It’s Your Time You’re Wasting

Unmet Needs - Is There an Overdiagnosis Crisis?

Autism, ADHD, and the burgeoning crisis in funding for schools. Are too many pupils being diagnosed with Special Needs?Some sources used in this episode:The Age of Diagnosis by Suzanne O'Sullivan (Review here: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/12/the-age-of-diagnosis-by-suzanne-osullivan-review-do-no-harm)The Lost Girls of Autism by Gina Rippon (Here is an article by her in the New Scientist https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26635372-400-a-revolutionary-new-understanding-of-autism-in-girls/) Why is There a Crisis in Special Educational Needs? The Briefing Room BBC Radio 4: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0028v06The Discontinuous Mind. Does it Ever Get it Right? By Richard Dawkins: https://substack.com/home/post/p-159676728

Pedagogy vs Knowledge

What is more important in the teacher’s toolbox? Knowing how to teach or knowing what to teach?

Is It Worth It?

In which we look at Sutton Trust data on private tuition, Cold Call - is it a good technique to use in lessons, and should schools show Adolescence to their pupils?

What is group work and why does it matter?

Martin & David discuss the differences between 'group work' (a set of pedagogical strategies) and 'working in groups' to see whether 'never doing group work' is a tenable position for a headteacher to take.

Covid Chaos! The year in schools and last minute government directives... Episode 17

John Tomsett, Jane Manzone, Al McConville and David Medway reflect on the year in state secondary schools, an inner London primary school and an independent boarding school. Different experiences emerge but so do stories of human resilience.John Tomsett also talks about his book on Angling.============================TIMESTAMPS=========================0:00 Intro (no sound sorry!)0:01:01 John Tomsett about Covid 0:13:25 Reflect0:21:04 David Medway interview0:25:51 Reflect0:29:10 Jane Manzone0:39:08 Reflect0:42:02 Al McConville interview on Covid0:50:48 Reflect0:52:01 John Tomsett's fishing book - our Christmas treat!0:59:14 Reflect & price draw

Things Fall Apart - Exams, Inset days and the Eton Teacher - Episode 16

Including interviews with Sam Freedman and Toby Young, discussing exams, free speech for teachers to express their own views as well as the need for a range of perspectives to be presented to pupils. Also Martin and David discuss whether Inset days are a good thing. Including some items for discussion, this episode raises a lot of questions, join the chat below and keep a lookout for the full length interviews by subscribing.

Debate, Oracy and Free Speech - Episode 15

We discuss Eton - free speech for pupils and teachers, Mantle of the Expert, Oracy, and Debating, with the Baroness of Buckley, Claire Fox, Tim Taylor, Mary Myatt and the John Catt book of the week author - Sarah Davies

Curriculum vs Data. Episode 14

What do parents want for their child's education, do they worry about curriculum and pedagogy? Ed Dorrell and Jonathan Simons have been finding out for their organisation 'Public First'. James Pembroke gives us his thoughts about Primary Schools and data including how to measure progress. Carl Gombrich talks about the soon to been launched new university - London Interdisciplinary School and argues for the need for students to have more breadth in their studies. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 intro from Stonehenge0:03:39 Ed Dorrel and Jonathan Simons about 'Public First and What Do Parents Want?' (full interview here: https://youtu.be/SKmH3G_OvO00:21:09 James Pembroke - Primary Schools and data (full interview: https://youtu.be/IS33pfgL2vA0:42:50 Carl Gombrich about London Interdisciplinary School (full interview here: https://youtu.be/5RnjUFrdtfs0:58:21 David and Martin closing thoughts

Leadership - Trials and Tribulations, and Joys! - Episode 13

This week we have interviews with Barry Smith about leadership, Ros McMullen about Exams and her charitable venture 'Headrest' NB the web address for Headrest is https://www.headrestuk.co.uk (not the website referred to in the programme) and in the John Catt interview Tom Rees & Jennifer Barker talk about their contribution to the ResearchEd book on Leadership. Also David and Martin discuss workplace bullying and, also comments by the Shadow Education Secretary about traditional education. Check to see if you won - "10 Things Schools Get Wrong" by Jared Cooney Horvath & David Bott - in the prize draw.Unfortunately a small section of the Barry Smith interview is missing from the start, subscribe to make sure you don't miss out on the whole interview when it is released in the week.

Progress & Tradition - Episode 12

#IYTYW This bumper edition explores the themes 'Progress and Tradition' - looking at rows with Conservative MPs and 'common-sense' in history teaching, and the challenges to schools on curriculum and behaviour policies following on from such movements as Black Lives Matter.A look at 'traditional' teaching of Latin and Classics and the 'John Catt book of the week '10 Things Schools Get Wrong'.With guests: Jonathan Mountstevens, Patrick Alexander, Ed Clarke, Jared Cooney Horvath and David Bott.Oh, and did you win the raffle this week?