At the chalk-face

Craig'n'Dave
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At the Chalk Face is a no-nonsense podcast from Craig’n’Dave, tackling real issues in education. Expect honest chat about pedagogy, classroom practice, and what actually works — from two ex-teachers still embedded in the world of schools. Not just for computer science teachers — this one’s for every educator.

  1. 23h ago

    At the chalk face: Do GCSEs doom students to fail?

    At the chalk face: Do GCSEs doom students to fail? Are our GCSE results really telling us the whole story?  As students head back to school and teachers reflect on another set of GCSE results, Craig and Dave take a closer look at one of the most debated questions in education: is our education system set up for students to fail? Around a third of students don't achieve a grade 4 in English or maths. But does that mean a third of students are genuinely failing or is there much more to the story? In this episode of At the Chalk Face, Craig and Dave unpack the reality behind GCSE results, comparable outcomes, grade boundaries and the way schools are judged on performance data. They explore why grade boundaries change, whether standards really are rising, and why the idea that a fixed percentage of students must fail is a major misconception. We also get personal, sharing Dave's experience supporting his own son through GCSE maths and the lengths parents sometimes have to go to when the system isn't working for every learner. And then comes the deliberately provocative bit…  Should English and maths GCSEs be replaced with compulsory literacy and numeracy qualifications - more like a driving test - while English and maths become optional subjects? It's a big idea, and one that's bound to get people talking! 💬 What do you think?  Should every student be expected to achieve a grade 4 in English and maths? Are GCSEs the best way to measure what students actually know and understand? And if you could redesign the system, what would you change? 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. 💻 And for more Computer Science teaching resources, support and ideas, visit Craig’n’Dave.org 0:00 Are GCSEs designed for failure? 1:46 The dreaded first day back 5:37 Decoding the grade four benchmark 12:04 The reality of mandatory resits 16:11 Parenting through the exam struggle 23:58 Is the system artificially capped? 37:20 A radical proposal for education

  2. Sep 4

    At the chalk face: Is AI a panacea? With Kat Morgan

    At the chalk face: Is AI a panacea? With Kat Morgan Is AI really the answer to reducing teacher workload? AI is everywhere in education. But is it actually solving the problems of teacher workload and student attainment - or are we expecting a little too much from it? In this episode, Dave is joined by Kat Morgan (our Lesson Hacker), an edtech and AI expert, to take a closer look at how AI is really being used in schools right now.  From lesson planning and fact-checking to AI tutoring, assessment and personalised learning, they explore what AI can genuinely offer teachers and students - and where we need to be much more careful. We discuss: 🤖 How teachers are currently using AI in schools. 🔐 Data protection, safeguarding and the risks of free AI tools. 🧠 Why AI works best as a thinking partner or critical friend. 📚 Using AI to fact-check and challenge your own understanding. 👩‍🏫 Why AI shouldn't replace the personality and expertise of a teacher. 🎓 The potential of AI tutors to provide more personalised support. ⚠️ Hallucinations, AI-generated content and the dangers of over-reliance. 💬 Why students can be surprisingly good at spotting AI-generated content. 🛡️ Why trustworthy AI needs proper safeguards and clear boundaries. ⚡ Why AI should be a force multiplier for great teaching - not a replacement for it. The conversation also explores the UK government's plans to establish AI benchmarks in schools and whether this could finally bring some much-needed structure to what currently feels like the 'wild west' of AI in education. The big question is: Is AI a panacea for education, or is its real value in helping great teachers become even more effective? What’s your experience of using AI in school? Has it genuinely reduced your workload or improved learning - or has it created more problems than it solves? 👇 Let us know in the comments! 👍 Like the video, subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell for more conversations about computing, education and the future of teaching. 🌐 Find more computing education resources at Craig'n'Dave: https://craigndave.org/

  3. Aug 21

    At the chalk face: Are you ready to go back to school?

    Are you ready to go back to school?  The summer holidays always seem to fly by, and suddenly September is just around the corner. But why does the thought of returning to the classroom bring such a strange mix of excitement, nerves and… dread? In this episode of At the chalk face, Craig and Dave get honest about their own experiences of returning to school after the summer break — from imposter syndrome and first-day nerves to the excitement of a fresh academic year and a new group of students. They also share some practical advice for getting yourself organised before the new term begins, including: * Creating a system that keeps you organised. * Setting up your own personal markbook. * Protecting your PPA time from the email black hole. * Establishing clear and consistent classroom routines. * Making marking manageable (and avoiding unnecessary workload!). * Preparing early so you're not chasing your tail in October. Whether you're an ECT heading into your first year, an experienced teacher feeling those familiar September nerves, or someone who simply needs a little reminder that you're not the only one who feels like this — this episode is for you. And remember: if you're feeling nervous about going back, it probably means you care about doing a good job.  So, take a breath, get organised, and get ready to face the new academic year! Watch the episode and let us know in the comments: are you excited, nervous or dreading going back? #TeamCompSci #CraignDave #ComputerScience #Teaching #Teachers #ECT #TeacherTips #TeacherWorkload #BackToSchool #Education

  4. Aug 14

    At the chalk face: Every teacher has a superpower. What’s yours?

    Every teacher has a superpower. What’s yours? What makes a truly great teacher?  Is it the perfect lesson plan? The latest teaching strategy? Or simply ticking all the right boxes? In this episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave explore the secret ingredient that seems to make some teachers effortlessly brilliant: connection. From earning students’ respect and building meaningful relationships, to being fair, consistent and genuinely knowing the young people in your classroom, they discuss what separates simply teaching from making a real impact. They also reflect on the teachers who inspired them, the importance of discovering your own teaching superpower, and why some of the best classroom skills can be incredibly difficult to teach or coach. And, of course, Craig and Dave turn the conversation back on themselves… 🦸‍♂️ What is Craig’s teaching superpower? 🦸‍♂️ What is Dave’s? 💡 And why does challenging the way things have always been done sit at the heart of Craig’n’Dave? From teaching programming and using Raspberry Pis to the development of Smart Revise, TIME 2 CODE and the latest Key Stage 3 resources, this episode explores how asking “Why?” can lead to better teaching, better resources and better outcomes. Most importantly, there’s one question we want you to answer: What’s your teaching superpower? Let us know in the comments! 👇 And if you enjoyed this episode, make sure you subscribe for more At the Chalkface conversations from Craig’n’Dave. 👉 Explore more Computer Science teaching resources from Craig’n’Dave and discover how we can help raise attainment and reduce workload.

  5. Aug 7

    Craig'n'Dave Key Stage 3 Scheme: Idea to impact.

    Craig'n'Dave Key Stage 3 Scheme: Idea to impact.  Our brand-new KS3 Computing resources are finally here! After years of planning, classroom testing and refining, we've officially launched our brand-new Craig 'n' Dave Key Stage 3 Computing Scheme of Learning. In this video, we take you behind the scenes to explain why we've created these resources, what makes them different, and how they're designed to support teachers preparing for the 2028 Computing curriculum changes. We'll cover: ✅ Why we decided now was the right time to create KS3 resources. ✅ How we've planned ahead for the new curriculum. ✅ Our careers-led approach to inspire students. ✅ How we've reduced teacher workload with purposeful assessment. ✅ The pedagogy behind every lesson. ✅ What makes our scheme different from traditional KS3 resources. ✅ Our roadmap for future units and ongoing updates. Whether you're already using Craig 'n' Dave resources or you're looking for a future-ready KS3 Computing curriculum, this video explains everything you need to know. Find out more and explore the new KS3 resources: https://go.craigndave.org/9IExkn 📧 Questions? We'd love to hear from you: admin@craigndave.co.uk If you enjoy the video, don't forget to like, subscribe, and let us know your thoughts in the comments. Your feedback helps shape future resources and videos. #Computing #ComputerScience #KS3 #TeachingComputing #SecondaryEducation #ComputingTeacher #CraigAndDave #Education #EdTech #ComputingCurriculum #TeacherResources #AIinEducation #CurriculumReview #ComputerScienceTeacher

  6. Jul 24

    At the chalk face: Resource recon - Little Man Computer (LMC) and Little RISC Computer

    At the chalk face: Resource recon - LMC and LRC Discover two completely FREE interactive Computer Science apps designed to make teaching processor architecture and low-level programming easier than ever.  In this episode of At the Chalk Face, Craig and Dave take a closer look at their Little Man Computer (LMC) and Little RISC Computer simulators, showing how they can help bring abstract concepts to life for both GCSE and A Level students. You'll see how the apps demonstrate the fetch-decode-execute cycle, registers, buses, memory and assembly language through clear, interactive simulations. Plus, find out how the tools have been carefully designed to match OCR and AQA specifications, making them ideal for classroom teaching. The discussion also explores an important question for Computer Science teachers: how do we balance the simplified models used in education with how processors actually work in the real world?  Craig and Dave unpack the challenges of abstraction, exam specifications and teaching complex concepts in a way that's meaningful and accessible for students. Whether you're new to teaching Computer Science or an experienced teacher looking for practical classroom resources, this episode is packed with useful ideas and insights. 🔗 Try the FREE interactive apps: https://app.craigndave.org 💬 We'd love to hear from you! Which interactive app would you like us to build next? Let us know in the comments. 👍 If you enjoyed this video, don't forget to like, subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of At the Chalk Face. #ComputerScience #GCSEComputerScience #ALevelComputerScience #CraigAndDave #TeachingComputing #LittleManComputer #AssemblyLanguage #ProcessorArchitecture #OCRComputerScience #AQAComputerScience #TeamCompSci #CraignDave #LMC #LRC

  7. Jul 17

    At the chalk face: Craig'n'Dave Festival of Computing 2026 Review and Q&A

    At the chalk face: Craig'n'Dave Festival of Computing 2026 Review and Q&A 🎉 The Festival of Computing 2026 may be over, but we're not quite finished yet! After an incredible day at the Craig 'n' Dave Festival of Computing 2026, we're sitting down to answer some of the brilliant questions asked by teachers, exhibitors, sponsors and attendees throughout the event. In this special Q&A episode of **At the Chalk Face**, we discuss: * 🤖 Is AI in education here to stay, or is it just another fad? * 📚 What future developments in computing education are we most excited about? * 🎓 How can new Computing teachers build their confidence and subject knowledge? * 📝 The future of A Level coursework (NEA) and curriculum reform. * 💻 Our upcoming Key Stage 3 Computing resources and how they'll work. * ☕ Plus... our favourite sandwiches, best-selling merch and whether Craig and Dave are actually married! 😄 We also take a moment to reflect on what made this year's Festival so special, thank everyone who helped make it happen, and share some of our plans for making 2027 even bigger and better. Whether you joined us at the Festival or couldn't make it this year, we hope you'll enjoy this behind-the-scenes conversation packed with honest opinions, practical advice and plenty of laughs. We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.  Which question would you have asked us? Find out more about Craig 'n' Dave and our resources: 🌐 https://craigndave.org #Computing #ComputerScience #Teachers #AIinEducation #FestivalOfComputing #Education #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkFace

  8. Jul 10

    At the chalk face: Are schools ready for the social media ban?

    Will a social media ban really make schools safer? Or is it just the beginning of a whole new set of challenges? With social media restrictions for young people moving closer to reality, schools could soon face some difficult questions. If mobile phones are already banned in many schools, will anything really change? Or will safeguarding, teaching and student wellbeing become even more complicated? In this episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave explore the practical implications a social media ban could have on schools, teachers and students. 💬 We discuss: Will safeguarding responsibilities increase? Could students become less likely to report online abuse? How should schools prepare pupils for social media if they're not allowed to use it? What happens when students suddenly gain access at 16? Could educational content on platforms like YouTube be caught up in the ban? What support will schools need from government? As experienced Computer Science teachers, we look beyond the headlines to explore the real-world impact on classrooms and school leaders. What do you think? Will a social media ban make schools safer, or could it create even bigger challenges? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 👉 Explore hundreds of Computer Science teaching resources at https://craigndave.org 👍 If you enjoyed this discussion, please like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a future episode. #ComputerScience #Education #Teaching #Schools #Safeguarding #DigitalCitizenship #OnlineSafety #SocialMedia #EdTech #TeacherCPD #CraignDave #TeamCompSci

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About

At the Chalk Face is a no-nonsense podcast from Craig’n’Dave, tackling real issues in education. Expect honest chat about pedagogy, classroom practice, and what actually works — from two ex-teachers still embedded in the world of schools. Not just for computer science teachers — this one’s for every educator.

Information

  • Creator
    Craig'n'Dave
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Craig'n'Dave Podcasts
  • Show Website
    At the chalk-face

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