Beyond Good
Matt Findlay and Femi Adeniran
A podcast about teaching. We discuss teaching and learning, pedagogy, lessons and classroom practise, management and leadership, teaching of mathematics, training and trainees, mentors and mentoring, behaviour management, being a head of department and running a faculty, SLT and much much more!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 18, 2025 • 58min
How do I improve teaching as KS3 lead or second in department?
Matt and Femi respond to a listener question about steps to improve the quality of teaching in their department as a new KS3 lead or second in department.
Oct 11, 2025 • 51min
Some Reflections!
Matt was in a reflective mood recently and shared a few of the things he has been working on and thinking about with Femi.
Oct 4, 2025 • 44min
Are we overcomplicating teaching?
Prompted by listener feedback, Femi and Matt explore the idea that when it comes to teaching we are making something simple more complicated than it needs to be.Get in touch by emailing us:beyondgoodpod@gmail.com
Sep 27, 2025 • 40min
Class discussions...!
Matt and Femi discuss what comes to mind when one hears a teacher say "We had a great discussion today about ...".Contact us by emailing beyondgoodpod@gmail.com
Sep 20, 2025 • 47min
Attention, Participation, Thought
Femi and Matt discuss the utility, pros, and cons of looking at lessons through a simple 'attention, participation, thought' lens, discuss other approaches to diagnosis, ask if we are over-complicating things, and consider an alternative lens focussed on creating conditions for independent practice.Contact us at:beyondgoodpod@gmail.com
Sep 13, 2025 • 47min
Getting Independent Working Happening in Lessons
Matt and Femi discuss the importance of quiet independent practice for students, and get into the challenges and preconditions for getting this happening in lessons.
Sep 6, 2025 • 1h 16min
Rachael Southern - Reading!
Matt and Femi catch up with Rachael Southern two years after her first appearance on the pod and she shares her knowledge around improving reading and thoughts about leading on it whole-school.
Aug 16, 2025 • 53min
Sarah Cottinghatt - Meaningful Learning & Coaching
Author, teacher, trainer, and expert coach Sarah Cottinghatt joins Matt and Femi to discuss her book 'Ausubel's Meaningful Learning in Action', and coaching!Follow Sarah's Coaching Cuts on Substack:https://cognitivecoaching.substack.com/Contact the pod:beyondgoodpod@gmail.com
Aug 9, 2025 • 42min
Rows v Groups & Detentions v Conversations
In this double episode Matt and Femi explore the arguments for students sitting in rows facing the front vs sitting around tables in groups, and then turn their attention to the issues around the effectiveness of issuing detentions vs a prompt and stern conversation with the student.As always please send your thoughts to beyondgoodpod@gmail.com
Aug 2, 2025 • 36min
Characteristics of Poor Leadership
We've all experienced it! Matt and Femi lay out some of the most important characteristics of poor leadership in schools as they see it.
