Teachers Talk Radio

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.

Primary schools could be asked to identify children at risk of becoming NEET – not in education, employment or training – years before they actually leave school. Alan Milburn, who is leading a government review into Britain’s growing youth worklessness crisis, argues that the warning signs can appear from a very early age and that schools should play a bigger role in identifying pupils who may need additional support. But is this sensible early intervention – or another huge responsibility being placed on already overstretched schools? Can teachers really predict which primary-age children are at risk of unemployment years later? And could labelling children in this way create problems of its own? On Points of View, we debate how far schools should be responsible for a young person’s future employment prospects – and whether tackling the NEET crisis needs to start much earlier. On the panel - JP, Rae Whitehouse and Lucy Trimnell.

Teachers are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, both inside and outside the classroom. But where should the line be drawn between personal freedom and professional responsibility? The expectations set out in the Teachers' Standards include the requirement to maintain public trust and demonstrate high standards of personal and professional conduct. To what extent is this at conflict with a teacher’s right to enjoy a private life? Social media has blurred the boundaries between work and home and the growing impact of students having constant access to smartphones and the ability to record, share and scrutinise teachers' lives has changed in ways that were unimaginable a generation ago. Can teachers ever truly switch off, or has the digital age fundamentally changed what it means to be a professional working in education? On the panel: Liz Webb, Rae Whitehouse and Maud Waret.

The concept of belonging to a group is a vital part of adolescent development. In this show, Darren looks at why young people are so desperate to belong somewhere, how this impacts behaviour and whether our efforts to create "school culture" to foster belonging actually work.

A BBC Panorama investigation has put the spotlight on the Athena Learning Trust after parents, pupils and former teachers raised concerns about its behaviour policies. The programme features allegations including strict toilet rules, silent music lessons, extensive use of reflection rooms and claims that some neurodiverse pupils were disproportionately affected. Athena says its schools are built on high expectations, that behaviour policies are applied with professional judgement, and that calm, disruption-free classrooms help all pupils to learn. So, did Athena actually go too far? Were these policies a necessary response to poor behaviour, or did they become unnecessarily rigid and punitive? Where should schools draw the line between maintaining discipline and responding to individual pupils’ needs? Join Tom Rogers and the panel as they debate one of the biggest education stories of the week.

The summer is finally upon us! Teachers are decompressing. Students are celebrating. Holiday companies have tripled their prices. Childcare arrangements become complicated for many families. The summer holidays continue to be a contentious issue, with many differing views within education, let alone outside of it. Join Jo Fox, Maud Waret and Liz Webb to share your opinions on the summer break - or tell us how you’ll be spending it!

In this week's show, Claudia Tumba and Martin Sketchley have a chat about teaching English in China, Japan and Korea.

Permanent exclusions continue to rise across England, but why? Are schools dealing with the consequences of increasingly difficult home lives, weaker parental support and wider social problems? Or is the education system itself failing children through outdated classrooms, oversized classes and unrealistic expectations? Should exclusions remain a necessary last resort to protect learning, or are they evidence that mainstream education needs fundamental reform? Also on the show, A major new NFER report suggests social media, online bullying and worsening wellbeing may all be fuelling England's attendance crisis. But are phones really to blame? Have attitudes towards school attendance fundamentally changed since the pandemic? And should the government rethink attendance fines, or double down on getting children back into the classroom?

Alpha School has become one of the most talked-about education models in the world. Supporters say AI-powered learning can dramatically improve outcomes while reducing classroom teaching time. Critics question the evidence, the role of teachers, and whether the model can or should be replicated elsewhere. Joining Tom Rogers are Samantha DePalo (Alpha School), Neil Almond (teacher development lead and AI enthusiast) and Donald Clark (AI expert) for what promises to be an important and eye opening discussion on whether AI is genuinely transforming education or whether we're getting ahead of the evidence.

The term "brat" has been reclaimed by a subset of young people and social media influers and turned into an aesthetic that some sociologists claim prioritises hedonism and superficiality. In this show, Darren explores the modern "brat" identity and wonders how this aesthetic might be impacting our young people.

With a new Prime Minister comes a new cabinet, and this week we saw Lucy Powell replace Bridget Phillipson as Secretary of State for Education. As the 8th Education Secretary since 2020, the education sector is understandably wary about yet another appointment to the role. While Lucy Powell’s predecessor has not left the role with successful reviews, what can we expect with the change at the top? As ever, the question has bounded to the forefront: should secretaries of state have at least SOME experience in that sector before being placed in charge of the political journey of such an important area? So… who is Lucy Powell? What connections and experience does she have with schools? In which direction will she take education? What should be her first actions in office? What do those in education want to see prioritised? And what did Bridget Phillipson get so wrong? Join Matt Miles, Maud Waret and Liz Webb for Points of View live at 8pm and share your thoughts.

Tim Smale is joined by Jayne Lowe OBE, the DfE's Attendance and Behaviour Ambassador, for his final show of the year: Belonging or Boundaries? The Behaviour Debate. Connection, culture, discipline and exclusions, put to the person shaping national policy on all four. Live on Teachers Talk Radio.

The government has announced plans to introduce new technical education pathways for Key Stage 4 from 2028, allowing pupils to study subjects such as AI, engineering, coding, manufacturing and mechanics alongside their core GCSEs. The reforms aim to give young people more choice, strengthen links with local employers and equip students with the skills needed for a rapidly changing economy. But could this represent one of the biggest shifts in secondary education for a generation? Is 14 the right age for pupils to begin specialising, or does it risk narrowing opportunities too early? How will schools find the funding, facilities and specialist teachers needed to make these pathways a success? And what impact could this have on traditional GCSE subjects, teacher recruitment and educational inequality? Join us for a live debate as we explore the opportunities, challenges and unintended consequences of a radical new vision for Key Stage 4! On the panel: Andrew Old, Josh Taylor and Carly Holness.

A teacher allegedly attacked in her own classroom. Increasing reports of abuse against school staff. Many teachers say the job has become more dangerous than ever before. This week we ask why. Is this simply a reflection of wider societal problems, or have schools become less able to enforce boundaries and protect staff? We also discuss whether young women teachers are particularly vulnerable and what schools should do differently.

Christopher offers an insight into how he manages the teaching and supervision of A level English Literature NEA work in the department he leads; presents a walkthrough of how to apply critical theory to the Brothers Grimm story 'The Four Skilful Brothers'; and explains how to maintain academic integrity through careful departmental authentication strategies.

Lee and his guest David Perkins discuss the events of 2025/26 and the additional pressures placed on schools!

In this show, Darren looks at the role of ministers and tsars in education, considering what the roles involve and how the government can use them to work more effectively with teachers.

What happens when we stop listening for the "right" answer and start listening to truly understand? Join host Famida Choudhary as she welcomes educator and parent Saira Saleem for a heartfelt conversation on the power of authentic listening. Together, they explore how creating emotionally safe spaces allows children to express themselves honestly, strengthening trust, relationships, wellbeing, and learning. From student voice and emotional literacy to parenting, classroom culture, and meaningful communication, this episode offers practical insights for educators and parents seeking to help every child feel seen, heard, and valued. Because sometimes, the greatest gift we can give a child.

Join Tom Rogers and Tim Smale for a special show with Charu Kashyap, Founder & CEO of The O Education Group, as they explore whether traditional models of schooling are keeping pace with the needs of modern learners. The discussion examines the thinking behind Ohana, a new relational online school, and looks at how flexibility, belonging, safeguarding, academic ambition and technology can work together to create different routes into learning. Is education ready to evolve, and what might the school of the future look like?

In this show, Darren reacts to the news of a New York school district planning to implement a robotic teacher from Autumn 2026and considers what teaching and learning looks like when the human teachers are removed.

In this episode, Konstantinos is joined by Dr Hatie Mapudzi to explore what it really means for students to feel that they belong in higher education. Together, they discuss inclusive teaching, student engagement, representation, and the everyday practices that help create learning environments where every student feels valued, supported and able to thrive.

In this show, Darren looks at how schools in Germany approach the issues of school violence and bullying, drawing on research conducted in 2020.

Teachers are getting a 3.5% pay rise. Academy trust CEOs could soon face government approval before taking jobs paying more than £174,000. The changes have sparked a fierce row across the education sector. Some say executive pay has become excessive while classroom staff struggle with workload and recruitment. Others argue that large academy trusts require exceptional leaders whose salaries should reflect the scale and complexity of their role. We will also look at the teacher pay rise in general and the claim that schools themselves will need to fund half of it. Is the government protecting taxpayers or interfering in independent organisations?

For decades, we’ve asked whether young people are ready for the world of work. But perhaps we’ve been asking the wrong question. Is our education system still relevant to the lives young people are living today, and to the futures they’re likely to face over the next thirty years? With the Curriculum and Assessment Review prompting a national conversation about the purpose of education, this show explores how we prepare young people for an increasingly complex world. From employer engagement to technical education and apprenticeships, what can schools do to broaden opportunity while maintaining high expectations and aspirations? Paula Delaney is joined by Kate Ambrosi (CEO) and Olivia Saunders (Project Manager - MBacc) from Baker Dearing Educational Trust to discuss curriculum reform, parity of esteem between academic and technical education, and what meaningful pathways to success could look like for young people. Together, we will explore what these national developments mean for teachers, school leaders and, most importantly, the pupils sitting in front of us on a Monday morning. If we were designing England’s education system from scratch today, what would we keep, what would we change, and what opportunities would we want every young person to experience before they leave school?

Beejesh and a special guest discuss whether it is a wise idea to jump ship from your current school, explore teachers' expectations about what schools should be like, and consider the idea of "unicorn schools" and how attainable it is to get a job at one.

A BBC investigation has revealed that one pupil spent more than half an academic year in an isolation booth, with other students reporting being removed from lessons for issues such as uniform infringements, talking in class and lateness. Supporters argue that strict behaviour systems protect the education of the majority and create calm classrooms. Critics say prolonged isolation can damage children's wellbeing and may go far beyond what was originally intended. Join Tom Rogers, Yasmin Omar and JP as they discuss. 

Yannick and Tony talk about the more contentious issues that crop up in the summer term. Is gained time fairly used? Are Proms a rite of passage or a right waste of money? How should schools deal with heatwaves and unauthorised holidays? Is it right for schools to close when parents are fined for taking their children out of school? Join us for a frank discussion on these often controversial issues!

One in every ten children in England was referred to mental health services last year, with anxiety now the single biggest reason. Referrals have almost doubled since 2018, suspected autism referrals have risen by nearly 50% in just one year, and more than 60,000 children are waiting over two years for support. So what is driving this dramatic rise? Is there genuinely a growing mental health crisis among children and young people, or are we simply getting better at recognising conditions that have always existed? Are schools expected to fill the gaps left by overstretched health services? And what role do social media, smartphones, Covid, family life, poverty, SEND pressures and the education system itself play? Join the discussion as we explore one of the biggest challenges currently facing education, healthcare and families. What do you think? Is this a genuine mental health emergency or does the conversation need to change?

We talk the fine balancing act and how to come out ok, just ok. Not to be missed. A mental health hour that is needed more than ever.

In this week's show, Claudia Tumba and Martin Sketchley have a chat about English Language Teaching in South Korea.

Is prom attendance an absolute rite of passage, or is it a privilege to be earned? On todays Points of View, we are looking into one of the most hotly contested debates in school communities. With many schools using "No-Go lists" linked to attendance and behavior to decide who gets a ticket, we ask: is this a fair accountability tool, or does it unfairly penalize our most vulnerable students? Join the conversation, share your staffroom experiences, and call in to tell us where you stand! On the panel: Lucy Trimnell, JP, Rae Whitehouse and Carl Smith.

Carl takes us through the evidence for why white working class pupils are so behind other groups in society and what effect this is having on our society. He then explores the solutions and how we must take a more intelligent approach to supporting and holding schools to account in white working class communities so we can bring about real change.

Do outside variables make a difference inside? We talk stress and the regular features.

As temperatures continue to soar across parts of the UK and Europe, schools are once again facing difficult decisions about how to respond to extreme heat. Should schools remain open regardless, adapting through shorter days, relaxed uniform rules and additional water breaks? Or are heatwave closures a sensible response to genuine health and safety concerns, particularly in older buildings not designed for sustained high temperatures? Listen back to this bumper two hour Points of View.  On the panel: Tom Rogers, Liz Webb, Alun Ebenezer, Rich Walkden, Alistair Wood, Maud Waret, Kit Marie Rackley, JP. 

We talk sun and mental health. Join in!

Dave chats with youth political activist Kole Gjikolaji on a range of topics concerning youth political voice including AI in schools, taxation of private schools, equality in education and the school curriculum could be adapted to get more young people politically engaged. 

Keir Starmer has resigned so for this edition of Points of View, we examine Labour's record on education after two years in government. When Labour came to power, it promised to recruit more teachers, tackle the SEND crisis, improve attendance, reform Ofsted, raise standards and restore confidence in the education system. But how much progress has actually been made? Have teachers noticed meaningful change in their classrooms? Are schools better funded? Has workload improved? What has happened to behaviour, attendance and recruitment? And have Labour's policies addressed the challenges facing pupils with special educational needs and disabilities? Join us as we assess the government's education record, explore the successes and failures of the past two years, and ask whether Labour has delivered on its promises to schools, teachers, parents and pupils. On the panel are four current UK teachers - Liz Webb, Rachel Gilyeat, Maud Waret and making his POV debut - Ollie Bayliss.

Join Paula Delaney and Charlotte Bleakley as they explore technology, learning and decision-making in schools. Their discussion will span personalised learning, developing teacher expertise, classroom practice and the role of digital technology in education. With new technologies continuing to shape education, how can we as a profession begin to make thoughtful decisions about their place within teaching and learning?

Improving attendance has been the obsession of both the government and Ofsted since 2020, leading to pressure being heaped on schools - and subsequently children and families - to solve a growing crisis. A fixation on the data, however, is not solving the problem and, instead of looking at the “why”, a punitive approach has been the chosen method of the government - but enforced on the ground by schools. This has led to a breakdown in relationships between parents and schools, with increasing blame falling on Heads and teachers, for situations which are ultimately out of their hands. Equally, schools have little power to solve the real problems causing high levels of absence, but all the while being held to account on the numbers. Has the situation reached breaking point? Is the position of schools now impossible? Join Rae, Dave, Yasmin and Liz.

The discussion revolves around high expectations not being seasonal. They don't end when exams finish or when the sun comes out. Every lesson, every day and every interaction matters.

Join Michael Wright for the Sunday Lunch Show with guest James Stevenson as they discuss what it is to be resilient in today's educational climate. With staff shortages, budget cuts, behavioural issues, school politics, strikes and closures, to name a few, how do new and experienced teachers and leaders traverse the rough terrain that is education? What lessons can be learned from using inner and outer motivation? What part can Finnish Sisu play in surviving the storm?  

In this show, Konstantinos is joined by Dr Frania Hall to discuss the value of teaching as scholarship in higher education. Together, they explore evaluation, pedagogic research, educational leadership, teaching-focused career pathways, and how universities can better recognise and celebrate teaching excellence. The conversation reflects on academic identity, innovation, professional recognition, and the vital contribution that teaching-focused academics make to the future of higher education.

Every educator has heard the phrase "outstanding lesson," but what does it actually mean? Is it about engagement, creativity, differentiation, technology, or something far deeper? In this solo episode of The Lunch Show, Famida Choudhary explores one of education's most debated questions: What truly makes a lesson outstanding? Drawing on over 15 years of classroom experience, assessment leadership, lesson observations, and educational research, Famida shares her personal recipe for success. From knowing your cohort through data and observation, to designing purposeful learning environments, selecting the right pedagogical approaches, fostering higher-order thinking, providing impactful feedback, and using AI responsibly, this show challenges the idea that outstanding teaching can be reduced to a checklist. Join us for a reflective and practical conversation that reminds us that outstanding lessons are not performances - they are carefully crafted learning experiences designed to help every child thrive.

Louise Marie meets with Marie Zarro to discuss how to introduce non-fiction texts to the primary classroom!

Yannick and Tony talk about how they have been managed and how they have managed others throughout their 25-year careers. They reflect on how their experiences of leadership have impacted them. Which leadership behaviours have made them feel valued and empowered and which have made them feel exposed and demoralised? How have they as leaders looked to balance the need to have impact with the need to support their team? Has leadership changed? Are leaders becoming more effective? Do we have enough good leaders in education? Is the need to be corporate and show improvement at odds with the need to support and develop teachers holistically? The hosts tackle this and many other questions as they delve into the big issues of educational management.

As new summer exam entry data lands following the government’s landmark curriculum and assessment review, we ask: are England’s secondary schools on the brink of major change, or are old patterns proving hard to break? Despite plans to scrap the EBacc performance measure, GCSE choices remain largely unchanged with languages still struggling, history steady, geography slipping and business booming. Meanwhile, maths continues its dominance at both GCSE and A-level, economics surges into the top five A-levels, and political studies sees record growth. A new 'Natural History' GCSE is planned and A Level music looks like it could cease to exist in many schools. Join Rae Whitehouse, JP, Lucy Trimnell and Liz Webb as they discuss.

Join Beejesh and Claire to discuss if Gareth Southgate really does know best about how boys and girls learn.

This week on The Late Show with Tim Smale, Tim is joined by Darren Goode, Assistant Principal for Inclusion, for a conversation about belonging in schools. England now has one of the lowest rates of pupil belonging in the world, and the link between belonging and achievement is hard to ignore. Tim and Darren ask why it is still treated as the soft stuff when the evidence says it is anything but, taking in inclusion, SEND, the attendance crisis, representative education, masculinity, behaviour and the pull of social media.