Thinking Deeply about Primary Education

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

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! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

Episode 95: In what seems like the blink of an eye, Term 1 is in the rearview mirror and we’ve arrived at the end of Season 5. But fret not, because I have a wonderful Finale to share with you today. I usually try to get in and out of the description as quickly as possible but I need to take a moment to thank all of our wonderful guests from this season for sharing their wisdom and experience these past few months. To Clare, Becky, Sam, Aidan, Juan, Dan, James, Richard, and Kate your generosity knows no bounds and I know that I am a better teacher for my conversations with you, and I am certain that there will be countless others listening who feel the same. Speaking of being a better teacher. I, like many others, owe a huge professional debt of gratitude to my guest today. For many years, he has worked tirelessly to bring some of the brightest minds in education into our cars, trains, bikes, kitchens, and living rooms as well as sharing what he has learned through engaging with research in some of the most important education books of the last decade. It is, of course, the one and only, Craig Barton. They say you shouldn’t meet your heroes. Well, I’m here to tell you that they are wrong. Craig is a stone cold legend and I’ve been bursting to share this since we recorded all the way back in July. So what do you do when you meet a living legend? You try and ask them as many questions as possible in 60 minutes. So that’s what I did and I know you’re going to love the result. Without further ado, for the final time this season, let’s spend some time Thinking Deeply about Primary Education. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

Episode 93: This week on TDaPE it brings me tremendous pleasure to share another episode with two truly inspirational guests, James Pembroke and Richard Selfridge. During the episode we talk about all things assessment, including; whether tracking systems have an upside, standardised testing has a downside, what their guiding assessment principles are, what they would do if they became schools minister and much, much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one... Databusters Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/databusters/id1482223786  Databusting For Schools: https://www.databustingforschools.co.uk/blog Sig+: https://www.sigplus.co.uk Subscribe to the TDaPE YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4RLzsG-mznn1U_tZc8P4-Q Ko-Fi: www.ko-fi.com/tdape  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

Episode 92: This week on TDaPE I'm joined by inspirational teacher and school leader, Dan Rosen. In an episode I've been waiting to share for weeks, we discuss stress, the role it plays in the classroom, the learning process and what this means for our practice. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one. So, without further ado, let's spend some time thinking deeply about primary education... Follow Dan's blog: https://musingsofadr.wordpress.com Subscribe to the TDaPE YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4RLzsG-mznn1U_tZc8P4-Q --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

Episode 91: This week, I can’t wait to share another fascinating interview with you. This one features teacher and PhD candidate, Juan Fernadez. During our chat we discuss why evidence informed practice is important, how to find the time to engage with education research, why some edu myths outlive us all and much, much more. Whether you’re new to the profession or an experienced senior leader you won’t want to miss this one.   Before we begin, I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who listens each week and to those who support the podcast on KoFi. It really is appreciated, so on behalf of everyone involved in TDaPE. Thank you. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

Episode 90: This week it bring me tremendous pleasure to share today’s episode with you, an interview with the one and only Aidan Severs. During our chat we discuss Aidan’s blog writing process, the role social media plays in education, 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... TDaPE Family Discord: https://discord.gg/8yK9HckF (7 day link) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4RLzsG-mznn1U_tZc8P4-Q --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

Episode 89: This week I am delighted to share with you an episode featuring two of the greatest minds in education, Becky Allen and Sam Sims. During our chat we discuss teacher and school development, teacher retention, a hypothetical machine capable of creating providing the perfect conditions for education research and much, much more. If you enjoy this episode, and I know you will, then please leave a review wherever you get your podcast fix from. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one... YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4RLzsG-mznn1U_tZc8P4-Q --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

Episode 88: This week I am delighted to introduce Season 5 of the podcast and another opportunity to take a peek inside the minds of some inspirational teachers. Across this season we’re going to explore teacher development, mental health, evidence informed practice, assessment and much more but first we have the inimitable Clare Sealy and a discussion based around her extensive experience of leadership in a range of contexts.  What is leadership? What are your guiding principles to leadership? Do those principles change depending on the scale of the leadership role? What do you do in your first 100 days in a new leadership role? We answer these questions and much more. Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one... Discord: https://discord.gg/ZGjBmgH6 (7 Day Link)  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4RLzsG-mznn1U_tZc8P4-Q  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

Episode 61:  Welcome to thinking deeply about primary education, the podcast that gives you a peek inside the minds of some truly inspirational teachers. This week, it brings me great pleasure to present the finale of Season 4. And what a Season it has been. A huge thanks to Peps Mccrae, Sarah Farrell, Charlotte Mackechnie, Cassie Young, Nick Hart, Tom Sherrington, Oliver Caviglioli and Shannen Doherty. It really has been something else to share your wisdom with the world and I know that lots of people have learned so much thanks to your generosity. Now this week, I have the tremendous honour of welcoming the one and only Mary Matt to discuss the past, present and future of professional development, as well as what lies in store when Primary Huh hits the shelves this Spring.  I want to say a massive thank you to all of our supporters on KoFi. As you might know already, we want to keep TDaPE advert free so that our recommendations remain impartial and borne of genuine interest and inspiration, but things like the increasing demands Christopher Such makes in his rider, including but not limited to a faberge egg each month and a solid gold keyboard, are driving overheads through the roof.  To help support the podcast and quell Christophers thirst for material goods, you can subscribe at ko-fi.com/tdape by choosing one of three different subscription levels, each of which will provide you with access to episode transcripts, priority episode requests, monthly CPD videos or even all of the above. To show your support visit ko-fi.com/tdape. There’s no expectation that you do subscribe but we hope that it will be worth your while if you do. Without further ado, let’s spend some time thinking deeply about primary education. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

Episode 60: Welcome to Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, the podcast that gives you a peek inside the minds of some truly inspirational teachers. This week I have not one, not two, but three wonderful guests for you, as I explore professional development and all things Walkthrus with the inimitable trio that is Oliver Caviglioli, Tom Sherrington and our very own Shannen Doherty. Where did the idea for Walkthrus come from, how can we get the most from this wonderful resource, and which pitfalls should we seek to avoid? We answer all of these questions and much, much more in another episode that you won't want to miss.  Support the podcast at www.ko-fi.com/tdape Join the TDaPE family discord at https://discord.gg/xeNhPVRZZJ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

Episode 59: This week on TDaPE, I'm joined by Nick Hart as we explore all things school leadership. During another fascinating discussion, Nick takes us through his guiding principles for leadership, discusses how to build culture and trust in organisations of different sizes, as well as a sneak peak inside his mind with regards to explaining important ideas with clarity and precision. Without further ado let's spend some time thinking deeply about primary education... Support the podcast at www.ko-fi.com/tdape Join the TDaPE family discord at https://discord.gg/xeNhPVRZZJ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

Episode 58: This week on TDaPE, I'm joined by Cassie Young as we explore how to provide the highest quality education for pupils with Special Educational Needs in a mainstream setting. During this fascinating discussion, Cassie takes us through her guiding principles, what life is like as a SENCO (while also Head Teacher) as well as sharing her wealth of experience and knowledge in this area. Without further ado let's spend some time thinking deeply about primary education... Support the podcast at www.ko-fi.com/tdape Join the TDaPE family discord at https://discord.gg/xeNhPVRZZJ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

Episode 57: This week on TDaPE, I'm joined by the inimitable Charlotte MacKechnie for an extra special exploration of phonics and early literacy education. During this fascinating discussion, Charlotte takes me through both the theory and the execution of a high quality phonics offering for our pupils. Whether you're looking for guidance in your practice or a deeper understanding of early literacy, this episode is for you. Without further ado let's spend some time thinking deeply about primary education... Support the podcast at www.ko-fi.com/tdape Join the TDaPE family discord at https://discord.gg/xeNhPVRZZJ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message

Episode 56: When I asked who I should interview about mathematics during Season 4, one name came back. New to subject leadership, intensely passionate about task design and generous with her experience and wisdom, Sarah Farrell joins me this week for a conversation that will be immediately useful to teachers on every extreme of the novice-expert continuum. It was an absolute pleasure to talk mathematics with Sarah, so without further ado lets spend some time thinking deeply about primary education. Support the podcast at www.ko-fi.com/tdape Join the TDaPE family discord at https://discord.gg/xeNhPVRZZJ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kieran-mackle/message