Brighter Thinking Pod

Today, we’re going to be taking a closer look at student wellbeing in schools and how you can create a wellbeing framework for your class. Along the way, we also discuss the importance of considering oracy and resilience. We also explore the development of our new primary and lower secondary curriculum and resources. Although the focus of this episode is on primary and lower secondary level, there are tips in here that teachers of all ages can use.

Our host for this episode is Tamsin Hart. She is joined by Dr Ros McLellan, an Associate Professor in Teacher Education at the University of Cambridge; Pauline Stirling, a freelance education consultant and author from the Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Wellbeing teacher's resources; Dr Irenka Suto, Head of Assessment and Research at the Centre for Evaluation & Monitoring at Cambridge; and Sarah Nelson, Curriculum Lead at Cambridge for our Primary and Lower Secondary Wellbeing programme.

Show notes:

Cambridge Primary Wellbeing Programme - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-primary/curriculum/wellbeing/

Cambridge Lower Secondary Wellbeing Programme - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-lower-secondary/curriculum/wellbeing/

Cambridge primary and lower secondary wellbeing resources – https://www.cambridge.org/education/subject/humanities/wellbeing/cambridge-primary-and-lower-secondary-wellbeing

Centre for Evaluation & Monitoring (Cambridge CEM) Cambridge Wellbeing Check – https://www.cem.org/wellbeing

Gert Biesta, The Beautiful Risk of Education - https://www.mantleoftheexpert.com/blog-post/biesta-the-beautiful-risk-of-education/#:~:text=For%20Biesta%2C%20education%20has%20three,to%20find%20a%20productive%20balance.

Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) – https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/forest-bathing-nature-walk-health

The relationship between children’s wellbeing and their educational outcomes – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a747ef340f0b604dd7ae609/DFE-RR253.pdf

Primary guided reading scheme, Cambridge Reading Adventures –  https://www.cambridge.org/education/subject/english/literacy/cambridge-reading-adventures

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory - https://www.simplypsychology.org/bronfenbrenner.html

Wellbeing and Schooling - https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-95205-1

Today we're going to be taking a closer look at teaching the climate emergency; we look at what the impact is for the planet and our classrooms. Plus, we introduce you to our climate and sustainability teaching ideas that work alongside books in the our Cambridge Reading Adventures series. 

Our host for today is Tamsin Hart. She is joned by Cindy Forde and Eddie Rippeth. Cindy is an author, activist and founder of the Earth-led education company, Planetari. Eddie is Head of Primary Publishing, Products and Services at Cambridge and commissions our guided reading scheme, Cambridge Reading Adventures.

Show notes:

Planetari - https://planetari.world/

Primary guided reading series, Cambridge Reading Aventures - https://www.cambridge.org/education/subject/english/literacy/cambridge-reading-adventures

Climate change education activities - www.cambridge.org/education/blog/using-stories-to-change-the-world

Cambridge Primary Wellbeing curriculum -  https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-primary/curriculum/wellbeing/

Cambridge Lower Secondary Wellbeing curriculum - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-lower-secondary/curriculum/wellbeing/

Cambridge wellbeing resources - https://www.cambridge.org/education/subject/humanities/wellbeing/cambridge-primary-and-lower-secondary-wellbeing

Creating a Wellbeing Framework in your School, Brighter Thinking Pod - https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/brighter-thinking-pod-creating-wellbeing-framework-in-your-school

Seagull, Cambridge Reading Adventures - https://www.cambridge.org/education/subject/english/literacy/cambridge-reading-adventures/cambridge-reading-adventures-seagull-red-band-paperback?isbn=9781316503102&format=PB

Today, we’re going to be taking a closer look at predicted grades – dispelling misconceptions and giving advice for how your school can create an effective predicted grades policy. 

Our host is Laura Kahwati, Education Manager for Thought Leadership at Cambridge. She is joined by two special guests. Simon Child is the Head of Assessment Training at the Cambridge Assessment Network and Kevin Ebenezer is Head of Global Recognition at Cambridge.

Show notes: 

An investigation of A Level teachers’ methods when estimating student grades - https://www.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/Images/631315-an-investigation-of-a-level-teachers-methods-when-estimating-student-grades.pdf

Bias in teacher assessment results - https://ofqual.blog.gov.uk/2021/05/17/bias-in-teacher-assessment-results/

Cambridge Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring baseline asssessments - https://www.cem.org/

Predicted grades: A guide for schools - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/682063-predicted-grades-a-guide-for-schools.pdf

Cambridge Assessment Network - https://www.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/the-network/

The What, Why and How of Assessment: A guide for teachers and school leaders - https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Why-How-Assessment-teachers/dp/1529752558

A new Cambridge guide to support schools in issuing predicted grades fairly and equally - https://blog.cambridgeinternational.org/a-new-cambridge-guide-to-support-schools-in-issuing-predicted-grades-fairly-and-equally/

UCAS predicted grades – what you need to know for entry - https://www.ucas.com/advisers/help-and-training/guides-resources-and-training/application-overview/predicted-grades-what-you-need-know-entry-year

In today's episode we are discussing one of the most important stages of a child's development: early years. 

For this episode, we're joined by Abigail Barnett, Director of Cambridge 3-19 Curriculum, who has overall responsibility of the Cambridge Early Years Programme. We're also joined by Alison Borthwick, International Education Advisor and Cambridge Author. 

Our host today is Senior Marketing Manager at Cambridge, Rosie Howden. 

Show notes: Cambridge Early Years curriculum - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-early-years/

Cambridge Early Years teacing and learning resources - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-early-years/teaching-resources/for-schools-around-the-world/

Getting started with play-based learning in early years - https://www.cambridge-community.org.uk/professional-development/gswpbl/index.html#:~:text=Play%2Dbased%20learning%20in%20a,they%20will%20explore%20and%20investigate

Cambridge X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/CambridgeInt

Cambridge Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cambridgeint/

Full podcast transcript and show notes on Brighter Thinking Blog - https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/brighter-thinking-pod-early-years-teaching-learning

Following on from Ep 43: Introduction to Climate Change, in this episode we look more closely at how teachers, school leaders and learners can nurture sustainability education in their school. 

Our host for this episode is Head of Thought Leadership at Cambridge, Paul Ellis. He is joined by special guest, Dr Mona Chiriac.

Mona is an educational consultant, international lead trainer and online tutor. With over 20 years' experience working in the UK and internationally in various capacities, Mona’s keen interest is in sustainability education and in enhancing students’ learning power through effective teaching and learning strategies. 

Show notes: Mona's webinar at the Cambridge Schools Conference - https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/play/7Z-831_40Gt9JDxTWx-9BXSUgxBMxNwuZOKLa1UcT2dDDSqGNKmeL7xuSeBoF-WTFswm6tFEgqLStcU_.HBYi8YqFMnvF9kSm?canPlayFromShare=true&from=share_recording_detail&continueMode=true&componentName=rec-play&originRequestUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fus06web.zoom.us%2Frec%2Fshare%2F6SYCr7BmY2KC0XDW3n5ebolJHo8hSWpogZ5C3osqN66BzXoApfex-7S2m-o1D95p.TJT287LY7pgU_WJN

Ep 43: Introduction to Climate Change Education - https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/2024/04/17/brighter-thinking-pod-ep-43-introduction-to-climate-change-education/

Cambridge Introudction to Climate Change paper - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/why-choose-us/benefits-of-a-cambridge-education/climate-change-education/

Climate change education survey - https://cambridge.welcomesyourfeedback.net/s/tmmmin

Cambridge X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/CambridgeInt

Cambridge Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cambridgeint/

Full podcast transcript and guest info on Brighter Thinking Blog - https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/brighter-thinking-pod-ep-44-cultivating-green-shoots

Welcome back to the Brighter Thinking Pod from Cambridge.  In today's episode, we're starting to think about climate change education, moreover, what is education's role in tackling the climate crisis? Our host for this episode is Head of Thought Leadership at Cambridge, Paul Ellis. He is joined by special guest, Chrsitine Özden. Christine is the Global Director for Climate Education at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and is focused on the climate-related contexts, challenges and opportunities for all of us within the world of education.

Show notes: 

Cambridge Introduction to Climate Change paper - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/why-choose-us/benefits-of-a-cambridge-education/climate-change-education/

Climate change education survey - https://cambridge.welcomesyourfeedback.net/s/tmmmin

Cambridge X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/CambridgeInt

Cambridge Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cambridgeint/

Full podcast transcript on Brighter Thinking Blog - https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/brighter-thinking-pod-ep-43-introduction-to-climate-change-education

In this episode, we discuss a topic that is never far from teachers' lips: technology! From ChatGPT to Wolfram Alpha, we look at how teachers are still the most valuable asset a student has, even in this world of rapidly-advancing technology.

Our host for this episode is Commissioning Editor for our maths titles at the Press, Arifah Khan. She is joined by two special guests, Karen Morrison and Nick Hamshaw. 

Karen is an experienced teacher and teacher-trainer who now works as an author and materials developer. She is the author of a number of mathematics courses. Nick is a maths teacher, senior leader and author of our Cambridge IGCSE™ Mathematics Core & Extended coursebook.

For all the show notes, plus extra info, go to cambridge.org/education/blog/brighter-thinking-pod-ep-42-how-to-be-an-effective-maths-teacher-in-a-fast-changing-modern-world

This is a special five part mini-series where we are focusing on how best to eat healthily throughout our lives and encourage other people to do the same. 

In this fifth and final episode, we discuss what students can learn from elite athletes when preparing for their examinations. Your host for this episode is Paul Ellis – Head of Teaching and Learning Strategy at Cambridge Assessment International Education. Our other regular co-host in this series, Dr Chris McLeod, turns guest for this episode. Chris is an academic at Loughborough University, UK, with an expertise in behavioural nutrition and public health. His research aims to improve people’s nutrition, and particularly the nutrition of vulnerable populations by implementing psychological interventions in the public health space.

Find all show notes and extra information at cambridge.org/education/blog/brighter-thinking-pod-nutrition.

This is a special five part mini-series where we are focusing on how best to eat healthily throughout our lives and encourage other people to do the same. 

In this fourth episode, we discuss healthy eating for minoritized ethnic communities. Your hosts are Paul Ellis – Head of Teaching and Learning Strategy at Cambridge Assessment International Education – and Dr Chris McLeod – an academic at Loughborough University, UK, with an expertise in behavioural nutrition and public health. Our special guest for this episode is Dr Hibbah Osei-Kwasi – Lecturer in the school of sport, exercise and health sciences at Loughborough University. Hibbah's research focuses on dietary practices and behavioural change interventions for black, minority ethnic groups.

Find all show notes and extra information at cambridge.org/education/blog/brighter-thinking-pod-nutrition.

This is a special five part mini-series where we are focusing on how best to eat healthily throughout our lives and encourage other people to do the same. 

In this third episode, we continue up the ages and look at how best to educate adults when it comes to healthy eating. Your hosts are Paul Ellis - Head of Teaching and Learning Strategy at Cambridge Assessment International Education - and Dr Chris McLeod - an academic at Loughborough University, UK, with an expertise in behavioural nutrition and public health. Our special guest for this episode is Dr Lucy Porter – a Postdoctural Researcher who is interested in why we eat the things we do and how we can use psychology to make healthy eating easy and enjoyable. 

Find all show notes and extra information at cambridge.org/education/blog/brighter-thinking-pod-nutrition.