Teachers Talk Radio

We talk if the sun is actually shining and do things get better? Let's talk it out..

It’s nearly exam season and the countdown, post-Easter, has truly begun. The pressure is on. Revision classes are running before school, after school, lunchtimes. Material is being revisited, practice papers are being circulated, students are requesting psychic predictions of paper content. The holy grail of the fabled study leave experienced by their predecessors is within touching distance and yet… the sense of immediacy somehow feels lacking - like the exams are months rather than days away. Is it worse in 2026 than it has ever been or have we forgotten last year already? Is apathy the name of the game or is it something else? Is it anxiety? Burn out? Boredom through Groundhog Day repetition of the same material? Join The Morning Break team’s discussion as they delve into the classroom experiences and feelings leading up to exam season.

Darren looks into the research behind availability and access to information and considers what this means for student research projects.

----more----Dave Brown speaks to Mehal Shah about the Every Child Achieving and Thriving white paper on education. What does the future of SEND provision look like, how will teaching potentially change in the next 10 years and what are the major barriers to achieving the vision set out by the white paper?

In this show, Famida is joined by De'Shawn Washington to explore “Literacy: Liberating Lives.” Moving beyond phonics and technical skills, the conversation examines how reading can shift from obligation to genuine engagement. Drawing on research, classroom practice, and real-world challenges, the show highlights the growing literacy and communication gap, the importance of fluency and comprehension, and how literacy connects deeply with writing, speaking, and critical thinking. A powerful discussion for educators looking to make reading meaningful, purposeful, and rooted in student voice.

Mehmet speaks with Eve, an English leader passionate about creating truly inclusive classrooms where every student feels seen, heard and valued. Known for her willingness to address challenging topics-from identity and culture to LGBT+ issues and misogyny-Eve shares how she creates safe, honest spaces or meaningful dialogue.

In this week's show, Martin Sketchley has a chat with Joseph Steven Van Dorn about what university teachers should consider when working in South Korea.

This show responds to a Telegraph exclusive claiming progressive policies of managed moves, pressure not to exclude and inclusion practices may keep violent pupils in mainstream schools. The hosts discuss media bias, teacher safety, the limits of inclusion, and how managed moves and alternative provision actually work. They explore possible fixes including clearer boundaries, better funding and support, earlier intervention, and nuanced policies that balance safeguarding staff and students with routes for rehabilitation and redemption. On the panel: Tom Rogers, Liz Webb, JP and Rae Whitehouse.

Deputy head Rachel, working in a primary school in Newham, discusses how schools are responding to needs beyond education, including poverty, food insecurity, toileting and family instability. She outlines practical approaches - home visits, strong induction, clear behaviour policies that involve parents, pastoral teams, wellbeing programmes and community partnerships - and argues that building relationships and embedding mental health support helps attendance, learning and overall pupil wellbeing.

We talk mental health (of course) and how we can be more compassionate in the classroom, alongside all those regular features you know and love.

In this show, Timea talks with lecturer Rafael Dos Santos about the role of humour in higher education: why it works (neuroscience, dopamine, belonging and retention), how to use it intentionally (timing, storytelling, affiliate/self‑deprecating humour, props, games and icebreakers), and how to avoid pitfalls (sarcasm, cultural sensitivity and targeting humour). They share practical tips for starting small, building confidence and using tools like AI to brainstorm suitable, safe ideas. The show also highlights partners and resources, including AQA examiner opportunities and Hachette Learning professional development titles; catch the full episode and other Teachers Talk Radio shows at ttradio.org.

In this show, Sarah speaks with Head of Year Jack Macey about transforming the dreaded phone call home into a tool for building relationships and improving student outcomes. They discuss practical tips for teachers - especially early career teachers - including making positive calls, keeping conversations factual and brief, scripting key phrases, using colleagues for support, and handling defensive or disengaged parents. The episode highlights research linking parental engagement to better progress and stresses that consistent, warm communication can build trust between school and home.

Darren looks into recent research published by Liang et al into the role that personality plays in online language learning and considers how we can apply the concept of "personality types" to our own teaching and learning.

Carl chats to experienced Head of Year, Adam Perry about what they job is really like. A really interesting insight for anyone who is or has been head of year, is thinking they might like to be a year head or is in need of appointing one. Is it the toughest job in the school? Why do people still do it?

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.

Darren looks at why it's so important for teachers to tell their stories od why we chose to enter the profession.