The School of School

In this episode, our hosts discuss the concept of learning within constraints, exploring how different types of constraints can influence creativity, decision-making, and student performance. They emphasise the importance of understanding these constraints in educational settings and how they can shape both teaching methods and student outcomes.

Our trio is back! This week, Adam, Andy, and Robin explore the presence handwriting in an ever-growing digital world. One of our earliest ever episodes was ‘Pen vs Pencil’, now is the debate ‘stylus vs. keyboard vs. paper’? Does writing open up new possibilities that digital tools don't? And does the act of writing down thoughts engages the brain differently? Our experts discuss!

This week, Robin and Andy delve into the essence of learning moments, particularly focusing on the significance of 'aha' moments in education. How can we facilitate these moments? How important is joy of learning? And what are the intrinsic rewards that come from overcoming challenges and achieving understanding? Find out!

Are you paying attention? Andy and Robin this week are discussing the various strategies that students use to avoid tasks in the classroom. They explore common procrastination techniques, the importance of teacher engagement, and how technology affects student focus. What can help keep kids on task?

Andy and Robin this week are discussing their insights from visiting various schools and observing classrooms. They explore; some similarities among students and teachers, the importance of enthusiasm in learning, and the dynamics that create effective classroom environments.

Our trio are joined this week by experienced educator, Jerry Mussio, from British Columbia. We’re discussing the historical context of curriculum implementation, the challenges faced by teachers, and the role of policymakers in shaping education. What are the systematic issues within educational frameworks? Is more support needed for teachers in effectively implementing curriculum changes? Plus, Jerry emphasises the necessity of returning to real-world experiences in policy-making and the influence of external agencies on curriculum development.

We’re talking community this week on The School of School Podcast, with special guest, Sarah Matthews joining us. Sarah’s school has a nearby army barracks, so has high mobility. What things does her school do to build a sense of community and safety for pupils? How are transitions for newly-joining students managed? Find out!

We’re delving into differentiation this week, chatting about various strategies for differentiation, including scaffolding, varying learning environments, and adapting expectations based on student readiness. Do pupils get labelled too soon based off of perceived ability?

This week, our trio are discussing a word that can have many meanings to many different people in education: Mastery. Our crew focus on the distinction between instrumental and relational understanding in mathematics, and how in other fields, the two types of understanding apply.

In this episode, our hosts delve into the concept of problem solving, discussing its historical context, significance, and practical applications. We explore the contributions of both George Polya and the Cockroft Report.

It’s time to wrap up our core competency mini series, with Metacognition. Why is consistent practice of metacognitive strategies essential for improvement? What is Andy talking about when he says the teacher needs to act the buffoon? Plus, we revisit why the core competencies are so important.

This week’s core competency is Number Sense. What does having good number sense mean? How can we spot if students have poor number sense? Plus, the gang share the importance of contextual understanding of number.

This week’s focus is another core competency, Communication. We’re wondering — Is reading mathematically completely overlooked? What did Lev Vygotsky teach us about interactions and social learning? And should teachers be facilitating more opportunities for talk? Listen to find out!

The next core competency our hosts want to chat about is Generalisation. How important is it for learners to make links and apply certain knowledge to new and varied situations? Plus, ever heard of Zoltan Dienes? Andy explains the two types of variation that Dienes is famous for discussing.

Over the next five weeks we’re diving into the '5 Core Competencies'. This week, we look at visualisation, a crucial skill needed for problem solving. Our trio discuss the importance of Jerome Bruner's CPA approach, the dangers of rote, and more!

Oboe experts, Being anti-maths, and more. We’re reposting this fantastic episode about teacher training — with our hosts looking into how many hours teachers actually get to explore maths during their training. How serious can the knock-on effects be if something is misunderstood by a child early on? Why are there different attitudes to other subjects? Plus, we talk about the unique circumstance of how usually the people holding teachers accountable aren’t adults…

This week our trio discuss the complexities of curriculum organisation in mathematics education. How are curriculum decisions are made? Does the secret to success lie more in the curriculum or in the classroom? Plus, hear how scales and analogue issues might be a problem without the right guidance!

In this episode, our hosts discuss the implications of AI in education, exploring whether it could replace teachers. Is human connection even that important? Will the future of education involve a blend of AI and human teaching? Plus, the crew note that the role of a teacher goes beyond just transferring knowledge…

We’re Andy-less this week, but luckily joined by the fantastic Neil and Rosie from St Bridget’s once again. This week we’re discussing the importance of professional learning communities in education, focusing on how they foster collaboration, trust, and continuous improvement among teachers. Just how key is that supportive environment for teachers? Plus, we hear an a-ha moment to remember!

Our hosts this week are discussing why culturally responsive teaching is essential for inclusive education. What age is right to start learning about world views? How important is representation in education? Plus, the gang agree that building and emphasising curiosity about different cultures enriches the educational experience.

Our hosts this week are thinking up the essential skills young people need to thrive in an ever-changing world. Should schools tach more life skills? What skills are most important for young people to learn? Plus, what is the impact of technology on human interaction and community building?

This week our trio are discussing the role of volunteers in schools, exploring both the benefits and potential drawbacks of volunteer involvement. Do volunteers need proper training? Can the volunteers inadvertently reinforce misconceptions in students? Plus, our hosts chat about the value community involvement has on both the school and the community itself.

So good we had to share this episode again! Children teachers, SEN advice, and more. Craig Robinson and Gill MacDonald are back, to share their insights from teaching using Maths — No Problem! Are they now better equipped to help struggling learners? How can teachers teaching less be a good thing? Plus, Gill was ‘the most reluctant teacher’ when it came to changing their maths programme, find out how things have changed since then.

Challenge lovers, Playtime avoiders, and more. Matt Ashby is back and this week he’s sharing some of the amazing attitude changes he has seen since adopting Maths — No Problem! Is maths now a top subject for pupils? What’s the impact like on teachers? Find out!

Decision paralysis, The Grameen Bank, and more. We’re looking back at this fascinating conversation with Jen Dousett, discussing what the teacher of the future will look like. What threats does AI pose to learning in the future? How do we go about teaching kids that certain problems may never present a classic ‘answer’? Plus, Adam addresses the importance of strong relationships between all parties involved in a pupils learning.

The crew are joined this week by former executive director of curriculum and assessment in the Canadian Education Ministry, Jerry Mussio to talk about Canada’s education history and current situation. Where have things gone wrong in the past for Canada? Is there too much weight on teachers currently?

This week, Adam, Robin, and Andy are joined by Sarah Matthews, Head at Stanton St Quintin Primary School, Wiltshire, UK. We’re focusing on assessment, community involvement, and the importance of creating a supportive learning environment — three things Sarah’s school does fantastically. Does celebrating successes help create a positive school culture? Can standardised testing create unnecessary anxiety? Listen to find out!

So good we had to share this episode again! Yoga A-Level, Self perception, and more. In this episode Louise Hoskyns-Staples joins us to share her insights on how we can improve maths engagement for girls. What learning style suits girls best? Can teaching maths in a way that benefits girls potentially jeopardise the boys? Plus, are there any differences in the male and female brains that account for how they perform in maths?

This week our hosts explore the critical role of teacher-student relationships in education. What teachers influenced our trio’s educational journeys? How significant is the role of school environment and safety? Plus, we discuss the balance between structure and freedom in education.

Shortcut damage, Starting with 'why’, and more. Ross Deans is back! This week we’re discussing the importance of conceptual understanding in maths education. Ross shares his journey from a once reluctant math student to a now passionate educator, and the gang talk about the role of mindset in learning, and the significance of real-life contexts in making maths relatable.

Plant growing, Talking opportunities, and more. We are Andy-less this week, with Robin and Adam holding the fort. However, a fantastic guest joins us in Mateu Ramonet, from Star Primary School in London. Our crew discuss the importance of fostering a rich dialogue around mathematics in the classroom as well as how teacher development is crucial for effective maths instruction.

Ever wanted a lesson in guitar string theory? Our hosts are jamming this week — thinking about how maths effects other subject areas, especially the creative ones. Should maths be seen as a creative process like in music and art? Listen to hear how interconnected this subjects all are!

Things are getting political this week! Our trio are talking how politics effects education. Is Education too often used as a tool for political gain? Is it too challenging to separate education from those political agendas? Plus, the crew set themselves some homework!

Sometimes you’ve just gotta hit reset! We’re discussing travel time and reflective time this week. What do new perspectives bring us? Do we forget too often about getting that fresh air for thinking time? Plus, the crew share how the best ideas come to them when on the move.

Fluffy activities, Bare feet, and more. Our hosts are discussing the importance of these three subjects and are wondering if we need to focus on promoting more joy for children. Why do people have visceral feelings towards creative subjects? What other learning experiences and life lessons can happen whilst learning these subjects? Find out!

This week, our gang explore the significance of curriculum in education, exploring that while curriculum is important, the effectiveness of teaching and systemic factors play a more crucial role in student outcomes. Plus, Andy shares that successful schools can thrive regardless of curriculum changes.

Matt Ashby joins us this week to share some of the successes him and his school, Aragon Primary, have had using Maths — No Problem! for near enough a decade. The national average of pupils attaining expected level is 73%. Are you ready to hear Aragon’s score? Clue — it’s phenomenal! Matt also shares his person turning point using the programme, as well as how his school collaborate as a team to teach effectively.

Rabbit holes, Continual learning, and more. We’re discussing the impact and importance of professional learning communities this week. Should it be mandatory that teachers are involved in these communities? Who is there to help improve your practice if it’s just you and the children all the time? Plus, Andy shares the importance of making the teachers experience being learners.

Desk tidying, Day-reflecting, and more. Looking for quick teaching tips to help your practice? Our trio share some practical tips that may help make life easier in the classroom. From adopting an observer’s mindset to helpful lesson-starters to make things flow quicker, we’ve got you!

Ross Deans joins our usuals to discuss the transformative journey Muscliff have been on, teaching mathematics through the Maths — No Problem! approach. How important is it for pupils to foster a love for maths? Does maths even feel like maths for the pupils with the amount of problem solving and fun they have? Plus, the crew discuss the importance of conceptual understanding, creativity in learning, and the shift from traditional methods to a mastery-based approach.

So good we HAD to share this conversation again… Fragile foundations, Learning community, and more. In this episode, Andy, Robin and Adam discuss personalised learning with special guest Tim Oates CBE, the Group Director of Assessment Research and Development at Cambridge University Press & Assessment. What are examples and the dangers of personalised learning? When did it first appear in England? Plus, Tim shares an experience of a Singaporean teacher, readying up their class of 14 year olds… with primary topics.

Soft skills, A huge SATs result increase, and more. Wendy Liu is back! Our crew want to hear more about Wendy’s experience implementing this programme in the school she worked at. How did she cope with colleagues stuck in old ways? Are the skills that they’re taught whilst doing the maths more valuable than the maths itself? Plus, Wendy shares a top tip — don’t jump in too soon, kids need freedom to learn.

Echoing traits, Valuing workload, and more. Our three amigos are joined again by Matt Bland to discuss some further success points his school have experienced. How much of teacher’s time is saved? Can this way of teaching work with subjects such as history? Plus, Matt shares how to involve parents with this way of teaching and learning maths.

Half-baked ideas, Musical modes, and more. The gang are chatting today about added extras in maths lessons. Is the emphasis on learning jargon terms having a negative impact? Do they just exist because of external pressures? Plus, Adam stresses the importance of remembering that ‘pupils won’t get another shot at today, this is their only chance’.

Organic growth, Precise resourcing, and more. We’re so lucky this week to be joined by both Rosie Ross and Neil Le Feuvre from St Bridget’s school in the Wirral, UK. Our guests have been on an incredible journey with their maths, for over a decade now. How important is sticking at it, even when things may be wobbly? Are elements of this way of teaching maths used in other subject areas? Plus, Rosie shares an important realisation, ‘we don't just have to be able to do the maths, we have to understand the journey of the maths.’

Participation importance, Early trains, and more. Robin and Adam, who are Andy-less this week, discuss takeaways from the recent Community Event. What sessions stood out and why? Is networking just a buzzword, or did people actually get the chance to make proper connections? Plus Adam highlights the importance of being challenged on our regular classroom practice.

Slow plodders, February lightbulbs, and more. Joining us once again, all the way from the ‘dot in the Atlantic’ is Crenstant Williams, to chat about those who may struggle at times in maths. What tools have been impactful for these learners? Does practicing a bit of lower-year work help build a foundation? Plus, hear about the parents that want to learn like this as well!

Micro cultures, Honest pupils, and more. Two thirds of our team are here, Adam and Robin discuss the value of open days and share observations they have from recent school visits. What do both visitors and hosts get out of the experience? Plus, Adam shares the importance of senior leadership teams spreading an ethos of constant learning.

Critical thinking opportunities, Reasoning struggles, and more. This week, Robin and Adam discuss the integration of AI in education, focusing on its limitations, particularly in reasoning and mathematics. How can we embrace AI in the classroom? Do educators need to be more prepared as AI evolves? Plus, Adam discusses how educators can leverage AI's mistakes as teaching moments…

Jargon vocab, Terry Tao, and more. The crew this week discuss whether adding more content can lead to less understanding. Does excessive vocabulary and memorisation practice effect students' understanding of key concepts? Is it just wasted time? Plus, what impact does getting the vocab tests correct or wrong actually do to students?