Classroom 101

This episode of Classroom 101 features Louise Flatters, headteacher of Long Marston CE Primary School, York - which had only 26 children on roll when Louise took over.

As well as the reality of leading a small, rural school, Louise also discusses:

• 'Always awards'
• The term 'Gifted & Talented'
• A whole month of the year that Louise says is being wasted

This week in Classroom 101, we speak to Laura McInerney, the co-founder of Teacher Tapp, and former editor of Schools Week.

Laura discusses firstly how she was taken to court by the Department for Education over a Freedom of Information Request.

Having defended herself and eventually won the case, Laura talks openly about what she learned through the process.

Laura also shares:

• the three things she'd banish from education, including open-plan classrooms
• her favourite teacher growing up, and the skilful way she married boundaries with care
• the thinking behind Teacher Tapp, and how its co-founders first met in the most unlikely circumstance
• the intriguing reason why Laura likes to wear yellow!

The sixth episode of Classroom 101 features Lee Parkinson - better know as (ICT with) Mr P!

Lee's grown to become something of an edu-celeb thanks to his computing tips for teachers, his vibrant social media pages full of hilarious self-made videos, and his willingness to call out nonsensical practice within education.

Sit back and enjoy as Lee revels in rattling a conveyor belt's worth of items into Classroom 101, including:

• Book scrutinies
• Marking policies
• Teachers' obsession with acronyms, rhyme and alliteration 

In this wide-ranging interview, Lee also explains:

• Why he nearly quit teaching
• How he handles social media negativity
• Who makes him laugh until it hurts

This week on Classroom 101, we hear from the eloquent Ruth Luzmore, headteacher of St Mary Magdalene Academy Primary School, London.

Listen as Ruth discusses:

• her journey from sales to teaching
  
• the 3 things she'd happily banish from education - plus a bonus 4th
  
• her views on pedantic policies, class sizes, funding in education & 'the dark side of accountability'
  
• her party trick
  

In this, the fourth episode of Classroom 101, we hear from the ever-positive Sonia Thompson, the headteacher of St Matthew's CE Teaching & Research School, Birmingham.

Listen as Sonia discusses:

• her 23-year career in education
• life as an EEF Research School 
• the importance of reading for pleasure
• the hardest thing she's been through, and what she learnt
• 3 things she would banish from education

In the third episode of Classroom 101, we speak to Adrian Bethune, teacher and author of 'Wellbeing in the Primary Classroom'.

Hear how a period of intense anxiety and depression became his turning point, then hold onto your hats as Adrian rattles through a series of irritations he'd eject from education if he could.

Tune in to hear Adrian explain:

- how a spell of volunteering inspired him to a career change

- the co-conspiracy all educators are in on

- the three (and a bit more) things he would banish from education

In this second episode of Classroom 101, we hear from the effervescent NewEd founder Emma Turner on: 

• the magical teacher who inspired her 
• co-headship and its benefits
• the edu-book every teacher should read
• 3 things she would banish from education

For the inaugural episode of Classroom 101, we speak to Jeremy Hannay, headteacher of Three Bridges Primary School, West London.

In this frank and inspiring interview – the first since Ofsted graded the school ‘Outstanding’ in all categories – Jeremy discusses:

· How his childhood and early career shaped him

· The school he ironically credits for his success

· How he went about creating a culture of trust at Three Bridges

· His views on Ofsted following the school’s ‘Outstanding’ judgement

· An institution, a system and a culture he would banish from education

*Spoiler alert* - For any fans of The Usual Suspects, also listen out for Jeremy finally revealing the true identity of Keyser Soze!