Teachers Talk Radio

In tonight's episode,Bob Craig and I discuss how to motivate, stimulate and promote deliberate practice in the classroom. Plus tips on how to change the classroom dynamic!

The panel (Liz Webb, Rae Whitehouse and Tom Rogers) discuss - Three-quarters of parents have allowed their child to stay at home and take a “duvet day” if they don’t want to attend school, according to a new survey. Seventy-five per cent of 2,000 parents surveyed said they have allowed their child not to go to school if they feel tired, emotional or not able to attend. Forty per cent of those surveyed said they had allowed “duvet days” to happen more than once. On average, parents reported letting their children take six days off during the past school year for these reasons, while 75 per cent of parents said their child’s behaviour improved after such absences. Ninety-seven per cent of surveyed parents said they believe their child’s mental health is just as important as academic success.

Why are teachers leaving in record numbers? Why won’t new graduates join the profession? And has public respect for teachers hit an all-time low? In this show, we explore the pressures, perceptions, and politics shaping modern teaching in the UK. From workload and behaviour to pay, status, and social expectations, we ask the big question: has Britain stopped valuing its teachers? Featuring real voices from classrooms this is a conversation about the future of education — and the people holding it together.

While we may mourn the decline of conferences in fancy hotels with post lunches, Darren looks at the importance of webinars and considers why they have remained the default form of CPD post-pandemic.

It's actually four weeks, not five, until the hols for most. How are you coping? We talk things to do to just keep going.

Carl chats with expert on managing school complaints, Rachael Smith about what practical strategies schools can use when they feel overwhelmed by parental complaints. This show contains a number of fantastic practical strategies to help teachers and school leaders everywhere.

Louise Marie speaks to Joanne Crofts about how to boost cross-subject exam confidence in students by teaching an understanding of command words.

Tom Rogers, Liz Webb and Lucy Trimnell discuss how the DfE is introducing enrichment benchmarks to push schools to deliver more extracurricular clubs – but research shows that teachers are already working unpaid and out of hours to deliver such activities.

In this show, Host Famida Choudhary speaks with Sam Burns about how purposeful, well-designed songs can transform English learning. Sam shares how authentic lyrics, rhythm, and repetition can double teaching impact, make grammar stick, and boost confidence for both children and adult learners. A practical, insightful conversation packed with classroom tips, song writing secrets, and strategies teachers can use immediately. Tune in to discover how music can truly teach.

I literally had to reset doing this show. We talk being at a crossroads in education, finding light and balance. This is your mental health hour.