Right in the Schoolies

Class is dismissed. Thank you for all your interest in the show. If you want to contact me then email at schooliespod@gmail.comSupport the show

This is from my school's podcast club, for whom I am the erstwhile producer. One of the students interviewed me about my journey with H.D, my plan for fundraising, and my London Marathon training. If you want to donate: justgiving.com/rileyrun Support the show

Here it is: the ghost story for Christmas 2023! A classic tale of terror from the master. This particular story was read by me and beautifully enhanced by the very talented Bethan Briggs Miller, from the Eerie Essex and Spectre of the Sea podcast. She was also a wonderful guest, and you can listen to her episode here. I recommend putting on your headphones, pouring a large brandy and lighting a single candle as  you listen to this.

A big episode today. Jessica is the host of the excellent Dirty Sexy History podcast: https://dirtysexyhistory.com/2021/05/27/new-podcast-streaming-now/ ,  she kindly sat down to talk about her time in her native Minnesota and her university days in Swansea. Talk about a clash of cultures.Mr. James is about to go on PAT leave. If you would like to host the show as a substitute teacher then email schooliespod@gmail.com Support the show

A live recording of my dog walk, with some spooky tales thrown in. Set to automatically publish one hour after recording.Support the show

I started a podcast club at my new school and we made something in tribute to Uncanny (the kids love it). We were helped out by the nicest man in the world of paranormal showbiz, Danny Robins!This is a short show with some staff sharing their paranormal stories, edited and crafted by the talented members of the club. Be sure to tune in on the 28th when Mr. James does his autumn ramble. Support the show

Welcome to Season 5 of Right in the Schoolies! It's been a long time since I recorded and so I appreciate your patience. Listen to the opening of the show to hear some interesting and exciting news and, if you can help, email me at Schooliespod@gmail.comMy guest today is a young man who I used to teach (!) and while this makes me feel very old, it was a real pleasure to hear his angle on school as a Gen Z kid. Harry talks about dyspraxia, the rise of A.I, smuggling paintings back from Disneyland and much more. TW: Harry and I discuss how misogynist figures can and will take advantage of young men, especially in the world of Social Media and Harry also swears like a sailor--he does live by the coast these days. Support the show

"Our strengths lie in strange places."The Welsh wizard of storytelling talks with Mr. James about his time at school.Follow Owen's brilliant podcasts Time Between Times and Spectre of the Sea to hear more of that wonderful voice.  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/time-between-times-storytelling-with-owen-staton/id1573244734?i=1000616298218Support the show

As we usher in spring, I bring you an episode from man of the cloth:  Reverend Peter Laws. We talk about God, headless mutts, and why you shouldn't accept speed from your Geography teacher--the rest is, as they say, "lemon-entry."Support the show

This week Mr. James is joined by Bethan Briggs-Miller from the Eerie Essex and Spectre of the Sea podcast. Bethan discusses her childhood in South Wales and discusses Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, nice nuns and being haunted by a poltergeist when she was trying to do her homework. Support the show

"When you trust teachers, I think it's magic."Welcome to Season 4!To kick things off we have the brilliant character actor Paul Clayton who talks about his time at the hallowed Maltby Grammar School. Listen until the very end...Support the show

Scrooge wakes up to find that he is changed.I hope you have enjoyed my reading of A Christmas Carol; it remains my favourite story and I hope you can keep its message in your heart for those very cold winter nights when all seems bleak.2022-You were a year like no other. I will miss visiting the Hampshire Bowman pub with my Dad this year but I will be sure to hold my Mum extra tight. Support the show

No Cockneys were harmed in the making of this episode. Support the show

Here comes the second of the three spirits. Touch his robe. Support the show

Stave Two-The First of the Three SpiritsSupport the show

In honour of the festive season, Mr. James has gone big!Here is Stave (chapter) one of Charles Dickens' incredible A Christmas Carol.Cosy up by the fire, pour yourself a port and listen to this festive chiller complete with sound-design and dodgy accents abound!Support the show

Mr. James gives a very rough update on the state of play from a bar in Reading town centre. Support the show

Hello!Just a short episode from me to plug some of the shows which I have been a guest on and to give some updates on my fundraising mission for Huntington's Disease awareness.Pods mentioned in the episode: What is Cream Soda? Dark NatterConfessions of a Closet RomanticTiny in All That AirThank you to all that have had me on as a guest and for supporting the podcast. If you want to be a guest then get in touch on Twitter/Instagram.Have a lovely Easter. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

My final interview of S3 is the wonderful Evelyn Hollow. You may know her lovely Scottish brogue  from the hit podcast The Battersea Poltergeist and Uncanny. Evelyn talks about her formative years in West Lothian, how she fell in love with the mathematical side of Psychology, and her larger-than-average hands.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

In a bit of a change, I have two guests on at once because they went to the same school and promised me lots of dirt on one another; they didn't disappoint. Hear about Chris and his love for awkward African dancing, being typecast both as an urchin and a mysterious British cousin who has inexplicably come to Maycomb, Alabama.Imagine how hard Paul's local council have to work with his love of petitions. Follow A Very British Horror for their brilliant and witty takes on all classic British Horror--I may be a guest on their pod before too long, though I'll wait to see if I pass the audition. A very enjoyable chat and one that will hopefully cheer you up during these tough times. My message at the top of the episode is about my 50k running fundraiser in September so please follow me on all social media platforms @50kforHD and donate to my JustGiving page/follow my updates about my training/how tubby I am. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

In a slight change of tone, Mr. James interviews a fellow pro (though he's sure most teachers are more professional than he is.)Teresa Ash is an Associate Headteacher at St. Joseph's in Swindon, a town Mr. James knows well from his training days. Teresa offers some unique insights into her schooldays in the West Midlands and discusses some of the challenges she faced, the issues still affecting schools and how she found her confidence in poetry recitals.You can follow Teresa on Twitter @The_Ashinator1Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

Mr.  James interviews...M.R James.Well, close enough. It's the brilliant Robert Lloyd Parry, who earns a crust by dressing up as the great man and tours theatres. Robert talks about his time at school in Liverpool where he was taught by the likes of "Spoony" and "Chopper", and found love (or lust) while pretending to be hacked to death in Canterbury Cathedral. Check out Robert's work: https://www.nunkie.co.uk/Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

Bloody Hell, Danny.I was thrilled to get some time with the podcaster, playwright and journalist Danny Robins. You may know his voice from The Battersea Poltergeist, Uncanny and Haunted. He has also written 2:22, which will begin a new run in the West End this year. If you have never heard of these then do yourself a favour and listen in the dark.Danny discusses his schooling in the north east, where he managed NOT to get an accent but did so at the expense of a punishment involving baked beans.Get tickets for his new project which is all about The Gunpowder Plot, starting May 2022!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

Welcome to Season 3!We kick the season off with a heavyweight: a NY Times bestseller with an academic background as varied as our conversation.Emily spills the beans about the challenges of learning geometry from someone who's spangled, writing sonnets for dollars and finding her people in the world of musical theatre.Emily also talks about her time at Harvard, and how America gets a lot of its educational values twisted. She also shares her tips on writing.Go Bearcats!Buy Emily's most recent book: Frida Kahlo and My Left LegFor US guestsCheck her out at: https://www.emilyrappblack.com/Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

Christmas greetings! Mr. James is likely off stuffing his face and drinking a few sherries so here is a festive poem he's recorded earlier. Merry Christmas to you and yours.Support the show

Mr. James imitates his idol M.R James and narrates his favourite story "A Warning to the Curious."A spooky story set on the coast of East Anglia. A lost Saxon crown has fallen into the hands of a young man, little does he know that there's an ancient guardian who will not rest until vengeance has been had. A few lines have been abridged to streamline the story and there are a few...soundscapes. Do enjoy, and have a nice glass of port by the fire as you listen to this."No diggin' 'ere."Support the show

While I await more guests, I thought I would make a small trailer to see if I could boost engagement in the pod.  Share far and wide!Support the show

Mr. James invites you to join him in remembering those who fought and died by listening to some of the Literature written in, and inspired by, the Great War. Poems by Larkin, Owen, Sassoon, McCrae, Ledwidge and a very moving letter by Captain Charles Campbell-May, read by Virgin Radio and BT Sport's Tim Cocker. Further readings by Jakub Vul and Catherine Kavanagh, both supporters of the podcast.All military music used with permission of the Household Guard (not for profit/educational use.)Do tune in and watch the Remembrance Sunday parade to hear Elgar's Nimrod live. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

We delve further into spooky season and this week, after being a long-time fan, Mr. James gets to speak to the host of  Unexplained; the enigmatic and mysterious Richard McLean-Smith.Richard discusses his time at school in which he was caught up in a protest over ball-games, how sliding into D.Ms used to involve laces and the time he was the victim of rough justice by some understandably-outraged girls.Unexplained is a cracking podcast and one that you should definitely begin listening to if you haven't already. The episode 'Demons in Suburbia' is a particularly chilling tale, as is Richard's side-project 'The Fountain Road Files'.Intro music used with permission by RMcS.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

To mark the start of spooky season, Mr. James hosts the Knifepoint Horror host, Soren Narnia.

"My name is Patrick Kind. I have absolutely no proof of what happened to me..."As we begin the month that brings Samhain, or All-Hallows Eve, Mr. James invites you to turn down the lights, turn up the volume and listen to this spooky tale by Soren Narnia of the Knifepoint Horror podcast. Light a Jack O' Lantern to ward away evil spirits and pour yourself a glass of something strong, you'll need it. KH focuses on using a single narrator to tell a compact and chilling tale, and this is one of the very best. Soren Narnia has also generously made all his stories available for adaption and performance, and this one was just too good to pass up. You can listen to Mr. James talking with Soren about his school days here.A lone traveller ends up in a remote town and the timing of his stay just couldn't be worse.The story and soundscape are both Public Domain.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

Mr. James has had a very busy start to the term and so the poem for September is one of his favourites by one of his favourites.More interviews and some narrative stories to follow!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

This week sees a lovely reunion with an old friend, Euc Osse. Euc is a professor in South Korea as well as a cat-dad, married man and a long-suffering Knicks fan.Euc talks about his time being schooled by Franciscan Friars, pantomime-horse mascots, and how his English teacher inspired him to find his voice.  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

"There is more gold under you than there is around you"-Woods, RThis week Mr. James speaks with Richard Woods, from the 2015 season of The Apprentice. Richard talks about being "politely asked to leave" his private school, Greased Lightning and why his Dyslexia is his superpower. Richard also lifts the lid on which Apprentice personnel would make for the strictest Headteacher--listen right to the end! This is a very inspiring and entertaining interview, thank you Richard for your candour.Watch his highlights here: though his first soundbite was "I'm like a Swiss-Army knife when it comes to business skills..." I wonder where he first thought of that?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRzPist2mdMFollow Richard's company here: https://www.milliondollarsprint.com/Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

Mr. James completes the Triple Crown with The Eggchasers rugby podcast: they seek him here, they seek him there...it's Phil!Phil reflects on his time at school as well as his burgeoning love for maths, sport and how to ruin a perfectly-scored chocolate brownie.Support the show

Mr. James has some news, and would appreciate you listening to this episode. Justgiving link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joerunswinchesterSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

Today would have been Philip Larkin's 99th birthday and Mr. James has decided to read three of his favourite poems by the man himself.'Sad Steps''Aubade''An Arundel Tomb'If you like the poetry of Larkin, consider following the 'Tiny in All That Air' podcast, the official podcast of the Philip Larkin Society.Support the show

A biography of the powerhouse of poetry, Christina Rossetti, followed by a lesser-known poem that always gives me chills.Biography shamelessly cribbed from Poetryfoundation.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

Mr. James dusts off his old teaching planners and reads a selection of amusing quotes from his former students.No students were harmed in the making of this episode.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

Mr. James unwinds with a beer (on a school night, no less!) and reads some poetry by the great Michael Rosen.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

A bit of a change from the pathos: Mr. James dusts off the memoirs of his time teaching in South Korea, including this gem from 2010 in which he tries to get old-school Drama games to work (with interesting results!)Support the show

A poem I've had in my head the past few days. Details the poet's experiences of living in Baghdad in the aftermath of the first Gulf war. Contemplative and vibrant and read by me (thought the rhyme of 'glass' and 'gas' would work better with Minhinnick's Welsh accent.)Support the show

In a reflective mood, Mr. James reminisces about one of his great teachers and the lasting impression he made on him while at the University of Chester. He also reads an original poem called 'The Forest', with some preamble. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

The final episode of the season has me talking to Bernard Jackman about his time at Newbridge College.Birch lifts the lid on learning German, Irish language residential trips and faking the plague in a bid to fool the Matron.Buy Birch's autobiography 'Blue Blood' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bernard-Jackman-Blueblood-Inside-Leinster/dp/0956359825Watch the short film "Yu Ming is Ainm Dom" for a brilliant introduction to the Irish language.https://youtu.be/qA0a62wmd1ASupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

This week sees me speak to actor, writer and fellow Wyvern alumnus Katie Lyons. We are joined midway through the call by a mysterious Brummie lady who then refused to leave the call (probably because she didn't know which button to press.)Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

I know, I know, I've done another Larkin poem. I will do ones by other poets but this one is great and it's been in my head a lot recently as the weather has finally turned for the better. I suppose I'd better mow the lawn; watch out for those hedgehogs...Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

This week is the hilarious and witty Lynze Cummins of the Scared to Death podcast. Lynze talks about her upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio. We discuss nuns, the Green Wave and a Cabbage-Patch Doll murder scene that left me speechless. Find Lynze on Instagram @Queenofbadmagic and follow Scared to Death for terrifying tales of real-life hauntings. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

As this month has been very busy, I have decided to record some readings of poems that match my mood. Larkin has been my favourite poet since I was a weedy A-level student and so I have recorded myself reading his poetry (with a few edits to make it sound less bumbling.)Once a month, I shall add a poem of my choice as extra. If you sign up as a Patron, I will read one of your choice (within reason, I'm not reading all of The Prelude!)Notes on the poem: https://owlcation.com/humanities/Analysis-of-Poem-Church-Going-by-Philip-LarkinSupport the show

Just a message from me to all who listen: I'm on Patreon and I would love it if you subscribed. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

This week I speak with Tim Cocker, of Virgin Radio and BT Sport fame. Tim is also 1/3 of The Eggchasers Rugby Podcast and holds the Guinness world record for chopping a pint.Tim and I discuss his school days which featured Wilfred Owen's poetry, mooning on the minibus and pulling girls in international waters. This episode also features a dramatic reading of 'Futility', please listen all the way through to the end!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)

This week I speak with GB Olympics and England 7's speedster (and all-time top try scorer) Mr. Dan Norton. Norts tells me about his life at school in Gloucester.Watch Dan in action this summer at the Tokyo Olympics! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/rightintheschoolies)