Teachers Talk Radio

We talk mental health (of course) and how we can be more compassionate in the classroom, alongside all those regular features you know and love.

In this show, Timea talks with lecturer Rafael Dos Santos about the role of humour in higher education: why it works (neuroscience, dopamine, belonging and retention), how to use it intentionally (timing, storytelling, affiliate/self‑deprecating humour, props, games and icebreakers), and how to avoid pitfalls (sarcasm, cultural sensitivity and targeting humour). They share practical tips for starting small, building confidence and using tools like AI to brainstorm suitable, safe ideas. The show also highlights partners and resources, including AQA examiner opportunities and Hachette Learning professional development titles; catch the full episode and other Teachers Talk Radio shows at ttradio.org.

In this show, Sarah speaks with Head of Year Jack Macey about transforming the dreaded phone call home into a tool for building relationships and improving student outcomes. They discuss practical tips for teachers - especially early career teachers - including making positive calls, keeping conversations factual and brief, scripting key phrases, using colleagues for support, and handling defensive or disengaged parents. The episode highlights research linking parental engagement to better progress and stresses that consistent, warm communication can build trust between school and home.

Darren looks into recent research published by Liang et al into the role that personality plays in online language learning and considers how we can apply the concept of "personality types" to our own teaching and learning. 

Carl chats to experienced Head of Year, Adam Perry about what they job is really like. A really interesting insight for anyone who is or has been head of year, is thinking they might like to be a year head or is in need of appointing one.  Is it the toughest job in the school? Why do people still do it?

Lee Pace and guest Andy Chell explore modern school governance: what governing bodies actually do, how to distinguish strategic oversight from day-to-day operations, and why effective challenge and triangulation matter. They discuss the roles of chairs, clerks, link governors and parent trustees, recruitment by skills, learning walks, horizon scanning for future policy changes, and practical tips for clearer reporting and stronger governor–school relationships.

Stricter home schooling rules are on the way but are councils anywhere near ready? This week on Points of View, we unpack the government's plans to introduce a national register of home-educated children and tighter oversight of families. Supporters say it's about safeguarding vulnerable children and preventing tragedies. Critics warn it risks intrusive state overreach and puts impossible pressure on already overstretched local authorities. With rising numbers of children leaving schools - many linked to SEND pressures and mental health concerns, we ask: Are schools failing too many children? Is home education becoming a necessity, not a choice? Can councils realistically monitor thousands more families? And where should the balance lie between parental rights and child protection? On the panel: Tom Rogers, Lucy Trimnell and Carl Smith.

Join Michael Wright on The Sunday Lunch Show has he discusses applying for teaching jobs, green and red flags when getting a feel for a school, interview technique and how to make sure you are applying for schools that fit your own values and ethics. A must listen for those, ECT's in particular, who are job hunting!

We talk blues and how it may be the search for perfection behind it, alongside your regular features to set you up with returning to the classroom tomorrow *if you are*

Some days, teachers walk into the classroom carrying more than just their teaching materials. This show explores what it means to teach on an “off” day; the quiet challenge of showing up with energy, focus, and presence when you don't quite feel like yourself. We'll look at the pressure that comes with that reality, but also the unexpected upside: how the act of stepping into the role can sometimes lift us, ground us, and even help us through. It's an honest conversation about the strain, the resilience, and the surprising opportunities hidden in the harder days.

Darren looks at why it's so important for teachers to tell their stories od why we chose to enter the profession.

On this show, Tony and Yannick discuss whether teachers should model the same rules they set for students. They cover dress code and uniform expectations, gender differences in standards, homework and workload, classroom behaviour, recruitment and the challenge of maintaining positivity in the profession. The conversation combines practical examples, listener comments and reflections on balancing high standards with common sense, teacher wellbeing and the role of student voice in shaping school rules.

Beejesh Deva, Nathan Gynn and Claire Bills explore the growing world of consultants, edugurus and social‑media influencers in education. They explore how these figures interact with schools, the costs and opportunity costs involved, and the tension between useful, research‑based support and one‑off or misapplied advice. The conversation covers the shift from local authority provision to academies, the benefits of shared CPD and coaching, concerns about contextual fit and incoherence, and the need for discernment and quality assurance when schools buy external expertise.

In this show, Tim sits down with Simon Lightman, teacher, philosopher, researcher, and the driving force behind a cross-sector open letter to Parliament calling for curriculum renewal. Together, they ask one of the most pressing questions facing schools today: can education really afford to keep treating sustainability as an optional extra?

Industrial action at Llantwit Major High School has brought issues of workload, behaviour and funding into sharp focus. The NASUWT has raised concerns about staff safety, excessive workload and working conditions, while school leaders and the local authority point to financial pressures, falling pupil numbers and ongoing negotiations. In this show, we speak to a NASUWT representative Sharron Daly to explore the claims behind the dispute, the response from leadership, and what this situation tells us about wider pressures across the profession.

In this week's show, Claudia Tumba and Martin Sketchley chat about what job English teachers should consider when applying to work in South Korea.

The panel (JP, Rae Whitehouse, Lucy Trimnell, Yasmin Omar and Tom Rogers) explore various stories emerging from the upcoming NASUWT annual conference. Reports of rising violence in schools – and claims that incidents are being under-reported or even discouraged – have sparked serious concern across the profession. The NASUWT warns that some teachers face regular physical injury, while inconsistent behaviour policies and leadership responses may be compounding the problem. But it's not just behaviour in classrooms under scrutiny. New data suggests nearly one in five teachers now faces an “unmanageable” volume of parent contact, with growing expectations to call home for behaviour and attendance issues. Some schools reportedly require calls for every sanction, raising questions about workload, boundaries, and whether teachers are being turned into “call centres.” At the same time, a new threat is emerging: AI-driven digital harassment, with fears that manipulated videos and recordings could damage teachers' reputations and safety. In this week's Points of View, we ask: How widespread is violence in schools? Are reporting systems failing staff? Is parental contact becoming excessive? And are schools prepared for the risks of AI misuse?

On 13th March, Sir Martyn Oliver defended robust criticism from many in the profession that the new OFSTED framework unfairly penalises schools in disadvantaged areas. He says context should not trump outcomes. Tony talks to his guests about their opinions on the comments and the framework.

Join Chris as he explores the vulnerability of putting yourself out there in teaching, from applying for promotions to stepping into leadership roles. This episode reflects on the discomfort, self-doubt, and awkwardness that can come with being seen differently by colleagues, and why these moments often matter more than we realise.

From a young age, we are constantly exposed to depictions of teachers in books, films and TV series: the nurturing Miss Honey, the chaotic maverick Dewey Finn, the firm-but-wise Mr Feeny… but how accurate - or constructive - are these depictions when it comes to understanding the real people inside the profession? The Morning Break team are back to talk shop - join the conversation!

What can Zelda teach us about learning? Listen in for more about gamification and teaching and learning.

Who really decides what our students learn and why? In this episode, I'm joined by Stephanie Martin to unpack one of the most pressing questions in international education: Whose curriculum is it anyway? Together, we explore the global dominance of Western education models and what this means for identity, culture, and power in schools around the world. Are these curricula a gateway to opportunity and global mobility or do they quietly sideline local knowledge and perspectives? And as international schools continue to grow, who benefits most from the systems we've inherited? This is a thought-provoking conversation for educators, leaders, and anyone interested in the future of global education.

Christopher talks with infant school headteacher Simon Sharp about the differences between English schools and international schools; the importance of outdoor learning for infants; and the government's latest proposals for inclusion.

Join Michael Wright for the Sunday Lunch Show with special guest Natasha Chalk, as they discuss the importance of building and maintaining relationships over systems, how to develop good relationships with staff and students and what to look out for if both relationships break down in school systems.

Louise Marie speaks to Patrick Cozier about effective leadership at all levels. What it looks and feels like, the research behind this, how this ties into culture and implications for CPD!

Darren looks at research into why children feel they benefit most from peer support during school transition.

Dave is joined by Dr Scott Swain to discuss his recently completed PhD on how dealing with student mental health and well being is affecting teachers' mental health, the problems this is presenting for the profession and what solutions his research points to in order to keep teachers from stress burn out. 

Edmund Barnett-Ward was on the Points of View panel to discuss Ofsted's conduct following the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry. Have lessons truly been learned?

Schools serving the most disadvantaged communities are significantly more likely to be marked down on achievement under the current inspection framework but is that a reflection of outcomes, or a flaw in the system? New analysis from TES suggests schools with higher proportions of pupils eligible for free school meals are far less likely to receive top grades for achievement. Ofsted's Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, has acknowledged concerns but insists inspectors cannot ignore “disappointing outcomes” for disadvantaged pupils. Meanwhile, headteachers in these communities describe the grading as demoralising, arguing that inspections are measuring raw attainment rather than true progress and achievement. Unions have also raised concerns about a “secure-fit” approach that leaves little room to account for context. Points of View panel discusses: JP, Liz Webb, Rae Whitehouse and Jo Fox.

Tim Smale speaks with men's coach Ryan Parke about why male wellbeing often goes unspoken, the role of hormones like testosterone, and stark suicide and health statistics for men. They explore practical, evidence‑based strategies - diet, sleep, exercise, vitamin D, and reduced alcohol - that can improve mental and physical health, and discuss how teachers and schools can better support boys and male staff through conversations that preserve capability, teamwork and engagement.

Louise Marie meets with Mr Metacognition, Nathan Burns, to discuss what metacognition actually is, the research underpinning it, classroom strategies, curriculum design and CPD!

Parent Ellie Miles and SEND campaigner Paul Ridley join Tony for an honest discussion about the current issues in SEND and their opinions on the reforms recently announced by the government.

I really did have a shocker of a week. Let's talk it out. Join me.

Teacher wellbeing has fallen to its lowest level since 2019, according to the 2025 Teacher Wellbeing Index from Education Support. The findings paint a stark picture across the profession: 76% of education staff report feeling stressed, while 36% are at risk of probable clinical depression. Almost half (49%) say their working environment negatively affects their mental health, and 40% feel they need more support from their school. So, what role do school leaders play in improving staff wellbeing and what practical changes could make the biggest difference? In this live Points of View discussion on TTR, we'll explore the latest data and debate what school leaders can realistically do to support their staff. On the panel: Rae Whitehouse, Gulcin Sesli, Rich Walkden, Tom Rogers and JP.

In this week's show, Claudia Tumba and Martin Sketchley are joined with Maiah Hollander chat about life as an expat English language teacher with some tips for making it rewarding and successful.

There are lots of things about teaching that are challenging, its tiring and there things that don't get acknowledged or talked about. But why do we still stay? Clearly there's some really good stuff is happening too. Let's talk about that, because we love the optimism! In today's show, Seema will be joined by her colleague Chiara Minestrelli, breakdancer turned Senior Lecturer.

Join Chris as he explores the hidden side of teaching in his first of the Highlighting Vulnerabilities in Teaching series. In this episode, he reflects on the need to be liked in the classroom, sharing honest insights from his own experience and the balance between connection and authority.

Host Tom speaks with Nigel Miller, CEO of Active Learning Group, about how outdoor education ranging from forest school and bushcraft to coastal coasteering and mountain expeditions supports student wellbeing, resilience and personal growth. They discuss practical benefits for teachers and pupils, inclusive facilitation, residential experiences, cost-effective ways to get started, and where to find more information at activelearninggroup.co.uk.

Our guest, Associate Dean Sonal Jain, joins us to share her insights on institutional implementation and how faculty can thoughtfully incorporate AI into their existing curricula to increase student engagement

Michael Wright guides you through some of his highlights from Teachers Talk Connect 2026! He meets speakers, attendees and members of the TTR team to talk about their event takeaways and how they have found the day. Featuring TTR team including Rae Whitehouse, Louise Pickering and Amber Hardisty. Find out more about Connect and watch the mainstage talks in full here: https://www.ttradio.org/connect2026 2026 edition took place Saturday 14th March in Manchester. Come along in 2027? We would love to see you there! Register for our newsletter for all event updates or follow us on our various social channels.

Join Michael Wright and guest Katharine Kirk for the Sunday Lunch show which cover reflections on the recent TTR Connect event and to discuss the question: “If you had complete freedom to design your perfect school, what would it be like?” It's set to be a fascinating conversation. He'll also be sharing details of a special YouTube video filmed at TTR Connect that dives even deeper into this topic. Go to our Teachers Talk Radio Youtube channel for more details.

What a shocker of a week. How was yours? Let's talk it out

Darren talks about distributed leadership and asks the question: Do too many cooks spoil the broth?

Carl Smith chats to expert, Helen Atkins, on whether autism is a spectrum, how our understanding of autism has changed over the years and how schools can support young people with autism. A must listen for anyone interested in the current debates about autism.

Lee is joined by Jonathan Keay, the Deputy CEO of the Creative Learning Partnership Trust. They will be 'looking in the rear view mirror' of their careers, reflecting on lessons learned in leadership. They will also consider how their experiences have shaped their current thinking. Check out their extra special guest for the last part of the show! 

New research shows that 1 in 4 children start school without being toilet trained, meaning teachers spend an average of 2.5 hours a day dealing with the impact. The panel discuss this, followed by a look at Schools minister Georgia Goulds letter to Ofqual to say that "for the lifetime of the current GCSE specifications in these subjects, students should not be required to memorise formulae and equations for assessment purposes." On the panel: JP, Rae Whitehouse and Rachel Gilyeat.

Tom Rogers is joined by Alice Faulkner and Zoe Higgins to discuss why Parental engagement is a vital – and sometimes challenging – part of delivering effective RSE and PSHE in primary schools. In this live discussion brought to you with Kapow Primary, we explore how schools can build trust, communicate clearly with families, and ensure parents feel informed and involved in what their children are learning. We'll discuss why parental engagement matters so much in RSE and PSHE, what meaningful communication with parents should look like, and how schools can respond to common misconceptions about the curriculum. The conversation will also look at the practical realities of the new statutory guidance, including how schools can share curriculum resources, consult parents effectively, and maintain transparency without overwhelming families. The discussion will also cover key topics such as puberty education, the distinction between relationships education and sex education, and parents' withdrawal rights, as well as the growing importance of engaging parents around the online world and digital safety. Whether you're a subject leader, classroom teacher, or school leader, this session will offer practical ideas for building a clear and confident RSHE communication strategy with parents. Join the live conversation and share your views in the chat.

Join us on Teachers Talk Radio for AI in the Maths Classroom, where we bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and everyday teaching. This show features Ben Ford (Maths Education Consultant and former Head of Maths with 20+ years of experience). We explore how to bring math to life using technology, data, and real-world applications.

Tim Smale hosts Alan Johnson to explore what schooling must do to prepare children who will leave school in 2040. They question whether current vision statements, the new white paper, and existing exam-driven systems truly ready students for emerging careers, technologies and societal change. The discussion covers practical classroom strategies including oracy, metacognition, retrieval practice and questioning alongside system-level barriers like assessment, investment and inequality. They argue change needs both teacher-led culture and broader systemic reform to be genuinely transformative.

In this show, we explored with Ioanna Karagiorgou, a university lecturer and fierce ballerina, why ballet classes often maintain strong focus, discipline, and commitment, while university classrooms struggle with engagement, and what educators might learn from the pedagogical culture of dance training.

We talk how to cope with stress and everything in between!