Teachers Talk Radio

A new academic year offers the chance for a fresh start - whether you're joining a completely new school or returning to one you already know. Tonight on Points of View, we discuss how teachers can get the year off to the best possible start. From building relationships with new classes and colleagues to setting boundaries, establishing routines and navigating the pressures of the first few weeks, what actually makes a difference? What should you prioritise in September? What mistakes are worth avoiding? And for experienced teachers, is there such a thing as starting again with a clean slate? Join us for practical tips, different perspectives and plenty of discussion about making the new school year a positive one. On the panel: Maud Waret, Ollie Bayliss, Tom Rogers and guest panelist Freya Odell.

As teachers, we should have all the tips and tricks to be ideal learners. But is that the case? In this show, Darren explores the research into teachers-as-learners and thinks about how we can best approach CPD to really make the most of it.

The summer holidays are coming to an end and for some teachers, the thought of going back to school brings more than just the usual end-of-holiday blues. So why do teachers dread going back? Is it simply a natural reaction after weeks away from work, or can that feeling tell us something important about workload, behaviour, school culture, leadership or even whether teaching is still the right career? In this Points of View, we discuss the reasons behind back-to-school dread, whether experienced teachers feel it too, what can be done to make the return easier, and when that feeling might be a sign that something needs to change. Are you looking forward to September or counting down the days with dread? On the panel: Liz Webb, Rae Whitehouse, Lucy Trimnell

Darren looks at research by Li and Chu (2021) which analysed a specific platform for gamifying reading. While many would argue that reading doesn't need to be gamified, motivation is as important in reading as in any other skill acquisition, so the question becomes: is this the best way to motivate?

Meena Wood joins Tony to share her thoughts on inclusivity in education. Drawing on her wealth of experience as a former teacher, Principal, HMI and now author, Meena shares her passion and vision for a more inclusive curriculum. With her background in a range of settings in the UK and globally, expect some valuable insights and strong opinions on the current issues in education.