Supporting Neurodivergent Beginner Teachers: Digital Stories for Successful Placements with Kate Freeth and Lucy Hoyes

School placements are a key moment in teacher training, but they can be particularly challenging for some neurodivergent beginner teachers. Kate Freeth and Lucy Hoyes share their project using digital stories to help neurodivergent beginner teachers, and by extension, all beginner teachers, have more successful placements in schools on their PGCE.Lucy Hoyes is the Co-Director of Initial Teacher Education, where she works closely with the mathematics PGCE and champions inclusive practice, with a big focus on supporting beginning teachers’ wellbeing and confidence. She loves helping new teachers find their feet and feel at home in the teaching profession. Connect with Lucy here on LinkedInA Secondary English Teacher by trade, Kate Freeth has worked at Southampton University for 21 years. She has had various roles during this time, but all have centred around Initial Teacher Education, SEND and integration between theory and practice in one way or another! Connect with Kate on LinkedInRuth Luzmore is a Research Fellow and Lecturer at Southampton Education School. A former school leader, her work focuses on educational leadership, ideas-engagement in society at large, and how schools can navigate evidence-informed practice in high-stakes cultures. Ruth continues to work closely with school leaders through governance and mentoring roles. Connect with Ruth here on X @Rluzmore or LinkedInThis podcast is produced by Southampton Education School