Can we trust Ofsted school gradings? Our 145th interview is with, Tom Rogers, a history teacher, director of Edudate, Teachers Talk Radio and TeachMeetIcons. Listen to the podcast (38 minutes) https://www.teachertoolkit.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Podcast-146.-Tom-Rogers.mp3 In this podcast, listen to Tom and Teacher Toolkit founder, Ross McGill discuss: How Edudate was created? Online dating for teachers and Safety in online dating Learn more about Teachers Talk Radio; which has almost one million downloads! What does toxicity across education look like? How can teachers protect themselves in toxic education environments? The need for more classroom teachers Ofsted’s blindspots and the highs and lows of EduTwitter!   Watch the conversation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wik_4LPD-oI We need more classroom teachers than school leaders; why are we promoting people so quickly ... You can connect with Tom on Twitter.

How does learning happen? Our 144th interview is with Dr Paul Kirschner, an international speaker and researcher, and emeritus professor of educational psychology at the Open University of the Netherlands and guest professor at Thomas More University of applied science in Belgium. Listen to the podcast (44 minutes) https://www.teachertoolkit.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Podcast-147.-Paul-Kirschner.mp3 In this podcast, listen to Paul and Teacher Toolkit founder, Ross McGill discuss: Key moments in Paul’s life, and his prolific research! The motivation behind writing the book ‘How Teaching Happens’ Why cognitive load theory and Rosenshine’s principles are so popular The dangers of simplifying and mistranslating research Methods to avoid treating teaching principles as a checklist Important aspects of instructional design and collaborative learning, and, How can teachers help students improve their ability to learn collaboratively. You can learn more about Paul on his website. and discover some important research in his books: * How Learning Happens * How Teaching Happens

How can teachers help improve student outcomes through reading? Our 143rd interview is with Ruth Everett, an English teacher for almost 40 years who supports senior leaders and colleagues to help student outcomes in reading. Listen to the podcast (32 minutes) https://www.teachertoolkit.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Podcast-144.-Ruth-Everett.mp3 In this podcast, listen to Ruth and Teacher Toolkit host, Libby Isaac discuss: * The importance of reading out loud to children * Academic languages for different subjects * The challenge Scientific words pose to non-fluent readers * Methods to teach children how to read * Fluency Strands and how to observe them * The positive impact of making mistakes in front of students. We would fight at 'bedtime' to read to our children. Those who have that rich start at home, early intervention, they have a foot in the right direction - the Matthew Effect.

What if schools in Wales extended the teaching day for pupils? In our 142nd podcast, podcast host Libby Isaac discusses the Welsh timetable trial with Nathan Glynn. Listen to this podcast (20 minutes) https://www.teachertoolkit.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Podcast-142.-Nathan-Glynn.mp3 In this podcast, listen to Nathan and Teacher Toolkit podcaster, Libby discuss: * The extended school day pilot in Wales will see over 1,800 learners in 13 schools and one college * Students will benefit from five extra hours over a 10-week period. * What has been the reaction to this trial with teachers in Wales? * What are the positives and negatives of extending the school day? * How will it impact teacher wellbeing and students? The concept is to put more "lovely experiences" back into the lives of pupils, particularly a focus on the disadvantaged.  

Our 140th interview is with Dr Andrew Curran, a paediatric neurologist and speaker for teacher CPD; focused on studying brain health and psycho-emotional health. In this podcast, listen to Andrew and Teacher Toolkit podcaster Libby discuss: Key components of the brain and the neurochemicals that optimise learning The importance of creating an emotional bond with each student What is attachment theory, and how does someone learn? The effects of dopamine on the adolescent brain, and How teachers can create learning-enhancing relationships with their students. The joy of neurobiology is not political, pedagogical, gender or religiously related. It's just cells of communication to make connections to store data. It bypasses all of these 'outer-skin' ideals. What teachers need to do is impart knowledge neurobiologically ... Thanks for listening!

Our 139th interview is with Dr Victoria Carr, head teacher of a primary school in England; author and British army reserve officer. In this podcast, listen to Vic and Teacher Toolkit founder, Ross McGill discuss: What it's like to train to be a British army reserve officer What called Vic to write the new book 'Leading with Love' The kindness teachers can show students Vic's route into teaching and they approached writing their book Methods to build self-confidence and the challenges teacher and head teachers face in the current education climate. Vic says: "Other adults investing in me was crucial, which began a direction of travel for me. I applied to be a teacher and joined the RAF simultaneously, and I became a teacher ... "