They Behave For Me

By Adam Boxer and Amy Forrester

What's They Behave For Me about?

Welcome to They Behave For Me, a podcast brought to you by Adam Boxer and Amy Forrester covering all things education: politics, curriculum, Teaching and Learning and much more. Join us for thought provoking ideas, concrete strategies and plenty of jokes. Press subscribe to get TBFM every Friday!

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They Behave For Me episodes:

05.10.2024
Episode 21: What can we learn from the best schools in New York?
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by the legend that is Jon Hutchinson. Join them to discuss Jon's recent trip to the land of the brave where he visited a number of remarkable schools in New York.
04.26.2024
Episode 20: What can schools to do combat societal disadvantage?
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by Charley from Sutton Trust to look at an extremely serious issue: the under-representation of pupil premium students in great schools. Tune in to learn about what has caused this issue, how...
03.28.2024
Episode 19: What the hell is going on with behaviour?
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by Teacher Tapp superstar Grainne Hallahan to discuss all things tattoos, behaviour and more. Tune in and share our last episode before a short Easter break.
03.22.2024
Episode 18: Do children naturally want to learn?
In this episode, Adam and Amy dive into a mini-controversy surrounding some things that were or weren't said at a researchED conference last week. Tune in for all the behaviour nuance you need!
03.15.2024
Episode 17: Should I apply to be a head of department?
In this episode, Adam and Amy take questions from the listeners: should we use clipboards when teaching? Should I apply to be a head of department or am I too inexperienced? How should I seat my students and, most importantly,...
03.08.2024
Episode 16: What are parents saying about attendance?
In this episode, Adam and Amy start by discussing Martin Lewis and financial education, move on to looking at the national outlook for pay and finish by delving into the data on attendance and looking at testimony around absences. Music:...
03.01.2024
Episode 15: What should you do if your school sucks?
In this episode, Adam and Amy discuss dysfunctional schools and how teachers should respond to all the mad things they are supposed to do. They also look at tips for interviewing (both sides of the table) and briefly examine Labour's...
02.23.2024
Episode 14: Why you should ban phones in schools
In this episode, Adam and Amy discuss mobile phone usage in teenagers and take a deep dive into the evidence around changing social norms and behaviours. Tune in, and remember to share!
02.09.2024
Ep 13: Top tips for job applications, and how to use YOUR VOICE
In this episode, Adam and Amy give their top tips for writing covering statements, getting more experience in advance of applications and how to handle interviews and demonstration lessons. They also look at vocal coaching and the power of good...
02.02.2024
Episode 12: What's going on with behaviour and how do you feel about brushing children's teeth?
In this episode, Adam and Amy start by looking at Labour's proposal to introduce teeth brushing to primary schools, and then move on to some very alarming statistics about behaviour. At the end they move on to a few tips...
01.26.2024
Episode 11: What's going on at Michaela Community School?
In this episode, Adam and Amy open with a discussion around behaviour policies and the importance of holding the line. They then spend some time discussing the recent events at Michaela Community School, dissecting the issues around their non-existent prayer...
01.19.2024
Episode 10: Should teachers put their qualifications on the door?
In this episode, Adam and a lergy-stricken Amy play the education version of shoot/shag/marry and debate student aspirations and whether teachers should be putting their qualifications on the doors of their classrooms. Tune in and share!
01.12.2024
Episode 9: Moments matter - how do we fix the attendance crisis?
In this week's episode, Adam and Amy start by talking about traditional and progressive education, and what those terms have come to mean over time. They then delve into the massive attendance crisis gripping our schools and examine the political...
01.05.2024
Episode 8: How do you get INSET to work?
Adam and Amy return for their first episode of 2024. They discuss why INSET days are normally rubbish, Ofsted's postponement of inspections and "Big Listen," as well as some top tips for Parents' Evening.
12.15.2023
Episode 7: Should poorly behaved students represent the school at sport?
In our last episode before Christmas, Adam recounts a horrifying tale of being made to talk to a stranger on public transport, and Amy offers some nuance on the question of whether poorly behaved students should represent the school in...
12.08.2023
Episode 6: Amanda Spielman, Ofsted accountability and learning walks
In this episode, Adam and Amy begin by reacting to the coroner's report into the death of Headteacher Ruth Perry and discuss what should happen next at Ofsted. Responding to a question on Threads, they also look at learning walks...
12.01.2023
Episode 5: Workload Tennis
In addition to the usual japes, in this episode Adam and Amy play "workload tennis", in which they have to alternately set out a concrete and actionable strategy which leaders could use to reduce their staff's workload.
11.24.2023
Episode 4: Active listening, and looking after your head
In this episode, Adam and Amy discuss how to get all students *really* listening in class, and what to do when you are asked to not direct questions at certain students. They also delve into recent findings about wellbeing which...
11.17.2023
Episode 3: Nick Gibb's education legacy
With long-standing Schools Minister Nick Gibb announcing that he will not be running for office again, join Adam and Amy as they rake over his policy record. Listen to the end for more concrete tips on difficult parental conversations, sparked...
11.10.2023
Episode 2 - Difficult parents, Educating Essex and the Social Contract
In this episode, Adam and Amy look at how things have changed post-covid. Is attendance getting worse? Is behaviour getting worse? Are parents getting harder to deal with? And if the answer is yes, then why?
11.03.2023
Episode 1 - Wilshaw, curriculum and having high standards
In this episode, Adam and Amy take a deep dive into Michael Wilshaw's recent comments at the education select committee, and relive the observation madness of the 2010's. They also discuss a teacher Adam's been working with and why having...

What's They Behave For Me about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

They Behave For Me episodes:

Episode 21: What can we learn from the best schools in New York?

Episode 20: What can schools to do combat societal disadvantage?

Episode 19: What the hell is going on with behaviour?

Episode 18: Do children naturally want to learn?

Episode 17: Should I apply to be a head of department?

Episode 16: What are parents saying about attendance?

Episode 15: What should you do if your school sucks?

Episode 14: Why you should ban phones in schools

Ep 13: Top tips for job applications, and how to use YOUR VOICE

Episode 12: What's going on with behaviour and how do you feel about brushing children's teeth?

Episode 11: What's going on at Michaela Community School?

Episode 10: Should teachers put their qualifications on the door?

Episode 9: Moments matter - how do we fix the attendance crisis?

Episode 8: How do you get INSET to work?

Episode 7: Should poorly behaved students represent the school at sport?

Episode 6: Amanda Spielman, Ofsted accountability and learning walks

Episode 5: Workload Tennis

Episode 4: Active listening, and looking after your head

Episode 3: Nick Gibb's education legacy

Episode 2 - Difficult parents, Educating Essex and the Social Contract

Episode 1 - Wilshaw, curriculum and having high standards