The School of School

In this episode, our hosts discuss the concept of learning within constraints, exploring how different types of constraints can influence creativity, decision-making, and student performance. They emphasise the importance of understanding these constraints in educational settings and how they can shape both teaching methods and student outcomes.

Our trio is back! This week, Adam, Andy, and Robin explore the presence handwriting in an ever-growing digital world. One of our earliest ever episodes was ‘Pen vs Pencil’, now is the debate ‘stylus vs. keyboard vs. paper’? Does writing open up new possibilities that digital tools don't? And does the act of writing down thoughts engages the brain differently? Our experts discuss!

This week, Robin and Andy delve into the essence of learning moments, particularly focusing on the significance of 'aha' moments in education. How can we facilitate these moments? How important is joy of learning? And what are the intrinsic rewards that come from overcoming challenges and achieving understanding? Find out!

Are you paying attention? Andy and Robin this week are discussing the various strategies that students use to avoid tasks in the classroom. They explore common procrastination techniques, the importance of teacher engagement, and how technology affects student focus. What can help keep kids on task?

Andy and Robin this week are discussing their insights from visiting various schools and observing classrooms. They explore; some similarities among students and teachers, the importance of enthusiasm in learning, and the dynamics that create effective classroom environments.

Our trio are joined this week by experienced educator, Jerry Mussio, from British Columbia. We’re discussing the historical context of curriculum implementation, the challenges faced by teachers, and the role of policymakers in shaping education. What are the systematic issues within educational frameworks? Is more support needed for teachers in effectively implementing curriculum changes? Plus, J...

We’re talking community this week on The School of School Podcast, with special guest, Sarah Matthews joining us. Sarah’s school has a nearby army barracks, so has high mobility. What things does her school do to build a sense of community and safety for pupils? How are transitions for newly-joining students managed? Find out!

We’re delving into differentiation this week, chatting about various strategies for differentiation, including scaffolding, varying learning environments, and adapting expectations based on student readiness. Do pupils get labelled too soon based off of perceived ability?

This week, our trio are discussing a word that can have many meanings to many different people in education: Mastery. Our crew focus on the distinction between instrumental and relational understanding in mathematics, and how in other fields, the two types of understanding apply.

In this episode, our hosts delve into the concept of problem solving, discussing its historical context, significance, and practical applications. We explore the contributions of both George Polya and the Cockroft Report.

It’s time to wrap up our core competency mini series, with Metacognition. Why is consistent practice of metacognitive strategies essential for improvement? What is Andy talking about when he says the teacher needs to act the buffoon? Plus, we revisit why the core competencies are so important.

This week’s core competency is Number Sense. What does having good number sense mean? How can we spot if students have poor number sense? Plus, the gang share the importance of contextual understanding of number.

This week’s focus is another core competency, Communication. We’re wondering — Is reading mathematically completely overlooked? What did Lev Vygotsky teach us about interactions and social learning? And should teachers be facilitating more opportunities for talk? Listen to find out!

The next core competency our hosts want to chat about is Generalisation. How important is it for learners to make links and apply certain knowledge to new and varied situations? Plus, ever heard of Zoltan Dienes? Andy explains the two types of variation that Dienes is famous for discussing.

Over the next five weeks we’re diving into the '5 Core Competencies'. This week, we look at visualisation, a crucial skill needed for problem solving. Our trio discuss the importance of Jerome Bruner's CPA approach, the dangers of rote, and more!

Oboe experts, Being anti-maths, and more. We’re reposting this fantastic episode about teacher training — with our hosts looking into how many hours teachers actually get to explore maths during their training. How serious can the knock-on effects be if something is misunderstood by a child early on? Why are there different attitudes to other subjects? Plus, we talk about the unique circumstance o...

This week our trio discuss the complexities of curriculum organisation in mathematics education. How are curriculum decisions are made? Does the secret to success lie more in the curriculum or in the classroom? Plus, hear how scales and analogue issues might be a problem without the right guidance!

In this episode, our hosts discuss the implications of AI in education, exploring whether it could replace teachers. Is human connection even that important? Will the future of education involve a blend of AI and human teaching? Plus, the crew note that the role of a teacher goes beyond just transferring knowledge…

We’re Andy-less this week, but luckily joined by the fantastic Neil and Rosie from St Bridget’s once again. This week we’re discussing the importance of professional learning communities in education, focusing on how they foster collaboration, trust, and continuous improvement among teachers. Just how key is that supportive environment for teachers? Plus, we hear an a-ha moment to remember!

Our hosts this week are discussing why culturally responsive teaching is essential for inclusive education. What age is right to start learning about world views? How important is representation in education? Plus, the gang agree that building and emphasising curiosity about different cultures enriches the educational experience.

Our hosts this week are thinking up the essential skills young people need to thrive in an ever-changing world. Should schools tach more life skills? What skills are most important for young people to learn? Plus, what is the impact of technology on human interaction and community building?

This week our trio are discussing the role of volunteers in schools, exploring both the benefits and potential drawbacks of volunteer involvement. Do volunteers need proper training? Can the volunteers inadvertently reinforce misconceptions in students? Plus, our hosts chat about the value community involvement has on both the school and the community itself.

So good we had to share this episode again! Children teachers, SEN advice, and more. Craig Robinson and Gill MacDonald are back, to share their insights from teaching using Maths — No Problem! Are they now better equipped to help struggling learners? How can teachers teaching less be a good thing? Plus, Gill was ‘the most reluctant teacher’ when it came to changing their maths programme, find out...

Challenge lovers, Playtime avoiders, and more. Matt Ashby is back and this week he’s sharing some of the amazing attitude changes he has seen since adopting Maths — No Problem! Is maths now a top subject for pupils? What’s the impact like on teachers? Find out!

Decision paralysis, The Grameen Bank, and more. We’re looking back at this fascinating conversation with Jen Dousett, discussing what the teacher of the future will look like. What threats does AI pose to learning in the future? How do we go about teaching kids that certain problems may never present a classic ‘answer’? Plus, Adam addresses the importance of strong relationships between all partie...