Teachers Talk Radio

Lee Pace and guest Andy Chell explore modern school governance: what governing bodies actually do, how to distinguish strategic oversight from day-to-day operations, and why effective challenge and triangulation matter.

They discuss the roles of chairs, clerks, link governors and parent trustees, recruitment by skills, learning walks, horizon scanning for future policy changes, and practical tips for clearer reporting and stronger governor–school relationships.

Stricter home schooling rules are on the way but are councils anywhere near ready? This week on Points of View, we unpack the government’s plans to introduce a national register of home-educated children and tighter oversight of families. Supporters say it’s about safeguarding vulnerable children and preventing tragedies. Critics warn it risks intrusive state overreach and puts impossible pressure on already overstretched local authorities. With rising numbers of children leaving schools - many linked to SEND pressures and mental health concerns, we ask: Are schools failing too many children? Is home education becoming a necessity, not a choice? Can councils realistically monitor thousands more families? And where should the balance lie between parental rights and child protection? On the panel: Tom Rogers, Lucy Trimnell and Carl Smith.

Join Michael Wright on The Sunday Lunch Show has he discusses applying for teaching jobs, green and red flags when getting a feel for a school, interview technique and how to make sure you are applying for schools that fit your own values and ethics. A must listen for those, ECT's in particular, who are job hunting!

We talk blues and how it may be the search for perfection behind it, alongside your regular features to set you up with returning to the classroom tomorrow *if you are*

Some days, teachers walk into the classroom carrying more than just their teaching materials. This show explores what it means to teach on an “off” day; the quiet challenge of showing up with energy, focus, and presence when you don’t quite feel like yourself. We’ll look at the pressure that comes with that reality, but also the unexpected upside: how the act of stepping into the role can sometimes lift us, ground us, and even help us through. It’s an honest conversation about the strain, the resilience, and the surprising opportunities hidden in the harder days.