Thinking Deeply about Primary Education

Episode 175: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, Jon Kay (Head of Evidence Synthesis and International at the Education Endowment Foundation) joins me for an exploration of evidence synthesis and the ways teachers can put evidence to work for them in the classroom. As part of the chat we discuss...

• How the EEF evaluates the quality of research
• How teachers can navigate the huge body of education research
• Common pitfalls to avoid when implementing an evidence-informed approach
• The most significant evidence-based strategies

...and much, much more.

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 173: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, Neil Almond takes us through the fascinating world of reading comprehension in the first, audio-lecture episode of the podcast. Featuring...

• Research analysis
• A thorough exploration of the key elements of Scarborough's "Reading Rope"
• Practical advice for the classroom

...and much, much more.

Let us know if you enjoyed this episode format in the comments, wherever you listen or watch.

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 172: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Shannen Doherty and Neil Almond for a round of unseen questions from listeners with huge connotations for our practice in the primary classroom. As part of the chat we discuss...

• Subject knowledge professional development - the how, the what, the WHEN!?!?
• NPQs and Masters - which, when and why?
• Helping pupils (in Year 3) work more independently in class

...and much, much more.

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 171: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Shannen Doherty and Jim Brassil (@brassil88) for an exploration of effective modelling in the primary classroom. As part of the chat we discuss...

• What modelling is (for the purposes of this episode)
• Shannen and Jim's guiding principles for effective modelling
• How to navigate the gradual release of responsibility from teacher to pupils
• How to assess the effectiveness of our modelling

...and much, much more.

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 170: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Lloyd Williams Jones for an exploration of how we can establish a belief in the academic potential of all pupils. As part of the chat we discuss...

• What a belief in the academic potential of all pupils means
• How we can create the conditions for all pupils to achieve well
• How we can approach getting pupils to believe in themselves

...and much, much more.

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 169: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Stuart Welsh for an exploration of responsive teaching,

• the principles,
• the strategies
• and what this might look like in the classroom.

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 168: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Stephen Lockyer and Christopher Such for an exploration of how lessons we might learn outside of education can play a role in our schools and our classrooms. As part of the chat we discuss...

• The joy of teaching
• Leadership
• Ofsted

...and much, much more.

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 167: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Elliot Morgan for an exploration of how and when we can make learning more challenging. As part of the chat we discuss...

• What challenge is
• The conditions surrounding learning
• Sustaining challenge over time

...and much, much more.

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 166: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by primary mathematics specialist Kate Frood for an in-depth exploration of some key themes in the world of primary mathematics. As part of the chat we discuss...

• Kate's principles for effective teaching
• What these principles might look like in the classroom
• The importance of fluency
• Ways to support teachers in becoming more expert

...and much, much more. 

Whether you are new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this episode. 

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 165: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Lydia Grove, an editor at Teach Primary. We sit down to explore the nuts and bolts of becoming a published teacher. As part of the chat we discuss...

• How teachers can get their writing published
• The kind of articles magazines are looking for
• Pitfalls new authors can fall into
• The hallmarks of a well-crafted teaching article

...and much, much more. 

Whether you are new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this episode. 

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 164: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Leisa Grace Wilson, a Languages Teacher, school leader and (currently) Editorial Director of Teach Middle East. We sit down to explore the importance of teachers writing about their craft and how they can get their work published in magazines and periodicals. As part of the chat we discuss...

• How teachers can get a foot on the publishing ladder.
• How teachers can balance their time and energy between teaching and writing.
• How teachers can balance their own voice and style with the expectations and preferences of their publishers.

...and much, much more.

Whether you are new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this episode. 

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 163: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Aimee Tinkler as we explore life in small schools; covering everything from leadership and curriculum to budgets and pedagogy.

Whether you are new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this episode. 

If you enjoy this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 162: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Neil Almond as we explore the application of variation theory and the potential overlap with different areas/fields of education research. 

As part of the chat we discuss...

• what variation theory is
• whether it is possible to consider variation theory in isolation, 
• where any potential overlap might occur

...and much, much more.

Whether you are new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this episode. 

If you enjoy this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 161: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Reid Smith and Christopher Such as we explore the role of background knowledge in reading comprehension and the research Reid has conducted over the better part of the last decade.

As part of the chat we discuss...

• the key research takeaways,
• the limitations placed on anyone studying or interpreting research into reading comprehension,
• what the findings mean for our practice in the classroom

...and much, much more.

Whether you are new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this episode. 

If you enjoy this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 160:

Counting is fundamental to mathematics, but how much do we really know about it?

In this episode of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, we explore the principles of counting and the ways we can support all pupils in developing confidence with number during their formative school years.

As part of the chat we discuss...

What are the principles of counting?

When should students learn them?

Why is it important that students learn and understand these principles?

What are some common mistakes/misconceptions students make or have when learning to count?

Is there a set sequence to teach these principles or can they be taught concurrently?

How do tasks/activities change based on the principle in focus?

What activities or strategies do you use to support students when learning to count?

When do students make the connection between the number names and the symbols we use to represent them and how can teachers help students with this?

...and much, much more.

Whether you are new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, this episode will give you some valuable insights and ideas on how to teach counting in a way that fosters deep understanding and enjoyment of mathematics.

If you enjoy this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation on www.ko-fi.com/tdape.

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 159: This week on the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education podcast, I'm joined by Sarah Larsen and Tom Brassington for a thorough exploration of geography teaching. As part of the episode we discuss...

1. The importance of language in geography lessons

2. The fundamentals of comparative studies

3. The use of images in the geography classroom

...and much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one. 

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

Full Transcript available at www.ko-fi.com/tdape 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 158: This week on the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education podcast, I'm joined by Shannen Doherty and Neil Almond to kick off 2024 with some unseen questions and much opinion based frivolity. As part of the episode we discuss...

...the point of using cursive writing on displays

...how to approach teaching in small schools

...what we should keep in subject leader folders...

...and much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one. 

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

Full Transcript available at www.ko-fi.com/tdape 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 157: This week on the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education podcast, I'm joined by Christopher Such for an exploration of nine common misconceptions which surround the teaching of phonics. As part of the chat we explore all nine misconceptions and discuss...

...the purpose of phonics,

the origin of these common misconceptions,

how prevalent they are

and how important it is to try and avoid them...

...and much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one. 

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

Full Transcript available at www.ko-fi.com/tdape

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 156: This week on the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education podcast, I'm joined by Shannen Doherty and Lod Will Jon for an exploration of the ways we can engage parents/carers with mathematics. As part of the chat we discuss...

1. Why should we try to engage parents with mathematics?

2. In an ideal world, what would this engagement look like?

3. What mathematical games can we play at home?

...and much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 155: Join us for this special episode of "Thinking Deeply about Primary Education" as we continue on a fascinating journey into the world of early math research and pedagogy. In this in-depth analysis, we delve into the 2023 paper "Research and Pedagogies for Early Math" by esteemed researchers, Douglas Clements, Renee Lizcano and Julie Sarama.

What does the research say about the use of manipulatives in the early mathematics classroom? What role does practice play and what form should it take? We discuss each of these questions and much, much more.

Whether you're an educator, a student, or simply curious about the fascinating intersection of research, pedagogy and early mathematics, this episode promises to be a thought-provoking and enlightening experience.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 154: This week on the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education podcast, we take a deep dive into the essence of middle leadership in schools. Stuart Welsh shares his invaluable insights on the importance of middle leadership, the guiding principles that underpin effective leadership at this level, and how these principles translate into tangible actions in the classroom. This episode promises to be a treasure trove of wisdom for educators looking to enhance their leadership skills and impact student learning positively. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 153: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I’m joined by Kate Jones and Shannen Doherty to discuss the themes in Kate’s new book, Smashing Glass Ceilings: Empowering Women in Education, which explores the challenges and opportunities for female teachers and leaders in schools. As part of the chat we discuss…

1. What inspired Kate to write this book and what are the main messages she wants to convey to readers?

2. What are some of the barriers and biases that women face in pursuing leadership roles in education and how can they overcome them?

3. How can schools create a more inclusive and supportive culture for women leaders and aspiring leaders?

4. How can men be allies and advocates for women in education and what are some of the benefits of having more diverse and balanced leadership teams?

5. What are some of the resources and networks that women can access to support their professional development and career progression?

…and much, much more! Whether you’re new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won’t want to miss this one!

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 152: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, we conclude our conversation with Dr Robert Sharples (Episode 151), a senior lecturer in language and education at the University of Bristol, about the challenges and opportunities of supporting pupils who use English as an additional language (EAL).

As part of the chat we discuss...

1. Are there any common misconceptions you encounter in the profession about pupils who speak English as an additional language?

2. Given the diverse nature of pupils defined as speaking English as an additional language, what would you want every teacher to know about how best to support these pupils?

3. You have worked on projects specifically relating to migrant learners and refugees and school leadership. What would you want every teacher and school leader to know about how to best support these pupils?

4. Other than your excellent book, 'Teaching EAL: Evidence-Based Strategies for the Classroom and School', are there any other resources that you would direct teachers towards to help them support pupils who speak English as an additional language?

Whether you’re new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won’t want to miss this one!

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 150: Join us for this special episode of "Thinking Deeply about Primary Education" as we embark on a fascinating journey into the world of early math research and pedagogy. In this in-depth analysis, we delve into the 2023 paper "Research and Pedagogies for Early Math" by esteemed researchers, Douglas Clements, Renee Lizcano and Julie Sarama.

What role should play have in the classroom? Is direct instruction ever appropriate with young learners? And how can we use the research into early mathematics pedagogies to inform our classroom practice? We discuss each of these questions and much, much more.

Whether you're an educator, a student, or simply curious about the fascinating intersection of research, pedagogy and early mathematics, this episode promises to be a thought-provoking and enlightening experience.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 148: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Lloyd Williams-Jones for an exploration of his implementation of an approach to the teaching of reading. As part of the chat we discuss....

1. What have you done?

2. How have you done it?

3. What has been the impact?

4. What challenges have you had to overcome?

5. What improvements would you like to make?

...plus much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 147: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, Christopher Such and Neil Almond sit down with Professor Kathy Rastle for an in-depth exploration of morphology, early literacy instruction, phonics and much, much more.

It's the finale of Season 6 and, once you've listened, I'm sure you'll agree it is the perfect way to end another wonderful season of TDaPE. But don't worry, there's no rest for the wicked and we'll be back next week with more from your favourite rag-tag band of teachers.

Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 146: In this episode of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, we speak to Neil Gorton, a senior leader at BIS Vietnam, about the importance of teachers taking control of their own professional development. We discuss Neil's own motivation for self-guided CPD, his guiding principles, and how he balances the time demands of school and family life. We also talk about Neil's approach to supporting the professional development of others, and how he selects whole-school priorities and ensures they remain priorities, even when teacher mobility is high. Finally, we discuss the balance between personalised and whole-school professional development, and whether one is more important than the other.

Key Takeaways

• Why it is important for teachers to take control of their own professional development
• How to develop self-guided CPD principles and a system for implementing them
• How to support the professional development of others
• How to select and maintain whole-school priorities, even when teacher mobility is high
• How to balance personalised and whole-school professional development

Who should listen to this episode?

This episode is for all teachers, leaders, and anyone interested in professional development for teachers.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 145: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Jonny Hall for a thorough exploration of www.mathsbot.com and how teachers can get the most from the superb resources available on the site . As part of the chat we discuss...

1. Where did the idea for MathsBot come from and which came first, you learning to code or the idea?

2. What do you think are the three most important features on MathsBot and how can teachers get the most from them?

3. Which feature do you think is utilised least that you wish teachers used more, and why?

4. You’ve been making countless updates during the summer. How have you prioritised these changes? Have you been solely responding to patreon requests or do you have a grand plan for how you’d like the site to support teachers?

5. And what can we expect to change over the rest of the academic year?

...and much, much more! Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one!

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 144: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by the inimitable Sarah Larsen for an exploration of geography. As part of the chat we discuss...

1. What is geography?

2. What are your guiding principles for the teaching of geography?

3. …and what role does cognitive science have in this respect?

4. What is field-work?

5. How can we design effective/impactful field-work sessions? 

6. You are a secondary teacher with a considerable number of feeder schools. If you could have a basic level of understanding across every pupil coming up from primary, what would it look like? 

...and much, much more! Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one!

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 143: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by the wonderful Rachel Ball for an exploration of how we might develop and engage with an evidence-informed culture of school leadership. As part of the chat we discuss...

1. What are your guiding principles for developing an evidence-informed and responsive CPD culture in school? 

2. Research comes in many shapes and sizes and, arguably there’s “evidence” for most things in education. What’s your quality threshold for education research and the findings it presents? 

3. What does implementation look like on the ground and can we generalise the process so that others might adopt a similar approach in their own setting?

4. How do you ensure buy-in from everyone? Is that even possible? 

5. Have you ever realised that a change you made or a direction you had taken wasn’t working? And, if so, what did you do about it?

6. Any final advice for anyone who is trying to develop the professional development culture in their school and feeling enthused having listened to this episode?

...and much, much more! Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one!

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.

Episode 142: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Stuart Tiffany for the second episode of Season 6.

Stuart has been a guest on the podcast before but this time we sit down 1:1 to go far into the depths of primary history.

Stuart shares his thoughts on subject leadership, locality and curriculum sequencing as well as his unrivalled passion for the subject of history.

As part of the chat we explore...

1. How local is local history (the context) and how do we become sufficiently expert in our school’s local history to execute our role as effectively as we might hope (the question)? 

2. What does a typical history lesson (I know that might be an oxymoron) look like in your classroom?

3. …and what role does cognitive science play? 

4. If you had to convince someone who was less than enthusiastic that considerations of world building were an effective use of time, what would you say to them? 

5. What are your guiding principles for historical enquiry? 

6. In your book you provide readers with worked examples. How do you hope they will be used? 

...and much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one!

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission

Episode 141: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Shannen Doherty for the first episode of the eagerly awaited sixth season of the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education podcast.

Shannen shares her reflections on leadership, her own professional growth and how to lead meaningful change across a number of settings.

As part of the chat we explore...

1. When we last spoke, you outlined your plan for establishing Walkthrus across your trust. How has that gone over the last 18 months?

2. Things appear to be going very well. What do you think is the secret to your success?

3. Have there been any instances when you’ve realised that a change you made or a direction you had taken wasn’t working? And, if so, what did you do about it?

4. With change on any scale it is difficult to get everyone moving in the same direction. How do you ensure buy-in from everyone?

5: How have you maintained your own professional development at the same time as supporting so many others?

6: You spend quite a bit of time supporting schools outside your trust as a Walkthrus mentor. What is this like, and would you recommend it to other leaders with a similar interest in coaching?

7: Any final advice for anyone who is trying to develop the professional development culture in their school and feeling enthused having listened to this episode?

...and much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one!

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission!

Episode 140: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Deputy Head Teacher, Tom Oakley as we discuss persistent problems in the classroom and how we might approach trying to solve them. As part of the chat we explore...

1. What are the most persistent classroom problems?

2. How can we approach these problems?

3. Why do you think x will be the next big research-informed explosion?

...and much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one!

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission!

Episode 139: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Ben Ebdon (@TeacherInTrain). Ben changed careers 25 years into his working life and I wanted to know what that experience was like, what his motivations were and how things had gone since making the leap into the world of education.

As part of the chat we discuss...

1. What did you do before you were a teacher?

2. Why did you make the change?

3. What have been the positives?

4. What have been the challenges?

5. Have there been any surprises?

6. What advice would you give to anyone considering becoming a teacher?

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission!

Episode 138: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Christopher Such as we field questions from from listeners on a range of themes. As part of the chat we discuss...

1. When I assess pupils’ reading what am I looking for and how do I know that I am assessing pupils properly. ?

2. What is the biggest difference working out of schools, having spent so long working in schools?

3. How can I effectively integrate technology into my classroom?

4. Given 3 different teacher profiles, where would you place them in a hypothetical primary school?

5. How can I stay up to date with the latest educational research and trends?

6. What are the most common areas for development amongst teachers?

...and much, much more. 

Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one. 

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission!

Episode 137: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Neil Almond and Lloyd Williams-Jones for as we field questions from new and early career teachers. As part of the chat we discuss...

1. What strategies do you find most effective for maintaining a positive and inclusive classroom environment?

2. How do you effectively differentiate instruction to meet the diverse needs of students in the classroom?

3. What are the best practices for collaborating with other teachers and staff members to foster a cohesive and collaborative school culture?

4. What strategies do you use to assess and monitor student progress effectively?

...and much, much more.

Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission!

Episode 136: Join us for this special episode of "Thinking Deeply about Primary Education" as we continue on a fascinating journey into the world of educational research and instructional design. In this in-depth analysis, we delve into the groundbreaking paper "Cognitive Architecture and Instructional Design: 20 Years On" by esteemed researchers, John Sweller, Jeroen van Merrienboer and Fred Paas.

More than twenty years have passed since the publication of the original paper, which has left a lasting impact on the field of education and learning sciences. As we unravel the layers of this groundbreaking paper, we also examine the reactions and responses it garnered from educators, researchers, and policymakers. How did the educational community embrace or critique the findings? What practical applications emerged from this research that have transformed classroom practices and learning environments? And what impact might the proposals for the future have on our practice for years to come?

Join us as we celebrate the enduring legacy of this work and explore the exciting possibilities it continues to offer in the ever-evolving landscape of education. 

Whether you're an educator, a student, or simply curious about the fascinating intersection of cognitive psychology and instructional design, this episode promises to be a thought-provoking and enlightening experience.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 135: Join us for this special episode of "Thinking Deeply about Primary Education" as we embark on a fascinating journey into the world of educational research and instructional design. In this in-depth analysis, we delve into the groundbreaking paper "Cognitive Architecture and Instructional Design: 20 Years On" by esteemed researchers, John Sweller, Jeroen van Merrienboer and Fred Paas.

More than twenty years have passed since the publication of the original paper, which has left a lasting impact on the field of education and learning sciences. As we unravel the layers of this groundbreaking paper, we also examine the reactions and responses it garnered from educators, researchers, and policymakers. How did the educational community embrace or critique the findings? What practical applications emerged from this research that have transformed classroom practices and learning environments? And what impact might the proposals for the future have on our practice for years to come?

Join us as we celebrate the enduring legacy of this work and explore the exciting possibilities it continues to offer in the ever-evolving landscape of education.

Whether you're an educator, a student, or simply curious about the fascinating intersection of cognitive psychology and instructional design, this episode promises to be a thought-provoking and enlightening experience.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 134: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Christopher Such as we explore the captivating topic of engaging with education research.

We uncover the power of education research in transforming classroom practices and enriching the teaching/learning experience, drawing on years of expertise in both the academic and practical aspects of education, while sharing invaluable insights on how educators can support themselves and others in engaging with research effectively.

Discover how to harness the latest findings and innovative methodologies to enhance your teaching strategies, boost student engagement, and foster a culture of continuous learning in your school community.

Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one.

Remember to subscribe to "Thinking Deeply about Primary Education" to stay informed about future episodes that delve into more insightful topics for educators. Whether you're a teacher, school administrator, or education enthusiast, we've got something valuable for everyone.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 133: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Christopher Such as we field some more unseen questions about a range of topics from the selection and use of manipulatives in KS3 and mathematical language to retrieval practice success and the ideal primary assessment scenario.

Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one!

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 132: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Neil Almond and Christopher Such as we delve into the exciting changes happening in the world of Key Stage 1 assessment. 

With the removal of KS1 SATs, schools now have the opportunity to reimagine how they assess reading proficiency in their early learners. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in assessment at KS1, whether you're an educator, a parent, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of primary education.

Join us as explore the potential benefits of this significant shift, discuss the challenges faced by schools during the transition and share insights into the various approaches that can be taken to ensure effective assessment without the traditional SATS framework.

Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one!

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 130: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Neil Almond and Christopher Such as we delve into the exciting changes happening in the world of Key Stage 1 assessment. 

With the removal of KS1 SATs, schools now have the opportunity to reimagine how they assess reading proficiency in their early learners. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in assessment at KS1, whether you're an educator, a parent, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of primary education.

Join us as explore the potential benefits of this significant shift, discuss the challenges faced by schools during the transition and share insights into the various approaches that can be taken to ensure effective assessment without the traditional SATS framework.

Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one!

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 129: In this thought-provoking episode of "Thinking Deeply about Primary Education," I'm joined, in-person, by a panel of esteemed guests, including Neil Almond, Shannen Doherty, Tom Brassington, and Lloyd Williams Jones, as we explore a potentially concerning phenomenon: "The Erosion of Art, Music, Sport, and Cooking" in primary education.

Drawing on their extensive experience in the classroom, my guests will delve into the possible reasons behind this decline and discuss the potential long-term consequences for children's educational experiences. They'll share personal anecdotes, research insights, and practical strategies to help educators, parents, and policymakers champion the revival and preservation of these vital disciplines.

Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one!

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 128: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Neil Almond as we delve into the exciting changes happening in the world of Key Stage 1 assessment.

With the removal of KS1 SATs, schools now have the opportunity to reimagine how they assess mathematics proficiency in their early learners. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in assessment at KS1, whether you're an educator, a parent, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of primary education.

Join us as explore the potential benefits of this significant shift, discuss the challenges faced by schools during the transition and share insights into the various approaches that can be taken to ensure effective assessment without the traditional SATS framework.

Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one!

1. What is going?

2. What will be left behind?

3. What options do schools now have?

4. What would your ideal solution be?

5. What do you thinks schools should avoid?

6 What do you think will happen? (A prediction for 24 months time)

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 127: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Shannen Doherty and the leadership team of St. George's Primary School in an attempt to demystify what "Outstanding" looks like in 2023 for primary schools. Using their recent Ofsted report as a stimulus, we explore...

1. "Behaviour is exemplary"...how would you describe the systems you’ve put in place to make this possible?

2. In the report, your curriculum is described as "ambitious". What do you think makes your curriculum ambitious?

3. How do you find time to give subject leaders release time every week?

4. The report also says that you give "careful thought about what pupils need to know". How did you go about this process and how long did it take you because I know it was a journey rather than something that happened overnight. 

5. Your pupils enjoy "an impressive start" - what is your EYFS sequence like and what would you say characterises the experience of these pupils?

6. You "systematically check what pupils know and understand". What does this look like in the classroom?

7. In your opinion, what makes your school outstanding?

Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!

Episode 126: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, Chris Such turns the tables on me (Kieran) with some unseen questions, as we try to help listeners with questions or problems they have been facing. As part of this chat we discuss bar models, fluency, subject leadership and much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one.

Support the podcast via www.ko-fi.com/tdape or by subscribing to www.youtube.com/@TDaPE 

If you would like to submit a question, email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join the TDaPE discord!