Oracy is a field which matters across every single subject, and the benefits to young students are not only academic, but also stretch to strengthening identity and self-actualisation.

The challenge of how we define oracy and assess it in schools is not an easy one, so joining us to discuss the nuances of that challenge on this episode of Brighter Futures are Oracy Cambridge’s Alan Howe, and EDT’s own Dr Nicky Platt and Dr Jim Rogers.

This episode covers

• The broad range of skills encompassed within the field of oracy
• Growing evidence around the improved academic outcomes for disadvantaged students in particular
• Challenges surrounding the appropriate method for assessing oracy 
• How to successfully integrate oracy across the entire curriculum

Dr Nicky Platt:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicky-platt-593320172/
Dr Jim Rogers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdrjdrogers/
Alan Howe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-howe-96202019/
Tony McAleavy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-mcaleavy-6aa64229

Education Development Trust: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educationdevelopmenttrust/

EDT has played a key role in the DfE’s National Tutoring Programme, but what can we learn from its findings about how schools can better support students?

Early findings have been very encouraging, and as we share the key benefits of school-based tutoring on Brighter Futures, Tony dives deeper into the topic with our expert panel: ImpactEd Evaluation's Holly Waddell, and EDT's Laura Fox and Fiona Rutherford.

This episode covers

• Evidence that’s been collected on the effectiveness of tutoring, both in one-to-one settings and group sessions
• Why the approach to implementing school-based tutoring should be strategic and collaborative
• The positive impacts observed for student attainment as a result of the National Tutoring Programme in England

Laura Fox: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-fox-education/
Fiona Rutherford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-rutherford-37a181a7/
Holly Waddell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-waddell/
Tony McAleavy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-mcaleavy-6aa64229

Education Development Trust: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educationdevelopmenttrust/

International tests like PISA have played a huge part in evidence-based education reform globally, and there are some fascinating cases to be made for the value of these benchmarks.

This episode of ‘Brighter Futures’ features a panel of guests perfectly placed to give us a wider view on the remarkable influence these tests can have for global education.

We’re joined by Former Schools Minister Rt. Hon. Nick Gibb, EDT's Dr Richard Churches and CfBT Brunei's Dr Louise Pagden, who can share how PISA programmes have helped create positive change in England, Dubai, and Brunei.

This episode covers

• The power of PISA and other benchmark tests to drive educational reform
• How data has been used in England, Dubai and Brunei to develop education within these countries
• The value in taking consistent, long-term measurement through these testing formats
• Reasons that notable omissions from the list of countries taking part in PISA might consider joining

Rt. Hon. Nick Gibb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-gibb-970941123/
Dr Richard Churches: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardchurches/
Dr Louise Pagden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-pagden/
Tony McAleavy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-mcaleavy-6aa64229

Education Development Trust: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educationdevelopmenttrust/

There’s a spotlight in the UK right now on work-related skills, and our investment into equipping people with appropriate skills for life and work is absolutely vital.

This week’s expert guests on Brighter Futures have a fantastic overview on the skills area, and more importantly how it can evolve for the better - we’re joined by WEA’s External Relationships Director, Chris Morgan and EDT’s Deputy Director of Skills, Kiri Baxter.

Listen as Kiri and Chris share with host Tony McAleavy how we define skills, the value of localising the delivery of skills training, and how it feeds into the country’s success.

This episode covers

• The definition of skills, and whether it varies between schools and post-16 education
• Effective practice for skills guidance in the workplace
• How we make access to skills education as inclusive as possible
• Priorities for the new Skills England body

Kiri Baxter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiri-baxter-4181a5123/
Chris Morgan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-morgan808/
Tony McAleavy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-mcaleavy-6aa64229

Education Development Trust: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educationdevelopmenttrust/

The climate crisis is arguably top of the agenda globally, but the impacts on education and the work we need to put into resolving such impacts remains understated.

With this episode of Brighter Futures, we’re bringing those issues and necessary resolutions to the forefront - join a fantastic panel of Kulima’s Dr Katharine Vincent, and EDT’s Donvan Amenya & Rachael Fitzpatrick, as we highlight the interconnected nature of these challenges, and how best to approach these vital solutions.

This episode covers

• The lasting impacts of climate shocks on students
• How we can collectively respond simultaneously to climate change issues and learning challenges alike
• Policy changes that need making so that we can build more resilient education systems
• Practical steps on a local level to boost climate resilience and awareness

Dr Katharine Vincent: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharine-vincent/
Donvan Amenya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donvan-amenya-a474aa22/
Rachael Fitzpatrick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-fitzpatrick-3b1585169/
Tony McAleavy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-mcaleavy-6aa64229

Education Development Trust: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educationdevelopmenttrust/

A child’s early years are arguably the most important in the formation of their minds and bodies, so the quality of early years education should be paramount.

Whether we have consensus on what is needed for this vital age group, the priority areas of improvement, and how we address inequity of early learning experiences are all conversations at the heart of episode 9 of Brighter Futures.

Joining us on this podcast are Gill Jones MBE - Busy Bees Nurseries/ex-Ofsted, Jan Dubiel - Early Childhood Education Specialist/Consultant and Lyn Challender - Programme Director at EDT.

This episode covers

• The strengths found in early years education, and priority areas for improving it
• Whether we have consensus on what matters most in this age range
• The value that should be placed on that which we cannot quantify
• Inequities in the access to enriching early learning experiences

Gill Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gill-jones-366aba61/
Jan Dubiel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-dubiel-31497524/
Lyn Challender: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyn-challender-97a5a9188/
Tony McAleavy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-mcaleavy-6aa64229

Education Development Trust: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educationdevelopmenttrust/

The learning crisis in many low-income countries demands reform at scale, but how exactly can change be delivered swiftly and successfully?

Brookings Institution’s work across recent years has been trailblazing in what it takes to achieve this, and Brad Olsen is able to give key insights into how we deliver such reform in the Global South.

Brad joins us alongside EDT’s Elizabeth Ogott and Clare Buntic, as we delve into the ingredients to transformation, teacher buy-in, and togetherness.

This episode covers

• The key ingredients to successful education reform at scale
• Considering public perception around reform
• How to motivate and incentivise teachers while delivering large scale change
• Engaging teachers as partners in authentic reform
• The imperative role of good data in delivering good adaptive change

Brad Olsen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-olsen-0149734/
Brookings Institution: https://www.brookings.edu/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-brookings-institution/
Clare Buntic: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-buntic-a829b814/
Elizabeth Ogott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-ogott-03a9b25/
Tony McAleavy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-mcaleavy-6aa64229

Education Development Trust: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educationdevelopmenttrust/

Education Development Trust’s evidence-based approach has such a far-reaching impact, and there’s no greater advocate for such an approach than our very own Tony McAleavy.

In the first of our brand new series hosted by our CEO, Dan Sandhu, it’s a joy to draw on Tony’s decades of experience as we discuss flagship programmes that he’s driven, the global impacts of his work, and the importance of enduring relationships that last decades.

This episode covers

• Tony’s 20+ year journey at Education Development Trust
• The need for a focus on evidence-based research
• EDT’s role in the Girls’ Education Challenge programme, particularly in Kenya
• Work in Brunei to enhance the impact of PISA
• Why ‘enduring relationships’ are so key to EDT’s work worldwide

Tony McAleavy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-mcaleavy-6aa64229
Dan Sandhu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-sandhu-3407561/
Education Development Trust: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educationdevelopmenttrust/

Welcome back to the Brighter Futures podcast brought to you by Education Development Trust. 

On episode 7, host Tony McAleavy is joined by Noelle Buick, Regional Inspections and Accountability Lead, Middle East and Asia and Valerie Dunsford, Deputy Chief Inspector for BSO/ISQM to discuss school improvement through external review.

This episode includes: 

• How the inspection of British Schools Overseas works.
• How the International School Quality Mark operates.
• Areas of focus and measurement for each system.
• Collating the views of parents, students and teachers. 
• Challenges and opportunities of both systems.

Education Development Trust: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educationdevelopmenttrust/