United Learning Podcasts

In this podcast, our Primary Director, Darran Ellison-Lee, explores the way effective questioning can transform teaching and learning and ensure that pupils are getting the best out of every lesson. For more information, to ask any questions or to suggest future topics, please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.

In this podcast, our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee discusses why improving the quality of teaching should be a core focus for any primary leader. By investing in training, our teachers develop effective and durable skillsets and outcomes for pupils rise as a result. For more information, to ask any questions or to suggest future topics, please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.

In the second half of this two-part podcast, Darran Ellison-Lee explains why, as a Group, United Learning has chosen to adopt the Rosenshine principles and how this ‘common language’ is helping to drive continuous improvement across our schools. For more information please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.

In the first half of this two-part podcast, our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee is joined by Jancie Garratt-Simpson, Principal of Cravenwood Primary Academy in Manchester, to discuss the Rosenshine Principles of Instruction and how they have been adopted across United Learning’s primary schools. We explore what the 10 key principles of instruction look like in practice and the importance they have in the classroom, including in Cravenwood Primary Academy and Windale Primary School. For more information please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.

In this podcast, Darran Ellison-Lee, our Director of Primary Education, explains what Education with Character means for our primaries and what value this adds as pupils kick-start their school careers. Education with Character is a core principle of United Learning's Framework for Excellence. For more information about this, please visit our website: www.unitedlearning.org.uk.

In this podcast, our Deputy Director of Academies, Steve Adcock, talks about the importance of fostering self-confidence in students and helping them to become independent learners in preparation for studying at university. This includes the types of experiences they can expect to receive as part of our schools' Pupil Charters. Education with Character is a core principle of United Learning's Framework for Excellence. For more information about this, please visit our website: www.unitedlearning.org.uk.

In this podcast, our Deputy Director of Academies, Steve Adcock, returns to talk about Sixth Form destinations. This time, he explains how delivering an Education with Character helps our schools ensure that students go on to flourish at university, in apprenticeship roles or at work. We hear about the range of initiatives taking place in schools across the Group to achieve this, including: Guildford High School's annual essay-writing competition; North Oxfordshire Academy's mentoring partnership with local primary, Hanwell Fields Community School; and Surbiton High School's work on the Extended Project Qualification. Education with Character is a core principle of United Learning's Framework for Excellence. For more information about this and our University Access programmes, please visit our website: www.unitedlearning.org.uk.

In this podcast, Deputy Director of Academies, Steve Adcock, explains our Six Pillar approach to Sixth Form study and how we aim to weave academic learning with vital character development so that students are set up for success. The pillars include leadership, curriculum and assessment, teaching, ethos and student effort, enrichment and destinations - all of which we believe are central to successful Key Stage 5 provision. Education with Character is a core principle of United Learning's Framework for Excellence. For more information about this, please visit our website: https://unitedlearning.org.uk/about-us/framework-for-excellence

In this podcast, our Head of Music and Performing Arts, Catherine Barker, explores our programme of performance opportunities and partnerships and how they support our commitment to provide an Education with Character to students. As part of this, Catherine highlights the way students and staff have benefitted from past initiatives, where schools have collaborated on a national scale with expert practitioners to produce inspiring choral performances like 'Zimbe!' in 2015/2016 and 'Wassail!' in 2017. Education with Character is a core principle of United Learning's Framework for Excellence. For more information about this and United Music, please visit our website: https://unitedlearning.org.uk/.

In this podcast, our Head of Sport, Shaun Dowling, talks through a range of our sporting projects and partnerships and how they help to deliver an Education with Character, benefiting students and staff alike. This includes developing confidence through the X-Elle programme, encouraging participation in new challenges with our 2018 Sport Relief fundraiser RideABC and providing opportunities to learn from the best via our Sports Ambassadors. Education with Character is a core principle of United Learning's Framework for Excellence. For more information about this and United Sport, please visit our website: www.unitedlearning.org.uk.

In this podcast, our Head of Music and Performing Arts, Catherine Barker, highlights some excellent examples of Education with Character across the Group and discusses the benefits they are bringing to pupils. This includes the value of independent practice, group performance and professionalism for Goresbrook School's Big Band initiative, and the way AKS Lytham pupils are developing empathy and compassion through drama. Education with Character is a core principle of United Learning's Framework for Excellence. For more information about this, and our Music and Performing Arts work, please visit our website: www.unitedlearning.org.uk.

In this podcast, Shaun Dowling, the Group's Head of Sport, describes in more detail how Education with Character is delivered through PE and sport in our schools. From the way team games help develop collaboration, strategy, fair play and respect to the concept of 'personal best' and persevering through challenge, there are many strong examples from both the primary and secondary phases. Education with Character is a core principle of United Learning's Framework for Excellence. For more information, please visit our website: www.unitedlearning.org.uk.

In this podcast, United Learning's Head of Music and Performing Arts, Catherine Barker, discusses how our schools embed Education with Character within the arts curriculum. She introduces some of the opportunities and experiences we aim to give students – through the curriculum and beyond – that help to shape young people and how they see the world. Education with Character is a core principle of United Learning's Framework for Excellence. For more information about this, and our Music and Performing Arts work, please visit our website: www.unitedlearning.org.uk.

In this podcast, United Learning's Head of Sport Shaun Dowling explores the significant role of PE and school sport in delivering an Education with Character. He also explains the approach of our Group's common PE and sport curriculum and assessment model, which allows for pupils to excel at a range of character and leadership attributes as well as in pure skills-based physical ability. Education with Character is a core principle of United Learning's Framework for Excellence. For more information, please visit our website: www.unitedlearning.org.uk.

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee: In this podcast, we explore five key issues that we believe primary leaders should focus on in order to secure ongoing improvements and maintain strong pupil outcomes. For more information, to ask any questions or to suggest future topics, please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee: In this podcast, we look at the importance of pupil-focused learning in the Early Years. From your classroom layout to the role of the adult, we discuss how you can structure lessons in a way that enables children to best develop their own initiated play and activity and take that learning to the next stage. For more information or to suggest future topics, please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee: We briefly focus in on why the last three podcasts – School Development Planning, Lesson Coaching and Win-Win Conversations – are such useful tools for school leaders. For more information, to ask any questions or to suggest future topics, please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee: In this podcast, we explore Win-Win Conversations as a useful technique for facilitating difficult conversations between school colleagues that result in positive strategies and outcomes. For more information, to ask any questions or to suggest future topics, please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee: In this podcast, we present Lesson Coaching as a better alternative to traditional lesson observations. The practice is more manageable, more regular and more effective, giving every teacher the 1:1 CPD they deserve. For more information, to ask any questions or to suggest future topics, please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee: In this podcast, we explore how School Development Planning can best be used in primaries to drive continuous improvement, and how this differs from your SEF and Implementation Plan. Key areas of focus include where ownership lies, how to prioritise issues and evaluation. For more information, to ask any questions or to suggest future topics, please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.

As we begin our Primary Podcasts, our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee talks through the purpose behind the series. We hope that these will be useful for all primary staff - from NQTs and those looking to begin their career in teaching to senior leaders and primary heads. For those looking for more information about our Group, Darran also explains the key principles behind our Framework for Excellence, and a bit about what it means to be a United Learning primary school. For more information, to ask any questions or to suggest future topics for these podcasts, please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee: In this podcast, we explore whole-school strategies for improving the quality of teaching and learning. This includes getting an accurate picture of teaching quality and how leaders can support individual teachers to improve. For more information, to ask any questions or to suggest future topics, please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee: In this podcast, we look at the value and impact pupil talk can have on learning, and introduce two techniques which you can implement in any class to support this. For more information or to suggest future topics, please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee: In this podcast, we look at how teachers can improve behaviour by giving pupils simple, positive choices, and how this works in classroom practice. For more information or to suggest future topics, please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee: In this podcast, we look at how describing the behaviours you want to see from your pupils - rather than simply reinforcing negative ones - can help to create a calm, purposeful and happy learning environment. For more information or to suggest future topics, please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee: In this podcast, we look at the role of pupil progress meetings in schools and how progress and performance data can be analysed to set targeted support and interventions. For more information or to suggest future topics, please contact the Primary Team via dawn.lester@unitedlearning.org.uk.