"Think differently means at Holmewood we think differently - because we're neurodivergent." That's how one of her own students corrected Bridget Young on what her school's tagline actually means.
Bridget is Head Teacher of The Holmewood School, London - a specialist school built around neurodivergent young people - and has spent more than 20 years in education. Host Meryem Hassan sits down with her for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from double empathy and masking in the classroom, through the realities parents face getting a place, to the emotional intelligence work Bridget believes should be taught in every school.
🔎 What This Episode Covers
Twenty years in education and how Bridget found her calling by accident; her own ADHD diagnosis and why she's chosen not to make it "her thing"; what really sets an independent specialist school apart, including double empathy, masking and rejection sensitivity dysphoria; the 30/70 gender split at Holmewood and how masking shows up differently in girls; body doubling, co-regulation and wellbeing-first behaviour support; the reality of tribunals and the fight parents go through for a place; preparing neurodivergent young people for work, and the unpublished Milburn Review's NEET statistics; emotional intelligence as a teachable skill, alexithymia, and learning to name her own anxiety; a show-and-tell of the sensory tools she's designed, and what her school's "Think Differently" tagline actually means; reframing the "spiky profile" and protecting strengths instead of just fixing weaknesses; and her advice to her younger self.
👤 Guest: Bridget Young
Head Teacher of The Holmewood School, London, with more than 20 years in education. Bridget holds a degree in education, the National Professional Qualification for Headship, the National Award for SEN Coordination, and a Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching, and her thinking today sits at the crossroads of neurodivergent leadership, coaching and emotional intelligence. Bridget is neurodivergent.
⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Meet Bridget Young
05:44 Inside Holmewood School
16:15 A Day at Holmewood
25:22 Supporting Parents & Families
30:02 Preparing Students for Work
36:35 A Success Story
39:47 Teaching Emotional Intelligence
48:40 Sensory Tools & Think Differently
57:22 Strengths & Final Advice
📌 About The Neurodivergent Lens
A video podcast exploring neurodivergence through conversations with lived and professional experience. Brought to you by Dyscourse - changing minds and empowering differences around neurodivergence: https://dyscourse.org
🧠 Keywords
Neurodivergent school | Autism school London | Independent SEN school | Holmewood School | Bridget Young | Double empathy | Body doubling | Executive functioning | Emotional intelligence | Alexithymia | Spiky profile | NEET | Milburn Review | Rejection sensitivity dysphoria | Neurodiversity | ADHD | Autism | Dyslexia | Meryem Hassan | Neurodivergent lived experience
👏🏻 Special Thanks:
Sue McMillan - Strumhum Creatives (filming, production, editing, music), Bridget Young (guest)
📕 Free Guide
Download our free guide, Myths & Misconceptions: Understanding Neurodivergence - covering autism, ADHD and dyslexia at https://dyscourse.org
Watch, Listen & Connect
Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentLensPodcast
Website: https://dyscourse.org/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4wVeWmS
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Vzy9a6fLbo3YnmNUuiM43
Download our free PDF guide on Myths & Misconceptions: https://dyscourse.org/ (above footer)
Follow:
Instagram: @the.neurodivergent.lens
LinkedIn:Dyscourse
Facebook: TheNeurodivergentLens
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional support. Please seek qualified guidance where needed.
