EducationSector News

Teachers Talk Radio

Teaching · Daily shows by teachers, for teachers. Busy: several episodes a day.

Monday 9 November

Schools to stop teaching GCSEs early in curriculum overhaul: Points of View

Should Year 9 be the start of GCSE preparation? Lucy Powell wants schools to stop routinely starting GCSE courses early, arguing that pupils are having their options narrowed and being rushed towards exams. Her proposed answer is to reduce GCSE content so courses fit comfortably into two years. T he Points of View panel debates whether a three-year GCSE gives pupils valuable time to master demanding content or…

1 hr 29 minSave

Sunday 8 November

The Late Show with Konstantinos Pappas: Teaching in times of uncertainty: navigating difficult conversations in the classroom

In this episode, Konstantinos is joined by Dr Berfin Emre Cetin, Reader in Media and Conflict, from London College of Communication to explore the challenges of teaching in times of global uncertainty. Together, they discuss how can sensitive topics, political and cultural differences enrich classroom debates alongside managing disagreements, and how educators can encourage critical thinking, empathy and mutual…

1 hr 1 minSave

Homework apps: Motivating pupils or adding to screen time?

Are apps like TT Rockstars helping children master their times tables, or creating pressure to compete and spend more time on screens? Following concerns raised by an MP, Points of View debates gamification in education. Do virtual rewards and leaderboards motivate pupils, or distract from learning and cause conflict at home? With TT Rockstars announcing default time limits and curfews, we ask whether these…

2 hr 44 minSave

Ofsted: Time to change the consequences?

Lucy Powell says the consequences of Ofsted inspections need to change. The education secretary argues that school context has become a penalty, with schools taking on more pupils with SEND being disadvantaged by the current system. She wants a more peer-led approach to school improvement, with Ofsted still providing an external judgement. But what would that mean for teachers and school leaders? Our Points of View…

1 hr 9 minSave

Is Music The Answer To Discipline?

Join Michael Wright for the Sunday Lunch Show, where he and guest James Searjeant dive into the debate sparked by Dame Elaine Paige's recent comments in The Telegraph. Amid concerns about a lack of discipline in schools, their conversation turns to the role of music—specifically, whether greater involvement in Western classical music is the solution. Is classical music the key to classroom discipline, or does this…

1 hr 9 minSave

Saturday 7 November

Friday 6 November

Science - From the sidelines into the spotlight: The Twilight Show with Tony Harwood

Are we doing enough at KS3 to promote a love of science? Are students side-lining science in favour of maths and English to avoid resits post-16? Are required practicals working or should we just bring back controlled assessment? These are just some of the big questions that panel will be tackling in this show. Tony is joined by experienced leaders in science education Ujwala Jayaram, Sara Cox and Kalpesh Pancholi…

1 hr 16 minSave

Thursday 5 November

Tuesday 3 November

Monday 2 November

Tackling the most challenging parts of the 2026 Guidance- how do we cover strangulation in our PSHE lessons? The PSHE Update: Episode 5

In this fifth episode, PSHE lead and educator Clare Price considers how to prepare parents, staff and learners to cover the updated need to consider strangulation and suffocation in the 2026 RSE Guidance. She also looks at how using the example of Alison Hammond having a panic attack live on air might support learners in how to manage this in their own lives. Please note this episode should be listened to with…

17 minSave

Sunday 1 November

The SEND Deficit: Who pays the price? Points of View

This week, the TES reported that the government has spent almost £5.8 billion clearing 90% of historic SEND deficits across 129 councils. Yet, despite this enormous financial intervention, the warning signs remain. Forecasts suggest that deficits could climb to £5.7 billion by 2027–28, with serious questions being raised about where the long-term funding will come from. But behind the billions, budgets and political…

1 hr 8 minSave

Saturday 31 October

School Walkouts - Pupil Voice or Political Recruitment? Points of View

'Socialist Students' is calling on pupils and students to walk out of lessons on 20 November, campaigning on war, education funding and their futures. Its campaign pack explains how to organise a walkout and advises those worried about being stopped from leaving to avoid going into school altogether. Are young people exercising their political voice, or is a political organisation overstepping the mark? Should…

1 hr 23 minSave

Thursday 29 October

Teacher retention programme delayed by a year: Points of View

With the government’s teacher retention programme delayed until autumn 2027, Points of View asks whether flexible working could help keep teachers in the classroom and how realistic it is in practice. From part-time roles and job shares to PPA at home and flexible start times, what could schools offer? Can flexibility benefit staff without compromising pupils’ learning or increasing colleagues’ workloads? And is the…

1 hr 38 minSave

Tuesday 27 October

Create an Oracy Curriculum: TTR Special hosted by Louise Marie

Louise Marie is joined by oracy experts and authors, Amy Gaunt and Alice Stott, to discuss their wonderful new book 'Create an Oracy Curriculum' (Pub: Hachette Learning 30th Oct 2026). Together, Amy and Alice will explore why spoken language deserves a central place in education and how schools can embed oracy across subjects and beyond the classroom. This show will give you a real taste of what this book has in…

1 hr 7 minSave

Monday 26 October

Is a four-day working week the future of teaching? Points of View

For years, teachers have been highlighting the need for steps to be taken to reduce workload. Lip service has been paid to this concept, with promises and plans made to do so, but with little real impact. This week, Lucy Powell has suggested a move to a four-day working week for teachers: a suggestion welcomed by many in education, but criticised by parents. While schools would remain open five days a week, teachers…

1 hr 10 minSave

Sunday 25 October

The Functionally Fluent Teacher: Sunday Lunch Show with Michael Wright

Join Michael Wright for a special episode as he sits down with Steve Willshaw to discuss his book, The Functionally Fluent Teacher. In this insightful conversation, Michael and Steve explore key ideas from the book, what it means to be a functionally fluent teacher, and how these principles can support effective teaching, positive relationships, and successful classroom outcomes. Whether you're a teacher, school…

1 hr 23 minSave