At the chalk-face

Will a social media ban really make schools safer? Or is it just the beginning of a whole new set of challenges? With social media restrictions for young people moving closer to reality, schools could soon face some difficult questions. If mobile phones are already banned in many schools, will anything really change? Or will safeguarding, teaching and student wellbeing become even more complicated...

At the chalk face: Why do pupils stop enjoying computing? Are students losing interest in computer science teaching?  We examine the root causes of disengagement in the computing classroom. Craig and Dave, former computer science teachers, explore the reality of student engagement in computing. Many educators assume students simply stop enjoying the subject, but we question whether the issue stems...

Will AI replace coding in schools? Or is programming more important than ever? In this episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave dive headfirst into one of the biggest debates in computer science education right now: with AI and “vibe coding” exploding in popularity, do we still need to teach students how to code? From the latest curriculum and assessment review to the growing influence of gener...

At the chalk face: The UK social media ban debate AI, social media, and online safety – where do we draw the line? In this episode of At the chalk face, Craig and Dave tackle one of the biggest challenges facing education, technology, and government today: protecting young people online in a world where social media, AI, and digital tools are increasingly intertwined. With ministers exploring toug...

Are you thinking of leaving teaching this year? This is our story. In this honest and personal episode of At the Chalk Face, Craig and Dave share the story of why they eventually stepped away from full-time teaching after years in the profession. From leadership responsibilities and workload pressures to mental health, career progression, and finding a new path in education, this is a candid conve...

Are extra roles in school actually worth it?  - Teaching Careers Explained In this episode of At The Chalk Face, we (Craig & Dave) dive into the paid and voluntary opportunities that come along in teaching — from exam marking and mentoring trainee teachers to governor roles, subject leadership, CAS involvement, maternity cover posts, and more. Some opportunities boosted career progression. Som...

At the chalk face: Teaching - Would we do it again? Craig & Dave take a look back at their teaching careers and ask - If we could go back and do it all over... would we? 🤔 In this very personal episode of At the Chalkface, we reflect on nearly 30 years in education — from our first terrifying lessons and early career mistakes, to leadership, imposter syndrome, tutor groups, and the students w...

At the chalk face: Cambridge OCR at the Festival of Computing 2026 We’re delighted to have Cambridge OCR as one of this year’s sponsors for the Craig’n’Dave Festival of Computing 2026! In this interview, we catch up with Ceredig, Subject Advisor for Computing at Cambridge OCR, to discuss the future of Computing education, curriculum developments, classroom challenges, how teachers can help shape w...

At the chalk face: The 4 revision methods that actually work Exams are coming… feeling the pressure? Good. It means you care. In this episode of At the Chalkface, we cut through the noise and focus on the four revision methods that actually work — no gimmicks, no fluff, just proven strategies that help students retain knowledge and perform when it counts. Before we dive in, we tackle the big dos a...

At the chalk face: Built by a Teacher, for Teachers: The Story of Go Code It In this episode of At the Chalkface, we’re joined by Pete Hudson — computer science teacher, Head of Department, and creator of Go Code It — a programming platform built by a teacher, for teachers. After years of frustration with platforms disappearing overnight (and taking hours of hard work with them), Pete decided enou...

At the chalk face: Why AQA backs our Craig'n'Dave Festival of Computing 2026. A Behind-the-Scenes chat with this year's Festival of Computing Headline Sponsor AQA. In this special Festival of Computing episode, Craig & Dave sit down with Frances Sparrow, Subject Lead for Computer Science at AQA, to talk all things qualifications, classroom impact, and what it really means to sup...

At the chalk face: Differentiation is dead “Differentiation is dead”… or is it? 🧠🔥 In this week’s At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave dive headfirst into one of the most controversial (and misunderstood) ideas in modern teaching. We’ve all been there — late-night lesson planning, colour-coded worksheets, three versions of every task, and trying to make sure every learner is “met where they are”. Bu...

At the chalk face: It's not in the mark scheme Ever marked a mock and heard, “But it’s not in the mark scheme…”? 🤔 In this episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave tackle one of the biggest misconceptions in Computer Science assessment — and it might just change how you mark (and teach) forever. Drawing on real examiner experience, they unpack the truth behind mark schemes, including: Why...

Does learning really have to be fun to be effective? 🤔 In this episode of Craig’n’Dave 'At the chalk face', we tackle one of the biggest debates in education — making learning fun — and whether it actually leads to better outcomes for students. From unplugged activities and memorable classroom moments to the dangers of prioritising entertainment over real understanding, we explore what...

At the chalk face: Tackling GCSE Discuss Questions Exam season is just around the corner… and while students might be feeling the pressure, we know teachers are too! 😅 In this episode of At The Chalk Face, Craig and Dave tackle one of the biggest challenges in GCSE Computer Science exams: extended response questions. You know the ones — the 6-mark and 8-mark questions where students suddenly forg...

At the chalk Face: Inception of the Festival of Computing The Festival of Computing 2026! Join us Wednesday, 1st July 2026, at Bromsgrove School for the Festival of Computing 2026 – a fantastic CPD event in the UK dedicated to secondary computing teachers. In this special episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave take a trip down memory lane to share the story behind the Festival of Computing. F...

At the chalk face: Craig'n'Dave Festival of Computing Sponsor Highlight - VEX Robotics  🚀 Robots, rivalry (the friendly kind!) and reinvigorating computing education 🤖 In this episode of At the Chalkface, we’re joined by Chris from VEX Robotics, one of the main sponsors of the Craig'n'Dave Festival of Computing – and trust us, this is a good one. If you’ve ever thought “robot...

Is Handwriting Still Important in Computing Lessons? 🖊️💻 In a world full of keyboards, screens, and now AI, do students still need to pick up a pen?  In this episode of At the Chalk Face, Craig and Dave dive into the surprisingly important role of handwriting in learning – even in computer science! From GCSE to A-Level, they discuss: Why handwriting helps reinforce learning through the “eyes–brai...

At the chalk face: Copy and paste Ofsted reports?  Is Ofsted copying and pasting inspection reports? In this episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave dive headfirst into one of teachers’ favourite (and most stressful) topics: Ofsted. We discuss the eyebrow-raising claim that large chunks of Ofsted reports are reused word-for-word across multiple schools. Shocking? Outrageous? Or… actually under...

At the chalk face: Schools should be phone-free? Well, it’s official – mobile phones in schools are under the microscope!  In this episode, Craig and Dave dive deep into the latest government guidance, Ofsted expectations, and the storm of public opinion around students, teachers, and mobile phones. From confiscation rules to lockable Faraday pouches, we explore: Why teachers might soon have less...

Are you fed up with coding platforms that appear… then disappear just as you’ve got your scheme of work sorted?   This week At the Chalk Face, we’re joined by two brilliant guests who might just restore your faith in programming platforms. We sit down with Matthias De Witte (Co-founder & CEO) and Peter Dawyndt (Co-founder & CTO) from Dodona Learning Technologies to talk about a seriously i...

At the chalk face: Too much pushback on exclusions Do schools get too much pushback on exclusions – or not enough support to deal with persistent disruptive behaviour? In this episode, we tackle one of the most complex and emotionally charged issues in education: school exclusions.  From short-term removals to permanent exclusions, we explore why exclusions happen, how behaviour in schools has (an...

At the chalk face: Fail an Ofsted inspection for safeguarding | Should mobiles be banned in schools? In this episode of At the chalk face, Dave is joined once again by the brilliant Kat Morgan for a lively, honest and (at times) nerdy deep dive into the mobile phone debate in schools.  From Ofsted inspections and safeguarding to behaviour management, social media, and the realities of modern class...

At the chalk face: Curriculum and Assessment Review - PART 3 | CAR2025  This week, together we’re going into part three of our deep dive into the recent Curriculum and Assessment Review. If you’ve missed parts one and two — where were you?!  We've already broken down the huge 250-page report and the government’s hefty response into something humans can actually understand. 🎓 Today, we'r...

At the chalk face: Curriculum and Assessment Review - PART 2 | CAR2025 Welcome back to Craig & Dave at the Chalkface as we dive into part two of our CAR trilogy. The biggest shake-up in education for a decade is here! 🚨 The Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) has landed – and it’s a whopper!  180+ pages of proposed changes that could redefine how we teach, assess, and support learners acro...