Fraction of a Teacher

What if effective behaviour management starts long before you give a warning or sanction? In this episode, we explore why the strongest classrooms are built through routines, relationships and consistency rather than simply reacting to poor behaviour. By exploring the practical side of Teacher Standard 7, we discuss the impact of losing your classroom for six weeks to preparing for a fresh start i...

This week, Jen is joined by her partner Claire for an honest conversation about what life looks like beyond the classroom. People often talk about the holidays, the early finishes, and the perks of teaching but what about the planning at 10pm, the emotional highs and lows, the endless conversations about learning, and the days when there’s simply no energy left to speak? Together, Jen and Claire e...

Assessment is more than marks, grades, and data drops. In this episode of Fraction of a Teacher, Jen and Francis unpack how assessment can actually shape learning rather than simply measure it. From mini whiteboards and exit tickets to QLAs, self marking, and revision strategies, we explore the difference between confidence and competence, the role of low stakes assessment in reducing maths anxiet...

In this solo episode of Fraction of a Teacher , Jen reflects honestly on the pressure teachers place on themselves to be “good” at the job. Not just surviving the day or meeting the teaching standards, but genuinely making a difference to the students in front of them. From the constant feedback of the PGCE year to the quieter internal pressure of ECT life, this episode explores the emotional weig...

In this episode of Fraction of a Teacher , Jen and Francis are joined by Peter, who shares his journey from a 40-year career in the City into education through Now Teach. Together, they explore what career changing into teaching really looks like, from the shock of stepping into the classroom to the reality of training routes, lesson planning, mentoring and finding your feet in a completely new pr...

In this episode of Fraction of a Teacher , Jen and Francis explore Teacher Standard 5: how to adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils . From dyslexia and processing time to confidence, stretch, scaffolding and classroom culture, they reflect on what adaptive teaching actually looks like in a real classroom. Through honest examples from their own practice, they discuss ho...

In this episode of Fraction of a Teacher , Jen and Francis dive into one of the most important (and often most daunting) parts of the job: contacting home . We start with a reflective question: How would you like a parent to describe you as they walk away from parents’ evening? From there, we explore how our approach to parent communication has evolved from PGCE training to ECT life and why so muc...

In this episode of Fraction of a Teacher , Jen and Francis revisit Teaching Standard 4: planning and teaching well-structured lessons, and reflect on just how much their thinking has changed since their PGCE year. From modelling and questioning, to planning systems, textbooks, homework sequencing and reflection, they explore what actually makes a lesson work in the classroom, not what looks good o...

Going back after a break is harder than we expect. In this episode, Jen and Francis reflect honestly on the first two weeks back after Christmas and what it really feels like to return to the classroom. We talk about Why motivation dips before it recovers How pupils experience the reset as much as teachers do The difference between resetting expectations and starting again What we would do differe...

In this episode of Fraction of a Teacher, Jen and Francis unpack Teacher Standard 3 ( demonstrating good subject and curriculum knowledge ) and what it actually looks like in real classrooms, not just on paper. We reflect on: why not knowing everything can be a strength, not a weakness how teaching the way you learn can deepen understanding for students the gap between PGCE theory and classroom re...

It’s officially festive season at Fraction of a Teacher as Jen and Francis reflect on the end of their first term as ECT1s and everything that’s changed since the PGCE days. From Christmas jumpers and classroom decorations to the strange confidence shift that comes from being the only grown-up in the room, this episode is a proper end-of-term debrief. They revisit their recent guest episodes, shar...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Maths Teacher and ECT2 Laura Francis, we talk honestly about what really changes after ECT1 and why it genuinely does get easier. Laura shares how she moved from “this is doable but not sustainable” to feeling like a calm, confident teacher who can walk into school in September and hit the ground running. We unpack the power of systems and organisation and a trus...

This week Jen and Francis are joined by Laura , an ECT2 maths teacher and former IT professional, running-shop owner and Now Teach career changer. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Laura shares the honest, winding path that brought her into the classroom. We talk about: Moving from IT to opening a successful running shop The life-changing impact of her husband’s motor neurone disease diagno...

This week, Jen and Francis explore Teachers’ Standard 2: promote good progress and outcomes for all pupils. Rather than treating progress as a number or a data drop, they unpack what it looks and feels like in everyday lessons. They discuss starting points, the reality of teaching new classes, and how to make sense of pupils’ understanding when you are still learning who they are. Jen shares how m...

This week we’re joined by football coach (and our website designer) Claire to explore what happens when the world of coaching meets the world of teaching. We talk about being “player first, not player led,” finding the balance between structure and freedom, and using individual challenges to stretch or support learners. Claire shares insights from coaching across age groups, from under eights to a...

This week, Jen and Francis dive into Teachers' Standard 1: set high expectations for all pupils. It's not as a slogan, but as daily practice. We unpack what high expectations actually look like in lessons, marking, and conversations, and how to keep challenge from turning into anxiety. Jen shares how an English teacher in America helped her understand the impact of dyslexia on her writing, reframi...

Jen and Francis catch up on their first two weeks as fully fledged teachers: no mentors at the back, no safety net, just them at the front of the classroom. From first impressions and building staff relationships, to seating plans, learning names, and realising they’re now the grown-ups in charge, they reflect on the steep (but exciting) learning curve of the ECT year. Plus, Jen shares why she’s a...

In this episode, we dive into Teacher Standards Part 2: Personal and Professional Conduct, the expectations that shape how we show up not just in lessons, but in corridors, emails, parents’ evenings, and even in the supermarket. We explore how the Teachers’ Standards link to the ITT/ECF (recipe vs final dish), why aligning with your school’s ethos and policies matters, and practical ways to uphold...

We’re back! After a summer of rest, reflection, and a few adventures (yes, including a terrifying quarry zipwire and adopting even more birds…), Jen and Francis return for Season 2 as newly qualified teachers. In this episode, we share our summer highlights, talk about preparing for ECT life, and reflect on the nerves and excitement of starting the new school year. From timetables and routines to...

We’ve made it. In this final episode of Season One, we’re joined by the brilliant Jeremy , our PGCE Maths lead and the person who’s been with us since Day One (even if he did reject Jen the first time. Spoiler alert, don't worry, it worked out. Together, we reflect on the highs, lows, and learning curves of the year. Jeremy shares what he looks for in future teachers, why small cohorts make a big...

As we near the end of our PGCE year and out of placement so after some tearful goodbyes to our pupils, emotions are running high and what better way to unpack them than with a blob tree? In this reflective episode, Jen and Francis explore the highs, lows, and everything in between from Placement B. From moments of self-doubt to newfound confidence, we discuss how contrasting school contexts shaped...

In our first transatlantic episode, Jen and Francis are joined by Jocelyn Greene, founder of Child’s Play NY and theatre education specialist. Together, we explore how drama games can build classroom connection, boost student confidence, and support meaningful learning, both in and beyond the maths classroom. From strategies for welcoming new Year 7 form groups to ideas for creative project-based...

This week it’s just the two of us – laptops open, drinks poured, and deep in reflection mode. We're taking a look back at our PGCE year: Why we chose the PGCE route What we did to prepare What we’ve learnt (hindsight being what it is) the questions we wish we’d asked at interview We’re sharing honest thoughts, unexpected lessons, and the bits we’re proud of, all while getting a little nostalgic th...

This week, we’re joined by Adam; our PGCE history fellow trainee, timeline enthusiast, and deliverer of at least one decent joke. From Elizabeth I to the American Gold Rush, Adam brings the past to life while reflecting on what it really means to teach history in today’s classroom. We talk showmanship at Key Stage 3, taking a backseat at Key Stage 4, and why critical thinking matters more than mem...

In this episode, Jen, Francis, and returning guest Sophia explore the often-overlooked power of teacher-parent communication. From the nerves of a first parents’ evening to the joy of a handwritten postcard home, they reflect on how positive partnerships with carers and families can transform the classroom experience. Expect thoughtful insights, practical tips, and a few laughs as they share what...