Teachers Talk Radio

Kathryn is joined by Nathan Douglas, Deputy Headteacher and EdD Candidate to explore the issue of teachers’ professional identities and how these relate to professional satisfaction and teacher retention.

Join co hosts Graham Stanley and James Radburn for this one off special delving into the lives of teachers who have transitioned from the classroom into the world of edtech. Find out more about Toddle by visiting toddleapp.com. They are joined by two guests... Deepanshu Arora -  Deepanshu is the Co-founder and CEO of Toddle, an AI-powered teaching & learning platform loved by 2,000+ progressive schools around the world. An engineer by background and an educator by passion, he believes that technology has only one role to play in education - that of helping teachers do better what they do best. Deepanshu also leads Toddler’s Den, a network of Reggio Inspired Preschools. Prior to this, he worked with McKinsey & Company and studied at the Indian Institute of Technology. Matt Fletcher - Matt Fletcher holds a degree in English Literature from the University of Sussex and completed his PGCE in Secondary Education at the UCL Institute of Education. As a fellow of the Inspiring Teachers programme, he spent time in Uganda last year, working with teachers in low-resource contexts and helping design a peer-coaching programme. Prior to joining Toddle, Matt taught English at The Harrodian School in Barnes. Now, Matt leads regional growth for Toddle in the UK and is driven by his passion for integrating technology to support teachers, ease administrative workloads and enhance learning outcomes. His aim is to empower teachers with innovative digital tools that enable them to thrive in today’s evolving educational landscape.

Kathryn is joined by Jo Facer, Head of the NPQ Faculty at the National Institute of Teaching. We review her new book, an evidence informed review of strategies for effective teacher PD from ResearchEd, published by John Catt.

Amanda and her guest, Tammie Rea, talk about Tammie's experiences in various educational settings from girls' grammar schools to a young offenders' unit and how these have shaped her as a teacher.

Famida Choudhary chats with accomplished educator and literacy expert Vridhi Sharma about nurturing reading competencies in students. They discuss the foundational skills needed for early years and how these evolve into advanced comprehension in middle school. Vridhi shares practical strategies for educators, including guided reading, vocabulary-building techniques, and differentiated instruction, while addressing challenges like digital distractions and lack of student interest. Together, they explore how embedding 21st-century skills into literacy can transform classrooms and inspire lifelong readers.

On The Weekly Review, panellists, Lucy Neuburger, Brent Poland and Christopher Vowles discuss hot topics in the week's news with host, Paul Hazzard. Show production by Lianne Lax. This week's stories: Teachers face ‘alarming’ rise in verbal and physical abuse from pupils https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/teachers-face-alarming-rise-verbal-physical-abuse-pupils Why we must address emotional wellbeing at primary level https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/specialist-sector/why-we-must-address-emotional-wellbeing-primary-level Heads’ leaders call for primary tests to be scrapped https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/heads-leaders-call-primary-tests-be-scrapped Social media impact is ‘largest challenge’ within girls’ schools, teachers say https://www.irishnews.com/news/uk/social-media-impact-is-largest-challenge-within-girls-schools-teachers-say-VLLSCESLVJO53M5XEIKLN5O2XI/ Shows Reviewed: The Power of Relationships and Values (and a BIG idea)! The Friday Twilight Show with Claire Cannon Classroom Crazes Part 2: The late late show with Dani Walley Accessibility in Maths with OCR Maths: The Late Show with Tom Rogers and Kathryn Clark The Holiday Dilemma: To Work or Not to Work? The Late Late Show with Rae and Lianne

Darren talks about using formative assessment data to encourage our young people's responsibility for their own learning. (Content warning: Brief mention of parent death. Please skip the first 15 minutes if this is triggering for you).

Have you ever heard people say their job does not feel like work because they enjoy it so much? This is often based on their personal values being aligned with those of their role and employer. Sophie W joins me as we discuss how values help us to connect and what better way to support our pupils, particularly those with SEMH needs than to give them a sense of belonging and connection. Listen all the way through for a BIG idea from Sophie - she has some radical plans for what to do when you are struggling to find a school where your values match theirs!

Morgan and Tod dive deep into the essential components of curriculum design—exploring powerful knowledge, core values, progression, and the importance of diversity and representation. They unpack the why, how, and who behind crafting a curriculum with clear intent, and how intentional design shapes the learning journey. From understanding the goals of education to ensuring inclusivity, this conversation offers valuable insights for educators and curriculum designers looking to make a meaningful impact on their students. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on the power of purposeful curriculum!

Brent Poland (@BrentPoland1) and Adam Spence (@aspence81) engage in a debate about whether academies have reached their conclusion and what the future holds. Joining in on the debate is Dr Pam Jarvis @Dr_Pam_Jarvis A show not to be missed.