The Impact Podcast

Jane and Finola are joined by Kate Couper and Jack Rennie-Evans, teachers from Larbert High School in Scotland. They discuss the work Impact did with Larbert helping teachers take ownership of their own teaching practice, and the impact it has had on pupils. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/109964666071...

With four months to go until Wales takes to the polls, Fin and Jane discuss what teachers need to know about the Senedd elections. 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: enquiries@impact.w...

Fin and Jane return to the subject of retrieval practice. Many schools say they are doing it, but how is it actually being done? In this episode they discuss the purpose of retrieval practice and how to do it properly. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.socia...

Jane and Fin return to one of the most popular topics they’ve discussed on this podcast - cognitive load theory. This time they look at it from a teaching perspective and what teachers are experiencing in the classroom. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.soci...

Happy New Year! In the first episode of 2026, Fin and Jane discuss a report that compares education systems around the world and ask - which country’s curriculum is best? Read the summary report here: 5d3f2a_3b223b7d69ea4ad78c49bb5a3df905bf.pdf https://share.google/IBBDEFLNvboXao2cN Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.faceboo...

In the last episode of 2025, Fin and Jane look back over the last twelve months and discuss some of the schools they’ve worked with. We hope you have a very Merry Christmas and we’ll be back in 2026! Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Instagram: http...

Jane and Fin are joined by Alison Williamson, a teacher and professional learning lead at Llanvihangel and Llanfoist primary schools in Abergavenny. Together they talk through vocabulary development and teaching and attempt to answer a question Alison posed at a recent education conference. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www...

Fin and Jane discuss the publication of Fin’s new book, The Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy: A Toolkit for Research-Informed Teaching. Order your copy here: https://amzn.to/4lsupnb 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...

In this episode Fin and Jane are joined by a special guest from the US - Mitch Weathers, teacher and founder of Organized Binder - with whom they discuss executive functions and how they work in the classroom. Mitch’s books and resources: Book 1: UK book purchases individual and bulk - https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/executive-functions-for-every-classroom-grades-3-12/book286612 Book 1: North Ame...

In this episode Jane and Fin discuss some of the latest education news and announcements from the Welsh Government, and ask - are we getting the political leadership we need and deserve in Wales? Take a look at the Impact Wales Education manifesto here: https://www.impact.wales/manifesto/ Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.f...

In the latest in a series looking at barriers to learning, Jane and Fin discuss low-level disruption. What does it look like, what causes it, and what can you 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/impact...

Last week, literacy expert Elizabeth Nonweiler quit the Welsh Government’s expert literacy panel, calling it ‘not fit for purpose’. In this episode, she speaks to Fin and Jane about why she quit and what she thinks about the government’s plans for reading. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/10996466607139...

Fin takes a look at the latest Welsh Government announcements and speaks to special guest Rob Randel about developments in reading. 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: enquiries@impact....

In this episode Fin and Jane return to a popular topic - questioning. They take a detailed look at how to use questions in the classroom, including lots of worked examples. 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/impac...

In the second part of a new series looking at barriers to learning, Jane and Finola discuss what you can do if you’ve taught something, but your pupils aren’t learning 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/impact...

In this episode, Fin and Jane are joined by Innes Robinson, executive headteacher of Pencoedtre and Whitmore High Schools in Barry. They discuss his career and how he has helped turn around challenging schools. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social * Inst...

In this episode, Fin and Jane launch a new series exploring barriers to learning. They start by discussing passive learners. We’re delivering a workshop at the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education Cymru Conference – 27th September – St Peter’s School Cardiff. Get tickets here: The Thinking Deeply about Primary Education Conference Tickets, Sat, Sep 27, 2025 at 8:30 AM | Eventbrite Social media:...

In this episode, Jane and Fin speak to teacher and author Kieran Mackle about raising maths attainment, and discuss a recent Estyn report into mathematics teaching. We’re delivering a workshop at the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education Cymru Conference – 27th September – St Peter’s School Cardiff. Get tickets here: The Thinking Deeply about Primary Education Conference Tickets, Sat, Sep 27, 20...

Reading ability among pupils is one of the biggest indicators of future success. In this episode Fin and Jane discuss how teachers can support struggling pupils improve their reading. How can you use challenging texts with pupils without switching them off? Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713...

In this episode, Jane and Fin are joined by international education expert Lucy Crehan. They discuss Lucy’s recent work on the review of Northern Ireland’s curriculum. 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/impactwale...

In the first episode of the 2025/26 academic year, Fin and Jane discuss some of the education news and announcements you might have missed over the summer. 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:...

Impact Wales is ten years old! To celebrate a decade of supporting schools and teachers, Fin and Jane share the story behind the business and some of their highlights from the last ten years. 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....

When does consistency in teaching become compliance? In this episode, Jane and Fin discuss consistency, compliance and empowerment in the classroom. 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:...

Back in 2021 Fin and Jane spoke to neuroscientist and educator Dr Jared Cooney Horvath about how learning happens. Since then there’s been an explosion of interest in this topic among teachers, so in this episode they are revisiting the conversation. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ *...

Oracy is a vital skill for learning, but its value is not always fully appreciated. That’s why, in this episode, Fin and Jane are talking about oracy, why it’s important and how teachers can improve it in the classroom. Social media: * Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123 * Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ * Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.soci...