The Impact Podcast

week Fin and Jane are discussing three big pieces of news about Welsh education:  - Measures to close the disadvantage gap  - A new online resource for professional learning  - Estyn’s report into LA and consortia support to schools for CfW Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.w...

In this episode Jane and Fin discuss a trend for the type of support being offered for Curriculum for Wales.  How is the curriculum being implemented? Is it too Anglicised?  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 look at some of the unanswered questions around Curriculum for Wales and try to think about what the solutions might be. 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

Why is using research to inform what teachers do in the classroom so important?  In this episode Jane and Fin discuss research-informed education.  They look at what’s already happening, what expectations are put on teachers and what schools could be doing.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit u...

In this episode Fin and Jane are joined by Ian Timbrell, deputy headteacher at Cwmbach Community Primary School in Aberdare and self-confessed “grammar geek”.  They discuss what the research says about the importance of grammar as well as his own school’s ‘grammar journey’.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren E...

In this episode Fin and Jane are joined by Ceri Richmond, deputy headteacher at Morriston Comprehensive School in Swansea.  They discuss how Impact Wales worked on a professional learning project with staff to help them understand and improve pedagogy.  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www....

Do teachers feel ready for September 2022? The implementation of Curriculum for Wales represents a fundamental change for the education system in Wales, but with 20 weeks to go there are still serious concerns.  What’s more, a survey commissioned by the Welsh Government has highlighted significant issues for some schools that should sound warning bells. Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impa...

In the classroom, questioning is used to elicit answers, to find out how much learning has taken place. But what is the purpose of questioning in professional learning for teachers? In this episode Fin and Jane question the role of asking questions. Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales M...

A Guardian report on a study into phonics has reignited the debate about approaches to reading in the early years. Jane and Fin welcome back special guest Rob Randel to discuss the controversy - is the focus on phonics “failing children”? Rob is a primary school teacher in Wales and a committee member of the Reading Reform Foundation.  Guardian article: Focus on phonics to teach reading is ‘f...

The Welsh Government has published a new document setting out changes to assessment in Curriculum for Wales. In this episode Jane and Fin break down the changes and explain what they will mean for teachers. Read the blog discussed in this episode: www. Smore.com/xq7gh Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at:...

Whether it is the best of times or the worst of times (to quote Charles Dickens) will depend on how you are experiencing the pandemic. For many teachers in Wales, facing an uncertain few weeks and the implementation of an entirely new curriculum in September, it’s a particularly stressful time. Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer...

The spring term is about to start, amid much uncertainty around the impact of the Omicron variant on schools, teachers and pupils. With big decisions to be made about how this situation is managed, Fin and Jane discuss the importance of statistical literacy in education policy. Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Vi...

In the final podcast of 2021, Fin and Jane discuss a range of topics, from extending the school day to the risks posed by the Omicron variant of coronavirus to the difficulties of being female in education. Education Policy Institute evidence on extending school time: https://epi.org.uk/publications-and-research/reviewing-the-evidence-on-extending-school-time-the-good-the-bad-and-the-pretty-strong...

Motivating students and getting them to pay attention in class is a struggle known to every teacher. In this episode, Fin and Jane speak to Harry Fletcher-Wood, a teacher, researcher and teacher educator. Harry has written a book about how teachers can use behavioural science techniques to increase motivation and improve behaviour among children. To buy Harry’s book, Habits of Success, visit: http...

The Welsh Government has published a new national resource for evaluation and improvement. Jane and Fin take an in-depth look at the resource and how it will change the culture around accountability. To view the resource discussed in this episode, visit: https://hwb.gov.wales/evaluation-improvement-and-accountability/the-national-resource-evaluation-and-improvement/ Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:...

This week Jane and Fin are joined by Jamie Tennant, head of Hawarden Village Church School. They discuss how the school has empowered its teachers to make effective decisions for themselves and why it started its work towards Curriculum for Wales with a particular focus on pedagogy. Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Eva...

In this special episode, Fin and Jane welcome back special guest Rob Randel to the podcast to discuss the latest developments in reading in Wales. Last week, Wales’ education minister Jeremy Miles announced a package of measures to improve reading in schools. But is it enough, and has he got the focus right? Rob is a primary school teacher in Wales and a committee member of the Reading Reform Foun...

Investigative journalist and former secondary school teacher James McEnaney wrote the book on Scottish education - literally. In this episode he joins Fin and Jane to discuss the truth about Scottish schools, the progress of Curriculum for Excellence and what Wales’ teachers can learn from their Celtic cousins. To purchase James’ book ‘Class Rules – the truth about Scottish schools’, click here: C...

This week Fin and Jane discuss their work over the last year, focusing on four of the schools they have worked with during the Covid-19 pandemic and how they have made an impact. If your school has been facing similar issues to those we feature in this episode, get in touch and let’s have a conversation about how Impact can help. Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Fi...

The second half of the autumn term is often considered the most difficult by many teachers. This year, Covid is continuing to add to the pressure and Curriculum for Wales is looming. In this episode Jane and Fin look at the progress of CfW in this context and discuss what the future holds. To order Class Rules by James McEnaney, visit: https://www.luath.co.uk/product/class-rules Subscribe to Impac...

This week Jane and Fin are joined by special guest Lucy Crehan, international education researcher, former teacher and author of Clever Lands. They discuss curriculum design and development around the world, and what educators can learn from other countries.  For more information and resources, visit: www.lucycrehan.com   To contact Lucy, email: lucy.crehan@gmail.com  Subscribe to I...

Have we got our professional learning priorities right? With Curriculum for Wales on the horizon, teachers need the best, most effective professional learning. But are they getting it? Fin and Jane discuss.  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Evans  Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Teachers want to do the best for their pupils, so they need access to the best professional learning. This week Fin and Jane explain how Impact’s research-led resources can help teachers make an impact in the classroom.  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Evans  Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

The Covid-19 pandemic is still ongoing, and in many places it’s schools that are being hit the hardest, with pupils, teachers and in some cases even whole year groups absent. In this emotional special episode, Jane and Fin ask - is there a crisis in education? Do teachers feel valued? What extra support do they need?  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Evans  Vis...

This week Fin and Jane are joined by Dr Kevin Smith, Senior Lecturer in Education at Cardiff University, to discuss curriculum theory. Dr Smith has been working with pioneer schools in the early stages of development of Curriculum for Wales.  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Evans  Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur