Teachers Talk Radio

The panel - Lucy Trimnell, Tarjinder Gill and Carl Smith discuss the big breaking story from this week around a new statutory test for Year 8 students in schools in England. Pupils at state schools in England will face new reading tests in an attempt to tackle under-achievement by white working-class children. The government's forthcoming white paper on schools is to include a new test of reading ability for pupils in year 8, when they are aged 12 or 13, in an effort to encourage secondary schools to improve their teaching. The last Labour government scrapped national tests for year 9 pupils in 2008. If the new reading test is adopted it would mean England's state school pupils taking a compulsory national test in seven out of their 14 school years.

Experienced middle leader and MFL teacher Yannick Berland and consultant and former OFSTED inspector John Bald discuss their feelings and experiences of OFSTED inspections through the years. With Yannick's 25 years in the profession and John's 175 involvements in past inspections, get ready for some no holds barred opinions regarding the impact of OFSTED on the teaching profession, both good and bad.

In tonight's show, Piers Gledhill, a highly experienced FE lecturer and I suggest strategies to ensure a great start to the new year in FE. We examine fear of learning, poor learning experiences and disengaged learners and put forward the strategies we use to enable motivated, engaged learning on a personal level. We also discuss how to manage teacher burnout and positive, transformative change. Listen to find out more!

In a wide ranging interview David chats with Russell Hall about his 40 years in teaching and how he keeps his passion for teaching alive and what it means to have effective self efficacy both for teachers and students. 

Last week, the NEU proposed that a four day week for teachers should become the standard in schools, allowing teachers to work one day per week from home to help combat workload demands. Is this the solution to the recruitment and retention crisis we've been waiting for? Join Liz, Kate and Rachel as they discuss the positives and pitfalls.

Darren looks at how we apply Bandura's self efficacy theory to teachers to consider whether our practice impoves as we get older.

We talk a strategy of how to detach from the same old patterns in schools that just repeat and repeat.

Louise Marie talks to Rachel Bowers about what kind leadership looks like, the importance of striking the empathy balance and what could go wrong if kindness is not explicitly embedded into staff culture.

We taught. We left. What's next? Why the mass exodus of teachers from the profession? Michelle is joined by special guests to talk about why teachers are leaving.

Khanh Duc Kuttig interviews Jim Heal and Rebekah Berlin about their brand new book. "Mental Models: How understanding the mind can transform the way you work" - This is a Hachette book by Jim Heal and Rebekah Berlin that provides a framework for improving work and learning by understanding how the mind works. It draws on cognitive science to offer practical strategies for enhancing thinking, communication, and decision-making by refining your mental frameworks and managing cognitive load. The book explores key concepts in memory, learning processes, and human interaction to help you become more effective in various professional and personal situations.

In this episode, Khanh Duc and Bruno unpack the elephant in the room - ELT as gig economy. Teachers living in precarity, worried about speaking up for fear of losing work (and income), the challenges associated with freelance work and its impact on teacher wellbeing.

Darren looks at research from South Africa about the benefits of using group chats for professional development.

What do young people in 2025 say they want to be when they grow up? How do careers leads shape their ambitions and aspirations. Find out in this engaging podcast.

There are few more important things we do in schools than shape the aspirations of the next generation. This engaging podcast explores what's it's like to do that job and what young people in 2025 say they'd like to be when they grow up.

Chris is joined by Primary School teacher Paul Foster to discuss the similarities and differences between rewarding learners in primary school and post-16 education.

Tom Rogers is first joined by Dr Nicola Crossley, to explore SEND policy and approach in the UK vs Germany/other countries and how they deliver it as well as looking at some of the big issues in this area of late. In the second half of the show, Tom is joined by Carly Holness to look at personal development in schools and how they can best deliver this for all students.

A bumper panel of Yasmin Omar, Carl Smith, Lucy Trimnell, Tom Rogers and Tarjinder Gill discuss the words of actor Anna Maxwell Martin this week who voiced her dislike for schools 'punitive' behaviour policies and said that schools should look to 'meet the needs of all students' to ensure they want to attend school.

Michael and guest Jenetta Hurst delve into the government's commitment to funding Extracurricular Activities. They explore its implications for the Arts, address related challenges, and share insights on fostering a culture of Extracurricular within educational institutions.

Tom Rogers is joined by special guest Thomas Keegan (senior leader) to discuss the issue of imposter syndrome in the teaching profession. What is it? How can it be managed? Is it worse in teaching and why? How can leaders help teachers who suffer from it? What is the answer? All these points and more in this show. 

Now back in the swing of term, Liz and Kate debate the lack of diversity in the English Literature curriculum, citing research that reveals a startling bias, particularly at GCSE, to the “male, pale and stale”.

How should teachers manage online harassment? What is the answer? is there one? Darren explores. 

Phin helps you get set for the new school year! 

Claire and Beejesh explore the teacher standards, effectiveness of the ECT programs and give their top tips for mentoring and succeeding in an ECT year. Essential listening for mentors, ECTs and anyone involved in training the next generation of teachers!

Louise Pickering talks to Mike Leaman about why teachers leave and what comes next.

What does it mean to really know something? In this show, Timea and her guests, Dr Kevin Campbell-Karn and Dr Tom Ritchie, dive into assessments that mirror professional practice, sharing innovations and provocations from across the sector.

Timea discusses the importance of Student belonging with guests Dr Tom Ritchie and Inca Hide-Wright, and looks at examples of good practice in this area.

In this show, Khanh-Duc Kuttig and Robert Stroud unpack the following questions on AI in the classroom: What can AI do for learning—and what it shouldn't replace, how to support thinking, not shortcut it. If you think you've already heard it all… think again. This isn't about tech trends—it's about pedagogical integrity in an age of automation.

Join Lucy Trimnell, Yasmin Omar and Carl Smith for this weeks points of view as they discuss the latest report via Schoolsweek that claims a Reform government would “root out” teachers who are “brainwashing” children, MP Lee Anderson told the party's annual conference. Speaking at a fringe event at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre on Friday night Anderson, MP for Ashfield and chief whip for Reform UK, said: “Whether you like it or not, there are some teachers in our schools [who] are brainwashing our kids into their way of thinking".

Darren opens the show talking about identity construction for new teachers but, through chatting with commenters, demonstrates how we use language specifically to construct a type of identity.

In this show, Famida Choudhary was joined by international educator Chandani Kinger to explore how teachers are stepping beyond the classroom to become mentors, innovators, and global leaders. From SDG-4 to cross-border collaboration, this conversation dives into the challenges and triumphs of educators shaping the future. Tune in for bold questions, heartfelt reflections, and a celebration of teacher agency in a rapidly changing world.

Carl chats to Assistant Principal, Abi Hibbins about why attendance is so bad in schools across the world and what needs to change if things are to improve. Abi gives us a sense of hope and realism forged out of working on the front line of education.

Join Chris as he explores how to reward learners fairly and creatively, with practical ideas to inspire and motivate every student (plus! a secret song he teases throughout the show for you to guess before the big reveal at the end).

What is the best way of teaching reading? 

Some people believe that repetition is absolutely critical to establishing the fundamentals. Others would say repetition creates an environment where students don't feel sufficiently challenged. Some will assert that repetition builds confidence. Others will argue that repetition takes away valuable time from the exploration of new material and topics. Where do you sit? Listen in, as Seema catches up with Claire Lambert (Senior Lecturer, ex-BBC/Ogilvy) to chat about this topic.

Join Matt for his debut show on TTR! He is joined by David Curran, a teacher in a specialist dyslexia school, as they discuss how to best utilise AI with SEND learners. 

Dave Brown, Lucy Trimnell and Rae Whitehouse debate the big stories from this week in education. They ask if generative AI is causing a need for exam reform and whether getting rid of resits is dumbing down? Has the need to pass maths and English GCSEs helped improve overall quality of students? Join us for this one where they discuss the details behind the headlines. 

Tony and Yannick discuss what to expect from the 2025-2026 academic year in UK schools. 

The end of the summer is upon us! Liz, Kate and Rachel discuss the inevitable feelings that descend upon the profession as the autumn term looms ahead and offer some thoughts about how we might all attempt to beat the ‘back to school blues.

Start the new school year off right by thinking deeply about who you are as a teacher and what you actually want your goals to be. In this show, Darren talks about the value of goal setting and guides you through the beginning stages of coming up with your goals for the 2025-2026 academic year.

We talk how to take care of your mental health as a teacher as many head back into schools for September. How are you feeling?

Louise Pickering hosts her debut show on Teachers Talk Radio and is joined by Shammi Rahman to discuss how schools can be truly inclusive for staff. 

Nick Gibb, former schools minister under numerous conservative governments, joins Tom and Dave to discuss all that happened in the years 2010-2024. They debate some of the biggest talking points of the period including OFSTED, Academies, PISA results and more. Was this a disaster period for education or a relative success? Nick defends the Conservative record on education. 

Martin is joined by fellow TTR hosts Graham Stanley and Tom Rogers as they pay tribute to Phil Longwell, ELT teacher, who sadly passed away recently after a battle with cancer. 

Yasmin Omar, Tarjinder Gill and Lucy Trimnell discuss the latest report highlighting the under performance of white disadvantaged students in exams.  Parts of the country where disadvantaged pupils perform worse at school are more likely to have large populations of poor white children, a new report suggests. The Institute for Government (IfG) think tank finds that disadvantaged white pupils in England have “particularly poor educational outcomes”. An analysis by the IfG looks at the “high impact” group of pupils - those for whom disadvantage disproportionately affects their performance - which it says is made up mostly of white British pupils.

Christopher talks with secondary principal Nathan Barrett and secondary deputy principal Delia Donohoe about the Irish education system, reforms to the Senior Cycle, and post-eighteen destinations in the Republic of Ireland.

Tom is joined by a panel of teacher-guests with plenty of international experience, especially in Europe. Simon Goodey (Spain), Jeff Pedley (Belguim) and Megan Goodes (Japan/Namibia) are on the panel. They discuss all things International teaching! 

Chris dives into the debate on music in the classroom: can background beats inspire focus, creativity, and joy, or are they just another distraction for students?

Today's show features Janet Ayoub talking about teacher education, exploring how she helps teachers bridge the gap between theory and practice.

On this show, host Famida Choudhary was joined by Komal Mule, an accomplished ICT educator with over 11 years of experience in computer science, robotics, and curriculum innovation. Together, they dived into how coding, robotics, and ICT integration can enhance collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving. From cross-curricular projects to hands-on challenges, this conversation explores how technology not only boosts engagement but also prepares students with the confidence and skills needed for the future.

Huma Mirza and Tom Rogers co host a conversation with executive director of education and author, Shareen Wilkinson. They discuss her new book - Disciplinary Literacy in the Primary Classroom. What is disciplinary literacy? Why is it important? What does it mean for primary subject leads? How should schools be approaching it in 2025-2026? All these talking points and more in this special one off show. Order the book now from Hachette Learning here: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/shareen-wilkinson/disciplinary-literacy-in-primary-schools-reading-writing-and-speaking-across-the-curriculum/9781036006303/

Joint current secondary HOD Beejesh and current primary Headteacher Claire as they consider what exactly schools are doing when it comes to assessment - where are they going right and wrong when formally and informally assessing students?