Reading Blues Podcast

#019 - Welcome back to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school.

In this episode we’re outdoors into some pretty harsh conditions as we find out about something called the Ten Tors event, a 45 mile hike across Dartmoor. Director of Adventure Education, Stephen Lamacraft is joined by Year 12 students Nina, Sergio, Chris, Sophie and also Eloise who’s dialling in from home. Together they explain what the Ten Tors event is, how you prepare for something like this, what it’s actually like to endure this and what it feels like to cross the finish line. But we also hear about teamwork, something that’s at the heart of Reading Blue Coat School.

So let’s get boots out, laced up and step outdoors for this episode right now.

Reading Blue Coat School online
Website: www.rbcs.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool

Additional resources:
Ten Tors: www.tentors.org.uk
Mr Lamacraft's email: sla@rbcs.org.uk

#018 - Welcome back to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school.

In this episode we’re speaking to Scott Yates, Director of Middle School, and Robert Tidbury, Deputy Head Academic.

They’ll be walking us through the process of choosing GCSEs at Reading Blue Coat, the kind of systems in place to ensure students pick the right GCSEs for them and what advice they’d offer to students in Year 9.

So come with me now as we jump into this conversation with host Tracey and Reading Blue Coat staff Scott Yates and Robert Tidbury.

Reading Blue Coat School online
Website: www.rbcs.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool 

#017 - Welcome back to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school. 

In this episode we’re going to be talking to Sarah Langdon, member of the Sixth Form pastoral team, who’s joined by some students from the school, Archie, EJ and Ben.

Sarah will tell us all about Rainbow Flag Award, what it is, why it is that Reading Blue Coat has applied and what it means to Sarah.

But we’ll also get to hear from some of the students, how they have been involved with the Rainbow Flag Award application and what is like being part of the LGBT+ community.

This episode is great, the students and Sarah are very passionate about the Rainbow Flag Award and the LGBT+ community within the school, they open up about the challenges faced, the focus on inclusion and diversity and how things are changing.

So enough from me, let me take you into this episode right now as we speak to Sarah and some of the Sixth Form students.

Reading Blue Coat School online
Website: www.rbcs.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool 

#016 - Welcome back to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school. 

In this episode we’re going online and finding out about the future of education with the Head of Physics at the school, Benjamin Schuler. Now, fun fact, Reading Blue Coat was one of the schools that was already looking at online learning before the pandemic arrived which means they were naturally in a good place to make that rapid switch back in 2020. Not that it came without its issues though, something that Benjamin talks about in this episode.

So we get to hear what challenges they faced, how it all worked at school (especially in the Physics department) and what the opportunities were that came as a result of this.

So enough chit chat from me, let me take you into this episode right now as we speak to Head of Physics, Benjamin Schuler.

Reading Blue Coat School online
Website: www.rbcs.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool 

#015 - Welcome back to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school.

In this episode we’re in the sixth form department talking to Director of Sixth Form, Katie Fatania. Now Katie joined the school recently, you can probably tell from her accent she’s not a local Reading girl, see if you can work out where she’s from before she shares this with us all.

But, more importantly, we find out how she feels able to engage with people around in the sixth form, we hear how Blue Coat is different to other schools and we explore the words ‘educating the whole person’ to see if it’s simply a marketing phrase at school.

But we also find out how girls settle into sixth form life if they’ve joined from another school that’s not co-ed, so one that’s all girls.

But come with me now as we step into this conversation with Katie Fatania.

Reading Blue Coat School online
Website: www.rbcs.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool 

#014 - Welcome back to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school.

In this episode we’re talking to the Head of History but actually not about history. Instead we’re talking about overseas expeditions and CCF. If you haven’t guessed we’re with Tanya van der Werff about, well, the world!

So we’re going to find out which countries have been visited in the past, why following foreign office advice is so important for a school, the learning and development that comes from trips like these and, as expected, we also hear about the Navy section of the CCF.

So grab your passport, bring a PCR negative test result and let’s explore the world with Tanya van der Werff.

Reading Blue Coat School online
Website: www.rbcs.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool 

#013 - Welcome back to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school.

In this episode we’re talking to Head of English, Malcolm Stewart. He’s going to share with us his own experiences that led him into the world of teaching, whether pupils fit the stereotype of not wanting to English, how to encourage children to do more reading and whether Shakespeare is still such a big deal.

So come with me now while we step into the world of English with Malcolm Stewart.

Reading Blue Coat School online
Website: www.rbcs.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool 

#012 - Welcome back to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school.

This episode is all about the outdoors because we’re talking to Stephen Lamacraft, Director of Adventure Education (possibly the coolest job title in the world!) So, we’re going to hear all about why outdoor education is so good for children today, what parents can do to encourage their children, how you don’t need to go to some far-flung country to experience adventure and how a move in the school to co-educational all the way through will change things. Or won’t change things. Stick around to see what that answer is.

But for now, come with me and let’s find out more about adventure education with Stephen Lamacraft.

Reading Blue Coat School online
Website: www.rbcs.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool 

#011 -Welcome back to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school.

In this episode we’re back speaking with Headmaster Pete Thomas. The new academic year is well and truly underway but I still wanted to know what he got up to in the summer holidays, how much downtime a Head really gets when those eight weeks of summer begin, but we spend most of this podcast talking about what’s happening in the next three school terms.

And not just what’s happening but why those things are happening and even how. Intrigued? Well, you should be. So let me take you into the Headmaster’s office to spend 20 minutes with Pete Thomas.

Reading Blue Coat School online
Website: www.rbcs.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool 

#010 - Welcome to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school.

In this episode we step into the Headmaster’s office and speak to Pete Thomas. We’re about to find out how his first year as Headmaster has been, how he’s coped being a Head during Covid and what some of the common misconceptions are about the role of Headmaster. But we also find out what he likes to do when he’s not at school, and whether or not he enjoys 80s music. What do you think?

Come with me and find out as we explore the world of Reading Blue Coat through the eyes of Pete Thomas.

Reading Blue Coat School online
Website: www.rbcs.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool 

#009 - Welcome to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school. 

In this episode we speak to Kate Wakeman-Toogood, Chaplain, maths teacher and pastoral care. We ask her how she juggles the role she has in school with being an associate vicar at St Andrew’s church, what the future of the chaplaincy looks like at Reading Blue Coat and if she had a time machine whether she would use it to go back in time 2,000 years. 

So, let’s explore the world of Reading Blue Coat through the eyes of Kate Wakeman-Toogood. 

Reading Blue Coat School online
Website: www.rbcs.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool 

#008 - Welcome to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school. 

In this episode we speak to Sean Lambert, Head of Classics at Reading Blue Coat School. We’re going to find out what Classics actually looks like at the school, the benefits of studying it, what a liberal education is, and also the concept of Diversity of Thinking. 

So, let’s explore the world of Reading Blue Coat through the eyes of Sean Lambert.

Reading Blue Coat School online
Website: www.rbcs.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool 

#007 - Welcome to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school. 

In this episode we speak to Victoria Fangen Hall, Foundation Director at the school. We’re going to find out what her job as Foundation Director actually entails, we’ll delve into the history of Reading Blue Coat, discussing the founder of the school, Richard Aldworth, and we’ll find out more about the Aldworth Partnership. But we also find out what Victoria enjoys about Australia, so stick around to see what that might be. 

So, let’s explore the world of Reading Blue Coat through the eyes of Victoria Fangen Hall. 

Reading Blue Coat School online
Website: www.rbcs.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool 

#006 - Welcome to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school. 

In this episode we speak to Matt Wharton, Grounds Manager at the school. Because, if you haven’t gathered by now this podcast is about hearing from all parts of school life. And I think you’re going to like this one. Matt’s going to explain to us just how he and his team keep the grounds looking like they do, what he thought about the grounds when he first arrived on the day he was interviewed, and also what some of the things are we can do at home to improve the look of our lawns. 

But we also find out from Matt some of the great places in the UK we can all visit to really appreciate some incredible grounds. We never need to go far in this country to find some fantastic places. 

So, let’s explore the world of Reading Blue Coat through the eyes of Matt Wharton.

Reading Blue Coat School online
Website: www.rbcs.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool 

#005 - Welcome to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school.

In this episode we speak to Kevin Magill, Deputy Head Staff Development. He’s from South Wales and boy you’ll know that from this episode. But as well as hearing about life further down the M4 we also hear about the different roles he’s taken on at Blue Coat, his teacher training and development and how it feels for him seeing students off when they reach the top end of school and fly the nest onto their next step.

We also find out what the Mumbles Mile is. You’ll need to see the episode through though to understand what that might be.

So, let’s explore the world of Reading Blue Coat through the eyes of Kevin Magill.

Reading Blue Coat School online
Website: www.rbcs.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool 

#004 - Welcome to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school. 

In this episode we speak to Richard Meehan about music at Reading Blue Coat. Richard is passionate about music, you can tell that just by the way he talks about music both in the school and when he’s not at school. So we’re going to find out what opportunities there are for students to get involved in music at school and what things have changed regarding music since 2020 impacted all our lives.

So, let’s explore the world of music at Reading Blue Coat through the eyes of Richard Meehan.

Reading Blue Coat School online

Website: www.rbcs.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool

#003 - Welcome to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school.

In this episode we speak to Ed Trelinski about the value of co-curricular activities for young people. Ed will be explaining what’s included in the school’s co-curricular programme, what the future plans are and he also talks about what he refers to as adventure education.

So, let’s explore the world of co-curricular at Reading Blue Coat through the eyes of Ed Trelinski.

Reading Blue Coat School online

Website: www.rbcs.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl
Twitter: @ReadingBlues
Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool

#001 - Welcome to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school. 

In this episode, our very first episode, we speak to Mr Peter van Went, former pupil and teacher, and now a historian and the school archivist. I'm told there's not much he doesn't know about the school. 

We'll be finding out how the school has changed since the 1960s, what's working better and I even ask him what might not be working so well, so stick around to find out what that is. But in the meantime join us as we explore the world of Reading Blue Coat through the eyes of Peter van Went.

#002 - Welcome to the Reading Blues Podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level. Each week we’ll be interviewing people within the school community, asking them questions and spending time understanding more about them and more about the school. 

In this episode we speak to Devin Moller, Director of Drama at the school and passionate advocate for the benefits of drama within school life. 

We talk about the value of drama in the curriculum, not as a co-curricular subject or an after-school activity, but as a valuable academic subject. We also discuss the various ways that young people can be involved in drama, not necessarily on the stage, and we find out some of the things that we should all be watching today. But we also find out what genre of movies Devin dislikes, I was quite surprised by his answer and I think you might be too. Anyway, let’s explore the world of drama at Reading Blue Coat through the eyes of Devin Moller.

Reading Blue Coat School online

Website: www.rbcs.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl

Twitter: @ReadingBlues

Instagram: ReadingBlueCoatSchool

Welcome to our new podcast, the place to find out more about our school and where we'll be speaking to staff, pupils and parents so that together we're all connected. Our first main episode is coming soon so be sure to check back here in the next few days to see the first release.If you have any questions in the meantime please contact the school through the main website.Thank you for taking an interest, we'll see you soon.