The School of School

Knackered knees, Heterogeneous vs homogeneous, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin, and Adam continue the discussion about Japan, this time asking why they and other high performing nations choose to not formally test younger pupils. Why do we have a KS1 SATs test in the first place? Why do high performing nations not have these tests? Plus, Adam discusses what non-statutory KS1 SATs in the UK...

Frightening fairy tales, Setting the table, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam discuss whether we should we prioritise manners over grades in the first few years of primary school. What lessons can we learn from Japan? What role does a school have in terms of teaching discipline and societal behaviours? Plus, find out which two of our hosts have previously lived in Japan.

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 England? Plus, Tim shares an experience of a Singapor...

Overnight experts, True competencies, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam are joined  once again by Fiona Aubrey-Smith to discuss teacher development. Does teacher development need to be more personal to each teacher? What are the stages of learning and implementing something new? Plus, the crew discuss the issue of teachers being seen as employees over human beings.

John Dewey, Yoga weirdos, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam discuss the value of reflection time. How and when can time be found for reflection? Is there more value in reflecting as a team? Plus, Adam takes inspiration from the New Zealand rugby team’s mindset for improvement.

8,000 Seater Bus, Grandad’s Birthday, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam are joined once again by Jo Sawyer to discuss the mixed age setting. What are some of the obvious problems that teachers run into with mixed age classes? What kind of lessons best suit these classes? Plus, Andy highlights that there are still some huge learning benefits of the mixed age setting.

Banned from Baguettes, Damaging mindsets, and more. In this episode, Robin and Adam are joined once again by special guest Roger Hitchin to discuss streaming and ability groups. What are the positives and negatives of ability groups? Can they affect a pupil’s expectations? Plus, Adam touches on the issue with giving a child previous year-level content to work from.

Splitting hairs, Own-teacher impacts, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam are joined by special guest Fiona Aubrey-Smith, an Education Consultant, Lecturer and Researcher specialising in Education Pedagogy and Technology. What is Ped-Tech? How impactful are our own pedagogical beliefs on children? Plus, Fiona speaks on what technology companies need to be focussing on when serving teac...

Sloppy symphonies, Meddling politicians, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam look at scheme of works with special guest Emma Potter. Does a scheme of work open up more time for teachers? What’s the difference between planning and preparation? Plus, Adam emphasises the importance of not leaving a child’s learning opportunity to chance.

Frozen nuggets, Jamie Oliver, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam discuss healthy food in school cafeterias. Who makes the food decisions in schools? How different is our food culture to other countries? Plus, Adam talks of the benefits of good, healthy cafeteria food on school staff too.

Unifix Cube guns, Beginner bakers, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam look at the huge topic of teacher’s time. Do most problems come from the powers above? How do teachers know what to prioritise? Plus, Adam and Andy discuss the value of watching yourself teach on video - as cringey as it may be!

Russian science, White space, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam are joined once again by Geoff Turner, Head of Editorial and Production at Maths — No Problem! to discuss what details make a book beautiful. How important is layout? What team efforts have to take place? Plus, did you know the characters in the Maths — No Problem! books grow as the years go by?

Greek language lessons, Robotic learning, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam are lucky to be joined once again by Craig Parkinson to talk about metacognition and mastery. What is the proper definition of metacognition? How important is failure during learning? Plus, Craig shares his experience of being metacognitive when he learnt to fly.

Leaving at 3.30pm, Small skulls, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam are joined by Jo Sawyer, Primary Consultant, Trainer and Teacher to discuss what constitutes as effective CPD. How can you judge CPD quality? What has happened to the term Mastery? Plus, Adam recalls how sometimes CPD wouldn’t be analysed retrospectively.

Clown costumes, Water cooler chats, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam are joined once again by Katriona Lord-Levins to discuss collaborative planning. How has the pandemic effected how we collaborate? Has office life changed forever? Plus, Adam speaks on how we need to question any collaboration’s worth.

Mode, median, mean, and more. In this episode, Robin and Adam are joined once again by Roger Hitchin to discuss if there is a case where in maths, as in life, 2+2 sometimes equals 5. Why do we have certain conventions in maths? How do we go about explaining these to pupils? Plus, Adam reminisces a beautiful piece of writing that sadly didn’t fit the marking criteria.

Feral summers, Fighting boredom, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam are join by Julie Neal, Chief of Staff at Maths — No Problem! to chat about school breaks. Are breaks too long? Do kids end up forgetting stuff they’ve learnt? Plus, the gang discuss whether or not the exploratory learning that happens during breaks and through boredom is as valuable as classroom learning.

Royal Andy, Low batteries, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam discuss how technology is impacting education with special guest Emma Potter. Do pupils get freedom to choose whether they use a computer or paper? Does technology mean more training is needed for teachers and staff? Plus, hear from Emma whether parents have had an issue with too much screen time.

IKEA catalogues, 300 mile courier trips, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam are joined by Geoff Turner, Head of Editorial and Production at Maths — No Problem! to discuss productivity. Are we more sloppy now that processes are easier? Is having team members across the globe an advantage or disadvantage? Plus, Andy and Geoff share experiences from their production pasts.

Sexy jobs, NFT’s, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam are joined once again by Katriona Lord-Levins, Chief Success Officer at Bentley Systems to discuss the skills gap and how corporations can work with students to fill it. What are the big corporations doing? How can schools work with them? Plus hear what popular video game Bentley Systems is using to build students skills.

Gardening crops, Family dinners, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam are joined once again by Craig Parkinson, to discuss doing less, better. How can schools deal with juggling agendas and content? Is it better to start with a ‘Why’ over a ‘What’? Plus, find out what the ‘80-20 model’ is.

Singing in a choir, Difficult decisions, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam discuss leadership challenges with special guest Emma Potter, Director of Maths at Leo Academies and Vice Principal and Teaching & Learning Lead at Cheam Park Farm in Sutton, England. Are leaders simply more smart than everyone else? What skills does a good leader need? Plus, hear why training is so import...

Adam’s oboe, Exploring Exmoor, and more. In this episode, Robin and Adam are joined once again by Roger Hitchin to discuss the benefits of extracurriculars for students and teachers. What are the benefits? When is the best time in the year for them to take place? Plus, Adam speaks on how trips away can help grow the bond and dynamic between pupil and teacher.

Rice and bean counters, Number crunches, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam discuss all things manipulatives with special guest Emma Potter, Director of Maths at Leo Academies and Vice Principal and Teaching & Learning Lead at Cheam Park Farm in Sutton, England. Just how important are they? Is there a perception that you only use them if you don’t understand? Plus, discussion abou...

Elon Musk, Water-cooler conversations, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam are lucky to be joined once again by Katriona Lord-Levins, Chief Success Officer at Bentley Systems to discuss the crisis in infrastructure. What are soft skills? How to people cope in the remote-working world without a manager over their shoulder? Plus, Kat discusses how the pandemic forced people to revaluate...