EduPulse

Flourishing is everywhere in education right now, but what does it actually mean? Adam Kohlbeck talks to Andy Wolfe, founder of the new Initiative for Flourishing (IF), about wellbeing versus "well-doing", why flourishing is not the same as happiness, and how a bigger vision can help trusts and schools solve their most persistent problems. "Flourishing" has become one of the mo...

Conceptual Framing: What's Really Driving the PD Standards Review? Adam Kohlbeck is back with Professor Sam Twiselton OBE, independent chair of the Review of Professional Development Standards, to check in on progress and take on a question sent in by a listener: what is the conceptual framing behind the review? Sam explains why the review is being built from the inside out. Instead of startin...

The CPD Standards Review: Why It Matters and How You Can Shape It This is the first episode in our series following the Review of Professional Development Standards, the profession-led review hosted by the Chartered College of Teaching that will set new standards for teacher CPD in England. Adam Kohlbeck is joined by the rest of the review's working group: Professor Sam Twiselton OBE (independent...

In this episode, the team explore the pitfalls of hypothetical modelling in coaching and demonstrate how to effectively model techniques through demonstration rather than description. This week, learn how to bridge the gap between intention and execution for more impactful coaching. This podcast is part of the Education Leaders Podcast Network. For more information, see ⁠⁠⁠⁠ educationleaders.co/ne...

In the final episode of this season, Adam speaks with Alex Warner, a further-education leader and prison-education adviser, about how education can support rehabilitation and help prevent people from entering the justice system. Warner explains how prison education is delivered in England and Wales, shares examples of personal transformation, and argues for sustained, trauma-informed support befor...

In this episode, we explore the impact of online courses on teacher practice, the importance of motivation, practical application, and how collective sense-making can be fostered through digital platforms. Our guests fom Fobizz, Katerina Kordes and Ksenia Sokolanskaya, share insights from their work in ed tech and teacher professional development. This podcast is part of the Education Leaders Podc...

In this episode, Chris, Sarah and Adam explore the importance of modelling in coaching, emphasising how models provide a shared reference point that enhances understanding and skill development. They discuss common pitfalls like skipping modeling and how to effectively demonstrate techniques to improve coaching outcomes. This podcast is part of the Education Leaders Podcast Network. For more infor...

Chaired by Professor Sam Twistelton OBE, the Chartered College of Teaching is reviewing the decade-old professional development standards. In this episode, Chris and Adam discuss the upcoming CPD standards review, its significance and how it can transform teacher professional development. They also explore the importance of context, teacher expertise, the moral imperative of teacher changed and co...

In this episode, Jenny Webb shares her expertise on literacy, its importance, and how education systems can adapt to ensure universal literacy for all children. We explore the profound impact of literacy on life chances, critical thinking and societal participation. This podcast is part of the Education Leaders Podcast Network. For more information, see ⁠⁠ educationleaders.co/network ⁠⁠ . Original...

In this episode, we explore the pitfalls of hypothetical modeling in coaching and demonstrate how to effectively model techniques through demonstration rather than description. Learn how to bridge the gap between intention and execution for more impactful coaching. This podcast is part of the Education Leaders Podcast Network. For more information, see ⁠⁠ educationleaders.co/network ⁠⁠ . Original...

In this episode, Chris hosts Adam! Together, they explore whether children's learning processes have changed in the digital age, examining societal influences versus cognitive fundamentals. They discuss how teaching methods should adapt to societal changes without assuming cognitive shifts in learning and how the Government's introduction of new vocational qualifications is blurring the li...

In this special episode, Adam and Sufian discuss equity of opportunity in education and the systemic barriers in place that often prevent global majority teachers progressing. Among other things, they discuss representation, bias and systemic barriers. The two discuss the bleak horizon of educational equity and what we can all do to shift the dial. This podcast is part of the Education Leaders Pod...

Welcome back to Season 5 of the EduPulse Podcast, now a founding member of the Education Leaders Podcast Network. In this first episode of season five, Chris and Adam dive into a critical discussion about neurodiversity in the education sector. They explore the question of how many teachers in our staff rooms might be neurodivergent and why many of them feel unable to disclose their status. This p...

In this episode, Adam Kohlbeck hosts Adam and Frankie, authors of 'A Hundred Ideas for Primary Teachers,' to explore innovative ways to incorporate poetry into primary education. They discuss the importance of poetry for social-emotional learning, practical classroom strategies, and how to overcome confidence barriers among teachers. https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/100-ideas-for-primary-teac...

In this summer episode, Lynn How, an experienced SENCO and author, shares insights on effective SEND leadership, building inclusive school cultures, and strategic approaches to supporting pupils with special educational needs. Discover practical tips for school leaders to enhance SEND provision and foster a supportive environment. You can purchase a copy of her book The School Leader’s Guide to SE...

In this episode, Chris sits down with educator, author and host of the Thinking Deeply About Primary Education podcast, Kieran Mackle, for a wide-ranging conversation about what genuinely improves mathematics teaching ... and what doesn't. Together they explore why evidence-informed practice matters more than ever, the danger of chasing educational trends without robust research, and the class...

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, one question continues to resonate: what truly drives effective school improvement? In this episode of the EduPulse podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with teaching and learning expert Yamina Bibi, whose insights provide invaluable guidance for educators and school leaders. This episode will explore key themes from our conversation, covering essen...

How to Lead an English Department: Insights from Donal Hale Learn key strategies for effective English department leadership from Donal Hale, a seasoned educator with extensive experience in curriculum design and teaching. Discover the essential habits, priorities, and approaches that distinguish successful department leads in English education. Leading an English department can be a daunting task...

This episode explores Sarah Seleznyov and Robert Lobatto’s book A Practical Guide to a Big Education , rooted in the idea that schools should offer an education of the “head, heart and hand”: academic knowledge, wellbeing and relationships, and practical skills such as creativity, communication and problem-solving. Sarah and Robert argue that education has become too heavily weighted towards compl...

This episode unpacks the problem with the “vague opener” in coaching conversations—questions like “How do you think the lesson went?” that seem reflective but actually create confusion and anxiety. From the teacher’s perspective, this forces them to scan an entire lesson and guess the coach’s focus, often leading to defensive responses or overemphasis on perceived mistakes. We show how this approa...

Welcome to the Improving Disadvantaged Outcomes podcast from Chiltern Learning Trust, in association with DfE RISE. In this episode of the Chiltern Learning Trust podcast, host Adam Kohlbeck speaks to Daniel Connor and Mark Mailer about Black Shoe Pedagogy. We delve into real-world examples from Challney High School for Boys, where a focus on consistent reinforcement of core values, symbolised by...

In this episode, Dr. Karen Taylor, Head of Educational Research at Wellington College, discusses the importance of connecting research and practice in education, the role of the journal of Educational Research and Theory and how educators can contribute and benefit from open, reflective scholarly exchange.

Welcome to the Improving Disadvantaged Outcomes podcast from Chiltern Learning Trust, in association with DfE RISE. In this episode of the Chiltern Learning Trust podcast, host Adam Kohlbeck engages with Dr. Alex Fairlamb to discuss the intricacies of curriculum design. They explore common pitfalls that leaders encounter, emphasising the importance of viewing the curriculum as a narrative rather t...

Welcome to the Improving Disadvantaged Outcomes podcast from Chiltern Learning Trust, in association with DfE RISE. In the latest episode of the Chiltern Learning Trust podcast, host Adam Kohlbeck engages with Jennifer Wright, an assistant head teacher at Challney High School, to discuss the crucial role of lesson starts in fostering an effective learning environment. With a focus on actionable st...

Welcome to the Improving Disadvantaged Outcomes podcast from Chiltern Learning Trust, in association with DfE RISE. In this episode of the podcast, host Adam Kohlbeck sits down with Deputy Head Kirsten Senior to explore effective strategies for teacher allocation in key year groups and fostering meaningful cross-disciplinary conversations. They discuss practical planning, leadership roles, and mec...