Bedrock Talks from Bedrock Learning

Ever wondered what it takes to transform behaviour culture in schools, especially in a post-pandemic world? In our latest podcast, we sit down with Dani Walley to discuss how the pandemic and social media have reshaped student behaviour, leading to challenges like shortened attention spans and reduced socialisation. Discover the groundbreaking concept of a behaviour curriculum inspired by Tom Benn...

In this episode we are joined by Richard Duffy, Assistant Principal for the ARC at Trinity Academy in Halifax. We explore Richard's diverse experiences, including working with NEETs and managing behaviour in school settings, and how these shaped his unique approach to supporting vulnerable learners.   We discuss how the transition from traditional teaching methods to more interactive, discuss...

Unlock the secrets to fostering literacy and promoting a love for reading in your classroom with our special guest, literacy specialist Sarah Green.  Sarah, who boasts over 20 years in literacy education, shares her compelling journey from an English teacher to the Trust Director of Literacy for Prosperity Learning Trust.  Discover the transformative power of reading fluency and understand why it&...

In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of education with Paul Ainsworth, Education Director at Infinity Academies Trust and author of "No Silver Bullets 2.0: The Heart and Soul of School Improvement." Paul shares insights from his extensive career, which spans from teaching math to leading secondary school improvements. We discuss his approach to leadership, emphasizing both...

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Alex Hibble from EdProof, who draws on her psychology expertise from the University of Oxford and her experience with innovative educational practices. We delve into the integration of technologies like ChatGPT in schools and discuss how EdProof helps measure key aspects of student well-being and engagement. Alex shares insights on adopting a holistic approach to...

In this episode, Sarah and Megan from St. Thomas More Catholic Academy discuss their experiences with implementing Bedrock Mapper, our subject specific tier 3 vocabulary solution, across the school. They share how Mapper is making strides in addressing literacy gaps and increasing learner engagement, highlighting both the successes and obstacles encountered in incorporating the platform into every...

In this episode of Literacy Works with Bedrock Learning, Teresa Cremin, a leading figure in literacy research and education, shares insights from her career - from classroom teaching to research. The conversation focuses on how meaningful discussions can shape literary identities and extend literacy's influence beyond traditional subjects into daily life. Teresa emphasizes the importance of d...

We are joined by Lekha Sharma, School Improvement Lead for Curriculum and Assessment at the Avanti Schools Trust. Lekha navigates the complexities of weaving together curriculum and assessment across the trust, while maintaining and cherishing the unique identity of each individual school. Lekha shares her wisdom on crafting a high-quality, equitable education system that resonates with the indivi...

It's a Mini-sode! Always under 30 minutes, these shorter episodes are a perfect lunchtime listen. In the first of our Mapper deep dive episodes, Haili Hughes takes us through her top 10 keywords/concepts that are essential for your learners to understand when studying An Inspector Calls.  From 'dramatic irony' to 'squiffy', and from 'bourgeoisie' to 'structu...

Explore the future of education through the eyes of Dan Fitzpatrick, a trailblazer for AI in education and former secondary school teacher and SLT member. Our conversation with Dan traverses seismic shifts in teaching methods, highlighting how grassroots efforts with AI and technology within schools can lead to significant time-saving, and engaging learning experiences.  We delve into ChatGPT, a t...

Dive into educational technology with Peter Twining as we unravel the complexities of edtech's role in our classrooms. Peter, a seasoned expert in education and pedagogy, joins Olivia, the Director of Education at Bedrock Learning, and our usual host, Andy Sammons, to offer a nuanced perspective on the challenges and promises of integrating technology within educational systems. The conversat...

Adrian Bethune, a beacon of hope in the world of education, joins us on this episode of Literacy Works podcast, taking us through his life experiences, from the music industry to primary school teaching and how his own personal challenges with mental health led him to champion the teaching of wellbeing in schools. His journey is an inspiration, underscoring the necessity of nurturing emotional hea...

Join us on a linguistic journey with Marcello Giovanelli, a renowned expert in literary linguistics from Aston University, as he shares a wealth of insights that will transform your understanding of language, literacy and beyond. In this episode, we delve into Marcello's latest book, written with Jennifer Webb, Essential Grammar (Routledge), a pivotal guide for educators and students seeking...

Ever wish you could unlock the true potential of your students? Today, we're joined by Lucie Turner, a dedicated history teacher from St. Anselm's Catholic School, who reveals her strategies for success with Bedrock Mapper's disciplinary literacy curriculum. Lucie highlights the transformative power of this program, guiding us through her hands-on experience in leveraging Bedrock Ma...

Ever wondered why literacy isn't just an English teacher's job? Well, we found the perfect guest to answer that - Haili Hughes. A true educational powerhouse, Haili has extensive experience in education, from teaching English for 16 years to now being a Director of Education at Iris Connect, a prolific author of many educational books, and a Mentor Lead at Sunderland university, overseei...

Ever wondered how every academic subject can contribute to literacy development?  This episode promises to enlighten you, as we chat with Mel King, Assistant Head and Subject Lead for History at St Simon Stock Catholic School, has worked closely with Bedrock champion school, St Anselm's Catholic School (case study here ) to develop the use of Bedrock Mapper in her history curriculum.  Mel sha...

How would your educational journey have changed if your teachers focused on disciplinary literacy? That's the intriguing question we tackle with Mark Miller, director of Bradford Research Schools and an English teacher at heart. This episode is an invitation into the world of disciplinary literacy, shining a light on the intricate dance between subject content and literacy skills, and the pro...

Discover how geography educator, Kate Stockings, reshapes entire curriculums and inspires a new generation of young geographers. Welcome to the very first episode of our Literacy Works with Bedrock Learning podcast. In this first chat, we connect with  Kate Stockings, the trust lead for geography, who's spearheaded monumental changes in Key Stage 3 curriculums at two schools. Kate pulls back...