The Renaissance Space Podcast

The conversations between colleagues are a great opportunity for everybody, including the participants, to learn more about what makes Renaissance tick and how it all came to pass and this podcast with Dr Gene Kerns is no exception. His knowledge, understanding and length of time with the company makes this a fascinating inside story. A third-generation educator with teaching experience from eleme...

As we head rapidly towards the summer break, teachers and children are just as excited as each other to shout “School’s out!” But how do we make sure reading progress isn’t lost during the break? In this podcast, Helen and Sally, two members of staff at Godolphin Junior Academy in Slough, chat about how they make sure to keep the reading engagement going and avoid the summer slide. We’d love to kn...

In his second visit to the pod ,  Matt Beighton introduces his new book ‘Write It. Level It. Teach It.’ – now available for pre-order – which you can grab a sneak peak of at here. Here and in the book, Matt discusses in detail how important your own teacher-created content is, and how to use systems such as the ATOS Analyser to ensure that it is as effective as it can be – saving you time and maki...

Assessment is sometimes considered a dirty word, but identifying and defining the needs of children through targeted formative assessment can help prepare them for their SATs journey. In this episode, Margaret chats with Nick Hart and Kelly Buxton about their strategies to achieve tangible results in reading. Nick is the Executive Headteacher of Alwyn Infant School and Courthouse Junior School in...

Michael Tidd, Headteacher of East Preston Junior School in West Sussex talks about how to balance teacher workload and wellbeing, confident in the knowledge that the teaching and learning meets the needs of his children, teachers, parents and the Trust. Ensuring his teachers feel they are effective with their time and energy, while maintaining their ability to deliver a curriculum, which fosters a...

Please Note: this episode is an edit of a live webinar and therefore will contain references to images and other resources throughout the episode. If you wish to enquire about any referenced resources, please email support@renlearn.co.uk Come and listen to the second of three Freckle Podcasts that will begin to illustrate the detail behind this effective and engaging platform!   Freckle provides t...

Please Note: this episode is an edit of a live webinar and therefore will contain references to images and other resources throughout the episode. If you wish to enquire about any referenced resources, please email support@renlearn.co.uk Freckle provides tailored maths practice for all abilities, balancing fun with learning. Having such a strong real time understanding into the children’s progress...

Please Note: this episode is an edit of a live webinar and therefore will contain references to images and other resources throughout the episode. If you wish to enquire about any referenced resources, please email support@renlearn.co.uk The podcast is hosted by James Willats, and explores how Freckle has supported schools' maths development strategies up and down the country. In this episode...

Please Note: this episode is an edit of a live webinar and therefore will contain references to images and other resources throughout the episode. If you wish to enquire about any referenced resources, please email support@renlearn.co.uk Do you wonder how to cultivate love of reading at schools? NCEA Bishop's Primary School have been using Accelerated Reader and Star Reading since 2016 to sup...

Please Note: this episode is an edit of a live webinar and therefore will contain references to images and other resources throughout the episode. If you wish to enquire about any referenced resources, please email support@renlearn.co.uk In the final episode of our School Spotlight series, James speaks to Alicia Whytock, Assistant Head for Key Stage 1 at Plumcroft Primary School. She says: “Freckl...

Please Note: this episode is an edit of a live webinar and therefore will contain references to images and other resources throughout the episode. If you wish to enquire about any referenced resources, please email support@renlearn.co.uk The podcast is hosted by Headteacher Chat, and explores the value of Whole Class Reading for constructing a reading culture. Renaissance literacy expert, Margaret...

Please Note: this episode is an edit of a live webinar and therefore will contain references to images and other resources throughout the episode. If you wish to enquire about any referenced resources, please email support@renlearn.co.uk Michelle Thomas Director of Education will share how the School of Research Science in Dubai has transformed its reading culture.  With a predominantly Emiratis i...

You're listening to the fourth series of the Renaissance Space podcast entitled 'Reading - more than just words on a page'. In the second episode of the series, 'The ATOS Level', Margaret chats with children's author and ex-teacher, Matt Beighton. They discuss the benefits of using ATOS from Renaissance to level any book. The ATOS leveller provides an accurate level f...

To kick off our new series entitled, 'Reading - More Than Just Words on a Page', Margaret chats with the Assistant Headteacher of Tor Bridge Primary School in Plymouth. They discuss how a combination of whole-class reading and reading ed-tech resources have transformed their school. Olivia discusses how a simple change in strategy with reading practice and the right reading resource resu...

In the final episode of our EdTech Focus series, James speaks to Heather Howard, Assistant Lead of English, Key Stage 3 coordinator & Literacy Coordinator at GEMS Wellington Academy, Dubai. Heather discusses how EdTech solutions at her school help keep students on track and focus on their targets. She discusses the different strategies that her staff can put into action thanks to varied and ac...

In this week's episode in our EdTech Focus series, Margaret speaks to Joe Neale, the trust-wide English lead and Karen Bolland, the Assessment & Data Manager for Schoolsworks Academy Trust. Both guests discuss how EdTech solutions have provided a platform for staff across all schools in the trust to acquire accurate and timely assessment data for all pupils. Joe discusses how EdTech solut...

In this one-off bonus episode, James speaks to International School Librarian Kate Ling at Swans International School, Marbella. Kate discusses how the school has created a strong reading culture for English speaking and English second language students. The episode explores the different ways that the school celebrates reading success, including parties and awards, maintaining strong engagement w...

In the second episode of our new series, EdTech Focus, Margaret speaks to Teacher and  School Improvement Leader, Catherine Magee. Catherine shares how EdTech solutions have supported her and her staff to understand pupil development better while saving them valuable time. She looks at using EdTech to support staff in both Reading and Mathematics. In the episode, Catherine discusses the importance...

In the first episode of our new series, EdTech Focus, James speaks to International School Librarian Jack Morris at Cranleigh School, Abu Dhabi. Jack is the Prep School Librarian and Accelerated Reader Coordinator. Cranleigh School's Prep School library is available to students from FS1 (nursery) to Year 8, and they use Renaissance products (Star Reading, Accelerated Reader and myON) with Yea...

In our World Book Day special episode of our brand new series, a world of reading, Margaret speaks to school reading leads Rachel Coverdale and Georgina Sheridan. They discuss how they've supported children with maintaining reading engagement and monitoring reading development throughout remote-learning. Please subscribe to The Renaissance Space podcast on whichever platform you're liste...

The first episode in the Covid School miniseries - Margaret Allen speaks to Joe Neale, Trust-Wide English Lead at Schoolsworks Academy Trust. Together, they discuss all things assessment, English, teaching in a covid19 environment and what can be done to support pupils in the future. Please subscribe to The Renaissance Space podcast on whichever platform you're listening to. And, don't f...

The third episode in the Covid School Miniseries Margaret Allen speaks to researcher Dr Sarah McGeown as they discuss 'A Guide to Reading Enjoyment'. The guide covers all areas of reading enjoyment for pupils, teachers and parents. Margaret and Sarah discuss the challenges of finding motivation for some children to be enthusiastic about reading and what to expect from readers of every ab...

The second episode in the Covid School miniseries and our Christmas special - Margaret Allen speaks to parent and Gemma Buchanan and Assistant Headteacher Paula Trahern.  In an exclusive roundtable discussion, they give their honest experiences and opinions on how the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 affected their lives.  From both the parent and the teacher's perspective, this unique insight highl...

The first episode in our brand new series, 'A World of Reading'. Margaret Allen speaks to teacher, Reading Lead and blogger Kelly Buxton. They discuss what Kelly believes to be core to reading in a school. Her passion, interest, and knowledge are evident in her blog, Are Children Listening . Please subscribe to The Renaissance Space podcast on whichever platform you're listening to....

The fifth episode in the Covid School Miniseries Margaret Allen speaks to librarians Nicola Cowling and Roshan Hunt. They discuss how their respective institutions have continued to provide accessible reading materials and promote reading for pleasure throughout COVID-19 pandemic. This unique roundtable discussion looks at how teachers and librarians across the UK try to make reading an immersive...