Claim OwnershipThe Renaissance Space Podcast
Subscribed: 1Played: 10
Subscribe
© 2026 The Renaissance Space Podcast
Description
The Renaissance Space Podcast is an opportunity to showcase all that global education has to offer. Each month we'll be uploading an episode focussing on a trending or hot topic within the education community. We'll be chatting to guests from all corners of the education sector.
Find out more: https://uk.renaissance.com/resources/podcasts/
Get in touch: podcast@renaissance.com
Follow us on X: @RenLearnUK @Renlearn_Int
51 Episodes
Reverse
Please Note: this episode is an edit of a live webinar and therefore will contain references to images and other resources throughout the episode. If you wish to enquire about any referenced resources, please email support@renlearn.co.uk Michelle Thomas Director of Education will share how the School of Research Science in Dubai has transformed its reading culture. With a predominantly Emiratis intake, the school has established reading as the foundation to the development of the chi...
You're listening to the fourth series of the Renaissance Space podcast entitled 'Reading - more than just words on a page'. In the second episode of the series, 'The ATOS Level', Margaret chats with children's author and ex-teacher, Matt Beighton. They discuss the benefits of using ATOS from Renaissance to level any book. The ATOS leveller provides an accurate level for almost any book allowing the teacher or child to see if the book is at an appropriate level for reading based on the reade...
To kick off our new series entitled, 'Reading - More Than Just Words on a Page', Margaret chats with the Assistant Headteacher of Tor Bridge Primary School in Plymouth. They discuss how a combination of whole-class reading and reading ed-tech resources have transformed their school. Olivia discusses how a simple change in strategy with reading practice and the right reading resource results in the perfect combination. She explains how this dream combination has resulted in accelerated levels...
In the final episode of our EdTech Focus series, James speaks to Heather Howard, Assistant Lead of English, Key Stage 3 coordinator & Literacy Coordinator at GEMS Wellington Academy, Dubai. Heather discusses how EdTech solutions at her school help keep students on track and focus on their targets. She discusses the different strategies that her staff can put into action thanks to varied and accurate data of her EdTech solutions. As Assistant Lead of English and Literacy Coordinator, Hea...
In this week's episode in our EdTech Focus series, Margaret speaks to Joe Neale, the trust-wide English lead and Karen Bolland, the Assessment & Data Manager for Schoolsworks Academy Trust. Both guests discuss how EdTech solutions have provided a platform for staff across all schools in the trust to acquire accurate and timely assessment data for all pupils. Joe discusses how EdTech solutions have enabled teachers in the classroom to acquire a comprehensive outline of each student's cu...
In the second episode of our new series, EdTech Focus, Margaret speaks to Teacher and School Improvement Leader, Catherine Magee. Catherine shares how EdTech solutions have supported her and her staff to understand pupil development better while saving them valuable time. She looks at using EdTech to support staff in both Reading and Mathematics. In the episode, Catherine discusses the importance of using assessment data appropriately and efficiently in a school environment. She stre...
In the first episode of our new series, EdTech Focus, James speaks to International School Librarian Jack Morris at Cranleigh School, Abu Dhabi. Jack is the Prep School Librarian and Accelerated Reader Coordinator. Cranleigh School's Prep School library is available to students from FS1 (nursery) to Year 8, and they use Renaissance products (Star Reading, Accelerated Reader and myON) with Years 3 to 8. Jack has been working with Renaissance products for the past 4 years in two different scho...
In our World Book Day special episode of our brand new series, a world of reading, Margaret speaks to school reading leads Rachel Coverdale and Georgina Sheridan. They discuss how they've supported children with maintaining reading engagement and monitoring reading development throughout remote-learning. Please subscribe to The Renaissance Space podcast on whichever platform you're listening to. And, don't forget to leave a comment or start a conversation about any episode on Twitter, using...
The first episode in our brand new series, 'A World of Reading'. Margaret Allen speaks to teacher, Reading Lead and blogger Kelly Buxton. They discuss what Kelly believes to be core to reading in a school. Her passion, interest, and knowledge are evident in her blog, Are Children Listening. Please subscribe to The Renaissance Space podcast on whichever platform you're listening to. And, don't forget to leave a comment or start a conversation about any episode on Twitter, using the hashtag ...
The third episode in the Covid School Miniseries Margaret Allen speaks to researcher Dr Sarah McGeown as they discuss 'A Guide to Reading Enjoyment'. The guide covers all areas of reading enjoyment for pupils, teachers and parents. Margaret and Sarah discuss the challenges of finding motivation for some children to be enthusiastic about reading and what to expect from readers of every ability. Download your own copy of the Reading Enjoyment Guide that Sarah and Margaret have been discussing h...
The first episode in the Covid School miniseries - Margaret Allen speaks to Joe Neale, Trust-Wide English Lead at Schoolsworks Academy Trust. Together, they discuss all things assessment, English, teaching in a covid19 environment and what can be done to support pupils in the future. Please subscribe to The Renaissance Space podcast on whichever platform you're listening to. And, don't forget to leave a comment or start a conversation about any episode on Twitter, using the hashtag #Renaissa...
The second episode in the Covid School miniseries and our Christmas special - Margaret Allen speaks to parent and Gemma Buchanan and Assistant Headteacher Paula Trahern. In an exclusive roundtable discussion, they give their honest experiences and opinions on how the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 affected their lives. From both the parent and the teacher's perspective, this unique insight highlights the courage and anxiety from both perspectives during a school year like no other. P...
The fifth episode in the Covid School Miniseries Margaret Allen speaks to librarians Nicola Cowling and Roshan Hunt. They discuss how their respective institutions have continued to provide accessible reading materials and promote reading for pleasure throughout COVID-19 pandemic. This unique roundtable discussion looks at how teachers and librarians across the UK try to make reading an immersive experience for children and young adults. The guests consider how the modern library may not look...
Margaret Allen speaks to headteachers Navroop Mehat and Nick Hart. They discuss how their respective schools have approached the 20/21 academic year with further school part-closures and continuous remote learning. Both guests provide a valuable insight into how they have planned and implemented their curriculum before, during and beyond remote-learning circumstances. The episode also covers the vital topic of assessment within schools and how each headteacher prioritises assessment within th...
In this episode, Georgina is joined by Kate Sayer, Education Specialist at the World Book Day charity and former primary teacher, whose career has centred on supporting children’s literacy through schools, arts organisations and family engagement. Kate explores the charity’s six principles for reading for pleasure and why they matter so much in today’s classrooms. She discusses the role of teacher knowledge, the power of choice, how to build genuine reading cultures and the importance of posi...
In this episode, Polly is joined by Beccie Hawes, CEO of Cadmus Inclusive and specialist SEN advisory teacher, to explore one of the most overlooked barriers to learning: working memory. Beccie shares insights from her new book on demystifying executive functioning and explains why assumptions about these skills can leave some learners struggling. From identifying subtle classroom indicators to implementing simple but powerful “teaching tweaks,” Beccie offers practical strategies that lighten...
In this episode, our host Margaret Allen is joined by Gary Hillyard, Headteacher at The Carlton Academy - part of the Redhill Academy Trust. Gary has been in education for 22 years and led the secondary reading strategy across the 10 secondary schools in the trust for the last 8 years. We explore Gary's journey from bookseller to teacher and his deep commitment to developing a trust-wide culture of reading. He emphasises the importance of authentic reading experiences, emotional engagement, a...
In this episode, hosts Margaret Allen and Emma Dibden are joined by Dr Helen Ross - an independent educational research consultant, specialist assessor, and SEND expert. Together they delve into Helen's perspectives on reading, dyslexia, and education. Helen discusses the challenges of teaching children to love reading, her personal experiences with dyslexia and the pressures of the education system - advocating for authentic teaching and having diverse pathways to success. Helen chairs the...
In this episode, Margaret Allen is joined by bestselling author Jacqui Rose (better known to readers as 'J.P.') who shares her journey as an author - highlighting her Northern roots and adoption, which profoundly influenced her worldview and writing. They discuss her latest book "Birdie" inspired by her empathy for pit ponies she saw growing up - reflecting themes of loss, grief, and racism. J.P. shares her childhood love for reading and writing as a means of escapism and self-exploration. ...
Click here to view this episode as a video podcast Our returning guest for this episode is Jeffrey Boakye - an author, broadcaster and educator with a particular interest in issues surrounding race, masculinity, education and popular culture. Together, Jeffrey and Margaret discuss the benefits of reading and why our perspective on it needs to change. Jeffrey taught English to 11- to 18-year-olds for 15 years and now provides training for schools, universities and businesses on race, identit...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States