Teachers Talk Radio

What does it really mean to make an assessment fair and accessible to every learner without compromising academic rigour?
Hosted by Tom Rogers and Christopher Vowles, we explore Universal Design in assessment and AQA's work to identify and remove unnecessary barriers that prevent students from demonstrating what they truly know and can do. The special guest is Louise Badham. We’ll look at what Universal Design means in practice, the barriers that can exist within exams and assessments, and how research, teacher feedback and learners’ lived experiences are helping to shape AQA’s approach. We’ll also tackle the question: does making an assessment more accessible risk making it easier? And what is the difference between removing an unnecessary barrier and changing what is actually being assessed? Plus, we go behind the scenes of assessment design to discover the thought, evidence and expertise involved in creating assessments that are accessible, rigorous and fair.

Join Michael Wright for his Sunday Lunch Show with guest Ed Watkins as they discuss the continued decline of A-Level music in education and why it's happening. Ed will also share his insights into his research on how music students have been graded compared with other subjects.

Is primary school the ideal time to begin learning another language? Darren Lester and Tom Rogers are joined by Language Angels founders Francesca and Paolo to explore why children aged 5–11 may have a unique advantage when learning languages. They discuss brain development, pronunciation, confidence and the wider benefits for memory, problem-solving and cultural awareness. Drawing on Francesca’s 27 years in the classroom, the conversation also examines how primary teachers can deliver engaging language lessons, even when they are not language specialists themselves, and how schools can build a curriculum that develops pupils’ knowledge progressively. Plus, Francesca and Paolo share the story behind Language Angels, its journey from a classroom idea to a nationwide teaching platform, and what the future holds for language learning in primary schools. Check out Language Angels here: https://languageangels.com/eng

In this third episode of the PSHE Update, PSHE Educator Clare Price considers the importance of teaching about breast cancer in men, supporting staff when planning lessons about the danger of boys obsessing about muscles and how we can update our lessons on online safety to include AI. 
Articles referenced: 
Campaigner praises Coronation Street male breast cancer storyline - BBC News
https://breastcancernow.org/ 
Boys and men are obsessing over muscle. Doctors are worried - BBC Reel
Experience AI
 
 

Too many children are missing out on the experiences beyond the classroom that build confidence, independence and a sense of belonging. Can the new Every Child Can programme help close that participation gap and bring an end to the enrichment “postcode lottery”? Tom Rogers is joined by Nigel Miller from Active Learning Group to explore the value of residential trips, outdoor learning and screen-free adventure. They discuss the barriers preventing schools from offering these opportunities, how the government’s new enrichment benchmarks could influence provision, and whether greater Ofsted scrutiny will drive meaningful change or simply encourage a tick-box approach. With young people increasingly digitally connected but socially isolated, the conversation asks what outdoor experiences can offer that classroom-based enrichment cannot and what needs to change so that every child, regardless of background, can take part.Find out more here: https://activelearninggroup.co.uk/

Christopher talks with Montessori parent, Steve Lawrence, and Montessori teacher, Rhianna Hayllor, about the philosophy and practice of Montessori education in the UK and beyond.

We talk getting to the end of September and how you can help yourself feel better, if you need to.

Dave talks with Music Curriculum Head Stuart McSweeney about the serious issues facing A Level Music in the state education sector; what is causing its decline and what can be done to change the current trajectory. 

Teachers would agree that it is important to develop their practise. But is this sometimes going too far? Are you a teacher working very hard for significant extra hours beyond your contract, pushing yourself to be better, only to be told in observations and appraisals that it's not good enough? In this show, Yannick and Tony reflect on the line between accountability and the need to improve and the feeling that no matter what you do, it won't be seen as sufficient . Teachers have high expectations placed upon them by wider society, by leaders and trusts, and by external agencies like Ofsted and the DFE. Its right that we are accountable. But have the expectations started to get out of control?

In this show, Darren continues to look at how teacher wellbeing can lead to better job performance as he explores the literature which links job satisfaction to teaching outcomes.