Episode 216:

This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I’m joined by Juli Ryzop and Elliot Morgan to explore disciplinary literacy—what it means, why it matters, and how it can transform learning across subjects. Understanding how literacy functions within different disciplines helps students access, engage with, and critically interpret subject-specific content.

We discuss:

• What disciplinary literacy is and why it’s essential in primary education.

• Practical strategies for embedding disciplinary literacy in our classrooms.
• The benefits of disciplinary literacy for student comprehension, engagement, and subject mastery.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, curriculum leader, or school leader, this episode offers valuable insights into helping students think, read, and write like subject experts.

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. Join the conversation on our Discord server!

Click here for Juli's Disciplinary Literacy Folder!

Unseen Question 001:

In this episode of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education we're diving into an unseen question from our listeners. This week, Stuart Welsh gives his thoughts on ways to incorporate retrieval practice into lessons without contributing to cognitive overload.

TDaPE: Retrieval Practice Playlist (Over 11 hours of retrieval adjacent episodes)

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Episode 215:

This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, we continue our discussion on Ofsted’s reform proposals with Shannen Doherty and Louise McLaughlin. In this second part, we explore the next three points in the proposal, looking at how changes to inspection methodology, full and monitoring inspections, and accountability for state-funded schools could reshape the education landscape.

We discuss:

• Ofsted’s approach to inspection methodology—what’s changing and why it matters.
• The role of full and monitoring inspections in school accountability.
• How Ofsted plans to identify and support state-funded schools causing concern.

With significant changes being proposed, this episode is essential listening for educators, leaders, and policymakers looking to understand how these reforms might impact schools across the country.

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. Join the conversation on our Discord server!

From the Archives 007:

In this episode of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education we're diving into the archives to retrieve some of the most inspirational responses to questions posed over the last few years. This week, Lloyd Williams-Jones explores how he took the ideas of Christopher Such to improve reading across his school.

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Episode 214:

This week onThinking Deeply about Primary Education, I’m joined by Shannen Doherty and Louise McLaughlin to discuss the first two points in Ofsted’s reform proposal - Report Cards and Inspection Toolkits. We take a deep dive into the potential benefits, the likely impact on schools, and the unintended consequences that could arise from these changes.

We discuss:

• The rationale behind Ofsted’s proposed reforms.
• Whether Report Cards will provide greater clarity or create new challenges.
• How Inspection Toolkits might change the way schools prepare for inspection.
• The unintended consequences that could emerge from these proposals.

With school accountability under constant scrutiny, this episode offers an essential discussion for educators, leaders, and policymakers looking to understand what these reforms could mean in practice.

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or making a donation viawww.ko-fi.com/tdape. Join the conversation on our Discord server!

From the Archives 006:

In this episode of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education we're diving into the archives to retrieve some of the most inspirational responses to questions posed over the last few years. This week, Sarah Cottinghatt shares her thoughts on the David Ausubel's key ideas and why they might be important for teachers.

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Episode 213: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I’m joined by secondary art teacher Andrea Welsh to explore the importance of art education and how to ensure high-quality art lessons despite the pressures of a packed timetable.

We discuss:

Whether you’re an art specialist or a generalist looking to strengthen your approach to art teaching, this episode is packed with insights and practical strategies.

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. Join the discussion on our Discord server!

From the Archives 005:

In this episode of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education we're diving into the archives to retrieve some of the most inspirational responses to questions posed over the last few years. This week, Lyn Stone and Chris Such share the thoughts on the extent to which the way the English writing system is introduced can lead to spelling difficulties.

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Episode 212: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I’m joined by Kylie McKee and Hugh Williams-Jones representing Velindre Cancer Centre to explore why we were raising money for this great cause at the TDaPE London Conference.

Tickets for TDaPE Manchester can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-thinking-deeply-about-primary-education-conference-tickets-1132191919509?aff=erelexpmlt

Session Proposals Here: https://forms.gle/mahbi7aAH234z7FP7  (Window open until 7/2/25)

If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via ⁠www.ko-fi.com/tdape⁠. Join the conversation on Discord to share your thoughts and ideas!

From the Archives 004:

In this episode of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education we're diving into the archives to retrieve some of the most inspirational responses to questions posed over the last few years. This week, Neil Almond and Chris Such share the thoughts on the extent to which is English orthography a representation of spoken language and what this means in the classroom.

Enjoy this episode? Let us know in the comments, wherever you listen...