Teachers Talk Radio

Join Tarjinder Gill, Carl Smith, Dave Brown and Lucy Trimnell as they discuss some of the big stories making the news this last week in education. 

In this must-listen episode of The Late Show with James Radburn on Teachers Talk Radio, James sits down with Emma Darcy, one of the UK’s most recognised EdTech leaders. Together, they unpack the real-world impact of artificial intelligence in education, from the classroom to curriculum design—and why amplifying student voice is more critical than ever in the age of AI. Emma shares: • What sparked her deep interest in AI and how she’s using it to rethink teaching and learning. • Why banning tech misses the point—and how schools can build digital character. • The ethical, practical, and philosophical challenges AI presents to teachers and students alike. • Why AI literacy, future-ready skills, and authentic human relationships must coexist. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, or EdTech enthusiast, this episode offers a nuanced, inspiring take on how AI can support—not replace—great education.

Who are the teachers you remember? Will is joined by Sam Houseago to discuss those teachers who have had a life-long impact on us. We unpack the qualities of these truly exceptional educators and ask what we can learn from them.

In this essential episode for maths teachers, we delve into effective GCSE exam preparation and bust some of the biggest myths around assessment with experts Neil and Caroline from OCR Maths. Hosted by the dynamic duo of Tom Rogers and Kathryn Clark, the conversation explores: Embedding exam prep across the academic year Building familiarity with question papers and command words Using examiner reports and OCR’s ExamBuilder tool Maximising the impact of mock exams and diagnostic data Making the most of formula sheets The life cycle of an exam paper: how they’re written, marked, and graded The real story behind grade boundaries With practical tips, clear insights, and a few laughs along the way, this episode is your maths department's guide to preparing students for success. 📊 Supported by OCR Maths 🧠 For all teachers preparing students for GCSE Maths Find out more about the support OCR can offer here.

Darren Lester hosts a brilliant panel discussion on the value of modern language assistants in UK schools. Guests include Amy Flynn, Marie Masse, Liz Collison, Clare Williams and an extra special appearance from college student Freya who shares the person impact that working with an MLA is having on her academic success. Find out more about employing an MLA at your school or college here. 

Ben White’s guest, headteacher and author Matt Evans, shares thought-provoking insights on how assessment shapes students’ self-perception. He challenges the usefulness of ‘summative’ and ‘formative’ labels, arguing they can be misleading. They also explore future trends in schooling—why so many of us predict similar shifts—and take a sharp look at Ofsted’s proposed new assessment system. Spoiler: it’s probably not reliable enough for its intended purpose. Yet, despite all that, it’s still wrapped up on an optimistic note—with Matt’s favourite story.

Leading with Purpose: How can school leadership drive lasting impact? with special guest, Barry Cooper.

In this weeks Points of View - Tarjinder Gill, Will Mercer and Yasmin Omar discuss the biggest stories from the week gone by including a research report claiming a link between school exclusion and crime and police arresting a couple involved in a whatsapp chat about a school and their leadership team. 

On today's show, I talk about Education in Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR) and Extended Reality (XR), and I speak to Maryam Mirshahnasab about her research and teaching in VR. The show finishes with a brief discussion about Virtual Worlds.

Michelle Hinds is joined by John Catt author and fellow TTR host Morgan Whitfield to discuss her new book 'Gifted? The shift to enrichment, challenge and equity'. Michelle and Morgan explore what giftedness truly means, looking at practical solutions to stretch and challenge students of all abilities and ways to overcome the barriers to equity. Circus themed chapters set the foundation for engaging, relevant and enlightening discussions framed by historical background information. You can get a copy of Morgan's book here. Use the code JCTTR2425 for 20% off at the checkout.