The Impact Podcast

In this episode Jane and Fin get the view from the classroom on assessment and progression within CfW. They discuss the topic with Ynysboeth Community Primary School headteacher Beth Wade and deputy head Patrick Milinczuk. Impact has been working with Beth and Patrick and their cluster since the start of the year.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus  Hosts: Finola...

As we near the end of the Autumn term, Curriculum for Wales is being implemented across schools. In this episode Jane and Fin have picked out the five top things to remember that could make or break CfW - the ‘lethal mutations’.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Evans  Visit us at: www.impact.wale...

After a short break, Fin and Jane are back, and this week they’re discussing a variety of topics including Twitter, dealing with personal stuff, success criteria and worked examples.  (Apologies for the sound issues in this episode.)  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Evans  Visit us at: www.i...

Occasionally on the Impact Podcast we’re joined by special guests from the world of education, from policy makers and academics to school leaders and classroom teachers. In this special compilation episode, we feature discussions with three of our guests who started their careers in teaching before going in to be educational researchers and authors.  1. Jared Cooney Horvath, an award-win...

In this episode Fin and Jane discuss accountability, with a specific focus on Curriculum for Wales. For such an important and complex topic there’s still a lack of clarity from the Welsh Government. So, what is accountability, why is it so important and what does it mean in the context of CfW? Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer:...

Occasionally on the Impact Podcast were joined by special guests from the world of education, from policy makers and academics to school leaders and classroom teachers.  In this special compilation episode, we feature discussions with four of our guests who each had a different perspective on Curriculum for Wales.  1. Dr Kevin Smith, a senior lecturer in education at Cardiff University,...

In this episode Fin and Jane are getting out their crystal ball to see if they can predict the future of Curriculum for Wales, based on the experiences of teachers in Scotland who are delivering the Curriculum for Excellence. LINKS Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence, Into the Future (OECD report): https://www.oecd.org/education/scotland-s-curriculum-for-excellence-bf624417-en.htm Scottish Learni...

After years of unprecedented pressure and expectation on schools and teachers - from Curriculum for Wales to Covid - it feels like education in Wales is in crisis. Schools are increasingly expected to do more with less, but teachers are desperate for more support. Fin and Jane discuss.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller ...

As the new academic year continues, many schools are busy putting their Curriculum for Wales plans into practice. Fin and Jane have focused on CfW in many podcasts to help keep teachers up to date with the latest developments. This second special compilation episode features some more of the highlights from their discussions this year.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactpl...

Putting reading plans in place in the early years is key. But what if reading is still a problem later on? In this episode Fin and Jane discuss what strategies teachers can use with older pupils.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Evans  Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Music: Power Shutoff by C...

As the new academic year gets underway, many schools are busy putting their Curriculum for Wales plans into practice. Fin and Jane have focused on CfW in many podcasts to help keep teachers up to date with the latest developments. This special compilation episode - the first of two - features some of the highlights from their discussions this year.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.w...

Jane and Fin are joined by special guest Professor Ethan Kross, the American neuroscientist and writer. They discuss the importance of the inner voice in learning.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus  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 discuss the pupil disadvantage gap, with a particular focus on the recent GCSE and A-level results.  ‘How to close the disadvantage gap’ Sketchnote: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UhNDkYZxpPXmGqxJDaCqPzhBgB8MUEVZ/view?usp=sharing  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Eva...

In the last podcast for the 2021/22 academic term, Fin and Jane look back at some of the most popular episodes of the podcast. They discuss how the conversation around CfW has changed over the last two years, and how Impact has evolved to meet new challenges.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Evans&nbs...

The colour-coded school categorisation system in Wales is no more. In its place the Welsh Government has issued new guidance on improvement, evaluation and accountability. In this episode Jane and Fin look at the accountability guidance in more detail - as this is what will ultimately make or break Curriculum for Wales.  Eight bullet points for accountability in CfW: https://drive.google.com/...

In this episode Fin and Jane discuss equity. Coherence, progression, assessment, teaching and learning - it’s all about equity. But it is particularly important at the moment with the introduction of Curriculum for Wales - how do we ensure equity for all of our learners?  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darr...

As we fast approach the September deadline for Curriculum for Wales implementation, Jane and Fin ask: “Are we nearly there yet?” They discuss what the looming deadline means for the profession and how individuals have been affected by it - in the way they work and how they access professional learning.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus  Hosts: Finola Wilson and...

In this episode, Fin and Jane are joined by special guest Dr Hayley Lewis to discuss teacher wellbeing and resilience. Hayley is a chartered psychologist, consultant, coach and teacher.  Hayley’s links:  Website: https://halopsychology.com/  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/hajlewis  Twitter: https://twitter.com/haypsych  Sketchnotes: https://drive.google.com/drive/fol...

Covid-19 has had a catastrophic effect on the mental health and emotional wellbeing of teachers, leaders and support staff across Wales.  In this episode, Jane and Fin discuss the wellbeing crisis in education and look at some of the potential solutions.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Evans&nbs...

In this super-sized episode Fin and Jane take a look at a slew of recent education-related news and announcements in Wales, including two written statements, a blog, a podcast interview and various news stories.  Here are links to some of the items discussed in this episode:  Independent review of leadership   Written Statement: Support for Leaders and the National Professional Lear...

In this episode Fin and Jane look at how schools can make assessment in Curriculum for Wales work - how it can make a difference for pupils and support progress.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Evans  Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

The Welsh Government has published a new resource setting out what schools have to do for September with regard to Curriculum for Wales.  In this episode Fin and Jane discuss the resource, what it means for teachers and schools and why language is important.  LINK: Curriculum for Wales – what’s legally required for September? https://curriculumforwales.gov.wales/2022/05/04/curriculum-for...

Are we all facing lethal levels of cognitive overload? Has multitasking and over-working become the new pandemic? In other words, are we all frogs in pots of slowly boiling water, oblivious to the danger?  This week Jane and Fin discuss the increasing demands being put on teachers’ time and minds.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus  Hosts: Finola Wilson and...

Bruce Robertson is rector of Berwickshire High School and author of The Teaching Delusion trilogy of books.  He joins Fin and Jane to discuss what makes high quality teaching and learning, as well as the work they are doing together.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Evans  Visit us at: www.i...

The National Network is a Welsh Government initiative to help teachers introduce Curriculum for Wales, through sharing ideas and discussing ways of overcoming difficulties. So, what have these conversations involved, and what ideas have come up?  In this episode, Jane and Fin speak to Steph Robinson, a geography teacher and author and a facilitator of the National Network conversations. Subsc...