A Nostalgic View of the UPDATE Newsletter

Like all things SWIFT the UPDATE interview has evolved into what it is today.

A simple formula. Five questions that reap rich reflections to showcase our work as Teaching School Hubs, and that of our ​Partners and Associates. 

​Looking back, the first iteration of the UPDATE interview appeared in Issue 4 in April 2022 with Martin Lewis - who was then the Appropriate Body Induction Tutor at Kingsbridge Community College (and Martin continues to be a SWIFT stalwart).  After a few evolutions, by Issue 7 the interview had become the defined interview we know today with Esther Best, NPQs Facilitator (the then Headteacher of Oreston Community Academy in Plymstock).
 
With our rooted in partnership mantra, the UPDATE interview has been a way to showcase the dedicated delivery support of valued colleagues across our Golden Thread work – of which there are many to choose from!

Aimee Mills, the then Acting Deputy Headteacher (for Quality of Education) at The Park Community School in Issue 10 (December 2022), Andy Ogden, then Director for CPD and Devon Training School Partnership at Tarka Learning Partnership in Issue 19 (November 2023), Jayne Miners, Primary ECTP Mentor at Halwill Primary School (The Carey Federation) in Issue 38 (October 2025) and Lindsay Cooper Smith, Director of Inclusion for St Christopher’s Academy Trust in Issue 44 (April 2026):
 
“I would wish all children to be educated locally with their peers and to get the support they need at the earliest possible opportunity to make sure there is a genuine holistic approach to inclusion with the family, school and professionals involved.”
 
Still going strong with us harking back to Issue 28 (November 2024) was Tania Cox, Director of Blackdown Education Partnership Training School – one of our valued Partners: “Personally, the thing I enjoy the most of working for a Teaching School Hub is the diverse range of schools and colleagues I get the opportunity to work with and their absolute wealth of expertise and experience shared with me.”  

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Already a few worthy examples of note here, finding a fitting quotation has been a definite delight for me to set the tone for the whole interview. More to follow as we press on now. 
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Always curious, I like learning more about colleagues, as in Issue 32 (March 2025) with Robin Scott, CPD & Marketing Coordinator with Exeter Consortium Schools’ Alliance: “Overall, I think it is most rewarding being part of the Teaching School Hubs network that is aiming for big improvements in education. I always feel the South West collaborates well and we want to work with and make our schools even better." Also, Faye Steele, SWIFT Senior Administrator for the Appropriate Body Service in Issue 40 (December 2025) clearly enjoys her work with her memorable words: “With this essential relationship with our schools in place I believe in a relentless unwavering determination to procure the information we need on time and to meet our deadlines and tracking.” How brightly their commitment shone.
 
We always strive to stand tall with our Partners and I have been grateful to interview CEOs, Headteachers, Senior Leadership Team and Teacher colleagues. Starting with Stewart Biddles, CEO of Riviera Education Trust in Issue 15 (June 2023): “There is always more to be gained by working in partnership than by forging ahead alone.” Tom Parkin, Headteacher of South Molton Community Primary School in Issue 17 (September 2023): “Our hope for our children this year is to get back into school and in a positive way.” Fiona Harvey, Deputy Head (Scholarship) at Colyton Grammar School (one half of SWIFT’s Colyton Teaching School Hub) in Issue 22 (February 2024) provided another standout quotation: “I believe as school leaders, we must challenge and be positive in promoting teaching as a career that is brilliant, rewarding and a worthwhile choice.”​

It has been a privilege to hear original insights from respected leaders. The Issue 33 (April 2025) interview with Gary Chown was on the eve of officially becoming CEO of The Harbour Schools Partnership Multi Academy Trust (merging Ventrus and Tarka Trusts): “I would like to see improvements in how the system connects. I think some MATs are doing well and working in effective partnerships and I am hopeful that we could deepen this partnership and build a more architecturally responsible legacy.” And the interview with Mr T – A.K.A. Christopher Tribble, Headteacher at Honiton Primary School and Author in Issue 36 this time last year demonstrated the noblest intentions for his pupils.
 
I have relished learning more about colleagues, as in Issue 32 (March 2025) with Robin Scott, CPD & Marketing Coordinator with Exeter Consortium Schools’ Alliance: “Overall, I think it is most rewarding being part of the Teaching School Hubs network that is aiming for big improvements in education. I always feel the South West collaborates well and we want to work with and make our schools even better." Also, Faye Steele, SWIFT Senior Administrator for the Appropriate Body Service in Issue 40 (December 2025) clearly enjoys her work with her memorable words: “With this essential relationship with our schools in place I believe in a relentless unwavering determination to procure the information we need on time and to meet our deadlines and tracking.” How brightly their commitment shone.

​We take pride in our responsibilities to champion the work of our many Associates – all of whom boost our offer to Schools and Trusts. Issue 12 (February 2023) interview with Emma Sheppard, The MaternityTeacher PaternityTeacher Project (MTPT) Founder and Lead, testified to her passionate staunchness in this important area of the workforce. Supporting the local Department of Education Subject Hubs is integral to our work and Joint CODE Maths Hub Leads, Laura Clitheroe and David Hick were the double act for Issue 23 (March 2024) and it was the turn for lsham English Hub with Hub Lead, Danni Cooke in Issue 29 (December 2024) sharing her infectious love of reading and all things booky.

​Many (most!) of the interviews have spoken to the longevity of our partnerships. Issue 27 (October 2024) with Jon Eaton, Director of Kingsbridge Research School highlighted our ongoing valued partnership, as did Issue 18 (October 2023) with Jenny Sutton, Regional Principal, South and West – National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) speaking volumes then and now of our close working together as NIoT Associates Colleges: “I genuinely love working with our Associate Colleges because [THEY] all want to build a really strong partnership with us, that genuinely ensures the programmes we develop and deliver together are of maximum benefit for teachers and leaders.” Followed by fellow NIoT colleague Katy Micklewright, Head of the Early Careers Programme Faculty in Issue 37 two years later.
 
Many of interviews provide professional insights into the cogs central to our educational landscape. In May 2024 issue 24 we met Emma Vyvyan, Regional Lead for the South West for Whole School SEND: “Children teach us new things every day and walking in their shoes ensures that we get to know them as individuals, which requires our fresh and creative thinking in order to ensure that we have the best inclusive approach possible.” January 2025 Issue 30 with Justin Coombs, Executive Director of Assessment Technology at Exam Board, AQA and Amy Lingfield, the then Director of Partnerships at Teach First in Issue 31 February 2025.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging is at the heart of our work in safeguarding members of our community to feel psychologically safe and their authentic selves so that children in schools are led, taught, supported and governed by people who embody the values and model the behaviours of a modern inclusive society. I was pleased therefore to interview for Issue 25 (June 2024) the then Co-Chairs of our SWIFT DEIB Partnership Group, the then Krisha Gandhi of Cranbrook Education Campus and Tom Pether of East Allington Primary School and earlier for Issue 14 (May 2023) Louise Jaunbocus-Cooper, Co-Founder of MixEd.

The interview can be an opportunity to celebrate new ventures as in Issue 41 (January 2026) with Nick Wakeling, Director of the Colyton Foundation: “I hope the sense of a regional movement to support under-resourced pupils will have gathered further momentum, and that the Colyton Foundation will have become a ‘go-to’ hub for all schools and other organisations looking to support higher attainers & HE progression within the region.” Along with Jess Easton, Director of The Engagement Platform (TEP) in Issue 42 the following month: “If people could really understand engagement, where it comes from and what drives it, I think we would see significant improvements in areas we traditionally measure, such as attendance, persistent absence and outcomes.”
 
CPD is integral to our SWIFT work. With an eye on the relevant and interesting, Caroline Sherwood, Deputy Headteacher at Pilton Community College was the interviewee for issue 11 (January 2023) as Programme Lead for the How to Teach Boys to Succeed in School session. Ed Pawson, our SWIFT Religious Education Professional Community Lead and RE Consultant opened my eyes with humble thinking about this core subject in Issue 43 (March 2026): “When I look at my primary colleagues, my fundamental purpose in being an advisor is to help those who do not have RE as their number one subject and have never really studied it and do not feel confident. I would love to be able to feel that I have supported people to enjoy teaching RE and to gain satisfaction.”

​Enthusiasm is part of my DNA, and I respond to enthusiastic interviewees, which especially oozed in the interview with Sam Eyre, Head of CREATE Creative Arts Academy at Coombeshead Academy in Issue 34 (May 2025): “I credit teaching with making me a more creative person because I work in a creative environment every single day with young people that I think makes me a better artist."

​Thinking arty, a particularly fond interview was with Olivia, the artist behind our unique quirky SWIFT artwork in Issue 13 (March 2023). At the time Olivia was a student at Colyton Grammar School and if you are still curious about the history of the artwork you might like to read more here
 
I always like to learn and the Issue 45 (May 2026) interview with Anthony Lees, Deputy Head of School for Marpool Primary School & EdTech Lead for the Cornerstone Academy Trust was mind-bending on the thorny topic of AI: “I believe the power of technology is about bringing equity of opportunity to learners - to all pupils and students - by raising universal provision, and not simply through the accessibility tools, which are the obvious quick wins, (i.e. text to speech, speech to text etc), all of which is hugely important and makes a big difference to teaching and learning.”
 
Sometimes I like to think of the interview as a good omen.  As a lovely precursor to her joining the SWIFT Team a year later as Director of Teaching School Hubs, Jen Knowles, the then Director of West Country Training School Alliance (WCTSA) was in the spotlight for Issue 8 in October 2022 (and we have never looked back). With unforeseen symmetry Jen’s predecessor Chris Harris, SWIFT Deputy Director (Colyton Teaching School Hub) was the following interviewee in Issue 9 (November 2022).
 
With more serendipitous timing, for Issue 20 (December 2023) Tina Graham, Principal of Kingsbridge Community College (KCC) did not know that KCC was set to be awarded the South West Secondary School of the Year 2024 Award for The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide - for academic outcomes and character education, extra-curricular opportunities and student experience, as well as year-on-year improvements. It made the interview all the more glorious.  

The interview can be a way to say thank you and to enhance the sense of occasion.
Issue 26 two years ago at this time of year was with Paul Brooks, retiring Chair of Kingsbridge Community College Governing Body and the SWIFT Trust Board who shared his experienced words of wisdom: “When I was Deputy Principal, I used to say that every child in our school needs to enjoy our school and to come out at the end of each day and know that they have enjoyed something in their lessons. I believe now, as I believed then, that it is possible.”
 
Everyone counts for me in a school. Prior to SWIFT, I worked as PA to a Headteacher in Somerset (plus I’m a foodie); so I particularly enjoyed the interview in Issue 35 (June 2025) with Sarah Plowman, School Catering Manager, and Helen Vincent, School Business Manager at Whipton Barton Infant and Nursery School: “What blew me away … was that it is all about the children and ensuring they have a good, nutritious meal, because they know how that helps with learning, and this absolutely shines through.”
 
Demonstrating the positivity within our educational partnership, for Issue 39 (November 2025), I enjoyed interviewing SWIFT Teacher Training graduate, Harriet Sleath, in her first term as Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages at Teign School, part of Education South West (the other half of SWIFT).
 
From time to time I like to open a window into our Central Team and Fiona McNeile, our SWIFT Programme Manager (and now Director of Business Development) was a lovely interviewee in Issue 16 (July 2023): “I am very fortunate to have a role that is fulfilling in many ways.” As was Martin Smith, Executive Director of SWIFT in Issue 21 (January 2024): “I enjoy nurturing partnerships and I am continuously reminded of their importance in every we do.”
 
Bringing us up to date, the most recent interview last month was with Steve Margetts, Principal of Torquay Academy and Author: “I would describe my leadership style as highly focused on clarity, culture, and people. I believe leaders have to create a clear sense of direction, whilst building an environment where staff and students can thrive.” If you heard Steve speak at the Summer Conference you will already have an insight into the impact of his leadership experience that you can benefit from in the “Everyone Succeeds: Practical leadership behaviours that improve schools” practical professional development sessions next year.

As I sign-off from my role as Editor of UPDATE at the end of this school year, I would like to thank truly every interviewee who has made time to speak to me and for all their thoughtful interviews. Each interview has been an uplifting boost to my day and work with SWIFT: a pleasure and a privilege.
 
Finally, my very best thoughts to you for the end of term. From one who understands having worked in a school for many years the meaning of “being busy” in ending one year and preparing for the next.
​Such is the cycle of education. 

By Jude Baylis, SWIFT Executive Assistant