests strategies to implement mindfulness techniques both in educational settings and outside of school.

Episode 2 - School Refusal

Esther Chesterman and Samreen Shah take a look at the issues faced by children who struggle to go to school.

Episode 1 - Exams: Inaccessible Access Arrangements

Esther Chesterman and Samreen Shah explore the issues regarding access arrangements for exams, the challenges for students and parents and some solutions.