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Tutorcast

Educational insights on issues that matter to you

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Welcome to Tutorcast

In this podcast series, exclusively from the team of ex-teachers and passionate educators, we explore the hugely rewarding world of tutoring. As well as top tips for the classroom, you can hear some unique perspectives and challenging viewpoints along the way in our interviews with education experts. Whether you’re a tutor, teacher, student, parent or simply interested in education, Tutorcast will help you unpick what matters in the classroom.

Listen, like and subscribe on Spotify or Podbean to be the first to know when a new episode drops. You can also read more about the topics we discuss in the featured articles below or see our back catalogue to be inspired.

Episode 22: Why literacy matters for educational equity with David Savill 

In this episode of Tutorcast, we sat down with David Savill from the University of Salford to discuss local educators’ reflections on literacy levels in the city of Salford, and the connection between literacy and educational equity.

Read more here

Access the back catalogue

Take a deeper dive

Listen and read more about the contributors and content featured in recent or most favourite episodes
Year 5 pupils raise their hands in a small group tutoring session

Episode 20: A care-experienced perspective of tutoring

This episode makes a powerful case for why quality tutoring should be a fundamental support for all young people, underscoring the urgent demand for increased funding and the potential for nationwide school tuition

Lesson plans are laid across a table at a Tutor Trust workshop event

Episode 19: Become a revision champion!

In this podcast episode, former headteacher Mark Wyss discusses some top strategies for effective exam revision. From finding the right revision techniques to working out how they'll fit into your day, this is a must-listen for anyone preparing for exams…

Meet the team behind Tutorcast

Vicky takes the lead on the content production, and Chrissie and Sammy co-host our episodes to facilitate insightful conversations with our podcast guests.
Vicky has shoulder-length, straight blonde hair and is wearing a black and white chequered t-shirt

Vicky Sadler

Director of Tutor Recruitment and Development
Vicky has shoulder-length, straight blonde hair and is wearing a black and white chequered t-shirt

Vicky Sadler

Director of Tutor Recruitment and Development

Vicky became Director of Tutor Recruitment and Development in May 2024. In this role, Vicky oversees recruitment, onboarding, and initial training of our tutors, as well as managing our calendar of ongoing learning opportunities for tutors throughout the year. She helps to manage our online learning platform and ensure it is stocked full of top-notch tutoring materials and resources to ensure that tutors are thoroughly prepared for their tuition sessions. Vicky also participates in the quality assurance procedures within our organisation, in partnership with the Quality and Impact Team. 

Vicky says: "With more than 18 years of education experience, primarily within Greater Manchester, my journey has been inspired by a deep passion for transforming lives through learning. Starting in Key Stage 2, I honed my skills teaching Y6 in an inner-city Primary School, later taking on leadership roles in Diversity and Inclusion as well as SENCO training, where I championed support systems for vulnerable, SEND, and EAL learners. My diverse experience also includes leadership in Literacy, Art and Design, PE, Assessment, and mentoring students and Newly Qualified Teachers. During my own children's early years, I established an 'Outstanding' rated childcare business with a Forest School ethos, served as a Network Childminder, and organised sensory playgroups at a Stockport Surestart Centre. I further fuelled my passion for Early Years as an Early Years Leader in a Stockport Primary School until 2018 when my family and I embarked upon a two-year international adventure, during which I ventured into online tutoring.

"My enthusiasm for community-driven education equity led me to the Tutor Trust team as a Primary Quality Manager in January 2021. What I truly cherish about my role is the opportunity to empower tutors, leveraging my experience and knowledge to elevate their practice. It's a privilege to facilitate high-quality tuition that genuinely transforms lives and tackles educational inequalities head-on."

Headshot of Chrissie Thwaites

Chrissie Thwaites

Strategic Partnerships Coordinator
Headshot of Chrissie Thwaites

Chrissie Thwaites

Strategic Partnerships Coordinator

Chrissie joined the Tutor Trust in October 2024. A graduate of the University of Exeter, she also has a PhD in sociology of religion from the University of Leeds. As well as being committed to accessible and socially impactful research, Chrissie has a keen interest in ensuring people are enabled to realise their potential regardless of socio-economic background; she previously worked in university outreach through a widening participation role, delivering sessions in a low-participation school. 

Her other professional experiences include teaching undergraduates, supporting students with disabilities in their university exams, developing postgraduate researchers' careers provision, fundraising for hardship financial aid, and student wellbeing advocacy. She is keen to apply this background in higher education to make a positive impact within the education sector more broadly.

Chrissie says: “I'm really proud to be working for an organisation that's committed to tackling educational inequality. As Strategic Partnerships Coordinator, I’m keen to establish and develop our partnerships across the north of England - and to get creative about who we partner with and how we might work together. If you'd like to talk about how we could collaborate, I’d love to hear from you!

Sammy Meynell

Project and Programme Manager - Greater Manchester

Sammy Meynell

Project and Programme Manager - Greater Manchester

Sammy joined Tutor Trust in the summer of 2021 as a Secondary English tutor whilst studying for her Master’s degree in Philosophy at the University of Manchester. A couple of weeks after she completed her degree, Sammy began working on a full-time tuition assignment at St Damian’s RC Science College, which was an incredibly fun and rewarding experience. She became a Primary Schools Coordinator in the Greater Manchester team. In February 2024, Sammy moved into the role of Project Lead within the Manchester Schools team, overseeing projects including Transition and Post-16. She is looking forward to playing an active role in diversifying our offer to reach even more children and young people in need of extra support. 

Sammy says: "I have always been passionate about playing a role in minimising educational inequalities. One of my favourite things about my role is the fact I am making a difference to the lives of many young people in my local community who otherwise wouldn’t have access to the extra support Tutor Trust provides. This makes the job extremely fulfilling, and I am proud to be a part of this amazing organisation. I also enjoy working alongside our tutors to help them settle into their roles and boost their engagement, through organising social events and facilitating drop-ins.

"When I’m not coordinating tuition, I enjoy watching football and I co-host my own FC Halifax Town podcast! I also love to read, and I’m currently on the Tutor Trust Book Club committee, where we organise monthly meetings with our fellow office bookworms."