Teachers Talk Radio

Why are teachers leaving in record numbers? Why won't new graduates join the profession? And has public respect for teachers hit an all-time low? In this show, we explore the pressures, perceptions, and politics shaping modern teaching in the UK. From workload and behaviour to pay, status, and social expectations, we ask the big question: has Britain stopped valuing its teachers? Featuring real voices from classrooms this is a conversation about the future of education — and the people holding it together.

While we may mourn the decline of conferences in fancy hotels with post lunches, Darren looks at the importance of webinars and considers why they have remained the default form of CPD post-pandemic.

It's actually four weeks, not five, until the hols for most. How are you coping? We talk things to do to just keep going.

Carl chats with expert on managing school complaints, Rachael Smith about what practical strategies schools can use when they feel overwhelmed by parental complaints. This show contains a number of fantastic practical strategies to help teachers and school leaders everywhere.

Louise Marie speaks to Joanne Crofts about how to boost cross-subject exam confidence in students by teaching an understanding of command words.

Tom Rogers, Liz Webb and Lucy Trimnell discuss how the DfE is introducing enrichment benchmarks to push schools to deliver more extracurricular clubs – but research shows that teachers are already working unpaid and out of hours to deliver such activities.

In this show, Host Famida Choudhary speaks with Sam Burns about how purposeful, well-designed songs can transform English learning. Sam shares how authentic lyrics, rhythm, and repetition can double teaching impact, make grammar stick, and boost confidence for both children and adult learners. A practical, insightful conversation packed with classroom tips, song writing secrets, and strategies teachers can use immediately. Tune in to discover how music can truly teach.

I literally had to reset doing this show. We talk being at a crossroads in education, finding light and balance. This is your mental health hour.

In this Tuesday Twilight Show, Timea explores how business and academia can truly work together in higher education – not just in theory, but in day-to-day teaching and assessment. She's joined by Mohammed Al-Jobori, lecturer and module leader in Business & Management, and business coach Bayo Igoh, who share concrete case studies where students co-create real business plans, run simulations, and even design live websites for small and medium-sized enterprises. They dig into the benefits for students (employability, soft skills, real portfolios), the gains for businesses, and the very real challenges around communication, motivation and assessment. The panel also considers where AI fits into this picture, and why closer collaboration, incubators, networking and shared spaces might be the future of higher education. This show is brought to you in partnership with Hachette Learning and BETT Show 2026. 

Darren talks about TTLCs and how they can be used to embed teacher-centric wellbeing into your CPD provision.

Join Chris as he explores why teachers need meaningful breaks in their day. From quick resets to lasting habits, he shares research and practical tips to help educators recharge, refocus, and thrive

On today's show, I talked to Iain Cook-Bonney from New Zealand about his innovative work with digital technologies in primary schools.  The interactive story (The Snark) Iain talked about is here and the penguin colony lesson plan is here.

In The Wednesday Twilight Show with Michelle Hinds,  she explores what schools could look like if teacher engagement were the starting point,  not the afterthought. From leadership habits that spark motivation to stories of schools transforming through trust and purpose, this episode dives into how energised teachers create inspired learners.    

Peter Cole, Simon Powell and Becky Allen join Tom Rogers to discuss all things teacher accountability in schools - Has it gone too far? Under discussion; Lesson observations, Learning Walks, Work Scrutiny, Data, Exam Results, Pupil Voice, Parent Voice, League tables and lots besides.

Rae Whitehouse, Carl Smith and Liz Webb discuss the release of the Curriculum and Assessment review and its contents.

Today's Friday Morning Break Show with Carl Smith: From Teacher to Principal: What they don't tell you on NPQH with guest Will Teece

Highly experienced ex primary headteacher and governor Kate Owbridge joins Tony to talk about the issues around the worrying decline in student mental health through primary and onto secondary school.

Darren discussed The University of Nottingham's announcement of closure of its language courses, before moving onto the topic at hand: how you can justify reading when you've so  many other things to do.

We talk the effect of gossip in school and how to manage your mental health through our three regular features!

Burdensome workload is the constant cry of teachers, and marking is so often front and centre of the tasks which weigh us down. Why are we still so obsessed with written feedback? Is it really for the students? Or is it about accountability and box ticking?

Teachers have a lot to manage; lessons, students, emotions. But here's the question: do those emotions slip into the way they speak? And could changing that change everything? In this show, Seema sits down with Silke Paulmann, Executive Dean at the University of Essex to unpack the powerful link between voice, communication, and emotion in the classroom.

In this month's show, Matt is joined by John Dolman. With over 25 years of experience teaching English and Media, John has been diving deep into how AI can be used thoughtfully in education. They explore what AI can actually do for English teachers, what it can't, and why it's not about replacing the teacher but supporting the craft. Expect honest chat, practical ideas, and some myth-busting along the way. If you've been curious, cautious or completely confused about AI in your classroom, this one's worth a listen.

In this reflective show, Famida Choudhary and Aaron Regan explore how metacognitive strategies and Thinking Routines can transform reading comprehension. Together, they discuss how students develop awareness of what strategies work best for them, how they can transfer these approaches across contexts, and how teachers can foster a culture of reflection and independent thinking in the classroom. Packed with real classroom insights, practical applications, and thoughtful anecdotes, this show shines a light on how “thinking about thinking” builds empowered, lifelong readers.

Another exciting one off special show for you! Nathan Gynn is joined by James Handscombe to explore all things curiosity in learning, the topic of his new book "Cabinet of Curiosity - Creating a Superpower". "Curiosity is a superpower: the more curious you are, the more questions you ask, the more answers you get, the more you know, and the more that further stimulates curiosity. The pay-off is both the knowledge that is acquired(and knowledge, of course, is power) - and that virtuous circle. Unfortunately, schools, qualifications and curricula are not always set up to encourage curiosity (and there are ways in which they actually discourage it). The book covers some of the challenges encountered in trying to teach curiosity together with outlining a course that the author has designed and used to kick start that cycle of questioning" Get your copy of the book here: https://www.hachettelearning.com/teaching-strategies/cabinet-of-curiosity

Join the panel of Lucy Trimnell, Rae Whitehouse, Yasmin Omar and Carl Smith as they discuss this weeks speech by MP Rupert Lowe where he suggested that parents should have the right to take their children out of school during term-time for a limited number of days.

Darren talks about the importance of festivals and teaching their origins before moving onto the main topic of his show - Why wellbeing isn't about removing the negative but is about amplifying the positive.

We talk about if half-term is genuinely a reset. 

Join us for this one off special hosted by Huma Mirza and Khanh Duc Kuttig as they explore the new book - "Introduction to Teaching: Making Teacher Training Work" Barnaby Lenon and Tracey Smith have teamed up to give new teachers a great introduction into training for their career. Combining their expertise and years of experience, together they explore the basics of teacher training in England, how best to prep for training, assessment, behaviour management, subject knowledge and structuring lessons while also covering topics such as trends and measuring success.

How is generative AI changing what we think of as writing? It could be said that what is happening to writing right now due to AI is a fundamental shift in the definition of the writer and the process of writing. This is characterised by significant practical benefits and profound ethical and existential anxieties.

Ben White is joined by teacher and writer Martin Griffin for a role-reversal episode, with Martin leading the questions and Ben in the interviewee's chair. Together, they explore Ben's story, what drives his work in schools, and what he's learned over his career. The conversation turns to the rise of AI in education—why a large minority of students say they hate it, what lies behind their concerns—and then gets practical: responding to specific questions about which uses are condoned (for staff and/or students), what we should teach staff, students and parents about AI, and how teachers can handle the challenges it poses for genuine independent learning, especially around homework.

Christopher talks with global #MeToo advocate and Palo Alto School Board trustee Rowena Chiu about her experience as a Harvey Weinstein survivor, the politicisation of US education, and the work of US School Boards.

Darren talks about the phenomenon of teachers discussing their "quitting stories" on TikTok and asks where the line is between owning your personal story and creating a positive impresson of the profession.

In this special show, host Nathan Gynn speaks with Grant Hoyle, William Spencer and Rebecca Taylor about The Programme of Humanitarian Education - an inspiring initiative from the British Red Cross that helps young people understand the human stories behind global crises. From conflict and migration to climate adaptation and first aid, the conversation explores how schools can empower students to act with empathy, resilience, and confidence in an increasingly complex world. Nathan and his guests discuss how this long-standing humanitarian movement continues to stay relevant, how educators can embed these vital topics into their classrooms, and why developing future generations of humanitarians has never been more important.

Claire and Beejesh discuss whether being 'evidence informed' is possible when it comes to special educational needs. 

In this solo show , Famida Choudhary dives into how data-informed teaching can truly transform reading instruction. Through stories, reflection, and classroom anecdotes, she explores how numbers and narratives work hand in hand to build confident, curious readers. From listening to children read aloud to interpreting progress patterns, this episode highlights the human side of data — where every insight becomes a step toward literacy growth that counts.

The Points of View panel discuss a new Channel 4 report that claims Scotland has Britain's highest rate of violent injuries to school staff, based on reports to the safety watchdog. They include fractures, dislocations and even loss of consciousness, with the number of incidents logged at Scottish schools trebling in a decade. Teachers, many speaking for the first time, told Channel 4 News' FactCheck team how assaults had left them with bleeding legs or broken toes. Panel: Rae Whitehouse, Lucy Trimnell, Yasmin Omar, Liz Webb. 

Timea sat down with Faye Mitcham, Head of Accessibility Services at LCCA, and Emma Buhtina, head of Student Support at Regent College London to discuss the role, current state and future of student support in higher education, showcasing examples and practical tools.

MOOCs hit their stride with the Year of the MOOC in 2012 but seem to have fallen out of favour lately. Darren discusses why they should still be seen as a good resource for CPD.

The government's plan for a Year 8 reading test has sparked debate across schools - but what does it actually mean for us in the classroom? In this show we unpack the thinking behind the proposal, explore the implications for teaching and workload and ask whether testing actually tackles the literacy gap - or just measures it.  Hear from a current Head of English to discuss how to keep reading for pleasure and reading for progress at the heart of what we do.  Listen, reflect and join the conversation about the future of reading in our schools.

We talk honestly about the state of mental health in teaching. It's hard. It's real. It's personal.

In this Tuesday twilight show, Timea was joined by Nadim Choudhury and Stuart Norton to discuss what employability means in today's higher education landscape and how we can help students have a successful career and future.

Manisha Parmar joins me from Gujarat, India to talk about the work she does with her schoolchildren around sustainable green education. Manisha leads impactful green initiatives, ranging from seed banks to bio-enzyme projects, while also researching how screen time influences children's emotional regulation, and says her mission is to combine education and sustainability to inspire the next generation of mindful, responsible global citizens.

Schoolsweek reports that teachers will use “deepfake” technology to create an AI avatar of themselves to deliver catch-up lessons for pupils who have missed school. Staff at the Great Schools Trust will create the avatars – which look and sound just like them – using an AI video generator. They will be used to set out content children have missed, for instance after being absent or suspended. Our panel discusses! Panel: Tom Rogers, Yasmin Omar, Carl Smith, Lucy Trimnell. 

Michael and Jenetta discuss Linda McAulay-Griffiths' recent comments on music education and explore the value and perceptions that education and the public have regarding Arts Education.

Tom Rogers is joined by Dr Suzy Peach and Dr Chris Peach to take a fresh look at RSHE and what student wellbeing really means in 2025. The conversation ranges from wellness trends, sleep, and resilience to some of the biggest challenges schools face today: mental health, misinformation on social media, addiction, substance misuse, and the pressures of health and fitness culture. Suzy and Chris share their thoughts on how we talk about emotions, why young people often ask “am I normal?”, and what teachers can do to cut through the noise and support students in practical, meaningful ways. If you're involved in RSHE delivery or care about student wellbeing, this is one you won't want to miss, with peachwellnessacademy.com

Khanh Duc and Jason Chan talk about what non-native English-speaking ELT professionals bring to the classroom, how they can professionalize their practice and discuss hiring practices in the ELT sector.

Darren discusses how society views teachers and what needs to be done in order to restore respect to the profession.

In this Teachers Talk Radio special, host Darren Lester is joined by Maud Waret, Silvia Bastow, and Joe Dale to explore the latest ideas in CPD for languages teachers. The conversation ranges from principled practice and the role of AI, to the new GCSE and its impact on both pupils and teachers. We explore insights from content developed by UCL's IOE Faculty of Education and Society, created in consultation with leading national and international experts, and tested in real schools, the discussion will focus on languages teachers to critically assess their existing strategies and make thoughtful, informed adjustments to their curriculum without overhauling their entire Scheme of Learning. Brought to you by the National Consortium for Languages Education, visit them here: https://ncle.ucl.ac.uk/language-educators-online/

It's October. The gloss of summer has worn off. The night's are closing in. The honeymoon period is over. Liz, Kate and Rachel have a tongue-in-cheek chat about common teacher gripes. Share yours with us and we can discuss them live!

Students want jobs and, for many, a degree feels like the ticket to landing one. But should getting career-ready really be the main purpose of university? What do we risk losing when degrees become too industry-focused? And what happens if we don't prepare students for work at all? Join Seema as she tackles these big questions with Dr. Paul Caplan, leader of MA Advertising at UAL.

Tom Rogers is joined by Gulcin Cesli, co CEO of Spring Partnership Trust, and Manny Botwe, Headteacher of Tytherington School and President of ASCL, to discuss the important issue of how schools should manage debates on immigration, race, and St George's flags.