Education Matters

Theory Matters Podcast | Incel Identity,Adolescence, and Education with Dr David Smith We welcome back Dr David Smith, lecturer at Robert Gordon University, to examine the shifting landscape of inceldom — a phenomenon increasingly shaping social narratives, educational discourse, and youth identity in the digital age. David positions inceldom within a complex web of mental health concerns, groupth...

This week, our global panel tackles the most controversial education stories making headlines: Why fewer kids are moving—and whether that’s actually a crisis The risks behind Bridget Phillipson’s plan to defund journalism degrees Whether mixed-ability teaching works better than streaming in today’s schools Featuring:🗣️ Dr. Rachael Jefferson (Australia) – PE & pedagogy specialist🗣️ Lucy Neuburg...

Uniforms, PE & Pressure to Perform In this follow-up to last week's conversation on girls in education, Hannah and Lucy dive even deeper—this time into school uniforms, PE kits, and the lived reality of being a teenage girl in today’s classrooms. From rolled-up skirts and see-through shirts to the impossible expectations girls face about appearance, sexuality and “appropriate” behaviour, t...

Burnout in Teacher Educators | Theory Matters with Dr Sabrina Fitzsimons https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666374025000561 What happens when the people responsible for supporting future teachers are themselves running on empty? Dr Sabrina Fitzsimons joins Paul to talk about her research into burnout among teacher educators. Sabrina shares a story that is academic, political and a...

GCSE reform. Exam stress. Teacher burnout. What if our assessment system was designed to fail students? In this episode, Paul Hazzard, Shaniqua Edwards-Hayde and John Gibbs examine the real impact of exams and what meaningful alternatives might look like. (Explore Shaniqua’s Journey To Becoming A Primary School Teacher - https://shorturl.at/PWU9q YouTube - https://shorturl.at/mNVWy) Also: Should s...

From practical strategies to personal reflections and classroom philosophy, John Lawson offers insights into mentoring.👇 Leave a comment below to share your experiences with mentoring. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 The Essence of Mentoring 03:52 Navigating Emotions in Teaching 06:53 The Importance of Reflection 10:56 First Impressions and Classroom Management 14:59 Building Authority and Respect in the Class...

The Hannah & Lucy Show — Girls in Education What’s really going on for girls in schools today? In this powerful episode of Education Matters , Hannah and Lucy take on everything from cover teaching chaos to the overlooked realities of period management, mental health and emotional pressure in schools. With humour, honesty and years of experience in UK classrooms, they ask what needs to change...

This episode begins with a troubling reality—London schools losing pupils as families are priced out. Paul highlights Charlotte Sharman School, once thriving, now nearly half-empty. Lucy questions what “regeneration” actually delivers. Yes, it brings wine bars and fresh pavements, but often pushes out the very families schools rely on. Classrooms grow quieter, not because demand has dropped, but b...

📉 Pupil Disengagement: Starting Earlier Than We Think A recent report by the Research Commission on Engagement reveals that 1 in 4 pupils disengage at the transition to secondary school , often as early as Year 7 (Year 8 in Northern Ireland).The shift from smaller, nurturing primary environments to vast, often impersonal secondary schools causes a sharp decline in pupils' enjoyment, trust, and se...

From Shanghai to Portugal to England to Ireland🎓 Degrees & Disillusionment❓ Is the promise of a degree a betrayal? The panel responds to Gabby Hinsliff’s Guardian article, which argues that university no longer guarantees a better life. Key themes:📉 Graduate frustration: Young people are achieving high-level qualifications only to face dead-end jobs, mounting debt, and underemployment.🤖 AI...

John Lawson shares his insights on the importance of mentoring in education, recounting his own experiences as both a mentor and mentee. He emphasises the significance of passion, subject knowledge, and creativity in teaching, while also discussing the challenges and rewards of the profession. John outlines his seven pillars of effective teaching, which serve as a guide for educators to enhance th...

Hannah and Lucy focus on the recent trends in surveillance and monitoring of students. The conversation shifts to the implications of student surveillance, referencing a case where students were monitored through school-issued laptops. They explore the ethical considerations of such practices, the impact of technology on education, and the need for adaptation in teaching methods to accommodate div...

🏫 Is the Sixth Form System Under Strain? John Gibbs, drawing on decades of experience, reflects on whether sixth forms in the UK are at breaking point. With reduced funding and rising academic pressure, sixth form education has become more intense and less enriched. Gibbs fondly recalls his early career in sixth form colleges, likening them to mini-universities, and laments how exam culture and s...

🧑‍🏫 The Classroom is a Crime Scene (Sometimes) Hannah and Lucy unpack the hidden investigator every teacher inevitably becomes. From sleuthing through vandalised toilets to decoding teenage misinformation webs, they explore the many hats teachers wear—educator, counsellor, peacekeeper... and yes, detective. Lucy compares herself to Liam Neeson in Taken and Hannah describes her forensic-level han...

🌟 Introduction & Warm Welcome Paul greets listeners on Star Wars Day (“ May the Fourth be with you ”) playfully dubbing Lucy as Princess Leia and John as a Jedi Master. Lucy admits she’s not a big Star Wars fan. ────────────────────────────🎓 Why Did You Become a Teacher? Paul poses this key question to the panel:🔸 Lucy shares that she realised her heart was always drawn to working with youn...

School Trips, Their Realities & Responsibilities 🏁 Opening Chit-ChatHannah and Lucy reunite after a busy few weeks. From London visits and filming to strange hotel murals and missing phallic-shaped bottles, they share a few laughs. 🏕️ Let the Trip Talk Begin! With summer term underway, residential trips take centre stage. The hosts reflect on: • How trip season is oddly timed (often just befo...

The Hannah & Lucy Show brings you a discussion about “edu-influencers.” 🧵 Thread of the Week: Edu-Influencers at Downing Street🎒 What Happened? A group of education influencers — many well-known teachers with substantial followings — were invited to 10 Downing Street to discuss the Labour Government’s "Opportunity Mission", a policy aimed at reducing inequality by breaking the link between a...

Lucy & John delve into :📕 Why do primary teachers feel they don’t have any input on lesson content?📗 Has English teaching lost its spark?📘 The mobile phone ban in 90% of English schools … will it work? 🧠 1. Curriculum Autonomy – Are Primary Teachers Losing Control? Lucy & John tackle the hot topic of standardised curriculum packages (SCPs) in primary education. 1 in 3 primary teachers...

🎙️ Teaching Matters – A Sunday morning panel show brought to you by Education Matters and presented by Lucy Neuburger with guests: Hannah Wilson, John Gibbs & Shaniqua Edwards Hayde 🎯 Topic Overview Hiring More Male Teachers Girls’ Safety in Schools Safeguarding Qualifications 👨‍🏫 More Male Teachers: A Silver Bullet? Bridget Phillipson recently proposed that more male teachers could counter...

In this episode, Lucy and Hannah explore howeducators can create supportive, accessible learning environments for all students. They share personal experiences, practical strategies, and reflections on the importance of understanding individual learning needs . 🔍 Key Themes & Takeaways 1️⃣ Understanding the Learner 🧠 2️⃣ Creating an Inclusive Classroom 🤝 3️⃣ The Role of Empathy in Teaching...

Cameron and Paul bring their energy and insights to this topical discussion, covering many key themes but largely centred around school exclusion. Their conversation has practical ideas, reflections on challenges, and a shared passion for fostering meaningful learning experiences. 📌 Key Themes & Insights 🔹 The Role of Leadership in Education Paul shares his perspective on leadership, emphasi...

📌 Introduction This episode explores key debates in education, questioning commonly held views about knowledge in the curriculum, live theatre’s role in learning, and the effectiveness of the flipped classroom model. Guest panellist, Shane, offers insights from his experience, encouraging educators to rethink established practices and explore new ways to support student learning. This episode exp...

In this episode, host Paul Hazzard talks to panellists, Lucy Newburger, John Gibbs, and Dr Shauna McGill. Together they tackle the key issues of; school readiness, the gender gap in STEM and teenagers’ career aspirations. Should Schools Be Ready for Children, or Should Children Be Ready for School? The conversation begins with the controversial concept of school readiness. With government expectat...

In this episode, Lucy and Hannah explore Netflix's recent Adolescence and the reaction to the drama. They highlight the importance of clear expectations, consistency, and building trust with students. Rather than relying solely on strict discipline, they emphasise the value of relationships, patience, and understanding the root causes of challenging behaviour. This show is a 'must listen &...

In this episode, host Paul Hazzard talks to panellists, Lu cy Neuburger , John Gibbs , and Dr Shauna McGill . Together they tackle the key issues of; school readiness, the gender gap in STEM and teenagers’ career aspirations. Should Schools Be Ready for Children, or Should Children Be Ready for School? The conversation begins with the controversial concept of school readiness. With government expe...