The School of School

Composition of Number, Imaginative youngsters, and more. Laurice Prempeh is back with us this week to share her experience of teaching at both ends of the school. What was it like stepping into an Early Years classroom as teacher for the first time? Did she now recognise where learning links could become broken as they go up the school? Plus, how did Laurice deal with the challenge of pupils not being able to read in the Early Years class?

Sneaker deals, Eat-sleep-drinking Bar models, and more. Crenstant Williams joins us again from Bermuda to discuss the impact the bar modelling approach has had on learners and educators. What was the catalyst for spreading this around the country? Why was this not a thing years ago? Plus, a heart-warming moment of a pupil who returned to give their thanks — don’t miss it.

Oboe experts, Being anti-maths, and more. We’re talking teacher training this week, looking in how many hours teachers get to explore maths during their training. How serious can the knock-on effects be if something is misunderstood by a child early on? Why are there different attitudes to other subjects? Plus, we talk about the unique circumstance of how usually the people holding teachers accountable aren’t adults…

‘Jinfant’ life, Siloed subjects, and more. We’re lucky to be joined again by someone who has so many roles that fitting them in this description box would be a challenge in itself! It’s Alison Borthwick, who is back to talk all things maths — from her journey from maths-phobic to maths expert, to discussing the current issues in education. Plus, if Alison became ‘Maths Prime Minister’ what would be the first thing she’d sort? Find out!

Glass eating, Short-term wins, and more. Our 3 regulars this week are discussing long term planning in schools. Do short term snap decisions lead to chaos down the line? Do teachers need more time planning and working together? Plus, what needs to be built initially for things not to go wrong…

Small successes, CPD importance, and more. We are joined by guest Felix Savedra to hear more about his school’s success with maths. How important is programme consistency to both pupils and teachers? What have results looked like? Plus, what is next for a school that has been continually improving?

Shocked observers, Early obstacles, and more. We’re joined by Craig Robinson from Kingsley Primary School this week to discuss their journey with Maths — No Problem! How do the kids manage to talk about maths for 40 minutes solid? What mindset changes have been made by both teachers and pupils? Plus, hear how important the Accredited Schools network has been for Kingsley.

Weighing watermelons, Javelin angles, and more. We’re joined this week by Wendy Liu. With over 25 years in Primary Schools, and 15 years specialising in maths, Wendy shares where the journey began and what she has learnt on the way. What subject is a perfect vehicle for soft skills? What were some findings from Wendy’s thesis? Plus, 10 years on since Wendy attended the first 5 day Maths — No Problem! course, has the teacher training landscape and their attitudes changed?

Curriculum crown-jewels, Negative parents, and more. The team are joined this week by Mathematics Educator, Wenxi Lee to discuss the Singaporean Approach as well as her book: ‘The secrets to Singapore’s world class maths curriculum’. What are some fundamentals of the Singapore curriculum? Are some kids born with their bar model skills? Plus, Wenxi details the importance of seeing the Singaporean framework as an entire system.

Idea freedom, Journal of the day, and more. This week the experts from Langley Green Primary School are back to share insight on their journalling successes. What are some tips for schools starting out with journals? What’s in it for a pupil themselves? Plus, have you heard of a Thinking Journal before? No? Listen to find out what it is!