

The Impact Podcast
Impact
A podcast from the team at Impact School Improvement. Every week we bring you the best professional learning to help you make an impact in your school.
Visit us at: www.impact.wales
Visit us at: www.impact.wales
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 17, 2025 • 28min
Episode 217: Our year in schools
In the last episode of 2025, Fin and Jane look back over the last twelve months and discuss some of the schools they’ve worked with. We hope you have a very Merry Christmas and we’ll be back in 2026!Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Dec 10, 2025 • 48min
Episode 216: Vocabulary, with Alison Williamson
Jane and Fin are joined by Alison Williamson, a teacher and professional learning lead at Llanvihangel and Llanfoist primary schools in Abergavenny. Together they talk through vocabulary development and teaching and attempt to answer a question Alison posed at a recent education conference. Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Dec 3, 2025 • 30min
Episode 215: The Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy
Fin and Jane discuss the publication of Fin’s new book, The Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy: A Toolkit for Research-Informed Teaching. Order your copy here: https://amzn.to/4lsupnbSocial media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Nov 26, 2025 • 37min
Episode 214: Executive functions, with Mitch Weathers
In this episode Fin and Jane are joined by a special guest from the US - Mitch Weathers, teacher and founder of Organized Binder - with whom they discuss executive functions and how they work in the classroom. Mitch’s books and resources:Book 1: UK book purchases individual and bulk - https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/executive-functions-for-every-classroom-grades-3-12/book286612Book 1: North America individual purchases - https://www.amazon.com/Executive-Functions-Every-Classroom-Grades/dp/1071919458/ref=zg_bs_g_491364_d_sccl_42/145-7090591-9540526?psc=1Book 1: North America bulk purchases - https://organizedbinder.com/ef-book-grades3-12/ Book 2: Pre-order only and only in North America at the moment - https://organizedbinder.com/ef-book-grades-k-3/ Executive Functions for Every Classroom self-paced online course - https://organizedbinder.com/goUse code impact50 at checkout to receive a 50% discount. Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSFin’s NEW book, The Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy, is now available to pre-order:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Nov 19, 2025 • 58min
Episode 213: In the news #11
In this episode Jane and Fin discuss some of the latest education news and announcements from the Welsh Government, and ask - are we getting the political leadership we need and deserve in Wales? Take a look at the Impact Wales Education manifesto here: https://www.impact.wales/manifesto/Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSFin’s NEW book, The Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy, is out now:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Nov 12, 2025 • 45min
Episode 212: Barriers to learning #3: Low-level disruption
In the latest in a series looking at barriers to learning, Jane and Fin discuss low-level disruption. What does it look like, what causes it, and what can you do about it?Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSFin’s NEW book, The Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy, is now available to pre-order:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Nov 5, 2025 • 32min
Episode 211: “Why I quit.” Literacy expert speaks out
Last week, literacy expert Elizabeth Nonweiler quit the Welsh Government’s expert literacy panel, calling it ‘not fit for purpose’. In this episode, she speaks to Fin and Jane about why she quit and what she thinks about the government’s plans for reading. Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSFin’s NEW book, The Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy, is now available to pre-order:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplus

Oct 22, 2025 • 58min
Episode 210: In the news #10, with Rob Randel
Fin takes a look at the latest Welsh Government announcements and speaks to special guest Rob Randel about developments in reading. Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSFin’s NEW book, The Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy, is now available to pre-order:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Oct 15, 2025 • 42min
Episode 209: Questioning for learning
In this episode Fin and Jane return to a popular topic - questioning. They take a detailed look at how to use questions in the classroom, including lots of worked examples. Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSFin’s NEW book, The Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy, is now available to pre-order:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Oct 8, 2025 • 38min
Episode 208: Barriers to learning #2: Pupils don’t learn what they’re taught
In the second part of a new series looking at barriers to learning, Jane and Finola discuss what you can do if you’ve taught something, but your pupils aren’t learning it. Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSFin’s NEW book, The Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy, is now available to pre-order:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur


