Podcasts about Ofsted

Step into the squeaky blue plastic chairs of yesteryear as this episode of our 90s nostalgia podcast takes you back to the glorious chaos of British school life in the 1990s. From answering the register too early (a social death sentence) to the unspoken rules of the pencil case hierarchy, we're diving into the details that made school in the 90s an unforgettable blend of awkward, hilarious, and occasionally traumatic moments. We reminisce about the horror of forgetting your PE kit, the misery of lost property boxes that smelled like regret, and the quiet panic of mufti day wardrobe decisions. Whether you were the kid with a Woolworths multi-compartment pencil case or someone scribbling with a chewed-up biro, you'll recognise the everyday drama that came with trying to survive the playground and the classroom alike. Remember the reverence for Parker pens? Or the moment a TV trolley wheeled into the room, promising a blessed break from long division? From recorder lessons that sounded like a goose fight to the magical healing powers of green paper towels, we relive the bizarre, brilliant details of 90s school culture with the affection only time can bring. We also celebrate the rituals that shaped us – forging sick notes, jostling for seats on school trip coaches, pretending to understand blurry OHP slides, and typing “5318008” into calculators with absolute glee. These moments didn't just define our school days—they bonded a generation together in a uniquely British, mildly traumatising way. So whether you survived swimming lessons with chlorine-sensitive excuses or found yourself emotionally changed by a particularly stressful Ofsted visit, this episode is your invitation to laugh, cringe, and nod along. The 90s school experience was a world of chaos and camaraderie—and we wouldn't trade it for anything (except maybe to never play the recorder again). Talk2TheHand is an independent throwback podcast run by husband and wife, Jimmy and Beth. Obsessed with 90s nostalgia and 90s celebrities, we'll rewind the years and take you back to the greatest era of our lives.   New episodes bursting with nostalgia of the 90s released on Tuesdays. Please subscribe to our podcast and we'll keep you gooey in 1990s love. Find us on Twitter @talk2thehandpod or email us at jimmy@talk2thehand.co.uk or beth@talk2thehand.co.uk

In this episode, we focus on primary education, specifically design and technology education in the primary phase. Our guest in this episode is Senior Lecturer in Primary Education at St.Mary's University, Twickenham, Janine Pavlis. In recent years, we at the Design & Technology Association have seen significant growth in our primary membership categories, as schools (driven by Ofsted requirements) seek to broaden their curriculum offer to include design and technology across Key Stages One and Two. Our research suggests that the average primary teacher (and D&T Coordinator) is usually out of their depth in planning and delivering a subject that is often alien and unfamiliar to them. It should be remembered that primary teachers are asked to deliver a broad and diverse curriculum, of which D&T is only part of the picture. The majority of primary teachers in our research hold a humanities or English degree certificate, and for many, their last encounter with STEM-related topics was during their own school days.  Teacher training details now vary across establishments, but many teachers surveyed suggested that their D&T training during their PGCE training amounted to half a day or six hours at most. From this training, teachers are expected to read, understand, plan and deliver an exciting and engaging curriculum offer for their students. In this podcast, we discuss Janine's unusual journey to primary teaching, specifically her approach to delivering Design and Technology (D&T) to her students. We discuss how St.Mary's offer to postgraduate students is different, not just in its content, but also in its philosophy, and we also discuss how helpful (or otherwise) the STEM label is to the development and growth of D&T at the primary level. I loved delving into a sector that is doing so well with D&T delivery at the moment and speaking with an educator who is a true expert in the subject. So sit back, get those headphones on and listen to Designed for Life, in conversation with Janine Pavlis.  Janine's Website Bio: https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/staff-directory/janine-pavlisJanine's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/janine-pavlis123Some of the work that Janine is currently involved with:Roles & Contributions: - Advisor in Primary D&T  - Writer & EdD Researcher exploring primary teachers' lived experiences and     their motivation to teach - Reviewer for the D&T International Journal  - Committee Member of the Design and Technology Teacher Educator Group - Lead of the D&T Primary Teacher Educator Hub         - Lead researcher for the STEM Education and Research Hub at St Mary's                     UniversityCurrent Research Interests:    - The challenges in primary STEM education    - The intersection of motherhood and academia    - The future of D&T education in EnglandWith huge thanks to Arachne.digital, whose sponsorship makes this podcast possible. For a free consultation and assessment of your school's cybersecurity, contact https://www.arachne.digital/, mentioning Designed for Life

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are the Conservative peer and former Ofsted chief inspector Baroness Amanda Spielman, Labour MP and Defence Select Committee chair Tan Dheshi, the Liberal Democrats' Home Affairs spokesperson Lisa Smart and LBC's own Political Editor Natasha Clark.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey joins Iain in studio to take calls from LBC listeners.Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are the Conservative peer and former Ofsted chief inspector Baroness Amanda Spielman, Labour MP and Defence Select Committee chair Tan Dheshi, the Liberal Democrats' Home Affairs spokesperson Lisa Smart and LBC's own Political Editor Natasha Clark.Plus how did you deal with being diagnosed with a serious illness as a younger person?

Philippa Charles, Director of the DFN Charitable Foundation, leads a conversation on the Foundation's strategic philanthropic approach and its distinctive commitment to long-term, systems-level impact. With a background in leading one of the UK's major family foundations and now at the helm of DFN, she offers a compelling look at how deeply personal motivations can shape focused and effective grantmaking. The DFN Foundation operates across four thematic pillars: disability education, disability employment, myeloma cancer research, and conservation. These areas are not only strategic but are also rooted in the lived experiences and values of the Foundation's founding family. This grounding translates into a uniquely empathetic and effective model of philanthropy—one that combines substantial funding with strategic oversight and deep engagement with delivery partners. The episode explores how DFN supports systemic change in disability inclusion. Philippa discusses the success of Undershaw, a school for students with special educational needs that recently received an “Outstanding” rating from Ofsted, and the DFN Project SEARCH initiative, which has helped more than 3,000 young people with disabilities secure meaningful employment across over 200 corporate and public sector partners. These stories illustrate DFN's commitment not just to education and training but to shifting the broader landscape of opportunity for disabled individuals. A similarly strategic approach underpins the Foundation's investment in myeloma research. Through the Jacquelin Forbes Nixon Fellowship, DFN has supported a clinical trial at the Institute of Cancer Research that is producing transformative outcomes. Over 75% of participants remain in remission—a significant improvement over standard care—and the research now points toward wider clinical application and deeper exploration into treatment efficacy and patient outcomes. DFN's work extends beyond the UK, particularly in conservation. In Kenya, the Foundation supports the Pangolin Project, an initiative preserving 5,000 hectares of biodiverse forest and protecting the world's most trafficked and critically endangered mammal. The project embodies the Foundation's ability to balance localized impact with global relevance, and its philosophy of acting where there is both clear need and the opportunity for catalytic intervention. Throughout the discussion, Philippa reflects on the leadership demands of running a multifaceted family foundation. She shares how she is structuring her first year in the role by focusing on governance, partnerships, operational strategy, and long-term vision. Her insights offer a valuable roadmap for those leading or advising mission-driven organizations, especially those navigating the complexities of family philanthropy. The conversation concludes with a discussion of collaboration across the sector and the importance of peer networks among foundations. Philippa also speaks passionately about the transformative power of volunteering, not only as a form of civic engagement but as a professional and personal development tool. For those interested in strategic philanthropy, disability inclusion, evidence-based research funding, and conservation efforts with measurable impact, this episode provides a thoughtful and informative exploration of how one foundation is driving change across sectors—anchored in personal values, executed with professional discipline, and amplified through strategic partnerships. Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.  

In this episode… Mandy Richardson, owner of Naturally Learning nurseries in Cornwall, talks to us about how she created the Cornish Curriculum with her team. Mandy shares with us the details of her curriculum and some challenges along the way, including challenging Ofsted, practicalities of an outdoor nursery, defining what school readiness means to you, the ‘Cornish Connection', teaching diversity in a ‘non-diverse' area, authentic cultural representation and more…   Read Mandy's article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-cornish-curriculum/   This episode is sponsored by Funding Loop: Funding Loop automates the process for nurseries of collecting funding forms from parents and typing that information into council portals. Funding Loop is used by over 2000 nurseries including over 80% of the top 25 nursery chains in the UK including Busy Bees. To find out more visit: https://www.fundingloop.co.uk/home   Listen to more: If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: ·       Early years curriculum: Provision for 2-year-olds – Charlotte Norman: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-curriculum-provision-for-2-year-olds/ ·       It's not really about dinosaurs: What are children learning from your curriculum – Jan Dubiel: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-curriculum/ ·       What is an early years curriculum? Ruth Swailes & Jan Dubiel: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/what-is-an-early-years-curriculum/ ·       Enquiry led learning: A curious classroom – Stuart Cloke: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/enquiry-led-learning-a-curious-classroom/ ·       Education Durham curriculum project: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/projects/education-durham-project/ ·       Early years curriculum: Building sequences of learning – Paige Hutchinson: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-curriculum-building-sequences-of-learning/ ·       Early years curriculum: Building sequences of learning – Paige Hutchinson: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-curriculum-building-sequences-of-learning/   Get in touch and share your voice: Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/   Episode break down: 00:00 – Welcome! 02:00 – Naturally Learning settings in Cornwall 03:55 – The ‘Cornish Connection' 06:00 – Challenging Ofsted 07:45 – Where do we begin when structuring a curriculum? 10:00 – Inspiration from the Fibonacci sequence 12:00 – The 7 areas of the Cornish Curriculum 14:00 – What does school readiness mean to you? 16:00 – How can we be diverse in a ‘non-diverse' area? 18:00 – Authentic cultural representation 21:00 – Building the foundations of respect & curiosity 22:40 – Pedagogy or curriculum? 28:00 – Skills vs knowledge 31:00 – Practicalities of an outdoor nursery 32:50 – Risk assessing with children 35:00 – Risks that have been assessed For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

The Education Brief: Saturday 24 May 2025 - Top stories include:Teachers are set for a 4% pay rise from September.The STRB wants every school to publish a flexible working policy.The House of Lords is flooding the government's schools bill with amendments.Ofsted is quietly overhauling the toolkits behind its upcoming ‘report card' inspection system.This week's deep dive: The SEND System: Crisis, Reform, and the Path ForwardWe'll also tell you what's happening at HEP this week and what we've been watching, listening to, and reading!Watching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-25neDdO9kListening - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whats-in-the-curriculum-review-so-far/id1714972358?i=1000705810724Reading - https://www.suttontrust.com/our-research/the-opportunity-index/AI Tool - https://connectsafely.org/Music by Slo Pony

A group of travellers have won a landmark legal case against Medway Council to stay on a park and ride site.The families were given permission to stay on the land in Wigmore for three months from July 2023 is they paid a weekly fee, then were ordered to leave in the October.Reporter Davina Jethwa has been following the story and joins the podcast with all the details.Also in today's episode, a Maidstone drug dealer has been jailed after video was found of a manufacturing lab that was used to make tens of thousands of ecstasy pills.Video at KentOnline shows footage that was discovered on Jamie Stacey-Evans' phone.Leaders in Sevenoaks have been told their days in charge are numbered after nine Conservative councillors quit the party.They've formed a new group called West Kent Independents and the Tories no longer have overall control of the authority. Hear from the leader of the Lib Dems in the area.Inspectors have reported significant changes at a Kent school previously criticised for the number of fights and high levels of truancy.Ofsted have been back to Sandwich Technology School to check on safety, behaviour and attendance. Simon Sharples took over as headteacher in January and has been telling us about their success.A petition has been launched to protect five oak trees on the Hoo peninsula from a potential road widening scheme.It's feared developers behind plans for a new 760-home estate near High Halstow could chop down trees on Christmas Lane.Events are taking place in France to mark the 85th anniversary of one of the most incredible rescue missions during the Second World War.Privately owned Little Ships from England were used to collect Allied soldiers from beaches at Dunkirk in 1940. Reporter Gabriel Morris is in Dunkirk.And in sport, Ashford United's Gary Lockyer has collected the award for scoring the most goals in this season's FA Cup.The 32-year-old netted 10 during their campaign to the third qualifying round.

Episode 228: Three Lessons Learned from Three Years in Deputy HeadshipFor show notes, links, and a summary episode, sign up for the ⁠Hey! What You Reading For ⁠newsletter. Mondays at 7am BST - https://tdape.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠Click for tickets to TDaPE Conference Cymru ⁠ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-thinking-deeply-about-primary-education-conference-tickets-1295761139449In this episode of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Tom Oakley as he reflects on three years in deputy headship and the lessons that have shaped his thinking as a school leader.Across the episode, Tom explores what it means to support teachers through sustained change, manage growth in a dynamic school environment, and address the real (rather than ideal) needs of a school community. From navigating an Ofsted inspection to leading a growing school through difficult data and complex transitions, Tom shares the leadership insights forged in the realities of everyday school life.We discuss:The power of coaching in supporting teacher developmentDesigning and implementing a Wellbeing Curriculum from the ground upLessons learned about leadership, change management, and meeting context-specific challengesThe gap between what leaders want to happen and what actually needs to happenWhether you're an aspiring leader, new to senior leadership, or supporting leaders within your school, this is an honest, reflective conversation that bridges theory and the lived experience of leadership in primary schools.If you enjoy the episode, don't forget to leave a review, subscribe to the YouTube channel, or join the conversation on our Discord server.

This week we chat with Rachel Stephenson and Sue Lonsdale from Holme Valley Primary School in Scunthorpe. We discuss their recent Ofsted inspection and the development of their inspirational learning environments.Episode LinksFind out more about our Room Planning ServiceShop our Complete Classroom Solutions

What should I look for in a school?Are grammar schools really better than comprehensive?How important are Ofsted reports?In this episode, as another year of school applications approaches, I'm going to guide you through the complicated and confusing world of choosing a school for your kids, with the help of my super special guest Melanie Sanderson, Managing Editor at The Good Schools Guide.The Good Schools Guide has been the number one independent resource on UK schools since 1986, providing parents with unbiased information to help them research and pick the right education for their children.So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa and enjoy the conversation…Find Out More:The Good Schools Guide: https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/Mel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-sanderson-520305190/Highlights from this episode:02:20 - What is the Good Schools Guide?07:12 - Sharp-elbowed parents (and why you should avoid them)11:05 - Grammar schools16:24 - The number one piece of advice for parents…19:25 - Do Ofsted reports matter?23:45 - SATs25:28 - Preparing our 4 year olds for school31:31 - How to look for a school

The Education Brief: Saturday 10 May 2025 - Top stories include:Ofsted may delay its controversial school report card inspections until 2026.The government is shortening the postgraduate teaching apprenticeship from 12 to nine months.Funding for England's acclaimed maths hubs will drop by 20% this September.218 'stuck' schools will receive support from the newly expanded RISE teams.This week's deep dive: School Absence: What the past can teach the presentWe'll also tell you what's happening at HEP this week and what we've been watching, listening to, and reading!Watching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc6r8ZxJeigListening - https://uk.bettshow.com/edtech-unwrappedReading - https://www.isospartnership.com/blog/strengthening-professional-accountability-working-with-local-education-partnershipsAI Tool - https://www.anthropic.com/educationIfG Report link: https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/default/files/2025-04/School-absence-innovation-lessons-last-labour-government.pdfMusic by Slo Pony

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv UN judge Lydia Mugambe jailed for keeping housekeeper as slave Teaching union launches legal action against Ofsted Princess Charlotte photo released to mark 10th birthday Prince Harry tells BBC he wants reconciliation with Royal Family Henry Zeffman Seven things we have learnt from the election results Reform UK makes big gains in English local elections Labour MPs in despair at voters verdict on government Co op hackers stole significant amount of customer data Local elections 2025 Who won in my area M and S supplier back to pen and paper after cyber attack

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Henry Zeffman Seven things we have learnt from the election results Local elections 2025 Who won in my area Prince Harry tells BBC he wants reconciliation with Royal Family Labour MPs in despair at voters verdict on government Teaching union launches legal action against Ofsted M and S supplier back to pen and paper after cyber attack Co op hackers stole significant amount of customer data Princess Charlotte photo released to mark 10th birthday Reform UK makes big gains in English local elections UN judge Lydia Mugambe jailed for keeping housekeeper as slave

The Education Brief: Saturday 3 May 2025 - Top stories include:Trainee teacher numbers rise by 8%, with surges in STEM subjects like physics and computing.Education unions are taking the Teaching Regulation Agency to court.NAHT are taking Ofsted to court over its new inspection regime.Interim EHRC guidance ruled trans pupils must use toilets matching their biological sex.82% of school leaders report having children stuck in mainstream schools despite EHCPs mandating specialist provision.We'll also tell you what's happening at HEP this week and what we've been watching, listening to, and reading!Watching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sElN9Axzcm8Listening - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disciplinary-literacy-pedtech-and-flexible-working/id1516532537?i=1000704845843Reading - https://thinkingflexibly.com/2025/04/19/powerpoint-and-iwbs-its-time-to-reclaim-analogue-teaching/AI Tool - https://academy.openai.com/homeMusic by Slo Pony

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Henry Zeffman Seven things we have learnt from the election results Reform UK makes big gains in English local elections Teaching union launches legal action against Ofsted Labour MPs in despair at voters verdict on government Prince Harry tells BBC he wants reconciliation with Royal Family Co op hackers stole significant amount of customer data M and S supplier back to pen and paper after cyber attack Local elections 2025 Who won in my area UN judge Lydia Mugambe jailed for keeping housekeeper as slave Princess Charlotte photo released to mark 10th birthday

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv UN judge Lydia Mugambe jailed for keeping housekeeper as slave Labour MPs in despair at voters verdict on government Local elections 2025 Who won in my area Princess Charlotte photo released to mark 10th birthday Teaching union launches legal action against Ofsted Reform UK makes big gains in English local elections Prince Harry tells BBC he wants reconciliation with Royal Family M and S supplier back to pen and paper after cyber attack Co op hackers stole significant amount of customer data Henry Zeffman Seven things we have learnt from the election results

Julia Waters, the sister of Ruth Perry, sits down with Tom Rogers to discuss the latest with regards to OFSTED.  Julia Waters joins us to discuss the latest developments surrounding Ofsted's proposed inspection reforms and the emotional and professional toll the system continues to take on school leaders. Julia, who became a campaigner following the tragic death of her sister, headteacher Ruth Perry, shares candid reflections on the Department for Education's consultation process, her meetings with Ofsted Chief Inspector Martin Oliver, and the open letter calling for urgent reform. Julia challenges the logic of the proposed "report card" system, raises concerns about teacher well-being and accountability, and urges leaders to listen, act, and protect those at the heart of education.

Carl talks to guest Brian Lightman about the New Ofsted. The Ofsted consultation deadline is on Monday 28th April but an exciting new vision has been proposed by some of the country's leading educationalists. This show explores their recommendations with one of its authors and considers whether this is something the profession get really get behind.

Send us a textToday, we're chatting with Lizi, an ex primary school teacher who quit teaching and decided that she won't be sending her daughter to school. (Unless maybe if she asks to go in the future!!)  Stay tuned for some very fascinating insight into primary schools!  Here's a breakdown of the conversation: 01:12 - What was your experience of school as a child? 02:43 - What qualifications did you get to be able to teach? 03:33 - What got you into teaching? 05:04 - Did your dyslexia affect your teaching? 09:25 - Best and worst bits of teaching? 11:16 - How long were you a teacher? 12:00 - Thoughts on how much they can move? 12:50 - Screen time in schools 17:40 - How much time did they get outside? 19:55 - Socialisation! 25:30 - Thoughts on GCSE's 30:18 - Ofsted experiences 34:51 - How many children are in a class? 35:16 - Why did you quit teaching and choose to home educate? 37:42 - Would you let your daughter go to school? 40:12 - Are there any elements from school you'll incorporate into your home educating? 41:07 - Will you follow the curriculum? 42:15 - Thoughts on the children's wellbeing and schools bill? 49:40 - What does a rough week in your home ed life look like? 54:30 - How do you non judgmentally tell others about your choice to home educate? 1:04:30 - Any tips/advice?  NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay up-to-date on new episode releases, catch up on follow-ups from previous episodes, and enjoy a dash of chaotic rambling! Honey Should We Homeschool Newsletter GET IN TOUCH! As always, thank you so much for tuning in! If you have any further questions for us or Lizi get in touch via email at honeyshouldwehomeschool@hotmail.com, And don't forget to leave us a review if you've enjoyed the podcast. We can't wait to hear from you! See you next time! :) www.honeyshouldwehomeschool.com  Follow us on Instagram: @honeyshouldwehomeschool,Facebook: Honey Should We HomeschoolYouTube: Honey Should We Homeschool YouTube Making a podcast actually costs money (annoying, we know), and we don't do ads for mattresses (yet). But if you've ever laughed, nodded along, or shouted “YES!” at an episode, consider tossing a coin, no matter how small, to your podcasters! ♡ - https://buymeacoffee.com/honeyshouldwehomeschool

Shop workers in a Medway village say they've been left “traumatised” after a series of “shocking” attacks on the store.Staff at the newsagent in Hoo say they're suffering regular verbal abuse and have had display stands chucked at them and have even been threatened with acid.Also in today's podcast, an abusive man who assaulted his partner for almost two years and made her life an “absolute misery” has been jailed.The offences starting shortly after the pair met in July 2022 and included belittling the victim in front of her friends and family, constantly demanding to know her whereabouts and making insults about her appearance.A nursery has been rated ‘Inadequate' after Ofsted inspectors discovered staff were giving children medicine without the “required written permissions” from parents.The site on Romney Marsh was given the lowest grading possible after being visited by the government watchdog last month.Anger is mounting in Britain's smallest town as it remains shut off so repairs can be carried out on the mayor's house - despite work grinding to a halt last week.The only road through the town - a route used by thousands of motorists a day - was closed on April 7 for more than three months, leaving many facing travel misery.And in football you can hear from the Gillingham boss ahead of their final home game of the season. They're hosting Swindon Town and will be hoping to keep their ten game unbeaten run alive. 

Feeling a bit lost with the current Ofsted consultation (deadline April 28th)? Listen in for a friendly chat with Wendy Ratcliff and Caroline Hearn from Ofsted, where we break down the main points to help you feel clearer and ready to share your views. You can give your feedback on the consultation here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ofsted2025/

Welcome to HEP Talks: Roundtables, where we take the big questions in education to our member schools.In this second episode on Ofsted, we're diving into the recently proposed changes to the inspection framework—what they say, what they really mean, and whether they hit the mark.Joining us for this episode, we have:Jade-Simon Bacon, Headteacher at St Michael's C.E. Primary SchoolLucy Walker-Collins, Headteacher at Stroud Green Primary SchoolStephen McNicholas, Headteacher at St John Vianney Primary School and Our Lady of Muswell Catholic Primary SchoolJames Page, Chief Executive of HEPFran Hargrove, Deputy Chief Executive of HEPThe roundtable covers the rise of report cards and toolkits, and whether ‘exemplary' is just the new ‘outstanding' in disguise. Spoiler alert: it's complicated...

  This special episode addresses some deep topics, including the power of the decision maker, impartiality, belonging vs inclusion, the true opportunity for voice and representation, active participation and critical consumption of knowledge…as well as a Q&A from the early childhood community where Adam and Angelica unpick the show ‘Adolescence' and implications for safeguarding, including the new EYFS changes.  Get in touch with your thoughts, comments and topic/guest suggestions here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/  Find all of the links we mention in the episode, including book recommendations here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-power-of-the-decision-maker/  Episode break down: 00:00 – Welcome! 01:00 – A special episode! 04:00 – Why was ‘voice' so important in this startup? 08:00 – The power of the decision maker 13:00 – Decisions on what type of content is shared and consumed 14:50 – Impartiality, balance and challenging views 22:00 – Are there really equal opportunities for all voices to be shared? 25:00 – High quality content and pitching at the right ‘levels' 27:50 – Are everyone's voices really represented? 29:00 – Does everyone even want to share their voice? 30:00 – One single voice can enable and represent so many voices 32:00 – Learnings from bringing the sector together through CPD 35:00 – Going against the norm to enable participation 38:00 – Creating a community 39:00 – Feeling belonging and not just feeling included 42:00 – The power of in-person events and collaborative communities 43:45 – Ofsted actively participating in the TVOEC community 46:00 – Making Ofsted feel like they belong! 48:00 – The divisive nature of the education sector 51:00 – Q&A: Questions sent in from TVOEC's community 51:30 – Q: What are your top early years book recommendations? 55:30 – Q: Does the sector want to be brought together? 59:00 – Q: What is AI's place in early years? 01:00:00 – Q: What are your thoughts on the show ‘Adolescence'? 01:04:00 – New EYFS safeguarding changes 01:07:45 – How safe are our nurseries? – Is this propaganda by the BBC? 01:14:00 – What topics or guests would YOU like to hear? How to get in touch… For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

If you've been watching The White Lotus, you might be counting down the hours until the season three finale airs tonight. One of the themes central to this series has been female friendship, and it's left us wondering - is three a crowd? This dynamic plays out in the show between the trio of friends Jaclyn, Kate and Laurie, played by Michelle Monaghan, Leslie Bibb and Carrie Coon, who alternate between loving and loathing one another. So can friendships between three people work? TV critic Rachael Sigee and relationships writer at the Independent Olivia Petter join Nuala McGovern.An investigation for a documentary that will air on BBC1 NorthWest tonight by the BBC's Hayley Hassell asks: How safe are our nurseries? There have been almost 20,000 reports of serious childcare incidents in nurseries in England in the past five years, some with devastating outcomes. Nurseries are highly regulated, so how did some of them mislead Ofsted about their practices?Two years ago, Sudan was thrown into disarray when its army, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and a powerful paramilitary group called Rapid Support Forces, began a vicious struggle for power. The civil war, which continues to this day, has claimed more than 150,000 lives, displaced millions of people and plunged parts of the country into famine. Mass sexual violence has also been widely documented as a weapon of war. Hala al-Karib is a Sudanese activist and regional director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA). One of the BBC World Service's 100 Women 2024, she gives us the latest from Sudan.Conceiving Histories: Trying for Pregnancy, Past and Present is a blend of memoir and history, illustrated with over 100 original colour images. More than a decade in the making, its author, Dr Isabel Davis, talks about using frogs for pregnancy tests, phantom pregnancies and the brief fashion for looking pregnant even if you weren't.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Kirsty Starkey

The Education Brief: Saturday 5 April 2025 - Top stories include:Ofsted is considering renaming the proposed ‘secure' grade on its five-point school report cards.A new trial suggests AI could “revolutionise” how student writing is assessed.Bridget Phillipson has called for more male teachers to act as role models for boys.The cost of repairing England's crumbling school estate will exceed £13.8 billion.This week's deep dive: One City, Two WorldsWe'll also tell you what's happening at HEP this week and what we've been watching, listening to, and reading!Watching - https://news.sky.com/story/the-system-just-doesnt-work-more-children-than-ever-are-not-in-school-report-finds-with-more-than-11-million-lost-days-13331143Listening - https://freshedpodcast.com/paglayan/Reading - https://epi.org.uk/publications-and-research/children-missing-from-education/AI Tool - https://aicoursecreator.eskilled.io/Music by Slo Pony

Ben White's guest, headteacher and author Matt Evans, shares thought-provoking insights on how assessment shapes students' self-perception. He challenges the usefulness of ‘summative' and ‘formative' labels, arguing they can be misleading. They also explore future trends in schooling—why so many of us predict similar shifts—and take a sharp look at Ofsted's proposed new assessment system. Spoiler: it's probably not reliable enough for its intended purpose. Yet, despite all that, it's still wrapped up on an optimistic note—with Matt's favourite story.

The Education Brief: Saturday 29 March 2025 - Top stories include:The Schools Bill has ignited fierce debate between councils and academies over admissions.Oracy is now back in the spotlight of the national curriculum review.Ofsted's Sir Martyn Oliver has declared full support for headteachers who ban mobile phones.International schools are growing uneasy over the US government's rapid rollback of DEI policies.This week's deep dive: Haringey Racial Equity Conference 2025We'll also tell you what's happening at HEP this week and what we've been watching, listening to, and reading!Watching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8FPQKWxdXIListening - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-did-lockdown-impact-children/id267300884?i=1000699223582Reading - https://www.ippr.org/articles/who-is-losing-learning-solutionsAI Tool - https://manus.im/loginMusic by Slo Pony

Tom Rogers talks to Pepe Di'Lasio, the general secretary of the ASCL, for an insight into most recent discussions within the union on recent and impending changes at OFSTED. 

Carl Smith talks to former inspector and ASCL General Secretary, Brian Lightman about the latest proposals to reform Ofsted. Brian has some brilliant insights and really helpful suggestions for a way forward after the consultation.

The Education Brief: Saturday 1 March 2025 - Top stories include: Ofsted is set to trial its proposed new inspection framework with visits to around 240 schools. New analysis reveals that CEO pay at the largest multi-academy trusts continues to rise. Teachers in four Haringey secondary schools have gone on strike over plans to raise class sizes. The 750 schools that will take part in a pilot offering free breakfast clubs have been announced.This week's deep dive:  Your round-up of education updatesWe'll also tell you what's happening at HEP this week and what we've been watching, listening to, and reading!Watching - https://steplab.co/watch/great-teaching-unpacked-episode-1-harnessing-attentionListening - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3RKzI8HvcHtVDzkrwDVdFsReading - https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/what-do-the-latest-policy-changes-mean-for-governors/AI Tool - https://teacherbot.io/Music by Slo Pony

Plans to change the way schools in England will be inspected were unveiled by Ofsted earlier this month. These would see schools graded on a five-step scale across a wider range of individual areas – from ‘exemplary' to ‘causing concern', with a separate assessment of whether safeguarding standards are met.Here, NAHT's general secretary Paul Whiteman and assistant general secretary James Bowen address some of the issues the proposals raise – from ‘monitoring', ‘sub-judgements' and ‘stuck schools' to the realities of a traffic-light system and the lack of quantitative questions in Ofsted's consultation.NAHT believes the plans would replicate the worst aspects of the current system while doing little to reduce the pressure school leaders are under, and there's a way to provide clearer information for parents and schools without resorting to grades.Ofsted's consultation is open until 28 April 2025. See NAHT's guidance for NAHT members on completing Ofsted's consultation.  For more education news and debate, join us on Facebook, LinkedIn, BlueSky or X.

The Education Brief: Saturday 15 February 2025 - Top stories include: Ofsted reports marks down for behaviour have halved since Covid, but teachers disagree. Teach First has announced James Toop as its new CEO. 60% of academy trust CEOs say new reforms would have no impact on their schools. Government minutes reveal a heated exchange between Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh.This week's deep dive:  Haringey Governor Conference 2025We'll also tell you what's happening at HEP this week and what we've been watching, listening to, and reading!Watching - https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/live-lessons/articles/zm9vwsgListening - https://www.ted.com/talks/rethinking_with_adam_grant_sam_altman_on_the_future_of_ai_and_humanityReading - https://schoolsweek.co.uk/its-time-to-finally-put-re-in-the-national-curriculum-where-it-belongs/AI Tool - https://klingai.com/Music by Slo Pony

On The News Quiz this week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Ayesha Hazarika, Susie McCabe, Geoff Norcott and Pierre Novellie to discuss Britain's attempts to court the US and the EU, Trump's tariff turmoil, new report cards from Ofsted, and Starmer's uncovered voice coaching.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Jade Gebbie, Alex Kealy, Christina Riggs and Stuart McPherson. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4 An Eco-Audio certified Production.

This episode is sponsored by Funding Loop: Funding Loop automates the process for nurseries of collecting funding forms from parents and typing that information into council portals. Funding Loop is used by over 2000 nurseries including over 80% of the top 25 nursery chains in the UK including Busy Bees. To find out more visit: https://www.fundingloop.co.uk/home   Rachael Webster problematises the English Government's campaign for early childhood professionals, namely the advert: Do something big, work with small children…Rachael highlights the complexity, impact and importance of the early childhood profession, discussing ways in which we can shift perspectives and recognise the vital role of educators. Read Rachael's article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/do-something-big-changing-the-narrative-around-working-with-small-children/ Episode break down: 00:00 – Government advert: Setting the scene 04:00 – The intent is right, but the delivery is questionable… 07:00 – How society sees the early childhood sector 10:00 – Parents' view of the early childhood sector 13:00 – Education vs early childhood provision 16:00 – Highly feminised job roles 20:00 – Consumer based economy 21:20 – What can we do to change these narratives? 23:00 – Advocacy and lobbying government 25:00 – A desperation for staff 27:00 – What would be the alternative to this advert? 33:40 – The challenges of advertising to women 37:00 – The need for aspirational advertising campaigns 39:00 – The view of educators as glorified babysitters For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

Have you seen the recent announcements from Ofsted and the government that explain how schools will be judged in the future?The general consensus is in...... It's not good.Join us as we chat about it and much more in this weeks episode!Isnta: https://www.instagram.com/teachsleeprepeatpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@teachsleeprepeatpodcast

The Education Brief:Saturday 8 February 2025 - Top stories include:Academy trusts are under growing financial pressure.The government is investing £2 million in a new “writing framework” and literacy training.The Education Secretary has voiced concerns over the growing number of parental complaints.School leaders have slammed the government's new intervention plans for “stuck schools.”This week's deep dive: Improving the way Ofsted inspects educationWe'll also tell you what's happening at HEP this week and what we've been watching, listening to, and reading!Watching -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsXlEwh8VKkListening -https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/will-the-debate-over-vocational-and/id1591570847?i=1000684947421Reading -https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/40-years-of-bett-uk-how-ai-is-shaping-the-next-era-of-education/AI Tool -https://www.deepseek.com/Music by Slo Pony

Gráinne's back! Here to unpack more great data from Teacher Tapp. We explore what teachers really think about what would make an adequate Ofsted inspection, and what challenges surprised people when starting the profession.

This episode looks at the opportunities and risks presented by the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. We speak to three experts who are working in schools to develop AI in effective and safe ways. We kick off the discussion by asking our panel to list what they consider to be the three biggest benefits of AI in schools and the three biggest risks/threats. We then look at whole-school AI strategy and policy. What does a good AI strategy look like and what elements need to be included in a school's AI policy? What does effective staff training look like? How should education around AI be fed into the curriculum? What kind of “rules” need to be in place? And what does Ofsted have to say about AI? We also talk AI in the classroom. How might teachers use AI in their lesson-planning and resource-creation? We discuss a number of ideas for using AI to create resources/plan lessons. Also, what risks should teachers be aware of when using AI? What pitfalls do teachers need to avoid? We talk about diversity in resource-creation, the pitfalls of prompt engineering, and data protection. We name drop a few resources that our panel are using with success, and we end the podcast with their biggest “lessons learned” so far and their final reflections.

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Bill Gates says he has given away billions, but has more to give Joel Le Scouarnec France readies itself for child abuse trial of former surgeon Battle lines drawn over monstrous pylons and solar farm wastelands School heads clash with Ofsted over new report cards Grammys red carpet and pre ceremony in pictures Newspaper headlines Vlads drone kills Brit boy and fears of global trade war Snake Pass Could famous driving road close to cars Starmer first UK PM to join EU leaders meeting post Brexit Trump tariffs booed in Canada as Trudeau calls for national unity Grammys ceremony opens with tribute to Los Angeles

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Grammys ceremony opens with tribute to Los Angeles Snake Pass Could famous driving road close to cars School heads clash with Ofsted over new report cards Bill Gates says he has given away billions, but has more to give Trump tariffs booed in Canada as Trudeau calls for national unity Starmer first UK PM to join EU leaders meeting post Brexit Newspaper headlines Vlads drone kills Brit boy and fears of global trade war Joel Le Scouarnec France readies itself for child abuse trial of former surgeon Battle lines drawn over monstrous pylons and solar farm wastelands Grammys red carpet and pre ceremony in pictures

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv School heads clash with Ofsted over new report cards Newspaper headlines Vlads drone kills Brit boy and fears of global trade war Snake Pass Could famous driving road close to cars Grammys ceremony opens with tribute to Los Angeles Grammys red carpet and pre ceremony in pictures Trump tariffs booed in Canada as Trudeau calls for national unity Joel Le Scouarnec France readies itself for child abuse trial of former surgeon Battle lines drawn over monstrous pylons and solar farm wastelands Bill Gates says he has given away billions, but has more to give Starmer first UK PM to join EU leaders meeting post Brexit

President Trump has agreed to pause the imposition of tariffs on Mexico and Canada by a month, in return for increased efforts to stop drug trafficking into the US. We ask whether President Trump is winning a trade war - and what lies behind his decision.Also tonight:The sister of Ruth Perry - the headteacher whose suicide prompted changes to Ofsted's school grading system - gives us her view on the proposed new system.And a pub scores an own goal by offering free pints for all seven goals Nottingham Forest scored at the weekend.

Tom Rogers is joined by Rob Bruce of the Leadership Skills Foundation and Phil Wood, Professor of Education at Nottingham Trent University. They discuss todays announcements regarding changes to OFSTED inspections. They look at the new OFSTED 'report card' in detail, including the new areas to be assessed and how inspections might work with regards to these, including the 5 point sliding scale from cause for concern to exemplary. What are the possible pitfalls of this new system? Are there any positives? Listen to find out! 

Canadians booing the American national anthem at sports matches, shops removing American made products from their shelves...how many enemies is Donald Trump prepared to make with his trade tariffs? The Mexican president and Trump have already agreed to postpone the tariffs by one month following a "good conversation". Is anyone really prepared to fight the bully tactics?Later, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson tells us why she thinks Michael Gove is being hyperbolic about her changes to education. Will the Ofsted reforms really help parents? And why is she rolling back changes that the Tories say worked?Tickets to The News Agents Live On Stage with HSBC UK are now on sale! You can get your tickets for Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh here: https://articles.globalplayer.com/7giHoMavXLgdrd6gaC3GxWG7T8Editor: Tom HughesExecutive Producer: Louis DegenhardtProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalDigital Journalist: Michael BaggsYou can watch Lewis's special report on the abortion crisis in America here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df5BCL0ocFEDon't forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:https://linktr.ee/thenewsagentsThe News Agents USA now have merch! Click here to buy yours now: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agentsThe News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

The Education Brief: Saturday 1 February 2025 - Top stories include: Schools are becoming a vital safety net for struggling families. Exam board Pearson has been fined £250,000 pounds after it breached confidentiality rules. Whistleblowers have slammed Ofsted's planned report cards as “rushed and botched.” Per-pupil school funding will rise by 1.2 per cent after inflation, which won't keep up with costs. This week's deep dive:  Preparing for Breakfast Clubs We'll also tell you what's happening at HEP this week and what we've been watching, listening to, and reading! Watching - https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/articles/zpph9ty Listening - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2kWB7NJD4QvOwAbNsByHly Reading - https://snacks.pepsmccrea.com/p/assume-the-worst AI Tool - https://labs.thenational.academy/ Music by Slo Pony

In this episode, Guy Claxton takes us beyond simplified conceptions of the learning sciences and explains why teachers are sometimes vulnerable to fads and trends. "We undersell ourselves as educators, educating young people for the future and for life, if we lazily assume that all we mean by learning is the kind of thing that leads to good grades in schools." Guy shares his hopes as an educator – to help young people develop beyond just the periodic table, the Tudors and examination technique, and cultivate something of more lasting value. He hopes to design a classroom culture that isn't solely defined by Ofsted, GCSEs or A-level results, probing at the question: what are you teaching? What are you teaching for? Full show notes and transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2025/jan/asking-awkward-questions-staffroom-s05e01

The Education Brief: Saturday 18 January 2025 - Top stories include: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson spoke in front of the Education Committee. The Confederation of School Trusts raised concerns over the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Sir Kevan Collins has been named lead non-executive board member for the DfE. A new report from Headrest calls trust in Ofsted "almost irrecoverable." The £10 million behaviour hubs programme, launched in 2021, will end in March. This week's deep dive:  The HEP Inclusion and SEND Conference 2025 We'll also tell you what's happening at HEP this week and what we've been watching, listening to, and reading! Watching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnzmrFsBLO0 Listening - https://open.spotify.com/show/55VZfVNogPJRgarLDv9TDn Reading - https://www.aft.org/ae/summer2018/willingham AI Tool - https://smartdraftr.ai/ Music by Slo Pony

The Education Brief: Saturday 11 January 2025 - Top stories include: IFS warns rising SEND costs are set to devour any potential school savings. The NEU is launching an indicative strike ballot over the government's proposed teacher pay rise. Ofsted chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver talked with the Education Select Committee about report cards, SEND, and the Ofsted complaints process. Labour has scrapped funding for computing hubs and scaled back language hubs. This week's deep dive:  The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill We'll also tell you what's happening at HEP this week and what we've been watching, listening to, and reading! Watching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW3PBLqA87A Listening - https://schoolsweek.co.uk/podcast-john-dickens-interviews-sir-kevan-collins/ Reading - https://www.waterstones.com/book/failed-state/sam-freedman/9781035026609 AI Tool - https://labs.google/fx/tools/image-fx Music by Slo Pony

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with the headmistress of the Michaela Community School, Katharine Birbalsingh. They discuss the importance of K-12 education, why it matters more than the universities in regard to the formation of thinking minds, how children can pursue both excellence and a life of dignity, and why strictness, absent tyranny, is the best form of education. Katharine Birbalsingh is Headmistress and co-founder of Michaela Community School and former Chair of the Social Mobility Commission. She is known as “Britain's Strictest Headmistress”, following the ITV documentary about Michaela. Michaela's Progress 8 score placed the school top in the country the last two years. In 2023, OFSTED graded the school as “Outstanding” in every category. Birbalsingh read “Philosophy & Modern Languages” at the University of Oxford and has always taught in inner London. She has made numerous appearances on television, radio, and podcasts and has written for several publications. Birbalsingh has also written two books and edited another two, the last of which is “The Power of Culture,” which is about Michaela.  Birbalsingh was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2020 and Honorary Fellow of New College, Oxford in 2021. This episode was recorded on June 15th, 2024  - Links - For Katharine Birbalsingh: On X https://x.com/miss_snuffy Documentary on the Michaela school  www.strictestheadmistress.com Website for the Michaela Community school in Wembley, London. Here you can sign up for a visit www.michaela.education