Thinking Deeply about Primary Education

Episode 67: This week I'm joined by Christopher Such and Neil Almond as we dive back in to the 2022 Education White Paper. In the second episode exploring "Opportunity for all: strong schools with great teachers for your child", we share our opinions on more of the the headline statements and provide suggestions for how we might make this vision a reality over the next 8 years.  Whether you are ne...

Episode 66: This week I'm joined by Christopher Such and Neil Almond as we open up the 2022 Education White Paper for a closer look. In the first of a few episodes exploring "Opportunity for all: strong schools with great teachers for your child", we share our opinions on the headline statements and provide suggestions for how we might make this vision a reality over the next 8 years.  Whethe...

Episode 65: This week on TDaPE I'm joined by Christopher Such, Lloyd Williams-Jones and Amy Bills as we discuss communication in schools. We ask why communication is important, how can we get it right and what should we avoid in our efforts to create an environment in which communication supports us in our efforts to create the schools our pupils deserve. Whether you are new to the profession or a...

Episode 64: This week on TDaPE I'm joined by Neil Almond and Elliot Morgan as we discuss writing moderation. Exploring the pros, the cons, how to make them less stressful, what greater depth really means and much more, whether you're a senior leader, and ECT or anywhere in-between, you won't want to miss this one. Support TDaPE at ko-fi.com/tdape Join the family discord at https://discord.gg/xeNhP...

Episode 63: This week on TDaPE I'm joined by Christopher Such as we explore the what, why and how of multiplication tables. Needless to say, if you are involved in the teaching of mathematics in any way, this one is for you. Support TDaPE at ko-fi.com/tdape Join the family discord at https://discord.gg/xeNhPVRZZJ

Episode 62: This week on TDaPE I'm joined by Christopher Such and Lloyd Williams-Jones as we explore how we might provide the very best support for our middle leaders. Drawing on the experience of my erudite companions, the wisdom of previous guests and the priceless input of the TDaPE Discord, whether you're a senior leader, middle leader or one day want to don the mantle, you won't want to miss...

Episode 61:  Welcome to thinking deeply about primary education, the podcast that gives you a peek inside the minds of some truly inspirational teachers. This week, it brings me great pleasure to present the finale of Season 4. And what a Season it has been. A huge thanks to Peps Mccrae, Sarah Farrell, Charlotte Mackechnie, Cassie Young, Nick Hart, Tom Sherrington, Oliver Caviglioli and Shann...

Episode 60: Welcome to Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, the podcast that gives you a peek inside the minds of some truly inspirational teachers. This week I have not one, not two, but three wonderful guests for you, as I explore professional development and all things Walkthrus with the inimitable trio that is Oliver Caviglioli, Tom Sherrington and our very own Shannen Doherty. Where did t...

Episode 59: This week on TDaPE, I'm joined by Nick Hart as we explore all things school leadership. During another fascinating discussion, Nick takes us through his guiding principles for leadership, discusses how to build culture and trust in organisations of different sizes, as well as a sneak peak inside his mind with regards to explaining important ideas with clarity and precision. Without fur...

Episode 58: This week on TDaPE, I'm joined by Cassie Young as we explore how to provide the highest quality education for pupils with Special Educational Needs in a mainstream setting. During this fascinating discussion, Cassie takes us through her guiding principles, what life is like as a SENCO (while also Head Teacher) as well as sharing her wealth of experience and knowledge in this area. With...

Episode 57: This week on TDaPE, I'm joined by the inimitable Charlotte MacKechnie for an extra special exploration of phonics and early literacy education. During this fascinating discussion, Charlotte takes me through both the theory and the execution of a high quality phonics offering for our pupils. Whether you're looking for guidance in your practice or a deeper understanding of early literacy...

Episode 56: When I asked who I should interview about mathematics during Season 4, one name came back. New to subject leadership, intensely passionate about task design and generous with her experience and wisdom, Sarah Farrell joins me this week for a conversation that will be immediately useful to teachers on every extreme of the novice-expert continuum. It was an absolute pleasure to talk mathe...

Episode 55: This week, we have a guest who needs no introduction. Despite enjoying success as an engineer, mathematics teacher and Dean of the Ambition Institute, Peps Mccrae is best known as the author of his ultra concise books for teachers, and the go to for all things motivation. Referenced regularly from episodes 1 - 53 and everything in-between, it was nothing short of an honour to interview...

Episode 54: Back to business this week on TDaPE and I'm joined by Chris Such, Neil Almond and Elliot Morgan to explore how we might get the most from Pupil Progress Meetings. Discussing what to avoid, our ideal scenarios and how to make sure we use our time wisely, whether teacher or leader, TDaPE has you covered.  Support TDaPE at ko-fi.com/tdape  Join the family discord at https://disc...

Episode 53: This week, in a special LIVE edition of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Christopher Such, Shannen Doherty, Neil Almond and Elliot Morgan as we spend some time thinking deeply about primary education. As ambitious as a live stream recording might have been, there were a few tech issues during the chat but hopefully they won't disturb your listening experience too...

Episode 52 (TDaPE Christmas Special, 2021): This week I'm joined by Christopher Such, Adam Smith, Neil Almond, Shannen Doherty, Tom Oakley, Elliot Morgan and Tom Brassington for a special Christmas episode of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education. We look back on what we've learned this year, what we'd like to learn in 2022 and give thanks to the sources of inspiration that have kept us going th...

Episode 51: This week Chris Such and Neil Almond join me to highlight some inspirational sources of subject knowledge across the primary curriculum. Where do you go when you knowledge of history, geography music and more need to be topped up? Look no further... 05m 46 - Reading 08m 50 - Mathematics 14m 49 - Grammar 21m 53 - History 32m 17 - Geography 37m 27 - Science 44m 35 - Music 50m 44 - RE 53m...

Episode 50: This week I'm joined by Christopher Such and Gareth Metcalfe for the first in a series of episodes on the fascinating topic of problem solving. To begin this quest we explore what problem solving is and to what extent it should feature in our practice, our curricula and our classrooms. Whether new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, there's something for everyone to take...

Episode 49: In this week's episode I'm joined by Shannen Doherty, Lloyd Williams-Jones and Christopher Such as we sit down to explore the often murky world of book scrutiny. Do they serve a genuine purpose, where did it all go wrong and what might we do to salvage the situation, if anything. Whether you're new to the profession, an experienced school leader or somewhere in between, there is someth...

Episode 48: In this week's episode I'm joined by Neil Almond and Tom Oakley as we sit down to explore pre-diagnostic assessments and how to get the very most of them in the classroom. Whether you're new to the profession, an experienced school leader or somewhere in between, there is something here for everyone. This could possibly be the most important topic we've covered so far...you decide! To...

Episode 47: In this week's episode I'm joined by Christopher Such, Neil Almond and Elliot Morgan as we sit down to explore writing stimuli and how to create the perfect conditions for high quality writing. Whether you're new to the profession, an experienced school leader or somewhere in between, there is something for everyone responsible for teaching children to write.  To continue the conv...

This week I’m joined by Christopher Such and Gareth Metcalfe as we explore the utilisation of manipulatives at the end of the primary phase. As well as 6 ways to improve our utilisation of manipulatives, we'll consider when to utilise them, when to avoid, and much, much more. To continue the conversation join us over at the TDaPE Family Discord: https://discord.gg/xeNhPVRZZJ

Episode 45: This week I'm joined by Christopher Such and Lloyd Williams-Jones as we explore talk in the primary classroom. As well as 8 ways to get the most from classroom talk, we'll consider what we mean by talk, when to utilise it, when to avoid, and much, much more. To continue the conversation join us over at the TDaPE Family Discord: https://discord.gg/xeNhPVRZZJ

Episode 44: This week I'm joined by Christopher Such, as we venture into the important but murky world of collaborative planning. As well as 5 ways to get the most from our collaborative planning sessions, we'll consider all the usual pros, cons and crucial talking points worthy of consideration. To continue the conversation join us over at the TDaPE Family Discord: https://discord.gg/xeNhPVRZZJ

Episode 43: This week I'm joined once again by the wonderful Christopher Such and Neil Almond as we tackle spelling for the first time on TDaPE. As well as 7 ways to improve your teaching of spelling, we'll consider how much time to dedicate to spelling, pitfalls to avoid and much more.  To continue the conversation join us over at the TDaPE Family Discord: https://discord.gg/xeNhPVRZZJ