Steve Capp, an acclaimed school principal known for his expertise in turning around primary schools, shares invaluable insights on effective leadership. He discusses the importance of empathy in decision-making and how it can enhance school culture. Capp emphasizes the critical role of evidence-based teaching strategies in improving literacy and numeracy. He also highlights the need for collaboration among educators and the value of recognition in fostering a positive learning environment. Ultimately, he advocates for a culture of continuous improvement in schools.

Professor Jonathan Sharples from the Education Endowment Foundation shares insights and practical advice regarding how to help educational programs and initiatives to have maximum impact in your school or organisation. Full show notes at www.ollielovell.com/jonathansharples

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Buckingham describes key instructional and policy differences between the UK, Ireland, and Australia, and how these contribute to differing literacy levels and achievement on international tests such as PISA and PIRLS. Jen and Ollie discuss a multitude of factors including curriculum, instruction, initial teacher education, assessment, school inspections, as well as the all important culture and demographics. Full show notes at https://www.ollielovell.com/jenbuckingham/

This episode we're speaking with Ron Berger. Ron was a public school teacher and master carpenter in rural Massachusetts for over 25 years and is now a well-known national and international keynote speaker focused on inspiring a commitment to quality, character, and citizenship in students. He is the Senior Advisor at EL Education, a nonprofit school improvement organization that partners with public schools and districts across America, leads professional learning, and creates open educational resources. In this episode, Ron and I go in-depth into the idea of an ethic of excellence, and discuss, perhaps even debate, some of the ins and outs of the use of projects, assessments, and more. Full show notes at: https://www.ollielovell.com/ronberger

Craig Barton, a renowned mathematics educator and edu-podcaster, joins Ollie Lovell, an experienced teacher and the usual host, to dissect a recent math lesson Ollie taught. They delve into pedagogical decisions and strategies for effective lesson planning, including the use of Google Docs for collaboration. The discussion covers engaging students through dialogue, the significance of mini whiteboards for classroom management, and the importance of peer feedback in teaching practices. It's a deep dive into refining educational techniques and enhancing student engagement.

Adam Boxer, a North London chemistry teacher and education writer, discusses the pivotal first ten minutes of a lesson and their impact on student learning. He introduces Carousel, an edtech tool designed to enhance knowledge management for students. The conversation dives into crafting effective questions, balancing procedural and declarative knowledge, and innovative teaching strategies. Adam emphasizes the importance of classroom culture in fostering trust and accountability, and shares practical insights for maximizing engagement right from the start of a lesson.

Harry Fletcher-Wood, a seasoned professional development designer and former history teacher, shares his expertise on enhancing teacher training. He introduces the Catalyst Project, focusing on evidence-based strategies for teacher growth. The conversation highlights the drawbacks of traditional one-off training and advocates for a tailored, ongoing approach. Key topics include the importance of deliberate practice, authentic engagement, and feedback to foster effective learning environments. Harry emphasizes building connections among educators to promote collaboration and sustained professional development.

Greg Ashman, a deputy principal at Ballarat Clarendon College and an insightful educational writer, shares his expertise on what makes a school high-performing. He discusses the significance of clear student expectations and tailored professional learning for teachers. Ashman emphasizes the balance between structured lesson planning and teacher autonomy to enhance learning outcomes. The conversation also delves into effective data use and curriculum design to support diverse learners, highlighting practices that contribute to student success.

In this episode, Dr. Jordana Hunter & Nick Parkinson from the Grattan Institue discuss lessons from their trip to New York and England to visit 7 multi-school organisations, groups of schools working together under common governance and structures to the benefit of students.

Regents Professor Karen Harris shares insights from over 50 years of refining the SRSD method for teaching writing. Discussion includes the impact of SRSD on student writing quality, explicit instruction challenges, integrating storytelling techniques, using mnemonic devices for reader engagement, enhancing writing skills through rocket projects, and the future of AI-generated writing prompts.