Toria discusses PE - what does modern day PE teaching look like? The guest is Matt Cotten, a primary school teacher and leader who is passionate about PE teaching at all levels and phases. 

In this compelling episode, hosts Brent Poland and stand in guest co host Christopher Vowles dive deep into the complex issue of knife crime affecting schools and youth communities. Drawing from personal experiences and national statistics, they explore the multifaceted factors driving the increase in knife-related offences, including gang culture, urban dynamics, and social pressures. The conversation takes listeners on a nuanced journey through the realities of youth violence, examining how different regions of the United Kingdom experience this challenge differently. Christopher shares a powerful personal anecdote from his teaching days in London, while Brent provides insights into the broader societal trends that contribute to this growing concern. Key topics include: The evolving nature of gang culture from the 1960s to today Statistical trends in knife-related offenses The psychological and social factors driving youth to carry weapons Potential approaches to addressing the root causes of knife crime Sponsored by John Catt Educational and ParentKind, this episode offers a thoughtful, nuanced perspective on one of the most pressing issues facing education and youth today. It's a must-listen for educators, parents, and anyone concerned about youth safety and societal challenges.

Dave chats to Gemma Molyneux and Matt Venton about Oracy. What is it, why has it recently become so prominent as a focus in education, how can it help students in the classroom and beyond and how can we avoid it becoming just the latest passing fad? 

This episode explores the intricate relationship between language and social identity. John Gibbs and Dr Christian Ilbury, from Edinburgh University, discuss how accents can signal various aspects of identity, including region, class, and even competence. Christian challenges the notion of a 'standard' language, advocating for the appreciation of linguistic diversity. He highlights the ongoing issues of accent bias and linguistic discrimination, particularly in educational and professional settings. The discussion also touches on the importance of oracy in education, the influence of social media on youth language, and the need for teachers to adapt to changing linguistic landscapes. Ultimately, the conclusion emphasizes the importance of embracing one's linguistic identity and dismantling prejudices associated with language use.

Michelle shares insights into the challenges and opportunities of middle leadership. The show offers a practical guide to effective middle leadership that will ultimately influence change. Middle leaders are the catalyst for change!

Following an invigorating parents' evening, Toby talks about parental collaboration, how to foster independence in 16-18-year-olds and celebrating small wins in education as a means of building a positive learning environment.

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.