Teachers Talk Radio

Continuing the mini-series on teacher job satisfaction, Darren explores the literature about the satisfaction criteria for teachers and considers whether the length of time you've been in the job impacts how satisfied you feel.

Chatting, calling out, tapping and answering back: how much disruption has become accepted as part of everyday teaching?
On Points of View, we debate the cumulative impact of so-called low-level disruption on teachers and pupils. Where is the line between ordinary classroom restlessness and behaviour that stops others learning?
Are expectations clear and consistent and do teachers get the support they need to uphold them?
We reference a Teacher Tapp survey from this week. Plus, does describing disruption as “low-level” minimise the damage it can do? On the panel: Tom Rogers, Liz Webb, Beejesh Deva.

Who keeps our schools running when the classroom doors close? This show shines a light on the often-overlooked support staff who keep education moving. From dealing with frustrated parents to supporting teachers and school leaders, their contribution is vital but often unrecognised. Featuring an interview with an 18-year-old school office apprentice, the show explores the realities behind the scenes and asks a powerful question: Are the people schools rely on the most the ones they value the least?

Tim Smale is joined by executive headteacher Adrian McLean to ask why school values so often go out of the window, and why schools might need virtues instead. They also get into teacher overload and the rise in AI-written complaints to schools. Adrian has taken one question to the TEDx stage and the House of Lords: what does character ask of a leader when holding the line is the lonely and expensive option? Tim and Adrian take it on together.

Know Your Worth, hosted by Mehmet Ali Zekay, explores confidence, professional value and having the courage to ask for more. In this episode, Mehmet speaks with Dr Rebecca Taylor, a Physics teacher, about recognising your worth, career progression and why teachers shouldn’t be afraid to have conversations about pay.

Headaches, migraines, nausea and high blood pressure: are we taking the health impact of poor pupil behaviour seriously enough?
JP, Liz Webb and Maud Waret discuss a NASUWT survey linking severe pupil behaviour with higher rates of reported physical health problems.
Of more than 10,000 respondents, 59% reported verbal abuse from pupils in the previous year and 17% reported physical assault. Should poor behaviour be treated as an occupational health issue?
Are schools doing enough to protect and support staff? What needs to change, from leadership responses and consistent boundaries to SEND support and early intervention?

In this fourth episode, PSHE lead and educator Clare Price considers how to challenge the unsafe myths that vaping is "safe", considers who might be the right person to deliver messages about misogyny in schools and statistics that show young people are increasingly positive about Relationships and Sex Education. 
Articles referenced include: 
One million UK people who have never smoked are now vapers - BBC News
Half of girls hear misogyny in school | Tes
Stand with the Cornish Pirates to end violence against women :Cornish Pirates
Signs of progress: How are young people experiencing Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in England? | BERA
Young People's RSE Poll 2025 | sexeducationforum.org.uk

In this episode, Konstantinos is joined by Dr Irida Ntalla from London College of Communication to explore knowledge exchange in higher education. Together, they discuss how universities connect with industry and communities, the benefits for students, and the opportunities knowledge exchange offers for teaching, academic development and career progression.

This week, multiple reports paint a picture of a watchdog under pressure, with school leaders questioning Ofsted’s leadership, unions losing confidence, and serious concerns mounting over the impact of inspections on school leadership and staff wellbeing.
An independent study has found that almost nine in ten schools reported a negative impact on staff mental health following inspection, while ASCL has passed a vote of no confidence in Ofsted’s leadership and is considering industrial action. It is clear that Ofsted face a growing revolt.
Meanwhile, however, the chief inspector insists the watchdog is “on the right track”, even as the education secretary, Lucy Powell, calls for a rethink.
So, how did Ofsted reach this point after supposed reflection and overhaul? Has its new inspection framework failed to address longstanding concerns? Can the organisation ever rebuild trust or credibility with the profession? Or is this the beginning of a much bigger reckoning over the purpose, power and future of school inspection?
If Ofsted is meant to help schools improve, what happens when the inspection system itself becomes part of the problem?
Join Carl Smith, Rae Whitehouse, Maud Waret and Liz Webb on this morning’s panel, live at 10am, to share your burning views on Ofsted.

Are classrooms becoming politically biased, or are teachers being dragged into another political row? Tonight on Points of View, we debate Laura Trott’s claim that some teaching on equality, citizenship and identity amounts to “propaganda that’s brainwashing our children”. The Conservatives are proposing compulsory impartiality training, greater Ofsted scrutiny and a ban on school “culture” or “identity” days. Education leaders have condemned the comments as deeply insulting to teachers. Where is the line between teaching controversial issues and promoting political views? Would these proposals protect pupils or make teachers afraid to tackle difficult subjects? And who gets to decide what counts as impartial? On th panel: Liz Webb, Tom Rogers, JP, Yasmin Omar and Alun Ebenezer.