

Thinking Deeply about Primary Education
Kieran Mackle
Welcome to Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, the podcast that gives you a peek inside the minds of some truly inspirational primary teachers. Whether you're new to the profession or a school leader with tons of experience this podcast is a must listen. For references, links and extended cut video episodes head over to www.thinkingdeeply.info
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 18, 2025 • 34min
The Power of Maths Journaling with Dr Kirsten Fenton and Holly Drummond
Join Dr Kirsten Fenton, a dedicated maths pedagogy researcher, and Holly Drummond, a pioneering primary teacher, as they delve into the transformative power of maths journaling. They discuss how this approach enhances classroom culture, fosters metacognition, and alleviates maths anxiety. With insights on integrating journaling into daily lessons, they share effective strategies like brain dumps and sentence stems that encourage reflection and build students' mathematical identities. Discover how making thinking visible leads to deeper understanding and student ownership.

Oct 11, 2025 • 36min
Mathematical Talk: The Heartbeat of Classroom Thinking (with Amy How)
Amy How, an education practitioner and primary mathematics consultant, dives into the transformative power of mathematical talk in the classroom. She discusses how talk can reveal student thinking and support reasoning, while also serving as a diagnostic tool for teachers. Amy introduces the COP framework for assessing learning and critiques superficial methods in favor of rich, open dialogue. She emphasizes strategies to engage all students, create a safe environment for mistakes, and foster a culture of genuine mathematical communication.

Oct 4, 2025 • 35min
Teacher Writers with Andy McHugh
Andy McHugh, a dedicated teacher and founder of Teacher Writers, shares insights on empowering educators through writing. He discusses his evolution from teaching religious education to editing HMWRK Magazine and establishing a platform for teacher voices. Key topics include the importance of teacher writing as professional development, balancing accessibility with depth in educational publishing, and fostering a supportive community for new writers. McHugh encourages teachers to embrace diverse writing projects and simplifies the path to publication.

Sep 29, 2025 • 44min
Accessible by Default: In Action
Lloyd Williams Jones, an experienced primary school leader about to take headship, and Shannen Doherty, an incoming deputy headteacher, dive into inclusive education challenges. They discuss the impact of systemic issues on SEND provision and the shift towards universal design in teaching. Shannen emphasizes the importance of not relying on labels while urging collective commitment from school stakeholders. Lloyd advocates for a culture change in leadership, stressing that inclusive teaching ultimately benefits all students. Their insightful conversation highlights practical strategies to embed inclusivity in schools.

Sep 20, 2025 • 42min
What the science of learning teaches us about arithmetic fluency with John Jackson
In this engaging conversation, John Jackson, an experienced secondary mathematics teacher and education commentator, dives into the science of learning about arithmetic fluency. He explores effective classroom practices that emphasize accuracy, efficiency, and meaning in mathematics. John discusses the importance of early number sense, potential pitfalls of rote learning, and the value of structured retrieval. He offers practical strategies for teachers and shares insights on how school leaders and parents can support students in developing mathematical fluency.

Sep 13, 2025 • 51min
The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading
Doug Lemov, the author of 'Teach Like a Champion', joins literacy experts Colleen Driggs and Erica Woolway along with Chris Such to discuss innovative reading instruction methods. They emphasize a knowledge-rich approach to reading, detailing essential strategies for enhancing comprehension and fluency. The conversation highlights the role of lesson preparation, the importance of engaging with complex texts through close reading, and the need for effective curriculum design. Their insights aim to reignite joy and meaning in classrooms, fostering better reading outcomes for students.

Sep 6, 2025 • 47min
Curriculum Thinking: International Perspectives with Lucy Crehan
Lucy Crehan, author of *Cleverlands* and an international education consultant, dives into the unique curriculum challenges in Northern Ireland. She discusses the historical context that shapes education there, emphasizing the need for a purpose-driven, coherent curriculum. The conversation reveals the struggles novice teachers face with ambiguous guidelines and contrasts Northern Ireland’s system with those of England, Wales, and Scotland. Crehan advocates learning from international standards to enhance educational practices and improve student outcomes.

Aug 30, 2025 • 36min
Implementing the Writing Framework with Care and Balance
In this engaging discussion, Adam Lowing, an expert from Lead in English, breaks down the complexities of the DfE's Writing Framework. He emphasizes the need to meld technical accuracy with creative expression in writing education. They tackle the importance of handwriting for memory and how it has been affected by recent events. Adam also advocates for nurturing authentic writing experiences tailored to students, and highlights the significance of ongoing professional development for educators to balance creativity and technique effectively.

Aug 23, 2025 • 56min
Calm, Consistent, and Certain: Building Better Behaviour in Primary
Liv Dempsey, a headteacher navigating behavior management in her first year, Tom Oakley, a deputy head with innovative systems, and Charles Bankovitz, a daily classroom teacher, share their insights. They discuss why certainty in behavior expectations is crucial, the benefits of de-escalation language, and the routines that preempt issues. The trio unpacks trauma-informed practices versus traditional methods, the importance of strong staff relationships, and the supportive culture needed to alleviate teacher stress, offering practical solutions for primary classrooms.

Aug 16, 2025 • 1h 12min
Accessible by Default: An Inclusive Teaching Discussion
Jen Barker, National Director of Learning at Ormiston Academies Trust, Peps Mccrea, an expert on evidence-based practices, and Chris Such, a SEND education advocate, dive deep into making teaching inclusive. They discuss the limitations of current teaching tools and the importance of evidence-based strategies. The conversation navigates systemic challenges in education, explores the impact of cultural capital, and emphasizes practical adjustments to enhance student engagement. Their insights aim for classrooms to be 'accessible by default,' ensuring every child thrives.