The Impact Podcast

Alun Ebenezer is one of Wales’ best-known school leaders. Once dubbed the ‘head from hell’ by a tabloid newspaper, Mr Ebenezer has transformed the fortunes of Caldicot School. He talks to Fin about his career, why pupils need to be more resilient, and what he thinks about the education system in Wales. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group:...

In this episode, Fin dissects a recent Welsh Government report into patterns of attainment in reading and numeracy in Wales. She looks at what the data says and the questions is raises. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: https://www.instag...

Anna Brychan is the new Minister for Education and the Welsh Language in the Plaid Cymru led Welsh Government. She joins Fin to talk about her new role and Plaid’s education policies, as well as answering your questions. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.soc...

In this episode, Fin is joined by educator and author Rachel Ball. They discuss her book 'The Scaffolding Effect' (co-authored with Alex Fairlamb) and explore how teachers can use scaffolding and adaptive teaching to support pupils to successfully progress. The Scaffolding Effect, by Alex Fairlamb and Rachel Ball: https://amzn.to/4v2rRlm Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impa...

Estyn is the final arbitrator of self-evaluation and quality in Wales’s schools, especially at primary level. But how much influence does the inspectorate have on outcomes, and is the inspection process working? In this episode, Fin delves into Estyn’s record over the last decade. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook....

The disadvantage gap in education is persistent and deeply damaging to educational outcomes. In this episode, Finola asks: Why is the gap not closing in Wales? Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/ Conta...

Fin is joined by Organized Binder creator Mitch Weathers and first grade teacher Sarah Oberle to discuss their new book - Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom. To order their book, visit: Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start: https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/executive-functions-for-every-k-3-classroom/book298245 https://amzn.to/3PyGtcA So...

Wales has a new Cabinet Minister for Education - Anna Brychan. In this bonus episode, Fin looks at Ms Brychan’s record in education and the challenges she faces in her new role. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...

After the Senedd election Wales has a new government led by Plaid Cymru. But what will this mean for education policy? Fin is joined by Tom Breeze from the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to discuss the post-election fallout. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales....

It’s frustrating when your pupils have forgotten what you’ve taught them - but actually, forgetting is an essential part of the learning process. Fin explains why forgetting is not a villain, but a superhero. Podcasts mentioned in this episode: Episode 142: All About Cognitive Load https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-impact-podcast/id1510281754?i=1000641932388 Episode 223: Reading; Why Wales...

Getting pupils to pay attention in class is difficult, but it seems attention spans are getting shorter. In this episode, Fin explains the problem and what you can do about it. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i...

With the Senedd elections taking place in May, the Impact Podcast has teamed up with the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to interview candidates from the six main political parties about their education policies. In this final episode, Fin and Tom are joined by Dr Gareth Evans of UWTSD to discuss and dissect the policies shared by the candidates. PRODUCTION Hosts: Finola Wilson and Tom Breeze P...

Impact Wales has worked with senior staff at St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School on quality assuring assessment. In this episode, Fin speaks to assistant head teachers Matt Davies and Louise Walsh about the impact the work has made. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactw...

With the Senedd elections taking place in May, the Impact Podcast has teamed up with the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to interview candidates from the six main political parties about their education policies. In this episode, we explain how we attempted to speak to a Reform UK candidate. PRODUCTION Hosts: Finola Wilson, Jane Miller and Tom Breeze Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impa...

This podcast is all about Estyn - is the inspectorate actually making a difference to education in Wales? Fin looks at the evidence. Read Fin’s recent blogs about Estyn here: Part 1 - https://www.impact.wales/news/why-estyn-isnt-helping-schools-in-wales-to-improve-part-1/ Part 2 - https://www.impact.wales/news/why-estyn-isnt-helping-schools-in-wales-to-improve-part-2/ Social media: * Facebook page...

With the Senedd elections taking place in May, the Impact Podcast has teamed up with the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to interview candidates from the six main political parties about their education policies. In this episode, we speak to Cefin Campbell of Plaid Cymru. PRODUCTION Hosts: Finola Wilson, Jane Miller and Tom Breeze Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Powe...

With the Senedd elections taking place in May, the Impact Podcast has teamed up with the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to interview candidates from the six main political parties about their education policies. In this episode, we speak to Jane Dodds of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. PRODUCTION Hosts: Finola Wilson, Jane Miller and Tom Breeze Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales...

With the Senedd elections taking place in May, the Impact Podcast has teamed up with the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to interview candidates from the six main political parties about their education policies. In this episode, we speak to Lynne Neagle of Welsh Labour. PRODUCTION Hosts: Finola Wilson, Jane Miller and Tom Breeze Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power...

Feedback is one of the most common requests for support we receive from schools. Teachers often ask: “How can we make sure pupils really act on feedback?” In this episode, Fin explains how. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: https://www.in...

With the Senedd elections taking place in May, the Impact Podcast has teamed up with the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to interview candidates from the six main political parties about their education policies. In this episode, we speak to Angela Karadog of the Wales Green Party. PRODUCTION Hosts: Finola Wilson, Jane Miller and Tom Breeze Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales M...

With the Senedd elections taking place in May, the Impact Podcast has teamed up with the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to interview candidates from the six main political parties about their education policies. In this episode, we speak to Natasha Asghar of the Welsh Conservatives. PRODUCTION Hosts: Finola Wilson, Jane Miller and Tom Breeze Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales...

Fin speaks to special guest Pam Potter, a teacher at Neyland Community School. Together they discuss what happens when a school rethinks learning. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/ Contact: Email: en...

Fin discusses the work Impact has done with two very different schools - Neyland Primary in Wales and Hyndland Secondary in Scotland - and the impact it has had on teaching and learning. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: https://www.insta...

Delving into the details of the annual report by Estyn’s Chief Inspector, Fin explains why self-evaluation is critical to improving teaching and learning. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/ Contact: E...

Returning to the topic of reading, Fin and Jane discuss recent developments that highlight why Wales is still failing when it comes to this crucial element of education. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwa...