It’s Your Time You’re Wasting

Are We an Island of Strangers?

Do schools contribute to whether we see ourselves as an Island of Strangers or not?Some links for your delectation: Our interview with ED Hirsch: https://youtu.be/H097vPnDpkI?si=erXALkeyInTYmRTYOur Interview with Michael Young: https://youtu.be/xi_AhfWjeis?si=oanbhXx4OC8vc_W8EmanRTM: https://youtu.be/OXn4lFNVb-Y?si=nAQmw4B8cXkaA_tPSutton Trust Report: https://www.suttontrust.com/our-research/the-opportunity-index/Policy Exchange Report: https://policyexchange.org.uk/publication/lessons-from-the-past/More in Common Social Cohesion Report: https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/our-work/research/social-cohesion-a-snapshot/

Coaching or Ker-CHING!?

Is the current vogue for coaching in schools a fad or fundamental part of good CPD?

Should Teachers Stick to the Script?

Scripted lessons vs Teacher AutonomySam Gibbs article: https://www.tes.com/magazine/teaching-learning/general/teacher-autonomy-how-we-dumbed-down-teachingGreg Ashman Substack: https://fillingthepail.substack.com/p/on-scripted-lessons?r=18455&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=trueCurriculum Revolutions: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Curriculum-Revolutions-practical-guide-enhancing/dp/1913622983/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1CJAF8E626TLP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0WYdXLdKZ5VQvl_-FH5DYm2Wxdh93XhlojB_n2ij4knc0Z8T6zhPLC5LX5Rwg3SRxRvh4LKASdAyOwAD3lx7od4NsQl7NikqD2gxcysBpqvk5wtURf4u4hegd7rgi-Gzk72ZjWxo4Aghb8kD4BfIF82MVkfP78geMATSuWEcaTnmdGjvlV294NS1nQfH6bO9dI9G3VdwP10Ri_5yShBpeQ.obEGBWeDYbxld7sKy5C6xHi1IGULbXAkyCtmYA1_zNY&dib_tag=se&keywords=curriculum+revolutions&qid=1746720559&sprefix=curriculum+revolutions%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-1

Ofsted Causing Concern

Do the proposed changes to Ofsted’s inspection regime go far enough? (spoiler - no)Some of the articles mentioned in this episode:https://neu.org.uk/press-releases/close-ofsted-consultationhttps://schoolsweek.co.uk/can-ofsted-listen-its-way-out-of-its-political-bind/https://daviddidau.substack.com/p/rewiring-inspection?r=18455&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true

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.