Education Matters

Education Matters

Hannah and Lucy talk about teaching through the winter.

  1. Theory Matters | What Are We Teaching?

    1D AGO

    Theory Matters | What Are We Teaching?

    Join Dr. Shauna McGill in a profound conversation with educator and author Dr. Richard Bustin as they dismantle the traditional "content-delivery" model of education. Drawing on Richard’s book, What Are We Teaching? Powerful Knowledge and a Capabilities Curriculum, this episode moves beyond the "knowledge vs. skills" binary to ask a more urgent question: How can what we teach truly empower students to navigate an uncertain world? Key Themes Explored: Defining "Powerful Knowledge": We dive into curriculum theory to understand why knowledge shouldn't just be a fixed body of facts, but a tool for liberation and intellectual depth. The Capabilities Approach: Richard argues for a curriculum that explicitly connects academic knowledge with the human capabilities students need to think, participate, and contribute to society. Social Justice & Opportunity: Why curriculum decisions are never neutral. We discuss how traditional academic hierarchies can exclude learners and how a capabilities-focused approach can expand student agency. Curriculum Coherence: Learn how a unified vision can help schools overcome the fragmentation caused by policy shifts and assessment pressures. The Future of Schooling: In an era of rapid technological change and global uncertainty, how do we strengthen the role of education through better judgment and human capability? Why Listen? For teachers, student teachers, and education leaders, this episode is both a challenge and a reassurance. It moves curriculum design away from a purely technical task and restores it as one of the most powerful ways to shape equity, opportunity, and intellectual growth. Listen now to rediscover the "why" behind what we teach.

    43 min
  2. Teaching Matters | 60s kids, Dressing up & Frying up GCSE Maths

    4D AGO

    Teaching Matters | 60s kids, Dressing up & Frying up GCSE Maths

    Education is changing quickly. Childhood looks different. Reading habits are shifting and even the structure of GCSE mathematics is under debate. Paul Hazzard is joined by education experts John Gibbs and Shane Leaning for a wide-ranging discussion about resilience, literacy and curriculum reform, and what these changes mean for teachers, schools and learners. A familiar question starts the conversation. Did children growing up in the 1960s and 1970s develop a kind of resilience that many young people today struggle to build? Earlier generations often spent hours outdoors, negotiated friendships without constant adult supervision and learned independence through unstructured play. Many educators argue those experiences helped build confidence. Paul invites John and Shane to reflect on whether that idea holds up. Childhood has clearly changed. Digital technology shapes how young people spend their time. Families face different pressures. Schools also operate in a far more complex social and cultural landscape. John reflects on how earlier childhood experiences involved negotiating boredom, creating games and building friendships in local communities. Shane adds another perspective. Young people today may be developing resilience in different ways. Online spaces allow creativity, collaboration and entrepreneurship that previous generations never experienced. The question for educators is not whether childhood is better or worse, but how schools can support independence, curiosity and self-belief in the world pupils actually live in. The conversation then turns to World Book Day, a tradition celebrated in schools across the UK and internationally. Recent reports suggest some schools are moving away from dressing up as literary characters. Concerns about cost and social inequality have raised questions about whether costume-focused celebrations exclude some pupils or place pressure on families. Shane shares experiences from schools where pupils often arrive dressed as characters from films or television rather than books. That raises an interesting point. Does dressing up genuinely encourage reading, or does it mainly engage pupils who already enjoy books? John emphasises that reading for pleasure remains one of the most powerful educational influences a child can experience. Independent reading allows young people to explore ideas, develop empathy and build language skills that support learning across every subject. Teachers modelling their own enthusiasm for reading can make a powerful difference. Libraries, storytelling and strong reading cultures within schools also play an important role. The final discussion looks at a proposal that could reshape secondary education. Mathematician and broadcaster Hannah Fry has suggested dividing GCSE mathematics into two qualifications. One pathway would focus on practical numeracy and data skills for everyday life. The other would develop more advanced mathematical thinking for students planning to study mathematics at higher levels. The idea raises important questions about curriculum design. Many students struggle with GCSE maths. A large proportion leave school without achieving a standard pass. Shane Leaning suggests that focusing on fewer mathematical concepts but exploring them in greater depth could strengthen long-term understanding. Mastery of core skills may be more valuable than covering a wide range of topics that students quickly forget. John Gibbs points out that exam systems influence far more than classroom learning. Qualifications shape university admissions, employment pathways and perceptions of academic success. Any reform would need to ensure students retain opportunities to progress if their interests change later in life. 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀. 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘶𝘴, 𝘸𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵. #leadership #education #teacher #school #schoollife #inspiration #support #podcast #video

    1 hr
  3. The Hannah & Lucy Show | Navigating global events in the classroom

    MAR 5

    The Hannah & Lucy Show | Navigating global events in the classroom

    Join Lucy and Hannah freshly back from their trip to Dublin. Share in their adventures. But remember much that happened in Dublin is staying in Dublin ... till next time. Beyond that they explore the importance of media literacy, empathy and open conversations in education. Tonight specifically they look at how we teach children in times of world crises. 🔸 The importance of media literacy and misinformation awareness 🔸 The role of empathy and open conversations in education 🔸 Reflections on travel, culture, and current global issues 🔹 "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle." 🔹 "Teaching ethics and the importance of truth in media." 🔹 "Resources to help students recognise misinformation." Chapters 00:00 Dublin Adventures: A Night to Remember 04:52 Teaching in a Changing World 10:00 Navigating Difficult Conversations in Classrooms 15:40 The Impact of Global Events on Education 21:08 Media Literacy and Misinformation 26:54 Empathy and Understanding in Education 36:44 The Impact of War on Children 39:04 Navigating Difficult Conversations in Education 42:10 The Sensationalisation of Trauma 44:48 The Role of Humour in Education 48:13 Teaching History and Current Events 51:29 The Importance of Connection and Support Resources & Further Notes Marianna Spring - BBC Disinformation and Misinformation Reporter - https://twitter.com/marianna_spring Little Troopers Resources for Schools - https://littletroopers.co.uk/ Book of Mormon Musical - https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/shows/the-book-of-mormon Blue Peter Shoebox Appeal - https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/joinin/about-shoebox-appeal Jason deCaires Taylor - Underwater Sculptures and Reefs - https://www.underwatersculpture.com/ One World School Initiative - Films on Global Issues - https://www.oneworld.org/ Follow us, we're worth it: 🔗 Website 🔗 Spotify 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Bluesky 🔗 X (Twitter) #leadership #education #teacher #school #schoollife #inspiration #support #podcast #video

    1h 8m
  4. Teaching Matters | Swedish English, Zero Tolerance & Teaching Unappealing

    MAR 1

    Teaching Matters | Swedish English, Zero Tolerance & Teaching Unappealing

    In this week's Teaching Matters, panellists, Dr Shauna McGill, Lucy Neuburger, John Gibbs and host, Paul Hazzard explore the English language proficiency of Swedish young people, the implications of zero tolerance policies in schools and the declining appeal of the teaching profession. The panel discusses cultural perceptions of language learning, the mental health impacts of punitive school policies, and the need for a shift in how teaching is viewed in society. They emphasise the importance of fostering a positive image of teachers and the profession as a whole, advocating for better support and recognition for educators. A fine ridge of daffodils - https://www.visitisabergsregionen.se/en/season/spring/fageras/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Panel and Topics 01:23 The Proficiency of Swedish Youth in English 15:21 The Impact of Language Learning on Cognitive Development 22:56 Rethinking Zero Tolerance Policies in Schools 41:13 The Impact of Emotions on Learning 43:18 The Role of Parents in Education 44:48 Parenting Challenges and Support 47:02 Restorative Practices in Schools 48:35 Public Perception of Teaching 50:46 Gender Dynamics in Teaching 54:47 The Media's Role in Teacher Reputation 59:15 Raising the Prestige of Teaching 01:03:29 Celebrating Teacher Successes 01:05:41 Community Engagement in Education 01:10:27 The Importance of Spring and Renewal Follow us, we're worth it: 🔗 Website 🔗 Spotify 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Bluesky 🔗 X (Twitter) #leadership #education #teacher #school #schoollife #inspiration #support #podcast #video

    1h 24m
  5. The Hannah & Lucy Show | TikTok, Educational Tool?

    FEB 12

    The Hannah & Lucy Show | TikTok, Educational Tool?

    Hannah and Lucy are surviving not thriving as half term creeps closer and the rain refuses to stop. Between carnival costumes, classroom glue and a few dodgy dance moves they ask a big question. Is TikTok a help or a hindrance when we talk about learning. They weigh up what short clips can do well such as quick recall and catchy hooks that stick before an exam. They also push back on the idea that bite sized videos can replace real depth, research and proper guidance. Phones in school, laptops on trolleys in primary and a very different picture in secondary all come under the spotlight. Hannah’s supply adventures meet Lucy’s love of primary maths as they chat White Rose style thinking, place value and the myths we pass on to pupils. The pair dig into the rise of teacher creators and the line between classroom life and life online. Sponsorships, filming bans, school image and the pressure this puts on colleagues all get an honest airing. They ask who benefits when a post goes viral and who pays when budgets are already stretched. There is plenty of warmth and mischief too. Joy in teaching, edutainment done well, and the power of a shared sing along make a welcome return. Expect nods to school discos, nostalgic lyrics that read very differently now, and a few stories you will want to repeat in the staffroom. Stay for the candid chat about media literacy and why young people need better tools to spot bad information. Hear from friends of the show in the live chat, look ahead to a Room 101 special, and join the plan to bring more fun, care and humanity back into our classrooms. If you work in education, parent, or simply love a good natter about how we learn today, this one is for you. Brew in hand. Volume up. Joy reloaded. Follow us, we're worth it: 🔗 Website 🔗 Spotify 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Bluesky 🔗 X (Twitter) #leadership #education #teacher #school #schoollife #inspiration #support #podcast #video

    1h 5m

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Hannah and Lucy talk about teaching through the winter.

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