Live from the Hive - our Podcast!

How do others Perceive Autism?

In this episode, Paul Moore sits down with our very own Digital Marketing Apprentice, Terri-Anne Fell. Terri-Anne has both Autism and Dyspraxia and was diagnosed with both at the ages of 17 and 22. In this podcast, Terri-Anne speaks about her own diagnostic journey, the way her autism is perceived by others, the trope of not 'looking autistic' and how she's adjusted to living life as an autistic person.

Episode 12 - Autism and Chronic Illness

In this episode, we speak to Jane Green, an Autism Educationalist who supports and advocates for autistic people and those living with invisible disabilities/chronic illnesses. For over 25 years, Jane has supported children and adults with special needs across early years education, primary and secondary schools, and further education. She has developed and designed training in autism for schools, employment organisations, local authorities, trusts, and charities.

She also shares her experiences of her own autism diagnosis, having been told that she couldn't be autistic all her adult life, believed by Jane to be down to age, gender stereotyping, and being a professional. However, Jane was diagnosed autistic in 2016, aged 54. When her eldest child was diagnosed autistic, she returned to studying to become an educational psychologist.

Episode 11 - Parenting through the diagnosis process

In this episode, Paul Moore chats with Jane Cowell, the mother of Lucy, who was diagnoses with Autism at the age of 20 years old. Jane speaks about her fight for Lucy's diagnosis, how she found parenting Lucy growing up, and what support is available to parents of children and young people with autism.

Episode 10 - Understanding My Autism

In this episode, Paul Moore chats with Lucy Cowell, a School Success Advisor who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 20. She talks about her late diagnosis and how this affected her, how autism presents itself differently in females, and how education providers can encourage autistic people to thrive in their environment.

Episode 9 - Autism and Early Years

It's the start of our podcasts for Autism Awareness Week. In this episode, Paul chats with SENCO and founder of Neuroteachers, Catrina Lowri. Catrina has worked in the sector for over 20 years, specialising in inclusion for Autistic Learners. She's neurodiverse herself and mentions the importance of early intervention, and treating children as individuals.

Episode 8 - Learning Behaviours

In this episode we talk with Sophie Macneill, an assessment adviser with Herts for Learning. Sophie does a deep dive into the work of Carol Dweck, discusses metacognition and equal opportunities for children in early years.

Episode 7 - Apprenticeship Myths

We talk to our own Head of Quality and Education, Susan Hyatt, about all things to do with apprenticeships - battling misconceptions, understanding government funding and highlighting how employers benefit from apprenticeships.

Episode 6 - The Value of Apprenticeships

In this episode we talk with Witherslack's Learning and Development Manager, Marie Leadbetter. Ahead of National Apprenticeships Week, Marie joins us to discuss the importance and benefit of these qualifications for both learners and employers.

Episode 5 - First Aid

In episode 5 of Live from the Hive we talk with our award-winning first aid trainer, Steve Manifold. He tells us how he began he career, addresses some of the myths around first aid and explains why he was awarded with the Order of St John.

Episode 4 - Men in Childcare

In Episode Four of Live from the Hive, we talk to Mark Haycroft, a primary school teacher in Belgium, who has also educated children in Cyprus and the USA. In this episode, Paul and Mark discuss the differences between Primary and Secondary Education, the expected roles of men within those settings, and where these gender stereotypes come from. They also discuss the benefits of being taught by both men and women, and why the number of men in primary school teaching is so low.

Episode 3 - Makaton

In this episode we talk to our Makaton Tutor, Becky Walker, all about the relevance and importance of this unique language program. When Becky worked in nurseries, she encountered children with complex needs and discovered the benefits that Makaton could have in their development - helping them to build relationships, social interaction and communicate their needs, wants and feelings.

Find out more about booking Makaton, by clicking here.

Episode 2 - Mental Health in Children

In this episode we talk to Claire Gold, Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and Consultant Trainer for Young Minds, about mental health and positive mental health in children and young people. Claire discusses the differences in young and adolescent children, how their different behaviours can help us understand their mental health situation and how you can support them better.

Episode 1 - Covid & Busy Bees

Paul Moore, CPD Manager at Busy Bees Education and Training interviews Burntwood Centre Director Jessica Sandall and CEO of Education and Training, Clare Phizacklea, about the impact Covid has had on both childcare and training provision.