In this special episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Doug Lemov, author of Teach Like a Champion, to explore the foundations of great teaching, the evolution of his thinking, and what truly drives school improvement.We unpack:✅ What effective teaching and learning actually look like✅ The best ways to develop teachers and improve schools✅ Balancing structure with teacher autonomy✅ Common misconceptions about TLAC✅ Insights from his new book on the science of reading✅ Global lessons on what makes teaching greatWhether you're a teacher, leader, or edu-geek, this is essential listening.

In this episode, I sit down with Jamie Clark the educator and author behind of the most widely-used one-pagers in schools today. We explore how these concise, research-informed guides are transforming both classroom practice and professional learning.🧠 Topics we unpack include:✅ Research informed practices ✅ How schools are using one-pagers to support CPD and improve consistency✅ Cognitive science and memory✅ Tips for designing your own effective one-pagers✅ Common misconceptions and how to overcome them

In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities and opportunities of trust-wide CPD with Sam Gibbs an experienced leader shaping development across a multi-academy trust. We explore:✅ What defines high-quality CPD at scale✅ Balancing consistency with contextual relevance✅ Supporting both ECTs and experienced staff✅ What works: coaching, mentoring, lesson study & more✅ Designing sustained, iterative, and evidence-informed CPD✅ Measuring impact and responding to feedback✅ Building a culture of continuous learning✅ Leadership lessons and practical advice for those setting up CPD across schoolsWhether you’re a school leader, CPD lead, or educator passionate about teacher growth, this episode is packed with insight.

I’m joined by the inspiring Haili Hughes—teacher, author, and expert in mentoring and professional learning—for a rich conversation that blends authenticity, research, and practical wisdom. Across the episodes, we explore:✨ Why authenticity is at the heart of impactful teaching🎯 The key ingredients that make teaching and learning truly effective🏗️ How to build a strong, positive school culture🎓 The role of teacher agency and how leaders can empower it📚 What effective professional development looks like in practice🔍 Why subject-specific CPD is non-negotiable—and how to find time for it🌱 How to mentor Early Career Teachers (ECTs) with care, structure, and impact🚀 Advice for leaders starting out in new schools or trusts💬 And Haili’s inspiring final message to educators at every stage of their journey Whether you’re a teacher, mentor, or school leader, this series is packed with practical insights and uplifting encouragement to help you grow and lead with purpose. 🎧 Tune in and let us know your takeaways—this is one for every educator's playlist. #HailiHughes #AuthenticTeaching #TeacherCPD #MentoringECTs #EducationLeadership #SubjectSpecificCPD #TeacherAgency #SchoolCulture #InstructionalLeadership #EduPodcast #ProfessionalLearning #EducationMatters

I’m joined by the brilliant Sam Crome to explore what it really takes to build, lead, and sustain high-performing teams in schools. From pastoral teams to senior leadership and multi-school networks, Sam shares a wealth of experience and practical strategies for creating strong, collaborative cultures that drive school success. Across the series, we explore:🤝 How to get the most out of pastoral teams and support a culture of care🌟 The key qualities that define high-performing teams—and how leaders can develop them🚀 Practical advice for middle and senior leaders to boost team performance and collaboration🏫 How to lead effectively at scale—across trusts, clusters, or multi-school settings🎯 Strategies for building team alignment, belonging, and shared purpose⚙️ How to manage team dynamics and ensure operational efficiency over time Whether you're leading a department, part of SLT, or working across multiple schools, this series is full of actionable insights to help you build resilient, purpose-driven teams that make a real impact. 🎧 Tune in, take notes, and let us know your reflections! #SamCrome #HighPerformingTeams #SchoolLeadership #PastoralLeadership #SLT #TrustLeadership #TeamCulture #TeacherCPD #LeadershipDevelopment #SchoolImprovement #EduPodcast #TeamworkInSchools

I’m joined by the brilliant Adam Robbin, author of Middle Leadership Mastery, to explore what it truly takes to thrive as a middle leader in education. Whether you're new to middle leadership, navigating a new school, or seeking to grow in your role, this series is packed with actionable strategies, honest reflections, and expert guidance. Together, we explore:📚 Why Adam wrote Middle Leadership Mastery and how it supports real leadership growth📝 What effective assessment leadership looks like📋 How middle leaders can drive curriculum and quality assurance with purpose🏫 Tips for building a strong culture, especially when promoted internally or starting fresh⚙️ How to support underperforming staff, lead meaningful change, and foster a culture of continuous improvement🤝 Navigating relationships — from managing up to handling tricky dynamics with your line manager🌿 Prioritising wellbeing and managing workload for yourself and your team💡 And how to make departmental meetings more impactful and collaborative This is essential listening for current and aspiring middle leaders who want to lead with clarity, confidence, and care. 🎧 Tune in to the full series and let us know your key takeaways! #AdamRobbin #MiddleLeadership #CurriculumLeadership #AssessmentMatters #QualityAssurance #InstructionalLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #TeacherCPD #SchoolImprovement #EducationalLeadership #EduPodcast #LeadingWithImpact

I’m joined by the brilliant Marzan to explore what really drives effective teaching, learning, and school leadership. From the classroom to the leadership office, Marzan shares practical wisdom and research-informed strategies for educators at every level. Together, we unpack:📚 What effective teaching and learning actually look like in practice🏫 How to shift school culture and develop lasting, positive habits🌍 What meaningful professional development looks like—especially in international contexts🧭 How leaders can navigate challenges and lead schools toward real, sustainable success Each episode is filled with actionable advice, honest reflections, and a clear focus on impact and growth. Whether you’re a teacher, middle leader, or senior leader, this interview offers valuable guidance to elevate your practice and transform your school. 🎧 Tune in, reflect, and lead with purpose. #Marzan #EffectiveTeaching #SchoolCulture #InstructionalLeadership #InternationalEducation #ProfessionalDevelopment #TeacherCPD #SchoolImprovement #LeadershipMatters #EducationPodcast #TeachingAndLearning

This inspiring interview features the incredible Kate Jones — teacher, author, consultant, and international thought leader — as we explore what it truly means to bridge research and practice in today’s classrooms. We delve into:🔍 How teachers can meaningfully engage with research🖊️ Kate’s journey as an education author and advocate for evidence-informed practice🧠 Everything you need to know about retrieval practice — from its foundations to its “lethal mutations”✅ Practical, research-aligned strategies for formative assessment and feedback📚 Insights for primary practitioners, early career teachers, and school leaders alike🌍 Key reflections from the pandemic, and how we can build back with wisdom👩🏽‍🏫 Equity, inclusion, and what it means to support women in education — from pregnancy to perimenopause💬 Honest discussions around context, coherence, and challenge in school improvement📘 And powerful takeaways from her books, including The Teaching Life and Smashing Glass Ceilings This isn’t just a conversation about pedagogy—it’s a conversation about purpose. Each episode offers tangible tools, thoughtful provocations, and deeply human insights for educators at every stage of their journey. 🎧 Tune in and reflect. Whether you're in the classroom, leading a team, or shaping policy, you’ll walk away empowered and inspired. #KateJones #RetrievalPractice #EvidenceInformedPractice #FeedbackThatWorks #WomenInEducation #FormativeAssessment #EducationLeadership #PrimaryTeaching #TeacherWellbeing #EquityInEducation #TeacherCPD #TeachingAndLearning #PodcastSeries #EduPodcast

This week, I’m joined by the inspiring Yamina Bibi for a rich and thought-provoking series on what it really takes to drive meaningful professional development and leadership in schools. In this conversation, we explore some of the most pressing and practical questions in education today—from how to enter the world of educational consultancy to building a lasting culture of teacher development. Together, we unpack:✅ How to break into consultancy and make CPD genuinely effective✅ The transformational role of coaching and coaching circles in teacher growth✅ What it takes to build a safe, thriving CPD culture that motivates staff✅ Supporting Early Career Teachers and nurturing adaptive expertise✅ How to observe lessons meaningfully and recognise effective learning and teaching✅ Yamina’s personal journey with dyslexia and the support needed for neurodivergent educators✅ Her top tips for aspiring leaders and the heart behind her brilliant book 💡 Whether you're a classroom teacher, coach, CPD lead or school leader, this series is full of powerful insights, practical strategies, and honest reflections to strengthen your leadership and support others on their journey. 🎧 Tune in, take notes, and join the conversation—your next step in empowering professional learning starts here.

I had the absolute privilege of sitting down with the brilliant Tom Sherrington to unpack some of the most important and nuanced questions in education today. Across this five-part series, we explore what great teaching actually looks like—and how we can build it, see it, and sustain it in our classrooms and schools. 💡 From defining effective learning to breaking down Tom’s powerful Mode A and Mode B teaching framework, this series is full of research-informed insight and classroom-tested wisdom. We discuss: The role of teacher talk and how to use it purposefully Why modelling, interleaving, and routines matter so much The impact of WalkThrus on CPD, instructional coaching, and building a shared professional language The most effective levers for school improvement How to foster grit, build student relationships, and avoid strategy overload And finally, the future of education—featuring Tom’s reflections on the most exciting current research and the growing role of AI in our profession Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, or CPD facilitator, this is a must-listen conversation that will sharpen your thinking, spark new ideas, and reinvigorate your practice.  

This week marks the launch of an exciting new series featuring the brilliant Nathan Burns, where we take a deep dive into metacognition and how to unlock the full potential of tutor time. From exploring what metacognition actually is and why it matters so much for learning, to breaking down how it can be embedded meaningfully across subjects and phases—this series is packed with practical strategies and thoughtful insights. We cover: How to implement metacognitive strategies in Early Years, Primary, and Secondary The impact of AI and cognitive offloading on thinking and learning How to give better post-assessment feedback through metacognitive dialogue Encouraging students to share and reflect on their thinking processes Using tutor time as a purposeful tool for progress, rather than a passive add-on And the importance of subject knowledge in making metacognition stick Nathan also shares tips, resources, and reflections from his fantastic books—all with a focus on reducing workload and improving outcomes. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, tutor, or school leader, this series offers real, research-informed takeaways you can put into practice immediately. 🎧 Tune in and join the conversation. We’d love to hear your key takeaways and reflections in the comments! #NathanBurns #Metacognition #TutorTimeMatters #VisibleThinking #CognitiveResilience #TeacherCPD #TeachingAndLearning #EducationPodcast #EdChat #EarlyYears #PrimaryTeaching #SecondaryTeachers

 had the absolute privilege of sitting down with the incredible Amjad Ali to explore what it really means to support students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). In this episode we unpack: What SEND actually means Why Amjad is so deeply passionate about this work Low-effort, high-impact strategies that make a genuine difference How to give feedback that’s both meaningful and effective for learners with SEND The strategies we need to let go of when supporting SEND learners Actionable ways to better support students with neurodivergence How Amjad hopes educators engage with his book A powerful closing message that every teacher needs to hear A huge thank you to Amjad Ali for such an honest, insightful, and inspiring conversation. I’ve walked away with practical ideas that will shape how I teach and support my students—and I hope you do too. 🎧 Tune in, reflect, and share your thoughts—I'd love to hear how this episode lands with you. #SEND #InclusiveEducation #AmjadAli #TeacherPodcast #Neurodiversity #TeacherCPD #EduInspiration #EdTalks #FeedbackMatters

This week, I’m thrilled to share highlights from my extended conversation with the brilliant Carl Hendrick. We discussed all things teaching and learning. Carl is a walking encyclopedia of educational research, and in this series, we explore everything from why research matters and how to implement it in the classroom, to the effectiveness of explicit instruction, the role of teacher talk, and the importance of motivation. We also delve into current debates like the use of AI in education, how we define effective teaching and learning, and what meaningful teacher development really looks like. Finally, Carl shares invaluable insights on how to make assessments more valid and reliable—and even gives us a sneak peek into his upcoming book. It was an absolute privilege to speak with Carl. His depth of knowledge and passion for evidence-informed practice made this conversation truly energising. I left with pages of notes and ideas I can immediately apply—and I hope you will too. 🎧 Tune in, reflect, and let me know your thoughts in the comments! #CarlHendrick #EduResearch #TeacherCPD #ExplicitInstruction #AIinEducation #AssessmentMatters #EduPodcast #EvidenceInformedPractice