Teachers Talk Radio

Rae and Lianne discuss how to settle into a new school as a teacher.  In this honest and entertaining show, our hosts dive into what it’s really like to start at a new school—whether it’s your first teaching job or you’re a seasoned educator switching settings. They swap stories about the emotional rollercoaster of being the “new person,” including staffroom anxieties, forgotten passwords, and the overwhelm of induction admin. Topics include how to build authentic relationships across the school (hint: get friendly with the caretaker and kitchen staff!), how to manage the mountain of new logins and systems, and why it's essential to keep an eye out for red flags in school culture—especially in your first weeks. There’s also plenty of humour and warmth, from tales of holiday adventures and hay fever woes to the trauma of tarantulas in Caribbean classrooms. Perfect listening for anyone preparing to start a new role, feeling nervous about fitting in, or just wanting a relatable slice of real-life teaching chat.

In this special sponsored episode of Teachers Talk Radio, hosts James Radburn and Darren Lester spotlight the crucial role of language accessibility in modern classrooms—powered by Pocketalk, a leader in AI-enhanced translation solutions. They’re joined by Kayleigh Hughes, an English teacher and Deputy SENCO, and Jessica O’Dwyer, General Manager at Pocketalk Europe, to discuss how translation technology is breaking barriers for EAL (English as an Additional Language) students. Hear classroom stories, parental engagement wins, and insights on how tools like Pocketalk help create more inclusive and connected learning environments. Learn more about how Pocketalk is reshaping education at pocketalk.com

Tom Rogers is joined by headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh to discuss her plans for a 'march for children' (to take place soon) and the arguments behind it. These include ideas around smartphone use, teacher training, curriculum, uniforms and more. 

In this urgent show, we confront the rising tide of violence and aggression facing teachers and school staff across the UK. Host Tom Rogers is joined by veteran educator and behaviour specialist Andrew Old, and leadership and inclusion expert Chuma A., for a frank discussion about why violence in schools is escalating — and what must be done to stop it. We also hear a powerful call-in from April Steffeck, who shares her frontline experience of the emotional toll that classroom aggression can take. From policy reform and mental health support to cultural change and school leadership, our guests explore practical, systemic, and sometimes controversial solutions to ensure that educators can do their jobs in safety and with dignity.

With my guest teacher, Junny Lee, we discussed stress in schools, teacher and pupil burnout and how to deal with the pressure of teaching.

On today's show, I spoke to Emily Bryson about how teachers can combine teaching with other types of work to form a portfolio career. Emily has been successfully doing this for some time now, which has enabled her to spend the last year or so travelling though Latin america.

Tod and Morgan are joined by Jake Cowling to explore the power of explicit vocabulary instruction and how it intersects with oracy. The conversation highlights how AI tools can lighten teacher workload while improving the precision and timing of vocabulary delivery, making it easier to build word-rich classrooms that support deep understanding and confident expression. We unpack practical strategies for supporting oral language, embedding academic vocabulary across subjects, and designing instruction that meets the needs of diverse learners. Toward the end of the episode, we zoom out to consider the broader implications of language and vocabulary for equity, access, and student agency. Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or education innovator, this is a timely look at the language foundations of learning and how technology can help.

An honest discussion with an experienced SENCO, Ms Marie Dennis, to explore the challenges of providing a truly inclusive education system. This show goes behind the scenes of a day in the life of a SENCo- the rewards and challenges.

Julia Waters, the sister of Ruth Perry, sits down with Tom Rogers to discuss the latest with regards to OFSTED.  Julia Waters joins us to discuss the latest developments surrounding Ofsted's proposed inspection reforms and the emotional and professional toll the system continues to take on school leaders. Julia, who became a campaigner following the tragic death of her sister, headteacher Ruth Perry, shares candid reflections on the Department for Education's consultation process, her meetings with Ofsted Chief Inspector Martin Oliver, and the open letter calling for urgent reform. Julia challenges the logic of the proposed "report card" system, raises concerns about teacher well-being and accountability, and urges leaders to listen, act, and protect those at the heart of education.

In this show, The Sunday Social, Martin is joined by EFL teacher and blogger Joanna to explore her journey from engineering into English language teaching. Together, they reflect on the transition from in-person to online teaching, the challenges of hybrid classrooms, and how Joanna discovered her passion for teaching through unexpected opportunities. The conversation explores lesson planning, the use of AI as a creative aid, and the importance of personalisation and relationship-building in online classes. Joanna also shares honest insights into managing workload, digital fatigue, and the realities of impostor syndrome. With plenty of practical tips for freelance educators, including managing revenue streams and boosting productivity, this episode offers a candid window into the modern life of an independent online teacher. Brought to you in partnership with John Catt Educational – publishers of professional development books supporting great teaching and learning worldwide.