The Impact Podcast

A Guardian report on a study into phonics has reignited the debate about approaches to reading in the early years. Jane and Fin welcome back special guest Rob Randel to discuss the controversy - is the focus on phonics “failing children”? Rob is a primary school teacher in Wales and a committee member of the Reading Reform Foundation.  Guardian article: Focus on phonics to teach reading is ‘failing children’, says landmark study.  https://www.theguardian.com/education/2022/jan/19/focus-on-phonics-to-teach-reading-is-failing-children-says-landmark-study  Greg Ashman’s rebuttal blog: Has synthetic phonics been demolished?  https://fillingthepail.substack.com/p/has-synthetic-phonics-been-demolished?s=03  Dr Jennifer Buckingham’s rebuttal blog: Groundhog day for reading instruction.  https://fivefromfive.com.au/blog/groundhog-day-for-reading-instruction/  Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus  Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller  Producer: Darren Evans  Visit us at: www.impact.wales  Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

The Welsh Government has published a new document setting out changes to assessment in Curriculum for Wales. In this episode Jane and Fin break down the changes and explain what they will mean for teachers. Read the blog discussed in this episode: www.Smore.com/xq7gh Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Whether it is the best of times or the worst of times (to quote Charles Dickens) will depend on how you are experiencing the pandemic. For many teachers in Wales, facing an uncertain few weeks and the implementation of an entirely new curriculum in September, it’s a particularly stressful time. Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

The spring term is about to start, amid much uncertainty around the impact of the Omicron variant on schools, teachers and pupils. With big decisions to be made about how this situation is managed, Fin and Jane discuss the importance of statistical literacy in education policy. Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

In the final podcast of 2021, Fin and Jane discuss a range of topics, from extending the school day to the risks posed by the Omicron variant of coronavirus to the difficulties of being female in education. Education Policy Institute evidence on extending school time: https://epi.org.uk/publications-and-research/reviewing-the-evidence-on-extending-school-time-the-good-the-bad-and-the-pretty-strong/ Laura Doel’s TES blog: https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/capacity-welsh-school-system-edge-reform-dominates Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Motivating students and getting them to pay attention in class is a struggle known to every teacher. In this episode, Fin and Jane speak to Harry Fletcher-Wood, a teacher, researcher and teacher educator. Harry has written a book about how teachers can use behavioural science techniques to increase motivation and improve behaviour among children. To buy Harry’s book, Habits of Success, visit: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Habits-Success-Getting-Student-Learning/dp/036744495X/ref=nodl_ Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

The Welsh Government has published a new national resource for evaluation and improvement. Jane and Fin take an in-depth look at the resource and how it will change the culture around accountability. To view the resource discussed in this episode, visit: https://hwb.gov.wales/evaluation-improvement-and-accountability/the-national-resource-evaluation-and-improvement/ Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

This week Jane and Fin are joined by Jamie Tennant, head of Hawarden Village Church School. They discuss how the school has empowered its teachers to make effective decisions for themselves and why it started its work towards Curriculum for Wales with a particular focus on pedagogy. Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

In this special episode, Fin and Jane welcome back special guest Rob Randel to the podcast to discuss the latest developments in reading in Wales. Last week, Wales’ education minister Jeremy Miles announced a package of measures to improve reading in schools. But is it enough, and has he got the focus right? Rob is a primary school teacher in Wales and a committee member of the Reading Reform Foundation. Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Investigative journalist and former secondary school teacher James McEnaney wrote the book on Scottish education - literally. In this episode he joins Fin and Jane to discuss the truth about Scottish schools, the progress of Curriculum for Excellence and what Wales’ teachers can learn from their Celtic cousins. To purchase James’ book ‘Class Rules – the truth about Scottish schools’, click here: Class Rules — Luath Press Subscribe to ImpactPlus today: www.impact.wales/impactplus Hosts: Finola Wilson and Jane Miller Producer: Darren Evans Visit us at: www.impact.wales Music: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur