They Behave For Me

In our last episode before Christmas, Adam recounts a horrifying tale of being made to talk to a stranger on public transport, and Amy offers some nuance on the question of whether poorly behaved students should represent the school in sports fixtures. Adam and Amy also look at staff motivation and how we help motivate staff.

In this episode, Adam and Amy begin by reacting to the coroner's report into the death of Headteacher Ruth Perry and discuss what should happen next at Ofsted. Responding to a question on Threads, they also look at learning walks and how they can be best utilised by school leaders to drive improvement and meaningful change. Samaritans are available 365 days a year. You can reach them on free call number 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch. Education Support runs a confidential helpline for education staff and teachers – call 08000 562 561.

Dive into a spirited discussion as the hosts engage in 'workload tennis,' proposing actionable strategies to lighten educators' burdens. They humorously recount rural connectivity woes and explore the need for centralized behavior management. The conversation spans evolving lesson planning, innovative assessments prioritizing feedback, and the quest for balanced professional lives. Additionally, they tackle the detrimental effects of a busy culture while championing effective communication and the role of technology in enhancing educational experiences.

The hosts tackle the intriguing challenge of ensuring students are genuinely engaged, even when shifting away from traditional questioning. They humorously navigate the complexities of social media in education while highlighting the importance of active listening. The conversation turns serious as they reveal troubling statistics about teacher stress and isolation, urging for a supportive community. Creative strategies like self-assessment and mini whiteboards are proposed to foster student participation and emotional well-being.

With long-standing Schools Minister Nick Gibb announcing that he will not be running for office again, join Adam and Amy as they rake over his policy record. Listen to the end for more concrete tips on difficult parental conversations, sparked by a question from a listener to last week's podcast.

The hosts dive into the changing dynamics of education post-COVID, questioning if attendance and behavior issues are worsening. They share personal narratives that highlight the humor and challenges within teacher-parent relationships. A discussion on student misbehavior emphasizes the need for dignity in classrooms. They also reflect on the discrepancies in school attendance and explore how the pandemic has impacted educational needs and support systems, all while finding joy in the quirks of teaching.

Explore the intriguing world of education as the hosts dissect Michael Wilshaw's impactful comments. They share humorous anecdotes about the absurdities of past lesson inspections, contrasting authority figures with quirky metaphors. The complexities of differentiation in teaching are highlighted, emphasizing the need for structured curricula. Grading and accountability come under scrutiny, revealing the disconnect between metrics and genuine learning. Plus, hear insights on how supportive adults can guide students in making better choices in a social media-driven landscape.