Primary Futures

Sonia Thompson, Head at St Matthew’s CE Research School, explores the importance of community involvement, research-based educational practices, and the challenges educators face. Sonia shares her experiences as a headteacher, discussing the benefits of being a research school and the collaborative ethos that drives their success. The discussion also covers the current state of education, the pres...

Thought Leader and educator, Bukky Yusuf, brings insightful commentary on the existing challenges and potential solutions to create a welcoming environment for all students. Through a candid conversation, they explore the importance of authenticity, vulnerability and humility in fostering an inclusive school culture. Bukky also uncovers how unconscious bias can affect decision-making processes and...

Ian Eagleton, an author and former teacher, discusses the challenges and opportunities in creating inclusive and diverse educational environments. Ian explores the importance of addressing toxic masculinity and gender stereotypes in schools, as well as the need for a curriculum that includes diverse and marginalised voices. He also shares his experiences as both a teacher and author, highlighting...

Dame Alison Peacock, the Chief Executive of the Chartered College of Teaching, and Professor Samantha Twiselton, the emeritus professor at Sheffield Institute of Education discuss professional development and empowerment within the education sector. Throughout the episode, the duo delve into the importance of collaboration, professional identity and the need for a supportive environment for educat...

Mat Tobin, Senior Lecturer in Primary English, discusses the importance of fostering a love for reading and writing in primary education. Mat shares insights from his experiences and highlights the importance of creating a reading-friendly environment in classrooms. Through the conversation, he also presents numerous strategies for aiding young readers, such as involving parents in reading, using...

How are social and emotional needs driving what we're seeing in our schools today and what actions can we take to address them?  Dr Jon Reid, Senior Lecturer in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and Inclusion, explores the current state of the education system, with a focus on creativity, collaboration and compassion. Jon shares his insights on the importance of recognising diverse...

According to government statistics, in the school year 2022/23, 22% of children in state-funded primary schools were known or believed to have a first language that is "other than English". In our increasingly linguistically super-diverse classrooms, how do we make sure that all students feel that their language is valued? How do we support pupils with different levels of English and make them fee...

Jules Pottle, a seasoned science educator and author, delves into the world of primary science education, exploring its current challenges and potential future. Jules shares her passion for making science playful, engaging, and relevant for children and discusses the importance of integrating storytelling into science teaching to spark children's curiosity and foster a love for learning. The conve...

How we can bring purpose, autonomy and joy into our maths lessons? - ask Professor Ruth Merttens, creator of the Hamilton Maths Scheme, and Jo Skelton, a Mathematics Education lecturer. Through their conversation about the future of mathematics education within the UK curriculum, Ruth and Jo discuss the importance of understanding the 'why' behind mathematical concepts and the need for teachers to...

Patrick Alexander, an expert in education, discusses the current issues facing the education system, highlighting the overemphasis on assessments and the lack of focus on authentic, human experiences in learning. The conversation covers how radical thinking, the transformation of classroom dynamics, and the role of teachers as public intellectuals can bring potential futures into reality. Moreover...

What could the future of primary education look like? How we can take things from where they are now and improve them to make the situation better for the pupils, for the teachers and for everybody involved in primary education? In each episode, Ed Finch will be talking to guests within the educational field to talk about how things are, how we want them to be and the actions we can take to get th...