Education Matters

In this insightful episode, Dr Shauna McGill from Ulster University joins Paul Hazzard to discuss the importance of maths education, accessibility, and overcoming anxiety in the subject. They explore why maths is more than just numbers, how it applies to real life, and what schools can do to make learning more meaningful and engaging for all students. Is Maths for Everyone? Shauna say maths is ver...

Robert Hinchliffe , principal of Tyrone Thompson Elementary School in Las Vegas, joins Paul Hazzard to discuss effective school leadership, fostering positive school culture, and empowering teachers through relationships that count. From teacher recruitment to school-wide strategies for student success, this conversation is packed with insights for educators and school leaders. Building a School f...

Host, Pa ul Hazzard , is joined by Lucy Neuburger and John Gibbs for a thought-provoking discussion on discipline, "soft skills" & the reputation of maths in the world of education. From Britain’s "strictest headteacher" to the undervaluing of so-called "soft skills" and the gender gap in maths, the panel dissects the narratives shaping our schools today. Discipli...

Early Intervention, Discipline in Schools & Teaching Beyond Your Specialism In this insightful episode, host Paul Hazzard talks to panellists, Hannah Wilson, John Gibbs, and Lucy Newburger. Together they explore three key and current topics in education: early intervention to prevent youth crime, approaches to discipline, and the challenges of teaching outside your subject specialism. Can Teac...

Hannah & Lucy reflect on how taking part in challenges as a school can be inclusive and engaging. Whether it's a group hike, a staff-wide fundraiser, or a personal endurance challenge, these experiences set a powerful example for students. They highlight that showing students the importance of pushing outside their comfort zones, embracing difficulty, and working towards a goal can be tran...

A Conversation with Dr Lhara Mullins Paul Hazzard talks with Dr Lhara Mullins , lecturer, at the University of Galway, about her inspiring journey from childhood to becoming a passionate advocate for education, inclusion, and empowerment. Lhara reflects on her school days. She candidly discusses how, if diagnosed today, she would likely have been identified as neurodivergent. But despite the chall...

This week on Teaching Matters , Paul Hazzard is joined by Lucy Neuburger and John Gibbs to explore three big questions: 🔆Can hope be taught? 🔆Should audiobooks become part of the curriculum? 🔆And how should climate change be embedded into education? Expect thought-provoking discussion, differing viewpoints, and of course— Banana Time! 1️⃣ Can Hope Be Taught? 🌟In a world where political instabi...

Paul Hazzard sits down with Emmy Quinn, an experienced history teacher with a fascinating career path. Emmy shares insights on teaching in Northern Ireland, England & Dubai, the evolving role of history in education and why she’s passionate about broadening students’ perspectives. 1️⃣ Teaching Abroad – Is It Worth It? ✈️Emmy reflects on her time teaching in Dubai and whether she’d recommend it...

Paul Hazzard sits down with Dr David Smith from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, to explore the controversial and often misunderstood world of involuntary celibates. 1️⃣ What is an Incel? 🤔 Dr David Smith explains that incel is short for involuntary celibate, referring to a group of men who believe they are scientifically unlovable due to their perceived physical inadequacies and the influence...

In this engaging episode, host Paul Hazzard welcomes John Lawson, an experienced educator with nearly 30 years of teaching under his belt. Passionate about study skills, John shares his top ten principles for academic success, keeping things simple yet highly effective. Key Study Skills and Insights: 1. Discipline First –John emphasises that behaviour is the foundation of learning. He insists on r...

With National Careers Week approaching Hannah and Lucy tackle the ever-important topic of careers education, exploring how schools prepare students for the future and what more can be done. How Well Does Careers Education Prepare Students? Some reflections on the outdated and often narrow careers advice many of us received in school—basic personality tests and rigid job categories that fail to ref...

The Reality of Teacher Training: What Needs to Change? In this episode, Lucy and Hannah dive into the ever-evolving world of teacher training, reflecting on their own experiences and exploring what’s working—and what isn’t—in today’s system. Personal Journeys into Teaching Hannah’s route into teaching wasn’t conventional. After travelling the world as a scuba diving instructor, she found herself s...

🎙️ Teaching Matters: AI in Education – A Revolution or a Risk? In this episode of Theory Matters, Paul Hazzard sits down with Miriam Bogler, AI expert, teacher and advocate for project-based learning. They discuss how AI is transforming education, the challenges it presents, and how teachers can harness its power while encouraging students to think critically. 1️⃣ How AI is Changing Education 🤖 M...

🎙️ Theory Matters: AI in Education – The Ideal Teaching Assistant? Paul Hazzard chats with Patrick Hickey, assistant principal and AI expert about AI in education. 1️⃣ Can AI Be a Teacher’s Assistant? 🤖 Patrick sees AI as a powerful tool that can help teachers become more effective, not replace them.📌 Boosting Lesson Planning – AI can assist in creating lesson plans, schemes of work, and differe...

Teaching Matters: Reading Aloud, Online Abuse & Internet Safety 📖 Who Should Read Aloud in Class? Lucy, Hannah and Paul engage in discussion about the benefits and challenges of reading aloud in class. Some students love it, while others find it terrifying. Teachers should model good reading, but forcing students can be damaging. Confidence-building strategies, like paired reading and using a...

🎙️ Teaching Matters: Should Summer Holidays Be Shorter? Plus, Violence in Schools & Extreme Homework Rules! This week’s episode of Teaching Matters dives into some of the biggest debates in education. Paul Hazzard is joined by Lucy Neuberger and John Gibbs to discuss whether summer holidays are too long, the alarming rise in violence against teachers, and a controversial school policy that pun...

The Hannah & Lucy Show - Summary Hannah and Lucy are joined by NEU union representative Scott Lyons and discuss the increasing financial challenges in academy trusts and the impact on teachers, students, and school communities. Key Topics Discussed : Teacher Redundancies & School Funding Crisis: A local school, once financially stable, now faces 25 staff redundancies due to financial defic...

In today's Teaching Matters, host Paul Hazzard and panellists Lucy Neuburger and Hannah Wilson , discuss: 🔅 Should pupils be allowed to opt out of RE 01:50🔅 Teachers clothe & feed pupils and brush their teeth 12:03🔅 What's really going on with teenage girls? 31:00 1️⃣ Should Pupils Be Allowed to Opt Out of Religious Education? Scotland is considering a policy allowing pupils under 1...

In this week’s Teaching Matters John and Paul explore knowledge vs skills in the curriculum, the impact of simplifying reading, and the emotional challenges of leadership. There’s also plenty of laughter, a discussion on why diet might make you smarter, and a brilliant German word that sums up the chaos of teaching!1️⃣ Knowledge vs Skills – What Should Schools Focus On? 03:20There’s an ongoing deb...

The panel discusses the impact of AI and social media on education and teenage mental health.1️⃣ AI in Schools – Help or Hindrance? 02:15 The UK government is investing £14 billion into AI, claiming it will transform education and reduce teacher workload. But will it actually help? AI is already used in classrooms to help with subjects like maths and English, adapting to student needs in real time...

This episode of Teaching Matters explores whether teaching is a craft or a science, what makes a great school leader, upcoming curriculum changes, and the idea of a four-day school week. The panel share their highlights of the week, from book recommendations to podcasts and even a story about bananas!1️⃣ Is Teaching a Craft or a Science? Is teaching something you can learn, or do you need a natura...

Teaching Matters host Paul Hazzard welcomes guests Lucy Newburger (Portugal), John Gibbs (England), and Shane Leaning (Shanghai) to discuss:🔅How to bring the fun back to reading after phonics🔅How debate can help your students see their blind spots🔅Bridgette Phillipson's ‘concerned’ about volume of parent complaintsUp for discussion in this episode are:1️⃣ Bringing Fun Back to Reading After...

Hannah and Lucy reunite to talk about the challenges and joys of teaching over the winter months. They discuss, wellbeing, morale, energy levels. As ever there are plenty of anecdotes and lots of solutions.