Thinking Deeply about Primary Education

Kieran Mackle

Welcome to Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, the podcast that gives you a peek inside the minds of some truly inspirational primary teachers. Whether you're new to the profession or a school leader with tons of experience this podcast is a must listen. For references, links and extended cut video episodes head over to www.thinkingdeeply.info

  1. Mathematical Talk: The Heartbeat of Classroom Thinking (with Amy How)

    2 DAYS AGO

    Mathematical Talk: The Heartbeat of Classroom Thinking (with Amy How)

    For show notes, links, and a summary episode, sign up for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hey! What You Reading For ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter. Mondays at 7am BST - https://tdape.beehiiv.com/subscribe ⁠⁠Tickets for Challenge and Depth in Primary Mathematics⁠⁠ (London, Coventry, Manchester) - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/alta-education-73676136923 For maths curriculum questions contact us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or via support@alta-education.com Episode 249: In this episode of Thinking Deeply About Primary Education, I’m joined by Amy How to explore one of the most powerful yet misunderstood elements of classroom practice: mathematical talk. We discuss why talk sits at the centre of deep mathematical thinking and how it helps students construct, refine, and communicate their understanding. Amy shares her insights on the delicate balance between talk as a means of reasoning and talk as a window into students’ thinking, addressing the common worry that discussion can become superficial or time-consuming. Together, we unpack what distinguishes high-quality mathematical talk from general classroom discussion, explore the conditions that allow students to share incomplete or tentative ideas safely, and identify practical strategies that teachers can use to prompt rich, purposeful dialogue. If you’ve ever wondered how to make talk the engine of mathematical reasoning—without losing structure, pace, or inclusivity—this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence to start tomorrow.

    36 min
  2. Teacher Writers with Andy McHugh

    4 OCT

    Teacher Writers with Andy McHugh

    For show notes, links, and a summary episode, sign up for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hey! What You Reading For ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter. Mondays at 7am BST - https://tdape.beehiiv.com/subscribe ⁠Tickets for Challenge and Depth in Primary Mathematics⁠ (London, Coventry, Manchester) - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/alta-education-73676136923 For maths curriculum questions contact us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or via support@alta-education.com Episode 248: This week on Thinking Deeply About Primary Education, I’m joined by Andy McHugh, teacher, editor, writer, and founder of Teacher Writers, to explore the place of teacher voice in education, and how writing can serve as a form of professional development, influence, and impact. We discuss Andy’s journey from leading an RE department to editing HWRK Magazine and founding a publishing platform dedicated to amplifying teacher voices. Our conversation touches on the challenges teachers face when translating classroom expertise into writing, the skills and confidence required to make that leap, and the opportunities that open up when teachers engage in writing as professional practice. Key themes include: Why teachers should see writing as a legitimate form of professional development The tension between accessibility and depth in educational publishing The role of community in supporting new writers How Teacher Writers is creating space for diverse teacher perspectives As always, the goal is to make time and space for deep reflection on teaching, learning, and professional growth — and this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in broadening the scope of their professional influence.

    35 min
  3. Accessible by Default: In Action

    29 SEPT

    Accessible by Default: In Action

    For show notes, links, and a summary episode, sign up for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hey! What You Reading For ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter. Mondays at 7am BST - https://tdape.beehiiv.com/subscribe For maths curriculum questions contact us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or via support@alta-education.com Episode 247: This week Kieran is joined by Lloyd Williams Jones and Shannen Doherty to discuss the practicalities of Accessible by Default and what it means for their schools as we begin the academic year. We explore the bottlenecks in the current system that leave too many students dependent on downstream fixes, the importance of clarity in teacher talk and presentation, and why generic labels and interventions often miss the mark. [Apologetic Disclaimer] This episode was recorded in-person during the summer break but the video didn't render properly and we lost the last 30 minutes while fixing it. Therefore it is exactly 4 weeks late and stops abruptly. It's still great though...

    44 min
  4. What the science of learning teaches us about arithmetic fluency with John Jackson

    20 SEPT

    What the science of learning teaches us about arithmetic fluency with John Jackson

    For show notes, links, and a summary episode, sign up for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hey! What You Reading For ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter. Mondays at 7am BST - https://tdape.beehiiv.com/subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click for tickets to TDaPE Conference Cymru ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-thinking-deeply-about-primary-education-conference-tickets-1295761139449 For maths curriculum questions contact us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or via support@alta-education.com Episode 246: This week Kieran is joined by John Jackson to get under the skin of McNeil, Jordan, Viegut and Ansari’s new paper "What the science of learning teaches us about arithmetic fluency". The conversation tests common claims, separates principle from preference, and turns the paper’s recommendations into classroom moves that travel from early number through to secondary. Expect a forthright look at conceptual grounding, timed practice, retrieval, task design, and the perennial anxiety debate, with an eye on what school leaders should adopt, adapt, or abandon.

    42 min
  5. The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading

    13 SEPT

    The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading

    Social Media Links: Doug ·       LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglemov ·       X: @Doug_Lemov ; https://x.com/doug_lemov?lang=en ·       Blog: https://teachlikeachampion.org/blog/ Erica ·       LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-woolway-44901130/ ·       X: https://x.com/ericawoolway?lang=en Colleen ·       LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-driggs-09903559/ ·       X: https://x.com/colleendriggs?lang=en TLAC guide to TSOR Links: Buy the book: https://www.wiley.com/en-us/The+Teach+Like+a+Champion+Guide+to+the+Science+of+Reading%3A+Translating+Research+to+Reignite+Joy+and+Meaning+in+the+Classroom-p-9781394305995 Pilot the Reading Reconsidered Curriculum – available to purchase just one unit for £590 : https://teachlikeachampion.org/reading-reconsidered-curriculum/ Come to our workshops: https://teachlikeachampion.org/training/workshops/ Have us come lead training for you (in-person or remotely): https://share.hsforms.com/1w8SlL9vPRuq30hsy_6JUWgs3y4d?__hstc=65301169.251c3eb934a8f6dab79aeafc7cae4ab1.1727899617348.1757098518554.1757340098147.227&__hssc=65301169.2.1757340098147&__hsfp=3474073941 For show notes, links, and a summary episode, sign up for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hey! What You Reading For ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter. Mondays at 7am BST - https://tdape.beehiiv.com/subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click for tickets to TDaPE Conference Cymru ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-thinking-deeply-about-primary-education-conference-tickets-1295761139449 For maths curriculum questions contact us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or via support@alta-education.com Episode 245: This week on TDaPE, Kieran is joined by Doug Lemov, Colleen Driggs, Erica Woolway and Chris Such for an exploration of the "Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading." They discuss, fluent reading as a gateway to understanding, how small, well chosen knowledge moves support demanding texts, lesson design that keeps eyes on the page and thinking on the author’s words, and much, much more... When fluency, knowledge and text choice are aligned, comprehension accelerates, discussion deepens and planning gets lighter, lesson by lesson. This episode is recommended listening for classroom teachers, literacy leads and senior leaders who want reading lessons that do more with less noise, and anyone reshaping curricula so students read harder texts with greater confidence.

    51 min
  6. Curriculum Thinking: International Perspectives with Lucy Crehan

    6 SEPT

    Curriculum Thinking: International Perspectives with Lucy Crehan

    For show notes, links, and a summary episode, sign up for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hey! What You Reading For ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter. Mondays at 7am BST - https://tdape.beehiiv.com/subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click for tickets to TDaPE Conference Cymru ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-thinking-deeply-about-primary-education-conference-tickets-1295761139449 For maths curriculum questions contact us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or via support@alta-education.com Episode 244: This week on Thinking Deeply About Primary Education, Kieran is joined by Lucy Crehan, author of Cleverlands and international education consultant. Together they explore the unique features of the curriculum in the north of Ireland, the historical and political context that shaped it, and the lessons it might hold for systems elsewhere. The conversation ranges from curriculum design and teacher autonomy to international comparisons, providing both depth and practical insights for teachers and leaders seeking to understand how education systems evolve. Whether you are interested in the north of Ireland specifically or in the broader question of what makes a curriculum effective, this episode will give you plenty to think about.

    47 min
  7. Implementing the Writing Framework with Care and Balance

    30 AUG

    Implementing the Writing Framework with Care and Balance

    For show notes, links, and a summary episode, sign up for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hey! What You Reading For ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter. Mondays at 7am BST - https://tdape.beehiiv.com/subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click for tickets to TDaPE Conference Cymru ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-thinking-deeply-about-primary-education-conference-tickets-1295761139449 For maths curriculum questions contact us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or via support@alta-education.com Episode 243: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education Kieran is joined by Adam Lowing to unpack the DfE’s Writing Framework. They cut through the noise to clarify what it actually says, how to transition without chaos, and why sentence-level precision and transcription fluency strengthen, rather than stifle, imagination. Across implementation, assessment pressures and subject leadership, they share a balanced, practical path to building confident writers.

    36 min
  8. Calm, Consistent, and Certain: Building Better Behaviour in Primary

    23 AUG

    Calm, Consistent, and Certain: Building Better Behaviour in Primary

    For show notes, links, and a summary episode, sign up for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hey! What You Reading For ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter. Mondays at 7am BST - https://tdape.beehiiv.com/subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click for tickets to TDaPE Conference Cymru ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-thinking-deeply-about-primary-education-conference-tickets-1295761139449 For maths curriculum questions contact us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or via support@alta-education.com Episode 242: What does it take to create classrooms where students feel safe, calm, and ready to learn every day? In this conversation, Liv Dempsey, Tom Oakley, and Charles Bankovitz join Kieran Mackle to explore the principles and practices that make behaviour systems effective and sustainable. They discuss why certainty matters more than severity, how to use language that de-escalates without lowering expectations, and the routines that prevent issues before they arise. The panel also unpick common misconceptions around trauma-informed approaches, the leadership decisions that reassure staff they will be backed, and the culture that reduces teacher stress. Packed with insights from research and lived experience, this episode is for anyone seeking behaviour approaches that work reliably in the day-to-day reality of primary classrooms.

    56 min
See All (265)

About

Welcome to Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, the podcast that gives you a peek inside the minds of some truly inspirational primary teachers. Whether you're new to the profession or a school leader with tons of experience this podcast is a must listen. For references, links and extended cut video episodes head over to www.thinkingdeeply.info

Information

You Might Also Like