‘Sam and Olly’ (based on 'Olly’s Olympics’)
Years 6 – 8 on childhood obesity and domestic violence

The central message of this podcast is clear: ‘You should never worry about the way you look – but you need to know that the way you look might indicate that there is something going wrong with your health – and that, you should not ignore’ Students listening become counsellors to 11 year old Sammy, his grandmother Olive and father Wayne as they struggle to make the positive changes they need to, in their individual and family lives. 

‘Dorothy's Story’ (based on ‘Bad Lad’)
Years 6 - 8 on homelessness, crime and anti social behaviour

'Respect' is an important concept to eleven year old, Adam – but what does the word actually mean, especially when those you hurt the most, are those who care the most about you?

Adam’s relationship with a 16 year old homeless girl called Natalie, whom he tries to help, forms the focal point of a podcast which looks at the blurred line between victim and victimiser and the current trend to demonize and fear the young.

The story, told by the ghostly narrator 'Dorothy' whose house the children invade, attempts to encourage its target audience to reflect on issues around 'caring for others', whether neighbour, family member, friend or stranger. It asks a simple question: why do some young people (vulnerable to harm and exploitation themselves) cause considerable damage and distress to those around them?. The podcast also poses questions about the treatment of the elderly, in modern society.

‘George’s Story’ (based on ‘Hood’)
Years 9 and above on neighbourhood values, community responsibility, vigilantism and ‘hate’ crime

Set in the year 2000, George Meadows is an 80 year old veteran of the 2nd World War, a man who has firm beliefs in right and wrong, a patriot and an active member of his community . He looks to help and support his neighbours whenever he can, despite the fact that, as far as he is concerned, the values he holds dear have largely disappeared from a community which is increasingly alien to him.

He is also perceived as a racist pervert who has struck up an unhealthy relationship with an 18 year old disabled girl and as the deserved recipient of abuse from his neighbours.

Where does the truth lie in a society where fear and paranoia dominate and what does it mean to be a ‘neighbour’ in a world in which intervening in the lives of others, can be both problematic and dangerous?

‘Ashley’s Story’ (based on ‘Who Are Yer?’)
Years 6-8 inclusive, on  the dangers of bullying, peer pressure, anti-social and criminal behaviour perpetrated by children, when they have little or no regard for the consequences of their actions.

Set during the difficult transition period between finishing primary and starting secondary school, the podcast looks at the experiences of three eleven-year-olds as they deal with a variety of issues surrounding friendship, bullying, truancy, and peer pressure. It ends with a serious crime being committed on a busy road and a tragedy that touches many lives.

Where does responsibility lie, when the perpetrators of anti-social behaviour and serious crime are children?

‘Joe and Joanie’ (Original Podcast)
Years 9 and above on the dangers of online pornography and its impact on school age students and their families. The podcast references issues surrounding addiction, male violence, child safeguarding and sexting.

40-year-old teacher, Joe, Head of Science and Pastoral Care at his new school has everything going right in his life but looks and sounds profoundly worried. Why? Is it just reasonable concern over the pornography awareness lesson he is soon to teach his students…or is it something else? Over tea and cake with his 89-year-old ‘no nonsense’ grandmother, Joanie he reveals that his 15 year old daughter, Jenny has been keeping secrets from him and her mother, Sally. Professional and personal concerns collide in a shocking story, investigating the way in which online pornography and sexting impacts on the emotional and psychological well-being and safety of both children and families.

‘Tom’s Story’ (Original Podcast)
Years 8 and above on the dangers of compulsive online gambling and its impact on teenagers and their families. The podcast references issues surrounding addiction, identity fraud and excessive financial risk-taking as well as the consequences of betrayal of trust, within the family. PLEASE NOTE, THAT THE RESOURCE PACK ALSO REFERENCES GAMING ADDICTION AND THE  INCREASING CONCERN AROUND ‘LOOT BOXES’ AND CHILD PLAYERS.

18 year -old college student , Tom has a loving family and a secure home but puts both himself and those who love him, at risk of losing everything they have through his secretive and excessive gambling addiction. What are the consequences for an entire family when one member betrays their trust to serve the needs of their own, out of control, online addiction? Why does gambling and its promotion play such a significant role in the cultural life of the UK and what can be done to promote responsible attitudes to risk taking, both online and in real life?

‘Ellie’s Story’ (Original Podcast)
Years 9 and above on the dangers of County Lines, hidden harm, coercive control and grooming with special emphasis on the need for disclosure to a trusted adult. The podcast references why and how children sometimes struggle to speak out when they need to, homophobic bullying and the exploitative tactics of criminals looking to 'groom' children and teenagers into gang related, criminal behaviour.

15-year-old GCSE drama student Ellie is determined to persuade her classmate, Callum to help her create a podcast about 'County Lines' despite the fact that the latter considers the subject irrelevant to the lives of children and teenagers, and in his words 'complete cringe'. Why is Ellie so insistent on exploring one of the most disturbing aspects of crime in the UK today, by creating a podcast for children? And why is her usual acting partner and fellow pupil, Leon strangely absent?

‘Barry and Gary’ (Original Podcast)
Years 9 and above on how and why individuals in a school environment might feel that their right to freedom of speech or freedom of belief, is compromised. Why do people fail to speak out when they have genuine concerns regarding the health and safety of others and is it ever appropriate to control the speech of others? Does anyone in a free society have the right 'not to be offended' and must that involve, tolerating 'intolerance'? Who gets to decide what is and isn't acceptable to say in school (and society in general) and does censorship enforced by law, have a place in a caring and compassionate society? Which is it better to be, 'honest' or 'kind'?

Barry and Gary, two very different men in a civil partnership, have been called into their foster child Lewis' secondary school for an urgent meeting with the Headteacher. Has their Year 7 foster child continued (as in his Primary School) to annoy, offend and alienate his peers through his inability to 'edit' what he says, to protect the feelings of his classmates? At what point does freedom of speech become unacceptable rudeness, incitement to violence or 'hate speech' and what role should authority play in controlling what can and cannot be said, in school or wider society? What are the implications in schools and society if we lose freedom of speech and is self or state-imposed censorship, ever appropriate?