Knowledge for Teachers

In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, I speak with Amy Haywood and Nick Parkinson, co-authors of the Grattan Institute’s Maths Guarantee report. We unpack what they describe as Australia’s “national problem” with maths underperformance — from the equity gaps to the urgent need for high-quality curriculum materials and teacher support. Amy and Nick share key findings from their research, including a national teacher survey and international case studies, as well as practical insights from some of Australia’s most effective schools. We dive deep into what explicit instruction really looks like, the power of fluency, and how the instructional hierarchy can help teachers better sequence their maths lessons. Whether you're a school leader, instructional coach, or passionate teacher, this conversation will leave you with clarity, evidence, and next steps to improve maths teaching in your school. Resources mentioned: The Maths Guarantee (Grattan Institute report) The Maths Guarantee: A guide for principals (Grattan Institute) Teach Like a Champion – Doug Lemov Teaching Primary Mathematics – George Booker Eddie Wu Craig Barton Ochre Education PR1ME International EAST materials Maths Olympiad Times Tables Rock Stars James Dobson - From Research to Reality: A Primary Maths Resource Toolkit The schools they visited for case studies were: Wattle Grove Primary, a government school in suburban Perth  Bentleigh West Primary, a government school in suburban Melbourne  Ballarat Clarendon College, an independent school in regional Victoria  St Bernard’s Primary, a Catholic school in Batemans Bay on the NSW south coast  Charlestown South Public, a government school in Newcastle, NSW  The Entrance Public, a government school on the NSW central coast  Budgewoi Public, a government school also on the NSW central coast  The final three schools are part of the Explicit and Systematic Teaching (EAST) network, a grassroots network which exists to champion explicit teaching in NSW government schools   You can connect with Amy: Twitter/X: @Amy_L_Haywood   You can connect with Nick: Twitter/X: @NickJParkinson   You can connect with Brendan: Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net   About  Amy Haywood Amy Haywood is the Deputy Program Director of Grattan’s Education Program. Amy has a background as an educator and brings this practical experience to her work as an education policy researcher. She is the co-author of several Grattan reports, including Ending the lesson lottery: How to improve curriculum planning in schools, The Reading Guarantee: How to give every child the best chance of success, Spreading success: Why Australia should trial multi-school organisations, and The Maths Guarantee: How to boost students’ learning in primary schools. Amy taught English in secondary schools for five years. During this time, she presented at statewide teaching conferences and wrote several study guides for Macmillan Education. Before joining Grattan, Amy worked as a manager in Deloitte Access Economics’ Education Policy team, where she led schooling projects focused on system design, workforce reform, and teaching practice. Amy has a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Teaching from the University of Melbourne. As part of her postgraduate degree, she studied international education policy while on exchange at the University of Oulo in Finland. She is a registered teacher.   Nick Parkinson Nick is a Senior Associate in Grattan’s Education Program, where he has co-authored reports on whole-school curriculum, multi-school organisation, and primary maths. He also contributed to reports on catch-up tutoring and early reading. Through this research, Nick has conducted case studies of nearly 30 leading schools and analysed more than 5,000 teacher survey results. Nick holds a Master of Teaching from the Melbourne Graduate School of Education. Before studying teaching, Nick completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Languages at the University of Melbourne. He is a 2022 Westpac Future Leader. Before joining Grattan, Nick worked as a consultant at Nous Group where he contributed to projects on school culture, student assessment, and occupational safety. Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast   🎯 Struggling to know whether to model again or move on? You’re not alone — and this course is for you. Effective Primary Maths Teaching is my live, two-day online course designed to help you stop second-guessing and start teaching with clarity and purpose. Across two highly practical days, I’ll walk you through: ✅ When and why to use explicit instruction, word problems, fluency tasks, and more ✅ How to align your teaching with student readiness ✅ The nuts and bolts of effective daily reviews, worked examples, and fluency practice ✅ A practical framework to help you teach responsively — not reactively Everything’s grounded in the science of learning, backed by real classroom examples, and designed so you can take action straight away. You’ll leave with a workbook, an action plan, and the confidence to use it all on Monday. 🗓️ Dates: Day 1 – Monday 4 August 2025 (9am–3pm AET) Day 2 – Monday 1 September 2025 (9am–3pm AET) 🖥️ Live online (with recordings) | 🧠 10 hours total | 💲 $299 Whether you’re a teacher wanting clarity or a leader building consistency, this is the course people tell me they wish they’d done years ago. ▶️ Register now: events.humanitix.com/effective-primary-maths-teaching The last one sold out — don’t miss out.  

In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, Brendan Lee sits down with Mandy Nayton — CEO of the Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation and president of AUSPELD — for a deep and timely conversation about how students really learn to read. Mandy draws on decades of experience to unpack what the science of reading actually is (and what it isn’t), why explicit instruction matters, and how effective intervention can change the trajectory for struggling students. They explore key frameworks like the Simple View of Reading, Scarborough’s Reading Rope, and the Cognitive Foundations Framework — and dig into DSF’s new Word Origins program, designed to transform how spelling is taught in Years 3–6 by building deep morphological and etymological knowledge. Whether you're just starting to explore structured literacy or you're leading change in your school, this conversation is packed with insight, clarity, and practical takeaways.   🎧 Listen now and explore how teacher knowledge is the most powerful tool we have to improve literacy outcomes. Resources mentioned: Word Origins Literacy Frameworks & Models Simple View of Reading (Gough & Tunmer) Scarborough’s Reading Rope Cognitive Foundations Framework (Hoover & Tunmer) Dehaene’s Four Pillars of Learning Instructional & Program Resources DSF’s Word Origins Program Direct Instruction Phonics Manual Others Kathy Rastle National Reading Panel (2000) Reid Lyon John Hattie   You can connect with Mandy: Twitter/X: @mandynayton Facebook: @dyslexiaspeld Linkedin Website: https://dsf.net.au/   You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net   Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

Join Craig Barton, a renowned maths educator and best-selling author, as he shares his insights from years of teaching and observing classrooms. He discusses the power of diagnostic questions and tools like mini whiteboards for assessing student understanding. Craig reflects on his evolution in teaching methodologies, emphasizing tailored approaches that enhance student engagement. Discover the importance of 'intelligent practice' and the concept of atomization to simplify complex ideas. His experiences offer valuable lessons for educators seeking to improve their craft.

In this episode, I’m joined by Jeanette Breen — Learning Specialist at Templestowe Heights Primary School and Head of Global Partnerships at No More Marking — to unpack insights from her recent tour of some of the highest-performing schools across the UK. From standalone primaries to schools within trusts like Ark Academy, and even the renowned Michaela Community School, where she met Katharine Birbalsingh, Jeanette explored what’s making a real impact in classrooms and leadership teams. What makes this conversation truly unique is not just Jeanette’s sharp eye for what works — it’s that you’ll also hear directly from the educators she met along the way, thanks to recordings made on-site during her journey. You’ll hear from:  Andrew Percival and Jess Rennie - Stanley Road Primary School, Oldham Madeleine Roberts, David Williams, Jonathan Howlett and Ellen Clarke - Ark Curriculum team Matt Burnage - Ark Soane Claire Stoneman - 4 Dwellings Academy, Birmingham Michael Eggleton - Charles Dickens Primary Stuart Houghton - Ribbon Academy, Murton Dr Haili Hughes - Professor of teacher coaching & mentoring, Academica University oas, Director of Education, IRIS Connect. ECF & NPQ facilitator Bruno Reddy - CEO Times Tables Rock Stars and former head of Mathematics at King Solomon Academy If you're looking to sharpen your teaching, rethink your curriculum, or get inspired by what’s working in leading schools abroad, this episode is packed with gold. Resources mentioned: Daisy Christodoulou - Seven myths in education and Making good progress The Rose report StepLab Teach Like A Champion New wave maths books The Writing Revolution TimesTable Rockstars Grattan report on multi-school organisations Think Forward Educators Core knowledge units Numeracy screener being trialed by the Center for Independent Studies (CIS) White Rose Maths What Works Series ResearchED No More Marking You can connect with Jeanette: X/Twitter: @jettybe3 Linkedin e-mail: jeanette.breen@education.vic.gov.au or jeanette@nomoremarking.com You can connect with Brendan: X/Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website learnwithlee.net Substack: knowledgeforteachers.substack.com/ Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast   About Jeanette Breen Jeanette is an experienced teacher, presenter, and liaison for the creation of partnerships and professional learning opportunities. In addition to her school-based role at Templestowe Heights PS Victoria, Jeanette works with UK company No More Marking as the bridge for schools using innovative writing assessment. She leads a Writing Network with Think Forward Educators and is a founding member of Sharing Best Practice. Jeanette holds a Professional Certificate in Clinical Teaching and Masters in Instructional Leadership. Becoming a Better Maths Teacher: Craig Barton’s Aussie Tour with Ollie Lovell For the first time ever, the UK’s most celebrated mathematics teacher, podcaster, and author, Craig Barton, is coming to Australia for a nationwide tour. Craig will be joined by Australia’s own Ollie Lovell for an unforgettable day of professional learning designed to transform your teaching practice. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative event! Four dates, four cities: Perth: Friday, June 20, 2025 Melbourne: Monday, June 23, 2025 Sydney: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Adelaide: Friday, June 27, 2025 Seats are limited—secure your spot today and take your mathematics teaching to the next level!

Dr. Carl Hendrick, a prominent education expert and co-author of influential books, joins the discussion to share five essential strategies every teacher should embrace. He emphasizes the necessity of being open to evidence and highlights the power of retrieval practice. The conversation covers the importance of checking for understanding and aligning curriculum with assessment. Hendrick also challenges traditional beliefs, advocating for a more flexible approach to instruction that enhances student engagement and retention. This insightful chat is filled with actionable tips for educators!

In this episode, we're focusing on a key element of successful schools: understanding and supporting positive student behaviour. Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Brandi Simonsen, a professor of special education at the University of Connecticut and co-director of the National Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Brandi shares her practical insights into PBIS, exploring the crucial links between behaviour, attendance, and academic success. We delve into the ABCs of behavior and uncover effective, evidence-based strategies for creating positive classroom environments, from setting clear expectations to the power of specific praise. Whether you're new to teaching or looking to enhance your practice, this episode offers valuable knowledge and actionable takeaways on implementing Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports. Resources mentioned: Brandi Simonsen and Diane Myers: Classwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: A Guide to Proactive Classroom Management Diane Myers, Brandi Simonsen and Jennifer Freeman: Implementing Classwide PBIS: A Guide to Supporting Teachers, which I highly recommend. National Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) You can connect with Brandi: Linkedin   You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net   Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

Dr. Matthew Burns, a researcher at the University of Florida Literacy Institute, brings his expertise on effective assessment data in education. He discusses the importance of understanding various assessment types and their purposes in driving instruction. Dr. Burns emphasizes aligning data with educational goals and offers practical advice on reducing unnecessary screening. He also covers effective interventions in reading and math, including strategies to enhance fluency and comprehension. His insights are valuable for educators seeking to improve student learning outcomes.

In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, Brendan Lee speaks with Liana McCurry, a passionate advocate for primary school maths education. Fresh from her Churchill Fellowship, Liana shares findings from her research into mathematical practices across six countries. Listeners will gain insights into the systemic issues contributing to Australia's declining maths performance and discover how to bridge the research-to-practice gap. Liana delves into key topics, including: Mathematical modelling and its surprisingly misunderstood place in the curriculum. The power of multisensory approaches to unlock conceptual understanding. Why fluency in maths is a foundational skill that needs renewed focus. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that equips educators with practical knowledge and strategies to transform maths education in their classrooms. Resources mentioned: Books: Explicit Direct Instruction by Hollingsworth and Ybarra. Explicit Instruction by Anita Archer and Charles Hughes Harnessing the Science of Learning by Nathaniel Swain. Direct Instruction Mathematics by Stein et al Websites: Ochre Science of Math website. Thinking Forward Educators,  Brian Poncy's MIND Steve Wyborney's Esti Mysteries Podcasts: Knowledge for Teachers. Dyscastia, hosted by Bill Hansberry and Michael Shanahan. Craig Barton podcast. Progressively Incorrect, hosted by Zach Groshell Chalk and Talk, hosted by Anna Stokke Training and Conferences: Sharing Best Practice conferences. What Works series in Geelong. Orton Gillingham Math, Multisensory Maths training   You can connect with Liana: Linkedin Email: liana@sol-education.net Website: sol-education.net   You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net   Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast   A Systematic and Structured Approach to Teaching Primary Mathematics - 10 hr Online (Live) Course While there’s been strong momentum for the science of reading, what about maths? In this course, I will explore what the research reveals about effective maths instruction, highlighting the importance of aligning teaching with how learning happens. Across these sessions, I will go beyond summarising research and delve into practical implications, showing teachers how to bring these concepts to life in the classroom. Highly interactive, the sessions will offer plenty of opportunities for teachers to engage, practice, and respond.   REGISTER HERE

This episode features a compelling conversation with Murat Dizdar, the head of the New South Wales Department of Education. Murat shares his inspiring journey from being the son of Turkish immigrants to leading Australia’s largest education system. He discusses the experiences that shaped his vision for public education, his deep passion for the teaching profession, and the key initiatives he’s championing to drive meaningful change. This episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for anyone interested in education and leadership. Resources mentioned: NSW Department of Education Resource Hub Explicit Teaching Statement High Potential and Gifted Education Policy AERO (Australian Education Research Organisation) Grattan Institute: Ending the lesson lottery You can connect with Murat: Twitter/X:  @dizdarm   You can connect with Brendan: Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net   Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast   A Systematic and Structured Approach to Teaching Primary Mathematics - 10 hr Online (Live) Course While there’s been strong momentum for the science of reading, what about maths? In this course, I will explore what the research reveals about effective maths instruction, highlighting the importance of aligning teaching with how learning happens. Across these sessions, I will go beyond summarising research and delve into practical implications, showing teachers how to bring these concepts to life in the classroom. Highly interactive, the sessions will offer plenty of opportunities for teachers to engage, practice, and respond.   More info https://www.learnwithlee.net/a-systematic-and-structured-approach-to-teaching-primary-mathematics/ 10% off Discount code: MATESRATES

In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Nick Hart takes us on an inspiring journey from his beginnings in sports science to becoming a school leader in Dubai. A respected voice in educational leadership, Nick shares insights from his blog and books, delving into the evolution of his leadership style. He discusses the critical role of context in decision-making, introduces the concept of the school year’s rhythm for structured improvement and highlights the importance of trust in fostering strong school communities. Tune in for practical advice and thought-provoking ideas on navigating the complexities of educational leadership. Resources mentioned: Nick Hart’s books:  Creating a strong culture and a positive climate in schools  Impact: a five part framework for making a difference in schools Nick Hart’s blog posts discussed in this episode:  Leadership handbook 5.0 School improvement: Rhythm of the year Culture setting | More than words A model for school improvement Vivianne Robinson Mary Kennedy Dr. Neil Gilbride Bryk and Schneider Ambition Institute - The persistent problems of school leadership AERO You can connect with Nick: Twitter: @MrNickHart Linkedin Website: mrnickhart.wordpress.com   You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft Website: learnwithlee.net   Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast   A Systematic and Structured Approach to Teaching Primary Mathematics - 10 hr Online (Live) Course While there’s been strong momentum for the science of reading, what about maths? In this course, I will explore what the research reveals about effective maths instruction, highlighting the importance of aligning teaching with how learning happens. Across these sessions, I will go beyond summarising research and delve into practical implications, showing teachers how to bring these concepts to life in the classroom. Highly interactive, the sessions will offer plenty of opportunities for teachers to engage, practice, and respond.   More info https://www.learnwithlee.net/a-systematic-and-structured-approach-to-teaching-primary-mathematics/ 10% off Discount code: MATESRATES