Critical Curriculum Podcast

In the third episode of our Critical Curriculum podcast series, hosts Andria Zafriakou and Naranee Ruthra-Rajan chat to Simon Pittman and Bryn Llewellyn about the importance of physical movement in school, highlighting the benefits and providing strategies to get your students moving more. Despite being popular with students, the amount of physical activity children participate in at school is declining dramatically, including dance and PE, due to lack of access and loss of funding. Research suggests that physical movement in schools not only tackles inactivity and obesity levels but also impacts positively on academic performance. Simon and Bryn provide examples of how their work with young people overcomes barriers teachers face such as lack of time and fear of how to get started, demonstrating how incorporating simple movement can be done in classrooms safely with purpose and meaning. No matter the subject you teach, this podcast will provide you with inspiration for using creative movement games for teamwork, critical thinking skills, memory, listening and understanding concepts such as literacy, mathematical patterns and spelling; with advice for teachers in building an environment for physical learning through accessible and simple tasks to empower your students.Thank you for listening, Critical Curriculum is a podcast series created by A New Direction.Please do share this with your networks and for any feedback/comments you can reach us by emailing [email protected] out more about the work A New Direction do by visiting www.anewdirection.org.ukStay up to date with the latest: Instagram: www.instagram.com/anewdirection_ldn Twitter: www.twitter.com/A_New_Direction YouTube: www.youtube.com/ANewDirectionLtd LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/a-new-direction-london Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.anewdirection.org.uk/subscribe

In the second episode of our brand-new Critical Curriculum podcast series, hosts Andria Zafriakou and Naranee Ruthra-Rajan chat to Betsy Dadd and Toby Peach about the benefits of play on children and young people’s development and creativity, and why educators should make space for play in the classroom.  Improved wellbeing, confidence, agency, and engagement with learning; the ability to explore and become change-makers, are some of the benefits of play highlighted in this discussion. These have an impact on the development of children’s creative skills, which are desirable to future employers and help build a greater society.  Whether you already incorporate play in your lessons, or if you want to foster a more playful culture in your setting but don’t know how to get started, this podcast will support you to explore how to play more in the classroom and articulate the many and significant benefits it has on your students. Thank you for listening, Critical Curriculum is a podcast series created by A New Direction.Please do share this with your networks and for any feedback/comments you can reach us by emailing [email protected] out more about the work A New Direction do by visiting www.anewdirection.org.ukStay up to date with the latest: Instagram: www.instagram.com/anewdirection_ldn Twitter: www.twitter.com/A_New_Direction YouTube: www.youtube.com/ANewDirectionLtd LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/a-new-direction-london Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.anewdirection.org.uk/subscribe

In the first episode of our brand-new Critical Curriculum podcast series, hosts Andria Zafriakou and Naranee Ruthra-Rajan chat with Hannah Joyce and Aileen Gonsalves about drama as a subject and a tool to utilise across the curriculum.  With awareness of the reticence some teachers may have, guests Hannah and Aileen give insights, strategies and techniques for teachers to take away and utilise in their classroom, including ideas for games, warm up exercises and teacher-in-role style activities.  If you’re already an experienced thespian in your classroom or dipping your toe into dramatic waters for the first time, this podcast will support you in exploring your own uniqueness as a teacher and how utilising drama can support your students in many different ways.   Thank you for listening, Critical Curriculum is a podcast series created by A New Direction.Please do share this with your networks and for any feedback/comments you can reach us by emailing [email protected] out more about the work A New Direction do by visiting www.anewdirection.org.ukStay up to date with the latest: Instagram: www.instagram.com/anewdirection_ldn Twitter: www.twitter.com/A_New_Direction YouTube: www.youtube.com/ANewDirectionLtd LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/a-new-direction-london Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.anewdirection.org.uk/subscribe