Bedrock Talks from Bedrock Learning

After so many comments, thoughts and requests from the first episode, Dani Walley returns to Bedrock Talks to discuss leadership and teacher development.

Dani is an Assistant Principal leading on teaching, learning and curriculum in a large secondary school. Previously a Director of Humanities, Dani is passionate about empowering staff and students to succeed. She has a forthcoming publication focused on middle leadership and passionately asserts that addressing behavioural issues is crucial before diving into the academic curriculum.

In this episode, Dani offers heartfelt views on leadership, including honest reflections about her own journey and learnings. You'll also hear about her ground-breaking new CPD development programme being rolled out at Bedrock partner school, Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy in Stoke-on-Trent.

Katie Chanter is a literacy leader for a large secondary comprehensive school, and has extensive experience of teaching English- including language development in early years. She has successfully implemented Bedrock, both tier 2 and 3 vocabulary, in her school. 

In this podcast, she discusses her gradual approach to a successful implementation, and how she has successfully navigated the territory of gathering and sustaining momentum for tier 3 vocabulary as a whole-school disciplinary literacy tool. 

Discover how to ignite a passion for reading and learning in your students with insights from Val Dewhurst, the dynamic Head of Library and joint Bedrock Learning lead at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (Quags).

In our latest episode, Val speak to us about the library as the centrepiece of literacy in a school, as well as a place of safety and celebration for young people to come and enjoy reading. 

Ever wondered how AI can revolutionise education? Get ready to meet Patrick Hickey, the AI Teaching Guru, who turned traditional teaching on its head by embracing cutting-edge technology.

This episode features Patrick’s remarkable journey into the world of artificial intelligence, starting with his creative experiment of generating a prequel to the classic movie Home Alone using ChatGPT. We unpack the incredible potential and inherent limitations of AI in the classroom, shedding light on how it can assist in lesson planning, spark creativity, and support both teachers and students - while always emphasising the indispensability of human oversight.

Listen in to discover how educators can leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to simplify administrative tasks, differentiate content, and demystify complex concepts, effectively enhancing the learning experience and granting educators the "superpowers" they need to thrive in today's dynamic educational landscape.

About Patrick Hickey
Patrick Hickey is a teacher of 27 years and one of the UK's foremost thinkers on AI and education. He offers his insights and advice on navigating the exciting- albeit slightly terrifying waters of AI!

What if understanding dyslexia could transform your child's reading experience? Join us as we sit down with dyslexia specialist Sally Raymond, who shares her heartfelt journey into the field, driven by her daughter's struggles with reading. Discover the crucial role parents play in offering unconditional reading support, highlighting how such support can significantly enhance a child's confidence and enjoyment in reading.

Dive into the complex world of dyslexia as Sally explains the brain's difficulty with symbolic language and how it impacts reading fluency. Learn about the concept of unconditional reading support, where parents provide immediate help on any word a child hesitates on, thus maintaining the flow of meaning and making reading enjoyable. Additionally, we chat with Sally about her books and her journey as an author, offering our listeners a chance to understand her creative process and the inspiration behind her work. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that promises to empower parents and educators alike.

About Sally Collard:
Over the past thirty years Sally (a qualified teacher) has studied dyslexia and associated subjects to constantly gain further experience and qualifications in this fascinating and varied topic. She has worked in many different settings supporting learners of all ages, teaching staff and parents to promote approaches to teaching and learning which aim to meet the specific learning needs of the individual.  To explore further, read Sally's book.

Ever wondered what it takes to transform behaviour culture in schools, especially in a post-pandemic world? In our latest podcast, we sit down with Dani Walley to discuss how the pandemic and social media have reshaped student behaviour, leading to challenges like shortened attention spans and reduced socialisation.

Discover the groundbreaking concept of a behaviour curriculum inspired by Tom Bennett's work and learn how to put it into practice. We discuss the essential steps of defining core values such as kindness and resilience, and how these can be translated into observable actions and explicitly taught. This episode offers practical strategies for developing a unified language among staff and creating a safe space for students, aiming to reduce suspensions and exclusions through constructive behaviour management.

By building clear expectations and routines, both students and teachers can thrive. This episode is packed with actionable insights and strategies, making it a must-listen for educators looking to create a supportive and effective learning environment.

About Dani Walley:
Dani is an Assistant Principal leading on teaching, learning and curriculum in a large secondary school. Previously a Director of Humanities, Dani has held a number of middle leadership roles and is passionate about empowering staff and students to succeed; she has a forthcoming publication focussed on middle leadership. She passionately argues that addressing these behavioural issues is crucial before diving into academic curriculum, setting the stage for a more effective learning environment.

In this episode we are joined by Richard Duffy, Assistant Principal for the ARC at Trinity Academy in Halifax. We explore Richard's diverse experiences, including working with NEETs and managing behaviour in school settings, and how these shaped his unique approach to supporting vulnerable learners.   We discuss how the transition from traditional teaching methods to more interactive, discussion-based sessions enriches students' learning experiences and helps them apply these values in real-life situations.

About Richard Duffy:
Richard has had an inspiring career path, taking him from being a military physical training instructor to a pivotal role in education.  He is currently Asst. Principal the ARC, where Richard and his team work tirelessly to instil core values like empathy, honesty, and respect in their students.

Unlock the secrets to fostering literacy and promoting a love for reading in your classroom with our special guest, literacy specialist Sarah Green.  Sarah, who boasts over 20 years in literacy education, shares her compelling journey from an English teacher to the Trust Director of Literacy for Prosperity Learning Trust.  Discover the transformative power of reading fluency and understand why it's crucial to look beyond phonics to bridge the gap between word recognition and language comprehension.

About Sarah Green:
Sarah is an experienced teacher and senior leader, currently working as Trust Director of Literacy for The Prospere Learning Trust in Manchester and former Literacy Content Specialist for The Education Endowment Foundation. She strongly believes that high-quality literacy provision is an entitlement for all pupils, especially those who are disadvantaged, and am passionate about supporting teachers, schools and multi-academy trusts to do this in an evidence-informed way.

In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of education with Paul Ainsworth, Education Director at Infinity Academies Trust and author of "No Silver Bullets 2.0: The Heart and Soul of School Improvement." Paul shares insights from his extensive career, which spans from teaching math to leading secondary school improvements. We discuss his approach to leadership, emphasizing both inspiration and strategic planning in school development.

Our conversation also covers the dynamics of collaboration and curriculum customization within multi-academy trusts. We examine the balance between personalized education methods and the implementation of robust operational systems. The discussion highlights how collaborative efforts among schools can streamline educational practices while maintaining a sense of collective responsibility and investment in student success.

Additionally, we address the crucial role of vocabulary development in narrowing educational gaps and the intersection of literacy and numeracy. Drawing from personal experiences as a former head of mathematics, we explore strategies that integrate math and English instruction, fostering interdisciplinary benefits. The episode concludes with reflections on Paul's book and its influence on educators, advocating for strong leadership and effective systems to support school improvement.

Tune in for a deep dive into the strategies and philosophies that drive successful educational outcomes.

For more insights from Paul: 

• Follow him on X, @pkainsworth
• Read his books:
  • No silver bullets: Day in, day out school improvement
  • No Silver Bullets 2.0: Heart and soul of school improvement

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Alex Hibble from EdProof, who draws on her psychology expertise from the University of Oxford and her experience with innovative educational practices. We delve into the integration of technologies like ChatGPT in schools and discuss how EdProof helps measure key aspects of student well-being and engagement. Alex shares insights on adopting a holistic approach to student development that transcends traditional academic metrics.

We also explore the broader impacts of a grade-focused education system and a competitive job market on student well-being and motivation. The episode examines the links between addictive behaviors, as outlined in "Dopamine Nation," and academic achievement pressures. We discuss EdProof's pioneering methods for assessing and enhancing student growth beyond test scores, including strategies for aligning student competencies with national benchmarks.

Furthermore, we highlight the crucial role of teacher-student relationships in fostering student engagement and addressing individual needs, particularly for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The conversation covers the importance of personalized teaching approaches and maintaining inclusivity in the classroom to ensure all students have the necessary support to succeed.

Join us for an in-depth discussion on transforming educational practices to better support every student's potential.

For more insights from Alix:

• Visit the EdProof website
• Follow her on LinkedIn