The School of School

The crew are joined this week by former executive director of curriculum and assessment in the Canadian Education Ministry, Jerry Mussio to talk about Canada’s education history and current situation. Where have things gone wrong in the past for Canada? Is there too much weight on teachers currently?

This week, Adam, Robin, and Andy are joined by Sarah Matthews, Head at Stanton St Quintin Primary School , Wiltshire, UK. We’re focusing on assessment, community involvement, and the importance of creating a supportive learning environment — three things Sarah’s school does fantastically. Does celebrating successes help create a positive school culture? Can standardised testing create unnecessary...

So good we had to share this episode again! Yoga A-Level, Self perception, and more. In this episode Louise Hoskyns-Staples joins us to share her insights on how we can improve maths engagement for girls. What learning style suits girls best? Can teaching maths in a way that benefits girls potentially jeopardise the boys? Plus, are there any differences in the male and female brains that account f...

This week our hosts explore the critical role of teacher-student relationships in education. What teachers influenced our trio’s educational journeys? How significant is the role of school environment and safety? Plus, we discuss the balance between structure and freedom in education.

Shortcut damage, Starting with 'why’, and more. Ross Deans is back! This week we’re discussing the importance of conceptual understanding in maths education. Ross shares his journey from a once reluctant math student to a now passionate educator, and the gang talk about the role of mindset in learning, and the significance of real-life contexts in making maths relatable.

Plant growing, Talking opportunities, and more. We are Andy-less this week, with Robin and Adam holding the fort. However, a fantastic guest joins us in Mateu Ramonet, from Star Primary School in London. Our crew discuss the importance of fostering a rich dialogue around mathematics in the classroom as well as how teacher development is crucial for effective maths instruction.

Ever wanted a lesson in guitar string theory? Our hosts are jamming this week — thinking about how maths effects other subject areas, especially the creative ones. Should maths be seen as a creative process like in music and art? Listen to hear how interconnected this subjects all are!

Things are getting political this week! Our trio are talking how politics effects education. Is Education too often used as a tool for political gain? Is it too challenging to separate education from those political agendas? Plus, the crew set themselves some homework!

Sometimes you’ve just gotta hit reset! We’re discussing travel time and reflective time this week. What do new perspectives bring us? Do we forget too often about getting that fresh air for thinking time? Plus, the crew share how the best ideas come to them when on the move.

Fluffy activities, Bare feet, and more. Our hosts are discussing the importance of these three subjects and are wondering if we need to focus on promoting more joy for children. Why do people have visceral feelings towards creative subjects? What other learning experiences and life lessons can happen whilst learning these subjects? Find out!

This week, our gang explore the significance of curriculum in education, exploring that while curriculum is important, the effectiveness of teaching and systemic factors play a more crucial role in student outcomes. Plus, Andy shares that successful schools can thrive regardless of curriculum changes.

Matt Ashby joins us this week to share some of the successes him and his school, Aragon Primary, have had using Maths — No Problem! for near enough a decade. The national average of pupils attaining expected level is 73%. Are you ready to hear Aragon’s score? Clue — it’s phenomenal! Matt also shares his person turning point using the programme, as well as how his school collaborate as a team to te...

Rabbit holes, Continual learning, and more. We’re discussing the impact and importance of professional learning communities this week. Should it be mandatory that teachers are involved in these communities? Who is there to help improve your practice if it’s just you and the children all the time? Plus, Andy shares the importance of making the teachers experience being learners.

Desk tidying, Day-reflecting, and more. Looking for quick teaching tips to help your practice? Our trio share some practical tips that may help make life easier in the classroom. From adopting an observer’s mindset to helpful lesson-starters to make things flow quicker, we’ve got you!

Ross Deans joins our usuals to discuss the transformative journey Muscliff have been on, teaching mathematics through the Maths — No Problem! approach. How important is it for pupils to foster a love for maths? Does maths even feel like maths for the pupils with the amount of problem solving and fun they have? Plus, the crew discuss the importance of conceptual understanding, creativity in learnin...

So good we HAD to share this conversation again… Fragile foundations, Learning community, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam discuss personalised learning with special guest Tim Oates CBE, the Group Director of Assessment Research and Development at Cambridge University Press & Assessment. What are examples and the dangers of personalised learning? When did it first appear in Engl...

Soft skills, A huge SATs result increase, and more. Wendy Liu is back! Our crew want to hear more about Wendy’s experience implementing this programme in the school she worked at. How did she cope with colleagues stuck in old ways? Are the skills that they’re taught whilst doing the maths more valuable than the maths itself? Plus, Wendy shares a top tip — don’t jump in too soon, kids need freedom...

Echoing traits, Valuing workload, and more. Our three amigos are joined again by Matt Bland to discuss some further success points his school have experienced. How much of teacher’s time is saved? Can this way of teaching work with subjects such as history? Plus, Matt shares how to involve parents with this way of teaching and learning maths.

Half-baked ideas, Musical modes, and more. The gang are chatting today about added extras in maths lessons. Is the emphasis on learning jargon terms having a negative impact? Do they just exist because of external pressures? Plus, Adam stresses the importance of remembering that ‘pupils won’t get another shot at today, this is their only chance’.

Organic growth, Precise resourcing, and more. We’re so lucky this week to be joined by both Rosie Ross and Neil Le Feuvre from St Bridget’s school in the Wirral, UK. Our guests have been on an incredible journey with their maths, for over a decade now. How important is sticking at it, even when things may be wobbly? Are elements of this way of teaching maths used in other subject areas? Plus, Rosi...

Participation importance, Early trains, and more. Robin and Adam, who are Andy-less this week, discuss takeaways from the recent Community Event. What sessions stood out and why? Is networking just a buzzword, or did people actually get the chance to make proper connections? Plus Adam highlights the importance of being challenged on our regular classroom practice.

Slow plodders, February lightbulbs, and more. Joining us once again, all the way from the ‘dot in the Atlantic’ is Crenstant Williams, to chat about those who may struggle at times in maths. What tools have been impactful for these learners? Does practicing a bit of lower-year work help build a foundation? Plus, hear about the parents that want to learn like this as well!

Micro cultures, Honest pupils, and more. Two thirds of our team are here, Adam and Robin discuss the value of open days and share observations they have from recent school visits. What do both visitors and hosts get out of the experience? Plus, Adam shares the importance of senior leadership teams spreading an ethos of constant learning.

Critical thinking opportunities, Reasoning struggles, and more. This week, Robin and Adam discuss the integration of AI in education, focusing on its limitations, particularly in reasoning and mathematics. How can we embrace AI in the classroom? Do educators need to be more prepared as AI evolves? Plus, Adam discusses how educators can leverage AI's mistakes as teaching moments…

Jargon vocab, Terry Tao, and more. The crew this week discuss whether adding more content can lead to less understanding. Does excessive vocabulary and memorisation practice effect students' understanding of key concepts? Is it just wasted time? Plus, what impact does getting the vocab tests correct or wrong actually do to students?