In the summer of 2024, Irise brought together a diverse group of young people from across the UK, alongside their allies and educators to directly inform a ‘Toilet Policy Toolkit’, to equip schools with the tools they need to create a Toilet Policy that works for everyone. 

https://www.irise.org.uk/uk-schools-toilet-policy-toolkit

Kelly Greenaway is phs Group’s period equality lead. Over the past nine years with the hygiene provider she has led a number of thought-leadership campaigns, which have eventually been sewn into the identity of the business.

From tackling period inequality and campaigning for better access to period products for people in a variety of locations, to championing the need for dignified disposal for men, Kelly has put purpose at the heart of phs.

Chrissy Cattle – CEO of Irise International 

Irise is an award winning, global leader in menstrual justice programming, policy and research. 

Takeaways:

• The podcast discusses a newly developed toilet policy toolkit aimed at enhancing period equity in schools.
• This toolkit was co-created by educators and young activists to address the issue of toilet access.
• Research indicates that many students face significant barriers when trying to access school toilets, including the need for permission and limited availability.
• The conversation emphasizes the importance of listening to young people’s experiences and incorporating their feedback into effective policy-making.
• The podcast highlights the collaboration between organizations to drive change in menstrual health and hygiene education.
• Both guests underscore the necessity of improving toilet accessibility to support students’ health and well-being during their menstrual cycles.

Chapters:

• 00:02 – Introduction to the Toilet Policy Toolkit
• 04:55 – Understanding the Challenges of Period Equality in Schools
• 09:46 – The Toolkit and Its Implementation
• 20:09 – Advocating for Period Equity: Insights and Initiatives
• 26:49 – Empowerment through Leadership Programs

Kelly Greenaway – phs Group

 https://www.phs.co.uk/

 https://x.com/phsgroup

Chrissy Cattle – Irise International 

https://www.irise.org.uk/

 https://www.instagram.com/irise_international/

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David K Richards is the Founder & CEO of Changemaker Education, a national network of affiliate love-based microschools and an incubator for founders who want to usher in a new paradigm for the future of education. He is also the host of the Changemaker ED“U” podcast.

Previously, he was Founder & CEO of Growth Public Schools, and a founding teacher and leader with Summit Public Schools where he launched several innovative schools. In addition he serves as a leadership and life coach. David has worked in education reform for over 25 years as a teacher, principal, executive, and board member.

He lives in Sacramento, CA with his wife and his two children, and holds a BA from UC Berkeley and an MA from Stanford University.

Takeaways:

• The traditional education system has remained largely unchanged, resembling a factory model that fails to meet the needs of modern learners.
• Microschools represent a transformative approach to education, empowering educators and communities to create personalized learning environments.
• The emergence of microschools arises from a growing desire for more intimate, love-based educational experiences that focus on social emotional learning.
• ChangeMaker Education aims to cultivate a network of microschools, emphasizing the importance of relationships and community involvement in fostering student success.
• In the face of societal shifts, such as the rise of the gig economy and the expansion of homeschooling, families are increasingly seeking alternative education options.
• There exists a significant demand for educational reform that prioritizes personalized learning and emotional development, particularly in light of ongoing advancements in technology and AI.

Chapters:

• 00:16 – Revolutionizing Education: The MicroSchool Movement
• 01:04 – Introduction to Microschools and Educational Innovation
• 13:50 – Transitioning from Educator to Entrepreneur
• 16:30 – The Rise of Personalized Education
• 22:59 – The Future of Education: Embracing Change and Choice
• 31:18 – The Ripple Effect in Education

https://www.changemakereducation.com/

Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/

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Dr. Robin Harwick is the founder and director of The Pearl Remote Democratic High School—an international, online school reimagining education for youth pushed out of mainstream systems.

A lifelong educator, researcher, and creator of healing-centered programs, she combines lived experience with academic rigor to disrupt the status quo. Her work champions self-determination, culturally affirming curriculum, creativity, and shared power.

Whether she’s launching new models or mentoring others to do the same, Dr. Harwick believes the future belongs to those bold enough to build it, and that education should be a tool for liberation, not control.

Takeaways:

• Dr. Robin Harwick emphasizes the necessity of making education valuable both in the present and future, ensuring students find relevance in their learning today.
• The Pearl Remote Democratic High School serves students who have been marginalized by mainstream educational systems, focusing on personalized and supportive learning environments.
• Effective education requires fostering emotional well-being alongside academic success, recognizing that students often struggle when pressured to conform to traditional expectations.
• Students at the Pearl experience a collaborative and democratic learning process, empowering them to take ownership of their education and engage actively in their learning journey.

Chapters:

• 00:00 – The Value of Education
• 02:21 – The Importance of Personalized Education
• 08:16 – The Importance of Multicultural Education
• 17:41 – Understanding Student Engagement and Mental Capacity
• 23:10 – Transitioning to Online Education
• 28:16 – Transitioning to Personalized Learning
• 34:10 – Creating Safe Spaces for Students
• 34:59 – Transforming Education: The Role of Democratic Classrooms
• 44:20 – The Shift from Compliance to Personal Growth in Education
• 47:54 – The Power of Resilience and Hope

https://thepearlhighschool.org/

https://www.instagram.com/the_pearl_high_school/

https://www.facebook.com/ThePearlHighSchool

Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/

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Jez Alborough is the author and illustrator of over 45 books for children. His Eddy and the Bear trilogy (which began with the much loved WHERE’S MY TEDDY in 1992) has sold nearly four and a half million copies and was made into a Bafta award-winning animated television special and series.

DUCK IN THE TRUCK (1999) heralded the start of another bestselling series, this time featuring the irrepressible Duck and his three friends – Frog, Goat and Sheep. There are nine books in the Duck series (1.3 million copies sold) including DUCK’S KEY WHERE CAN IT BE? which won the Child magazine Best of the Year Award.

In 2000 Jez created HUG – a powerful and touching book of only three words about a baby chimpanzee called Bobo who loses his Mum. HUG was raved about by Oprah Winfrey on her show when she chose it for her recommended reading list while Richard Curtis (the writer and director of Four Weddings and a Funeral) selected HUG as one of his ‘Best Books’ calling it: ‘classic family drama which holds up well next to Jez’s other masterpieces.’ Bobo went on to star in three more classics; TALL (which along with HUG won the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Book Award), YES and PLAY. The series has sold around 2 million copies. Jez’s other books include SOME DOGS DO (2004) and the NAT THE CAT series (2013).

Takeaways:

• Smiling is a contagious act, capable of spreading joy across vast distances.
• The journey of creativity often begins with a single idea that evolves over time.
• The relationship between an author and a publisher is crucial for a book’s success.
• Illustration and storytelling are intertwined, where images and text complement each other.
• Learning is a continuous process that requires both patience and resilience from the learner.
• Inspiration can strike unexpectedly, leading to the creation of impactful works of art.

Chapters:

• 00:08 – The Ripple Effect of a Smile
• 00:34 – Introduction to the Education on Far Podcast
• 13:21 – The Journey of Creation: From Idea to Publication
• 29:32 – The Intersection of Creativity and Technical Skill
• 44:15 – The Power of Inspiration

https://jezalborough.com/

https://jezalborough.com/numberwondersgame/

Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/

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Kirsty Heap is an executive coach, keynote speaker, and neurodiversity advocate who helps individuals and organisations create environments where people can truly thrive. Drawing on her lived experience of dyslexia, she empowers business owners and leaders to understand their strengths, build confidence, and grow sustainably.

Kirsty is also the author of Silent Snow, a picture book without words, designed to help you create your own stories with your children. Each page is filled with beautiful illustrations to spark your imagination, making storytime fun and personal. Whether reading has always felt tricky, or you just want to try something different, Silent Snow gives you the freedom to tell stories your own way.

The idea for Silent Snow came from Kirsty’s own experiences as a dyslexic parent. She used to find reading to her children difficult, and when she stumbled over words, she felt like she was letting them down. But instead of giving up, she started making up her own stories based on their lives and the little adventures they had. Bedtime soon became one of their favourite times of the day.

Takeaways:

• The podcast emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing the strengths associated with dyslexia, rather than merely focusing on the challenges.
• Kirsty Heap shares her personal journey as a dyslexic parent, highlighting her creative storytelling as a means of connecting with her children.
• There is a significant need for educational systems to adapt and provide personalized learning experiences for neurodivergent students.
• The discussion reveals how the implementation of technology, such as dictation software, can greatly enhance learning outcomes for individuals with dyslexia.
• Kirsty reflects on the profound effect of positive reinforcement and constructive feedback in fostering self-esteem among students with learning differences.
• The episode advocates for greater transparency and openness among educators regarding their own neurodivergent experiences to better support their students.

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Understanding the Weight of Expectations
• 00:18 – Creating Stories from Imagination
• 13:12 – Navigating Dyslexia: Challenges and Strategies in Education
• 26:41 – The Importance of Personalized Learning
• 39:55 – The Impact of Feedback in Coaching and Education

https://kirstyheap.com/

https://kirstyheap.com/silentsnow/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstyheap/

https://www.instagram.com/kirstyheapcoaching/

Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/

Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape

🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire and get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources you can use to support learning

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