

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

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

Oct 1, 2025 • 38min
Episode 207: Positive change, with Innes Robinson
In this episode, Fin and Jane are joined by Innes Robinson, executive headteacher of Pencoedtre and Whitmore High Schools in Barry. They discuss his career and how he has helped turn around challenging schools. 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

Sep 24, 2025 • 52min
Episode 206: Barriers to learning #1: Passive learners
In this episode, Fin and Jane launch a new series exploring barriers to learning. They start by discussing passive learners. We’re delivering a workshop at the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education Cymru Conference – 27th September – St Peter’s School Cardiff. Get tickets here: The Thinking Deeply about Primary Education Conference Tickets, Sat, Sep 27, 2025 at 8:30 AM | EventbriteSocial 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

Sep 17, 2025 • 44min
Episode 205: Raising maths attainment, with Kieran Mackle & Estyn
In this episode, Jane and Fin speak to teacher and author Kieran Mackle about raising maths attainment, and discuss a recent Estyn report into mathematics teaching. We’re delivering a workshop at the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education Cymru Conference – 27th September – St Peter’s School Cardiff. Get tickets here: The Thinking Deeply about Primary Education Conference Tickets, Sat, Sep 27, 2025 at 8:30 AM https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-thinking-deeply-about-primary-education-conference-tickets-1295761139449?msockid=0261b3f29a3b68dd0195a0b49bac69d6Social 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


