Our latest blog is from Adam Millichip, an Outreach Teacher from Tettenhall Wood School in Wolverhampton, who launched a sports podcast with his students in 2021. However, what makes this sports podcast so unique, is that it’s run entirely by autistic students at the school.

Next week will see TWS Sports Podcast record its 100th episode, an incredible milestone which needs to be acknowledged and celebrated. Here Adam talks about the success of the podcast and its positive impact on his students.

Tettenhall Wood School prides itself on providing an exceptional education for children and young people with a diagnosis of autism and complex learning needs. The teaching staff are always thinking outside of the box to find new ways of learning that will enrich students with new experiences and opportunities.

As many of you are aware, autism is very often associated with differences in communication and social interaction and by its very nature podcasting makes these things easier, as most interviews are conducted virtually, removing the awkwardness that may arise from a face-to-face, in-person conversation.

In May 2021 we launched our very own podcast called ‘TWS Sports Podcast’. Since then, we have had the opportunity to interview some very well-known UK sportsmen and women such as Harry Redknapp, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Sir Clive Woodward, Michael Atherton and even TV presenter Paddy McGuinness.

The feedback we have received from our podcast guests has been quite incredible. Harry Redknapp stated:

“I have loved being a guest on this podcast and the awareness for autism is incredible. Well done!”

Paddy McGuiness said:

“Listening to your students on this podcast has, as a parent of autistic children, given me so much hope for the future. It’s incredible what you are doing and achieving.”

Hearing all the kind messages from our podcast guests has given the students involved such encouragement and confidence.

We have had lots of our students be part of the podcast, some prefer to be behind the scenes, editing and producing, whilst others have thrived being in front of the mic.

Tom, one of our longest-serving hosts now wants to work in the media when he leaves school, and Alyssa, another of our hosts can’t quite believe how her communication and confidence has improved.

In 2021 the TWS Sports Podcast won a global sports podcast award.

We were shortlisted in the ‘Best Equality and Social Impact’ category at the Sports Podcast Awards, and we came out as winners, beating podcasts that were produced by the BBC and the Olympic Games!

To be even nominated in our first year was such an unbelievable honour but to go on and win the award was beyond any of our expectations.

To gain that recognition for all of our hard work was incredible and an unforgettable experience for our learners. 

We are so proud of what our students have achieved over the last few years, and none of us involved at the start would have dared to dream that we would still be here in 2023 recording our 100th Episode!  

We cannot wait to see what the next few years have in store for the TWS Sports Podcast.

Listen to our award-winning podcast here: https://linktr.ee/twssportspodcast