The Impact Podcast

Why is thinking so important to the learning process? Because thinking *is* learning. In this episode, Fin explains how to set up tasks in the classroom that are more likely to result in learning. Autumn workshops and events: Improving Attention Workshop – South Wales: Nov 12th, North Wales: Nov. 19th: https://app.smore.com/n/hk10my-improving-attention-workshop Social media: Facebook page: https:/...

Last week, researchED Cymru returned to Cardiff with a timely event entitled “Where Do We Go Now?”. Fin spoke at the event and in this episode she reflects on the discussions that took place about the future of education in Wales. Watch Rhys Williams’ film about Wales’s PISA results here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FSIfPjXGeE Autumn workshops and events: Self-Evaluation Workshop – North Wale...

In this week's episode, Fin is joined by Monmouth Comprehensive head Hugo Hutchison to discuss the controversial issue of smartphones in schools. Welsh Government consultation - Developing a mobile phone policy: draft guidance for schools: https://www.gov.wales/developing-mobile-phone-policy-draft-guidance-schools Autumn workshops and events: Self-Evaluation Workshop – North Wales: Oct 15th: https...

In this week's episode, Fin tackles a huge subject - additional learning needs (ALN). Following ALN reform in Wales, schools are struggling to give pupils the provision they need. Fin looks at what schools are experiencing, what the evidence tells us, and what solutions are out there. Autumn workshops and events: Self-Evaluation Workshop – South Wales: Oct. 7th, North Wales: Oct 15th: https://app....

A week after the PISA test results were released, the Welsh Government launched its Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Plan. In this episode, Fin goes through the detail of the plan and asks whether it will have the impact it needs on standards and outcomes. Links from this episode: Self-Evaluation Workshop – South Wales: Oct. 7th, North Wales: Oct 15th: https://app.smore.com/n/wgrxe-self-evaluati...

The recently released PISA test results showed Wales has fallen further behind the rest of the UK. In this episode, Fin looks at the results, what they mean for education in Wales and what needs to be done next. Social media: Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.socia...

Keeping pupils on task is a real problem for teachers. In this episode, Fin looks at how you can ensure pupils’ attention is focused on that task at hand. Social media: Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/ X/Twi...

How do you know if your pupils are getting the right level of challenge? In this episode, Fin looks at what it means to to get the right level of challenge, and what Estyn is saying about challenge in the classroom. Social media: Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.s...

In this special bonus episode, Fin looks at what Plaid Cymru claims it has achieved in its first 100 days running the Welsh Government - and whether it has made any impact on education. Social media: Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.i...

Fin looks at all the news from education in Wales that you might have missed over the summer. Social media: Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/impactwales Contact: Email: enquiries@imp...

For this last Summer Shorty episode, Fin explains the process of writing an education book. Social media: Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/impactwales Contact: Email: enquiries@impac...

For this Summer Shorty episode, Fin explains how Impact decides what schools need next. Social media: Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/ Contact: Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140 BOOKS PRE-ORDER FIN’S NEW B...

In the first of our ‘Summer Shorty’ series of podcasts, Fin goes behind the scenes at Impact Wales and looks at what it takes to write a workshop. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/ Contact: Email: en...

In the last regular episode of the academic year, Fin reflects on a huge year for Impact Wales, and looks forward to what’s to come for both the business and education in Wales. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...

Alun Ebenezer is one of Wales’ best-known school leaders. Once dubbed the ‘head from hell’ by a tabloid newspaper, Mr Ebenezer has transformed the fortunes of Caldicot School. He talks to Fin about his career, why pupils need to be more resilient, and what he thinks about the education system in Wales. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group:...

In this episode, Fin dissects a recent Welsh Government report into patterns of attainment in reading and numeracy in Wales. She looks at what the data says and the questions is raises. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: https://www.instag...

Anna Brychan is the new Minister for Education and the Welsh Language in the Plaid Cymru led Welsh Government. She joins Fin to talk about her new role and Plaid’s education policies, as well as answering your questions. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.soc...

In this episode, Fin is joined by educator and author Rachel Ball. They discuss her book 'The Scaffolding Effect' (co-authored with Alex Fairlamb) and explore how teachers can use scaffolding and adaptive teaching to support pupils to successfully progress. The Scaffolding Effect, by Alex Fairlamb and Rachel Ball: https://amzn.to/4v2rRlm Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impa...

Estyn is the final arbitrator of self-evaluation and quality in Wales’s schools, especially at primary level. But how much influence does the inspectorate have on outcomes, and is the inspection process working? In this episode, Fin delves into Estyn’s record over the last decade. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook....

The disadvantage gap in education is persistent and deeply damaging to educational outcomes. In this episode, Finola asks: Why is the gap not closing in Wales? Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/ Conta...

Fin is joined by Organized Binder creator Mitch Weathers and first grade teacher Sarah Oberle to discuss their new book - Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom. To order their book, visit: Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start: https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/executive-functions-for-every-k-3-classroom/book298245 https://amzn.to/3PyGtcA So...

Wales has a new Cabinet Minister for Education - Anna Brychan. In this bonus episode, Fin looks at Ms Brychan’s record in education and the challenges she faces in her new role. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...

After the Senedd election Wales has a new government led by Plaid Cymru. But what will this mean for education policy? Fin is joined by Tom Breeze from the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to discuss the post-election fallout. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales....

It’s frustrating when your pupils have forgotten what you’ve taught them - but actually, forgetting is an essential part of the learning process. Fin explains why forgetting is not a villain, but a superhero. Podcasts mentioned in this episode: Episode 142: All About Cognitive Load https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-impact-podcast/id1510281754?i=1000641932388 Episode 223: Reading; Why Wales...

Getting pupils to pay attention in class is difficult, but it seems attention spans are getting shorter. In this episode, Fin explains the problem and what you can do about it. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i...