Teachers Talk Radio

Can you teach critical thinking? Should you? What is fake news? How should we instruct students to handle online information? Should we? This is a far ranging debate featuring Claire Fox (Director of the Institute of Ideas), Dan Sohege (Director of Stand for All), Kirsty, Paul and Alistair (all classroom teachers) + some callers too.

Hannah Wilson, Lucy Neuburger, Kathryn Taylor and Brent Poland dissect the week's important news stories.
Special educational needs system in England in ‘utter disarray’, says ombudsman
After the riots: The role of schools in healing our communities
How quality CPD could help solve the teacher recruitment crisis
Shows of the week include:
Education Tonight' interviews with Daniel Kebede and Matt Pinkett
Nationwide riots - How should schools react? The Late Show with Tom Rogers
Xander Lofts's debut show on The Saturday Social - The Next Five Years

Xander talks to Mark Ravenwood about teacher recruitment and retention under Labour’s educational initiatives, and why record numbers are both leaving the profession and failing to qualify. To what extent will the 20% VAT levied on independent schools affect the state sector? Will students with SEND be particularly vulnerable? And how can teachers best support students with additional requirements? Two Maths teachers share and compare ideas.

Amarbeer Singh Gill joins Jamie Clark for a conversation around strengthening the student toolbox as they explore the power of research based learning practices. 

Darren returns after a summer break with a dazzling show focused on feedback.
Why do we give feedback?
What are its uses?
What are the best ways to give feedback?

Brent Poland and Paul Hazzard talk to Daniel Kebede General Secretary, National Education Union NEU about the government's 5.5% pay award.
Daniel Kebede - @DanielKebedeNEU
 
In the second half of the show Matt Pinkett tells the duo what he can do to help schools manage toxic masculinity and perhaps formulate a response to the present unrest across the UK.
Daniel Pinkett (Mr Pink) - @Positivteacha
 
This show is presented by Brent Poland - @BrentPoland1 and Paul Hazzard - @Arkle123

Tom Rogers discusses the recent protests and riots that have taken place across the UK. What should schools do? How should schools react? Tom is joined by headteacher Laura Parker who shares her plans for September in light of recent events, including her schools focus on character education. Yasmin Omer, a Science teacher in London, shares her take on how teachers and schools should handle the aftermath of these protests. In the discussion - Should schools host an assembly when students come back? What happens if students voice opinions about the protests in class? How should teachers handle debate in class? What influence can teachers have at times like this? 

Beejesh talks with Kalil Rouse on how great pastoral systems bring joy to schools.  They unpack the underpinning values and principles behind great systems, how great schools use both restorative and punitive measures, how to have a great restorative conversation and much more.

Three top stories from this week's news are discussed in the Weekly Review with John Gibbs, Claire Cannon and host Paul Hazzard.
Teacher misconduct cases ‘driven up’ by parent complaints
I quit teaching for my side hustle
Teacher mums who leave profession fuelling shortages
Shows reviewed this week are:
Nurturing Belonging and Self-Expression in Primary School Children: The Late Late Show with Sophie Smith-Tong
How do teachers use humour? The Friday Morning Break with John Gibbs
Balancing Work Life and Family Life - How to make it work for you: The Late Show with Hannah Wilson

Do you make your students laugh? Is this something that helps or hinders? When are the jokes not funny? My guest, Hannah Robinson, is asking these questions in her research for a PhD. After teaching year 7 and 8 Maths, Hannah realised that humour was part of her teaching persona and wanted to learn more. Listen to how her research is going in a fascinating discussion.