The Impact Podcast

Effective feedback is essential for pupil progress. While many teachers give feedback in class, they might not appreciate why it’s so important. Fin and Jane discuss how to give effective feedback. Education Endowment Foundation feedback guidance report: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/teaching-learning-toolkit/feedback Our active feedback tasks sketchnote: https://d...

In this episode Jane and Fin are taking it back to basics and discussing how to teach the basics of literacy and numeracy. Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068 Sub...

Multiple choice questions are an amazing resource - versatile, flexible and useful, they provide teachers with an in-depth opportunity to identify learning and uncover misconceptions. Fin and Jane discuss their importance and why they are an essential teaching tool. Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www.facebook...

In this episode, Fin and Jane are joined by special guest Sue Marles, headteacher of Raglan CIW Primary School. They discuss how Impact has worked with the school to help instill a culture of professional learning. Bloom’s Taxonomy - Active Verb List: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IkKhPWGf3FocZ-b_Rl85HI9VSF31b3U1/ Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wale...

Education in Wales is in crisis. With the backdrop of the PISA results and an ongoing funding crisis, more evidence has emerged that things are going wrong. In this episode, Fin and Jane discuss Estyn’s annual report and the letter to the minister from the chair of the review of the middle tier. Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed...

What is deep learning, and why is it important for teachers to understand the concept? Jane and Fin discuss. PAPER: Craik & Lockhart (1972) - Levels of Processing: A Framework for Memory Research. http://wixtedlab.ucsd.edu/publications/Psych%20218/Craik_Lockhart_1972.pdf Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www...

In this episode Fin and Jane discuss progression in Curriculum for Wales. Progression is front and centre of CfW, but what does it mean and what do teachers need to know? Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Powe...

Cognitive load theory has been described as the single most important thing teachers need to understand. But what is it and how can it help in teaching? In this episode, Fin and Jane discuss everything teachers need to know about cognitive load theory. LINK: Cognitive load theory in practice: https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/education-data-and-research/cese/publications/practical-guides-for-e...

What do teachers really think of Curriculum for Wales? Impact Wales has been polling teachers on behalf of ITV News to find out. In this episode, Fin and Jane discuss the survey results. Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy: https://www.a...

It’s almost Christmas, so Fin and Jane are ending 2023 on a high with a quiz, featuring questions about the Impact Podcast and education in Wales! How many will you get right? Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy: https://www.amazon.co.uk...

Resilience has always been an issue in learning, but it has taken on a new importance since the pandemic. With resilience now embedded in Curriculum for Wales as one of the four purposes, Fin and Jane discuss how teachers can help pupils build resilience. Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www.facebook.com/groups...

The PISA 2022 test results are out. And they do not make for good reading for the education system in Wales. In this episode Jane and Finola give their analysis of the results and what they mean. *CLARIFICATION: In this podcast we mentioned that the Republic of Ireland mandate Systematic Synthetic Phonics for all schools. We’ve since learned this is incorrect. However, they are #2 in the world in...

Next week, the PISA international student test results will be published. A recently published set of reading and numeracy test results showed standards among 7-14-year-olds in Wales have fallen since Covid. Fin and Jane ask what will this mean for PISA? Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/...

There's a gap in education in Wales between expectation and reality. Jane and Fin discuss why expectation bias could spell disaster for education reform. Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Ped...

Independent learning is a phrase that is often used in education, but what does it mean? How do pupils become ‘independent’ in their learning, and what is expected of teachers? Jane and Fin answer these questions and more. Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Buy our book P...

Back in episode 35, more than two years ago, Fin and Jane were joined by special guest Jared Cooney Horvath to discuss the science of learning. In this episode they look back at that discussion and reflect on what they've learned since. Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/10996466607139...

The Welsh Government has made significant in-year spending cuts that will hit the already beleaguered education budget. Fin and Jane discuss what impact this will have on schools and teachers. Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Buy our professional learning pack, Pedagogy...

Closing the disadvantage gap is a national priority, and it should be everyone's responsibility, from school staff to governors and parents. But closing the gap is not just about making teaching and learning better, it's much more complex than that. In this episode, Fin and Jane discuss how teachers can make a difference. EEF report: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/attenda...

In this episode Fin and Jane are joined by Hugo Hutchison, headteacher at Monmouth Comprehensive School. They discuss the school’s approach to Curriculum for Wales and professional learning, which has been praised by Estyn. Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Buy our book...

Pupils shouldn’t be the only learners in the classroom. Good teachers are constantly learning new knowledge and developing new understanding and then using it in their practice. In this episode, Fin and Jane look back at an earlier episode (101) exploring the concept of deliberate practice.  Cognitive Load and Classroom Teaching: The Double-Edged Sword of Automaticity https://www.researchgate.net/...

In this episode Jane and Fin are joined by Chris Such, author of The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading. They discuss reading comprehension across the curriculum. Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/ Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pow...

Impact Wales has conducted an analysis of Estyn’s recommendations for all primary and secondary schools that received a full inspection in the 2022/23 academic year. In this episode, Fin and Jane discuss the findings and what insights they provide. Heads and teachers in Wales can join our private Facebook group, Teachers in Wales - research-informed pedagogy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/109964...

In this episode Fin and Jane are joined by Paul Phillips, headteacher at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Flint. They discuss how Impact has supported the school to track progress in Curriculum for Wales. *This episode is a follow-up to episode 123, in which Fin and Jane spoke to the assistant heads of St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School. Buy Power Up Your Pedagogy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/P...

The 12 pedagogical principles are designed to underpin the implementation of Curriculum for Wales. But is that really the best way of doing it? Fin and Jane discuss pedagogy in CfW, how it’s reflected in the Welsh Government Guidance and what teachers need to know. For more information on our Pedagogy at the Heart of Curriculum for Wales Workshop and professional learning pack, click here: https:/...

It’s the new academic year and Fin and Jane are returning to a familiar topic - accountability. In this episode they discuss how accountability fits in with Welsh Government policy expectations and the ethos of Curriculum for Wales. Buy Power Up Your Pedagogy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068 Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts:...