Teachers Talk Radio

There are few more important things we do in schools than shape the aspirations of the next generation. This engaging podcast explores what's it's like to do that job and what young people in 2025 say they'd like to be when they grow up.

Chris is joined by Primary School teacher Paul Foster to discuss the similarities and differences between rewarding learners in primary school and post-16 education.

Tom Rogers is first joined by Dr Nicola Crossley, to explore SEND policy and approach in the UK vs Germany/other countries and how they deliver it as well as looking at some of the big issues in this area of late. In the second half of the show, Tom is joined by Carly Holness to look at personal development in schools and how they can best deliver this for all students.

A bumper panel of Yasmin Omar, Carl Smith, Lucy Trimnell, Tom Rogers and Tarjinder Gill discuss the words of actor Anna Maxwell Martin this week who voiced her dislike for schools 'punitive' behaviour policies and said that schools should look to 'meet the needs of all students' to ensure they want to attend school.

Michael and guest Jenetta Hurst delve into the government's commitment to funding Extracurricular Activities. They explore its implications for the Arts, address related challenges, and share insights on fostering a culture of Extracurricular within educational institutions.

Tom Rogers is joined by special guest Thomas Keegan (senior leader) to discuss the issue of imposter syndrome in the teaching profession. What is it? How can it be managed? Is it worse in teaching and why? How can leaders help teachers who suffer from it? What is the answer? All these points and more in this show. 

Now back in the swing of term, Liz and Kate debate the lack of diversity in the English Literature curriculum, citing research that reveals a startling bias, particularly at GCSE, to the “male, pale and stale”.

How should teachers manage online harassment? What is the answer? is there one? Darren explores. 

Phin helps you get set for the new school year! 

Claire and Beejesh explore the teacher standards, effectiveness of the ECT programs and give their top tips for mentoring and succeeding in an ECT year. Essential listening for mentors, ECTs and anyone involved in training the next generation of teachers!

Louise Pickering talks to Mike Leaman about why teachers leave and what comes next.

What does it mean to really know something? In this show, Timea and her guests, Dr Kevin Campbell-Karn and Dr Tom Ritchie, dive into assessments that mirror professional practice, sharing innovations and provocations from across the sector.

Timea discusses the importance of Student belonging with guests Dr Tom Ritchie and Inca Hide-Wright, and looks at examples of good practice in this area.

In this show, Khanh-Duc Kuttig and Robert Stroud unpack the following questions on AI in the classroom: What can AI do for learning—and what it shouldn’t replace, how to support thinking, not shortcut it. If you think you’ve already heard it all… think again. This isn’t about tech trends—it’s about pedagogical integrity in an age of automation.

Join Lucy Trimnell, Yasmin Omar and Carl Smith for this weeks points of view as they discuss the latest report via Schoolsweek that claims a Reform government would “root out” teachers who are “brainwashing” children, MP Lee Anderson told the party’s annual conference. Speaking at a fringe event at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre on Friday night Anderson, MP for Ashfield and chief whip for...

Darren opens the show talking about identity construction for new teachers but, through chatting with commenters, demonstrates how we use language specifically to construct a type of identity.

In this show, Famida Choudhary was joined by international educator Chandani Kinger to explore how teachers are stepping beyond the classroom to become mentors, innovators, and global leaders. From SDG-4 to cross-border collaboration, this conversation dives into the challenges and triumphs of educators shaping the future. Tune in for bold questions, heartfelt reflections, and a celebration of tea...

Carl chats to Assistant Principal, Abi Hibbins about why attendance is so bad in schools across the world and what needs to change if things are to improve. Abi gives us a sense of hope and realism forged out of working on the front line of education.

Join Chris as he explores how to reward learners fairly and creatively, with practical ideas to inspire and motivate every student (plus! a secret song he teases throughout the show for you to guess before the big reveal at the end).

What is the best way of teaching reading? 

Some people believe that repetition is absolutely critical to establishing the fundamentals. Others would say repetition creates an environment where students don’t feel sufficiently challenged. Some will assert that repetition builds confidence. Others will argue that repetition takes away valuable time from the exploration of new material and topics. Where do you sit? Listen in, as Seema catches...

Join Matt for his debut show on TTR! He is joined by David Curran, a teacher in a specialist dyslexia school, as they discuss how to best utilise AI with SEND learners. 

Dave Brown, Lucy Trimnell and Rae Whitehouse debate the big stories from this week in education. They ask if generative AI is causing a need for exam reform and whether getting rid of resits is dumbing down? Has the need to pass maths and English GCSEs helped improve overall quality of students? Join us for this one where they discuss the details behind the headlines. 

Tony and Yannick discuss what to expect from the 2025-2026 academic year in UK schools. 

The end of the summer is upon us! Liz, Kate and Rachel discuss the inevitable feelings that descend upon the profession as the autumn term looms ahead and offer some thoughts about how we might all attempt to beat the ‘back to school blues.