Teaching Excellence Podcast

Nathan and Stef continue the conversation about the Curriculum Teaching and Training section of the revised Ofsted Education Inspection Framework - focusing in on the importance of identifying gaps in knowledge, initial assessment, assessment for learning and the importance of what to do with that information. We discuss the importance of space and time to develop teaching practice and think about...

Stef and Nathan dive into the revised Ofsted framework... we decided to start with the Curriculum Teaching and Training chapter, as we think its where the fundamental TLA practice sits. Its meaty and there is a lot to it, and so there will be a part 2 to this chapter as there is lots to think about.

Stef chats about getting the podcast back up and rolling, briefly mentioning what's been going on over the last two years, as well as latest thinking and observations of quality in FE. Topics mentioned include compliance, quality and transparency of data used to establish quality across and within an organisation, as well as an overview of the events and workshops that we've created as par...

As we move through the first part of the new academic year. we need to make sure that we have captured a detailed picture of learner start points, so that we can adapt TLA to maximise progress across the learner journey. We still have a couple of weeks to make sure that we have a holistic picture of learner start points and today's epiosde gives us chance to reflect on if we can/need to do anythin...

My first solo episode!! It felt like a time for change. This new series will be a combination of solo episodes and guests joining me on the podcast as we talk all things high quality, learner experience and progress. I start with a podcast about the importance of the first 6 weeks and the things that can make a difference to learner engagement and retention. As promised, for more information about...

Stuart is the first principal to come on the Teaching Excellence Podcast. With a keen interest in leadership, Stef chats with Stuart about his leadership journey in FE, the challenges that we currently face and the vision of FE in the future. 

This week Lindsey and I chat about Induction and the things that we think make it meaningful. Its a good time to consider how we best welcome students to college but also move away from induction being about assessment, assignments and course requirements. Its time to be creative and consider all the ways in which we can create a memorable experience that will build a sense of belonging and engage...

This week Stef and Isla chat about the last few weeks, what we have been up to, where we have been and what we have heard which has caught our interest. Isla talks about the NATECLA conference and I chat about training I ran with Apprenticeships tutors and we both talk about some of our initial thoughts about our Ofsted experiences this year. We could probably talk for a week about Ofsted, but we...

I talk to Paula who is a co-head of a primary school. She shares how this works and how they have aligned CPD and their whole school approach to being curious and inquisitive about improvement.

Its time for Season 5 of the Teaching Excellence podcast. There is podcast news and we chat about things we have been up to recently in 2022, including a project which explores teaching low level English skills as well as exploring collaborative professionalism to create positive quality improvement cultures. If you find any of this interesting be sure to let us know or get in touch and we ca...

I chat to Ben about all things change, technology and how things seem to be going in Term 1.  Ben is an Educational Consultant working with a number of clients on both digital and cultural transformation. Prior to this, Ben has worked for 15 years in education as an Assistant Principal and Curriculum Manager, focusing on Apprenticeships and formerly in his subject specialisms of Religious Stu...

Stef and Amy chat about Culture Development through TLA and Quality Improvement, the need for focus and rapid action in response to learner needs as well as the 'noise' that can exist when there feels like there is so much to do. We also chat briefly about Amy's research  as part of last years SUNCETT research programme.

Stef and Rachel talk about Professional Development, Coaching and Mentoring in Education, with a specific focus on the Early Careers Framework and Contextual Coaching. We dig into the importance of relationships, nuance, challenge and the educational landscape in which we find ourselves as well as consider how practice can really be shaped to support and nurture teachers as professionals. We talk...

I talk to Tony Davies about the conditions by which we can promote learning, including links to learning theory and how emotion can support or hinder learning. We also get into some discussion about quality improvement, action planning and observation processes to support teacher development. I hope you enjoy it. If you have a comment or response to anything we talk about, please leave me a voice...

Stef talks to Bryony Evett Hackfort, Director of Teaching, Learning, Technology and Skills at Coleg Sir Gar and Coleg Ceredigion, about the way in which Professional Development for teachers has evolved over the last several years, how they have created a culture where curiosity is the focus and professional autonomy is built in. 

Stef talks to Jo Fletcher Saxon about professional learning and development, reflects on how the pandemic changed the way we can engage, as well as how structured autonomy and being curious supports effective practice development. Jo also outlines a few of the different spaces that anyone and everyone can involved in practitioner research and collaboration.

Stef is joined by Joanne Miles to discuss some of the key themes that are popping up through conversations across the country as well as the importance of reflection as we head towards the end of this academic year. We discuss the importance of reflection for staff as well as how reflection can support learner engagement and ownership of learning. We discuss ways in which this can be implemented a...

This week, Stef talks to Trista Holweck about her research into coaching and support programmes for new teachers. We talk about the importance of coaching, the importance of humility and the way in which both coachee and coach/mentor can benefit from coaching relationships.

Stef talks to Joanne Miles about Quality Improvement as part of a new era of Teaching and Learning development. We discuss the challenges and the importance of placing Quality Improvement as the central focus rather than Quality Assurance. Joanne talks us through some of the work she has been doing with Dr Matt O'Leary on observation coaching models. Links Unseen observation model - https://drive....

Stef talks to Joanne Miles about online teaching and learning,  evidence based pedagogical principles that can help us to focus as well as hybrid models that teachers are currently navigating.

Ahead of this weeks wellbeing Wednesday, Stef talks to Vicki Dawson from The Sleep Charity about how the charity came about and the importance of Sleep. This Wednesday at 7pm Vicki will be running a session all about sleep and how we can get better quality sleep to boost our wellbeing.

Stef chats to Jamie Smith about the changes that have happened due to the Covid pandemic and the ways that education can evolve to respond. We chat about leadership and the potential challenges that could cause problems if we don’t navigate them boldly and with different thinking.

Stef chats to Adam about this weeks Wellbeing Wednesday session which is all about creating healthy exercise habits when we are super busy. Ahead of World Mental Heath day, we discuss how and why it’s really important to find easy ways to exercise regularly.

Stef talks to Wayne Hall from Darlington college about lockdown, technology, teaching and learning and being an Edtech demonstrator college.

Stef talks to Scott Hayden about his experience of lockdown, how things have been in the planning of the new academic year, as well as the development of skills beyond the curriculum.