In this episode of Golden Talks, we are joined by Terri Hickey, Operations Manager at The Riverview Academy, to discuss the theme of belonging and the powerful connections schools can build within their communities.

Terri shares her unique journey from being a pupil at Riverview to becoming a key member of the school’s leadership team. She also talks about how Riverview has maintained its strong community ethos over the years, supporting both pupils and families while also highlighting how belonging can shape both personal journeys and whole school communities.

For more information about The Golden Thread Alliance, please visit https://golden-thread.org/.

In this episode of Golden Talks, we speak with Fliss Walsh, Deputy Head and Inclusion Lead at The Riverview Academy, about the meaning and importance of SEND and inclusion in schools today. Fliss shares what a typical morning looks like in her role, talks about her journey into inclusion, her passion for working closely with teachers and teaching assistants, and why building trust with parents is central to effective SEND support.

She also discusses the broader challenges facing SEND provision nationally, including funding pressures, the impact of COVID-19 on children’s social and emotional development, and the importance of teamwork within schools in meeting complex needs.

For more information about The Golden Thread Alliance, please visit https://golden-thread.org/.

In this episode of Golden Talks, Temple Hill Primary Academy Headteacher Leon Dawson and Assistant Head for Inclusion Rebecca Crouch discuss what inclusion and belonging look like in practice.

Drawing on years of experience within the school community, they discuss how belonging sits at the heart of their approach to education. For them, inclusion means ensuring every child feels welcomed, respected and supported, regardless of their starting point. They also introduce the idea of “mattering,” where pupils are given meaningful roles and responsibilities to reinforce their importance within the school community. They also talk about the challenges schools face when supporting increasing levels of SEND need with limited resources.

Through it all, their focus remains on creating a school where children feel valued, and families know they will be supported.

For more information about The Golden Thread Alliance, please visit https://golden-thread.org/.