Teachers Talk Radio

Jamie O'Dowd, the author of 'The A-Z of Student Wellbeing' joins Khanh Duc Kuttig for a special one off interview. 'The A -Z of Student Wellbeing' is a topical compendium of research, ideas and approaches for teachers, leaders and families, organised around the 26 letters of the English alphabet. You can check it out here: https://www.johncattbookshop.com/products/the-a-z-of-student-wellbeing

Zafar Siddique joined me for a conversation about how AI can be used for inclusive learning and teaching, and teacher training.

Claire Bills & Beejesh Deva explore the challenges of transition from Year 6 to Year 7—why content is often repeated, and how schools can plan better across phases. They dive into the role of collaborative planning, and how AI can help mine schemes of learning from other key stages and schools to improve consistency, continuity, and retrieval. A must-listen for anyone working across primary and secondary!

Darren looks at the difference between self preservation and self care by doing a shallow-dive into two studies conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the Sunday Social, host Martin sits down with educator, editor, and writer Christopher Walker, Director of Studies at International House in Poland and editor of the IH Journal. Together, they delve into the evolving landscape of writing instruction in the digital age—from pen and paper to AI-assisted tools. They discuss how writing pedagogy has shifted from a product-focused model to process-driven approaches that emphasize brainstorming, drafting, and personal voice. Christopher shares practical strategies for making writing more engaging and meaningful, including the use of portfolios, personalization, and rethinking assessment in an AI-aware world. The conversation also explores how ChatGPT and similar tools can support—not replace—good teaching, with concrete examples for both classroom use and teacher development. Plus, hear about Christopher’s work on student publishing projects and how giving learners a real audience can transform motivation and outcomes. Brought to you in partnership with John Catt Educational. 🖋️ Topics include: Why teaching writing is not the same as testing writing How to encourage critical thinking and authentic voice The role of AI in writing classes Portfolio projects and student publishing Using reading texts to model good writing

Chris and Mo discuss how they, as business teachers, link with individuals and organisations outside of the classroom to enrich the offer and curriculum for students, particularly by developing a careers education. 

Tom Rogers is joined live by Catherine McKinnell MP to discuss latest government policy on the apprenticeships for teachers policy. The programme will now run over 9 months instead of 12. The government hopes this will lead to more schools offering the programme as it can be run over one academic year. Will this reduce rigour? We ask the questions in this TTR special interview. 

Tom Rogers is joined by leadership coach, writer, and the author of Box Clever: Quadrants to Change the Way We Live and Lead, Rachel Johnson. In this book, Rachel introduces a powerful quadrant-based framework that helps us think more clearly about everything from self-reflection and conflict to timing, energy and identity. Drawing on psychology, coaching and real-life experience, Box Clever invites readers to look at leadership and life through a more thoughtful, balanced lens. Grab your copy at the John Catt Bookshop here: https://www.johncattbookshop.com/products/quadrants (Get 20% off by using the code JCTTR2425). Watch the video version of this show here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktu7U1kHjhs&t=5s

2010-2025: The decade that forgot children? 

What is 'Pedagogy without Elbows'? Listen to my conversation about Learner Autonomy with Kirstie Jackson Wilms to find out.