The Impact Podcast

This week Fin and Jane reflect on their time as teachers and share some stories and experiences from the classroom that have helped shape their thinking and inform their professional practice. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

As some primary schools in Wales reopen their doors to foundation pupils, Fin and Jane return with a new episode to ask - is it the journey or the destination that’s important in learning? They talk about the positivity of change, and how it can help develop quality. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArt...

With some pupils set to return to schools in Wales after the half term break, thoughts are turning to the longer-term future for education. In this episode Jane and Fin discuss how educators can build back schooling, address the loss of learning and adapt their teaching practices. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Music: Power Shutoff by Cra...

This week Fin and Jane talk about their own struggles with lockdown and look at how teachers can build up their resilience and cope with the unprecedented pressures they are under. They also discuss the latest Welsh Government guidance on Curriculum for Wales. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

It’s January, we’re all suffering from lockdown fatigue and the return to normality seems a long way off. In this episode Jane and Fin discuss how exhausted teachers should focus on the priorities while also looking after their own health and wellbeing at this difficult time. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Music: Power Shutoff by Cra...

There has been much discussion in the press, on social media and even in official reports about the quality of teaching and learning during lockdown. In this episode Jane and Fin give their thoughts on the matter and talk about the latest educational news and developments. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Music: Power Shutoff by Craig...

With the UK in another lockdown, online learning has again become a fact of life for many learners.  In this episode, Fin and Jane talk to digital tech advocate Becki Bawler, lead teacher for IT and digital at Risca Community Comprehensive School, who shares her online learning and tech tips. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Music...

It’s the start of the new school term, but across the four UK nations schools remain closed as new lockdowns begin. With remote learning firmly back on the agenda, Fin and Jane discuss the four key principles that will help teachers create learning that makes a difference.  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Evans  Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Music: Power...

As 2020 comes to an end, Fin and Jane are joined by guest Alex Barons, assistant headteacher in charge of teaching and learning at Prestatyn High School. They discuss the challenges of preparing for a new curriculum, delivering professional learning and running a school during a pandemic. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff...

Resilience is a vital skill for learning and for life, but the disruption to schooling during the pandemic has led to a loss of resilience among learners. In this episode Jane and Fin look at the cognitive science behind resilience and discuss how to build resilient, motivated learners. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff b...

This week Fin and Jane are joined by Professor Rob Coe, Director of Research and Development at Evidence Based Education and Senior Associate at the Education Endowment Foundation. They discuss assessment - its purpose, its potential, its importance and what good assessment looks like.  Evidence in Education: https://evidencebased.education Let Evidence Based Education know Wales is serious a...

This week Fin and Jane are in conversation with Melissa Armishaw, headteacher of Waunfawr Primary School in Crosskeys. They discuss the unique challenges of running a small primary school in the current circumstances. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Professional learning has changed, both in terms of content and delivery, with inset days and face-to-face sessions increasingly giving way to online learning and digital alternatives. In this episode Fin and Jane discuss what this change means for the future of professional learning. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by...

Education Minister Kirsty Williams has announced the cancellation of GCSE, AS and A-level examinations for 2021, to be replaced with classroom assessment. In this special episode Fin and Jane discuss what this means for schools, teachers and pupils.  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Evans  Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArt...

Fin and Jane are joined by Daisy Christodoulou, Director of Education at No More Marking, to discuss assessment, marking and professional learning and development. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

As schools and teachers continue to prepare for the introduction of Curriculum for Wales, even with the continuing challenges of Covid-19, this week Fin and Jane discuss the future of assessment. What is the purpose of assessment, why is it so important and how do we do it? Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacAr...

This week Leanne Eyre, deputy head of Elfed High School in Buckley, Flintshire, joins Jane and Fin in conversation. They discuss the changes taking place and the challenges being discovered in both teaching and professional learning. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

In this special episode Fin and Jane take a deep dive into the newly published updated guidance for curriculum reform in Wales. They look at what is included in the guidance and what the implications are for schools. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Sam Eaton is Assistant Headteacher, Learning and Teaching, at Cardiff High School. She joins Fin and Jane to talk about delivering a curriculum during a pandemic, including pedagogy, blended learning and ‘shadow timetables’. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

With the new academic year in full swing, Jane and Fin discuss what school life is like at the moment and offer practical strategies that teachers can use in the classroom alongside Covid. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

In this episode Fin and Jane reflect on the first few weeks of the new term and the impact the current situation is having on schools and teachers.  Then they are joined by Richard Jenkins, head of Brecon High School, to discuss the challenges of leading a school during these unprecedented times. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music:...

This week Jane and Fin are joined in conversation by Gareth Evans, Director of Education Policy at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Yr Athrofa: Institute of Education and Humanities. they discuss teacher training, curriculum, assessment and accountability and much more.  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Evans  Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Mu...

In the first of a new semi-regular series, Fin and Jane are joined in conversation by a special guest. This week it's Kirsty Williams, the Welsh Government’s Education Minister. They discuss dealing with the impact of coronavirus, the progress of Curriculum for Wales and the future of assessment. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power...

Pupils returned to the classroom this week and so did Impact, delivering socially distanced in-person professional learning for the first time since lockdown. In this episode Jane and Fin reflect on the current situation. Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

As schools reopen, Fin and Jane talk about the challenges of going back to the classroom. What does the data say and what can teachers expect over the next few weeks and months? Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur