Burdensome workload is the constant cry of teachers, and marking is so often front and centre of the tasks which weigh us down. Why are we still so obsessed with written feedback? Is it really for the students? Or is it about accountability and box ticking?

Teachers have a lot to manage; lessons, students, emotions. But here’s the question: do those emotions slip into the way they speak? And could changing that change everything? In this show, Seema sits down with Silke Paulmann, Executive Dean at the University of Essex to unpack the powerful link between voice, communication, and emotion in the classroom.

In this month's show, Matt is joined by John Dolman. With over 25 years of experience teaching English and Media, John has been diving deep into how AI can be used thoughtfully in education. They explore what AI can actually do for English teachers, what it can’t, and why it’s not about replacing the teacher but supporting the craft. Expect honest chat, practical ideas, and some myth-busting along the way. If you’ve been curious, cautious or completely confused about AI in your classroom, this one’s worth a listen.

In this reflective show, Famida Choudhary and Aaron Regan explore how metacognitive strategies and Thinking Routines can transform reading comprehension. Together, they discuss how students develop awareness of what strategies work best for them, how they can transfer these approaches across contexts, and how teachers can foster a culture of reflection and independent thinking in the classroom. Packed with real classroom insights, practical applications, and thoughtful anecdotes, this show shines a light on how “thinking about thinking” builds empowered, lifelong readers.

Another exciting one off special show for you! Nathan Gynn is joined by James Handscombe to explore all things curiosity in learning, the topic of his new book "Cabinet of Curiosity - Creating a Superpower". "Curiosity is a superpower: the more curious you are, the more questions you ask, the more answers you get, the more you know, and the more that further stimulates curiosity. The pay-off is both the knowledge that is acquired(and knowledge, of course, is power) - and that virtuous circle. Unfortunately, schools, qualifications and curricula are not always set up to encourage curiosity (and there are ways in which they actually discourage it). The book covers some of the challenges encountered in trying to teach curiosity together with outlining a course that the author has designed and used to kick start that cycle of questioning" Get your copy of the book here: https://www.hachettelearning.com/teaching-strategies/cabinet-of-curiosity

Join the panel of Lucy Trimnell, Rae Whitehouse, Yasmin Omar and Carl Smith as they discuss this weeks speech by MP Rupert Lowe where he suggested that parents should have the right to take their children out of school during term-time for a limited number of days.

Darren talks about the importance of festivals and teaching their origins before moving onto the main topic of his show - Why wellbeing isn't about removing the negative but is about amplifying the positive.

We talk about if half-term is genuinely a reset. 

Join us for this one off special hosted by Huma Mirza and Khanh Duc Kuttig as they explore the new book - "Introduction to Teaching: Making Teacher Training Work" Barnaby Lenon and Tracey Smith have teamed up to give new teachers a great introduction into training for their career. Combining their expertise and years of experience, together they explore the basics of teacher training in England, how best to prep for training, assessment, behaviour management, subject knowledge and structuring lessons while also covering topics such as trends and measuring success.

How is generative AI changing what we think of as writing? It could be said that what is happening to writing right now due to AI is a fundamental shift in the definition of the writer and the process of writing. This is characterised by significant practical benefits and profound ethical and existential anxieties.

Ben White is joined by teacher and writer Martin Griffin for a role-reversal episode, with Martin leading the questions and Ben in the interviewee’s chair. Together, they explore Ben’s story, what drives his work in schools, and what he’s learned over his career. The conversation turns to the rise of AI in education—why a large minority of students say they hate it, what lies behind their concerns—and then gets practical: responding to specific questions about which uses are condoned (for staff and/or students), what we should teach staff, students and parents about AI, and how teachers can handle the challenges it poses for genuine independent learning, especially around homework.

Christopher talks with global #MeToo advocate and Palo Alto School Board trustee Rowena Chiu about her experience as a Harvey Weinstein survivor, the politicisation of US education, and the work of US School Boards.

Darren talks about the phenomenon of teachers discussing their "quitting stories" on TikTok and asks where the line is between owning your personal story and creating a positive impresson of the profession.

In this special show, host Nathan Gynn speaks with Grant Hoyle, William Spencer and Rebecca Taylor about The Programme of Humanitarian Education - an inspiring initiative from the British Red Cross that helps young people understand the human stories behind global crises. From conflict and migration to climate adaptation and first aid, the conversation explores how schools can empower students to act with empathy, resilience, and confidence in an increasingly complex world. Nathan and his guests discuss how this long-standing humanitarian movement continues to stay relevant, how educators can embed these vital topics into their classrooms, and why developing future generations of humanitarians has never been more important.

Claire and Beejesh discuss whether being 'evidence informed' is possible when it comes to special educational needs. 

In this solo show , Famida Choudhary dives into how data-informed teaching can truly transform reading instruction. Through stories, reflection, and classroom anecdotes, she explores how numbers and narratives work hand in hand to build confident, curious readers. From listening to children read aloud to interpreting progress patterns, this episode highlights the human side of data — where every insight becomes a step toward literacy growth that counts.

The Points of View panel discuss a new Channel 4 report that claims Scotland has Britain’s highest rate of violent injuries to school staff, based on reports to the safety watchdog. They include fractures, dislocations and even loss of consciousness, with the number of incidents logged at Scottish schools trebling in a decade. Teachers, many speaking for the first time, told Channel 4 News’ FactCheck team how assaults had left them with bleeding legs or broken toes. Panel: Rae Whitehouse, Lucy Trimnell, Yasmin Omar, Liz Webb. 

Timea sat down with Faye Mitcham, Head of Accessibility Services at LCCA, and Emma Buhtina, head of Student Support at Regent College London to discuss the role, current state and future of student support in higher education, showcasing examples and practical tools.

MOOCs hit their stride with the Year of the MOOC in 2012 but seem to have fallen out of favour lately. Darren discusses why they should still be seen as a good resource for CPD.

The government's plan for a Year 8 reading test has sparked debate across schools - but what does it actually mean for us in the classroom? In this show we unpack the thinking behind the proposal, explore the implications for teaching and workload and ask whether testing actually tackles the literacy gap - or just measures it.  Hear from a current Head of English to discuss how to keep reading for pleasure and reading for progress at the heart of what we do.  Listen, reflect and join the conversation about the future of reading in our schools.