tutorcast logo is a graphic of a 50s style microphone on black and pink soundscape background

Tutorcast

Educational insights on issues that matter to you

Follow us on Spotify

Welcome to Tutorcast

Welcome to Tutorcast, Tutor Trust's own podcast, where we share interviews with education experts to empower you to transform the achievements and life chances of school children across the north of England. As well as top tips for the classroom, we share unique perspectives and challenging viewpoints along the way through in-depth interviews with education experts, practitioners, researchers and policymakers. 

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 24: Inside the attendance crisis: a changemaker's perspective 

Persistent absence is a growing crisis that affects a child's social development and future opportunities. In this episode, we talk with Ellie Costello from the advocacy organisation Square Peg. Ellie discusses why the language we use matters and explains that terms like school refusal can often place unfair blame on families.

She shares insights into the complex emotional hurdles that keep children away from the classroom and explores how schools can do things differently. From changing school start times to focusing on strong personal relationships, Ellie highlights the importance of empathy and flexibility in helping every child thrive in education.

Episode 23: Inside the attendance crisis: a school leader's perspective

In this episode of Tutorcast, we sat down with Antonio Passarello, Deputy Head at St Matthew's Roman Catholic High School in North Manchester, to discuss how education providers can respond to absence and the innovative strategies his school uses to support young people with their attendance.

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
Man appears on a screen giving a speech.

Episode 22: Literacy Matters

In this Tutorcast episode, from the Tutor Trust, we met with David Savill from the University of Salford to discuss literacy in Salford

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

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

Former University Partnerships and Engagement Coordinator
Headshot of Chrissie Thwaites

Chrissie Thwaites

Former University Partnerships and Engagement Coordinator

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."