Your Teacher Village and Friends

Vicki Yadav

Welcome to Your Teacher Village and Friends Podcast, a warm, honest and conversational podcast for primary school practitioners. Hosted by Vicki Yadav, Founder of Your Teacher Village and Assistant Headteacher at an inner London school, this podcast brings together teachers, leaders, specialists and passionate educators from across the sector to share practical ideas, real experiences and authentic conversations about school life. From Early Years to leadership, wellbeing to classroom practice, we’ll be talking about the things that really matter in education: the challenges, the successes, the funny moments, the frustrations and the ideas that help make a difference for children and the adults supporting them. Expect friendly conversations, useful takeaways, relatable stories and a strong sense of community, because teaching is too important to do alone. It takes a village to support a teacher.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 12 - Inside Year 6 with Megan Ford

    The conversation delves into the experiences and challenges of teaching year six, covering topics such as behavior management, SATs, and parental involvement. Megan Ford shares insights on teaching year six, including the importance of building relationships, managing behavior, and preparing for SATs. The conversation covers various aspects of year six, including SATs week, the year six show, and residential trips. Megan provides insights and tips for managing these key events, emphasizing the importance of communication, planning, and parental involvement. Takeaways Year six teaching involves building strong relationships with students and understanding their individual needs.Behavior management in year six requires a firm but fair approach, along with a focus on building positive relationships with students.SATs in year six cover grammar, reading, and math, with a focus on preparing students for the assessments throughout the year.Parental involvement in year six varies, with some parents placing high pressure on students, while others are more relaxed and less aware of the significance of SATs. Communication is keyPlanning is essential for successful events Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Sponsorship01:28 Preparing for Year Six02:32 Understanding Year Six03:16 Challenges of Year Six05:25 Behavior Management in Year Six08:05 Teaching and Supporting Year Six Students10:01 Understanding SATs in Year Six15:00 Planning and Preparation for SATs22:32 Challenges of Writing in Year Six26:49 Parental Involvement in Year Six31:27 Preparing for SATs Week34:01 Organizing the Year Six Show42:05 Planning Residential TripsFind Vicki at: www.yourteachervillage.co.uk Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkIn Find Elle at: Instagram Sign the petition Find our podcast sponsor Is it Time to Play? at: www.isittimetoplay.co.uk Instagram Facebook

  2. Aug 9

    Bonus Episode - Early Years Matters: Why the Workforce Deserves More with Elle Hull

    The episode features a conversation with Elle Hull, who has launched a campaign calling for greater recognition and investment in the Early Years Workforce. Elle shares her journey into early years education, the realities of working in the sector, and the importance of the campaign. The episode also highlights the need for support and recognition for early years professionals. Takeaways Early years professionals play a crucial role in child development and education.The campaign for greater recognition and investment in the Early Years Workforce is essential for the profession's advancement. Find Vicki at: www.yourteachervillage.co.uk Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkIn Find Elle at: Instagram Sign the petition Find our podcast sponsor Is it Time to Play? at: www.isittimetoplay.co.uk Instagram Facebook

  3. Aug 9

    Episode 11 - How Do We Create Children Who Genuinely Love Reading? with Esther Brown

    The conversation explores the importance of creating a reading for pleasure culture in schools and classrooms. It delves into the process of choosing books for the classroom, setting up a book area in early years and key stage 1, reading outside, supporting reading at home, and working with parents. The episode concludes with a final tip on the teacher's role as a reading role model. Takeaways Reading for Pleasure CultureEngaging Reluctant Readers Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Sponsorship01:22 Creating a Reading for Pleasure Culture04:21 Choosing Books for the Classroom17:08 Book Setup in Early Years and Key Stage 121:50 Reading Outside and Managing Weather33:25 Supporting Reading at Home and Working with Parents41:25 Final Tips and Conclusion Find Vicki at:www.yourteachervillage.co.uk Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkIn Find Esther at: Instagram Substack Find our podcast sponsor Is it Time to Play? at: www.isittimetoplay.co.uk Instagram Facebook

  4. Aug 2

    Episode 10 - Supply Teaching - Stepping into the Unknown with Emma-Lee Reddacliff

    Emma-Lee Reddacliff shares her journey from teaching in Australia to becoming a supply teacher in the UK. She discusses the challenges, rewards, and strategies for success in supply teaching, offering valuable insights and advice for educators. Takeaways Supply teaching offers opportunities for growth and learning in a new environment.Building connections with students and staff is essential for a positive supply teaching experience. Chapters 00:00 Transition from Full-Time Teaching to Supply Teaching02:20 Challenges and Learning Opportunities in Supply Teaching11:17 Managing Behavior and Classroom Dynamics16:35 Essentials for Supply Teaching and School Preferences28:31 Flexibility and Positive Impact in Supply Teaching Find Vicki and Emma-Lee at: www.yourteachervillage.co.uk Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkIn Find our podcast sponsor Is it Time to Play? at: www.isittimetoplay.co.uk Instagram Facebook

  5. Jul 26

    Episode 9 - From Teacher to Entrepreneur with Rachel Turner

    Rachel Turner, the managing director of the Positive Teacher Company, shares the story behind the company, the challenges she faced, and the community she has built. She emphasizes the importance of real-world networking and support within the teaching community. Takeaways Entrepreneurial spirit in teachingReal-world networking and support within the teaching community Chapters 00:00 The Birth of the Positive Teacher Company04:39 From Handmade Planners to a Full-Time Business20:16 Building a Supportive Community Find Vicki at: www.yourteachervillage.co.uk Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkIn Find Rachel at: Instagram The Positive Teacher Company Find our podcast sponsor Is it Time to Play? at: www.isittimetoplay.co.uk Instagram Facebook

  6. Jul 19

    Episode 8 - Making Visuals Mainstream with Gina Smith

    The podcast episode features a conversation with Gina Smith, the founder of Create Visual Aids, discussing the impact and importance of visual communication in education. The discussion covers the journey of Create Visual Aids, the impact of visual communication, the role of visuals in education, visuals for older children, and preparing for September. Key takeaways include the benefits of visual communication for all children and the importance of consistency when using visuals. Takeaways Visual communication benefits all childrenConsistency is key when using visuals Find Vicki at: www.yourteachervillage.co.uk Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkIn Find Gina at: Instagram Facebook TikTok Website Find our podcast sponsor Is it Time to Play? at: www.isittimetoplay.co.uk Instagram Facebook

  7. Jul 12

    Episode 7 - What it's Really Like Being and EYFS Content Creator with Georgia Lucas

    What does it really look like to balance a full-time Reception teaching role with creating content for thousands of teachers online? In this week's episode of the Your Teacher Village & Friends Podcast, Vicki is joined by Georgia Lucas (@misslucas.eyfs) to talk about life as both a Reception teacher and an education content creator. Georgia shares her journey from posting simple classroom ideas online to building a thriving social media community, while teaching in a brand-new school and helping to establish a brand-new EYFS environment from scratch. Together, they discuss the reality behind sharing your classroom online, overcoming self-doubt, managing criticism and comparison, and why social media can be such a powerful tool for connecting and inspiring educators. Whether you've thought about sharing your own classroom online or you're simply curious about what happens behind the scenes, this episode offers an honest, encouraging conversation full of practical advice. Chapters00:00 Introduction & Starting Strong Workshop 01:32 Meet Georgia Lucas & Teaching in a Brand-New School 03:10 Building an EYFS Department from Scratch 05:08 How Georgia Started Sharing Content Online 06:09 Balancing Teaching & Social Media 08:01 Criticism, Comparison & Online Confidence 11:18 Finding the Confidence to Share Your Practice 14:36 The Reality of Being an Education Content Creator 20:23 Collaborations & Opportunities Through Social Media 22:47 Creating an Incredible Outdoor Space & Parents' Reactions 24:54 Final Advice for Aspiring Content Creators Find Vicki at: www.yourteachervillage.co.uk Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkIn Find Georgia at: Instagram TikTok Facebook Join our upcoming workshop Starting Strong: Planning a Calm and Connected First Week in EYFS

  8. Jul 5

    Episode 6 - Is it Time to Rethink KS1? with Charlotte Bunyan and Karina Kenning

    Episode 6: Rethinking KS1 Through Play with Charlotte & KarinaSponsored by Is it Time to Play What if Key Stage 1 didn't have to mean rows of tables, worksheets and children sitting still for long periods of the day? In this inspiring episode of the Your Teacher Village & Friends Podcast, Vicki is joined by Charlotte and Karina, who share their incredible journey of transforming their Key Stage 1 classrooms into play-based, provision-led environments over the past five years. Together, they explore why they decided to rethink KS1, the practical changes they made, the challenges they faced along the way and the remarkable impact it has had on both children and staff. Whether you're simply curious about play-based learning in KS1 or you're already beginning your own journey, this episode is packed with honest reflections, practical advice and reassurance that meaningful change is possible. Key TakeawaysA successful transition to play-based KS1 starts with a clear vision and strong leadership.Change doesn't happen overnight—it requires careful planning, reflection and gradual implementation.High-quality provision can successfully deliver National Curriculum objectives while maintaining children's curiosity and engagement.Purposeful play is carefully planned, intentional and underpinned by excellent teaching.Every school's journey will look different, so it's important to start where you are and build from there.Chapters00:00 – Introduction & Sponsor 06:08 – Misconceptions About a Play-Based Approach 12:07 – What Does a Typical Day in Year 1 Look Like? 20:22 – Challenges and Barriers to Implementation 25:46 – Tips for Schools Beginning Their Journey 33:02 – Final Advice & Closing Thoughts Join our upcoming webinar Rethinking KS1 on 14th July. Find Vicki at: www.yourteachervillage.co.uk Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkIn Find Charlotte and Karina at: Instagram Facebook Find our podcast sponsor Is it Time to Play? at: www.isittimetoplay.co.uk Instagram Facebook

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About

Welcome to Your Teacher Village and Friends Podcast, a warm, honest and conversational podcast for primary school practitioners. Hosted by Vicki Yadav, Founder of Your Teacher Village and Assistant Headteacher at an inner London school, this podcast brings together teachers, leaders, specialists and passionate educators from across the sector to share practical ideas, real experiences and authentic conversations about school life. From Early Years to leadership, wellbeing to classroom practice, we’ll be talking about the things that really matter in education: the challenges, the successes, the funny moments, the frustrations and the ideas that help make a difference for children and the adults supporting them. Expect friendly conversations, useful takeaways, relatable stories and a strong sense of community, because teaching is too important to do alone. It takes a village to support a teacher.

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