For Dyslexic Parents: A wordless picture book making StoryTime fun - Silent Snow

Kirsty Heap is an executive coach, keynote speaker, and neurodiversity advocate who helps individuals and organisations create environments where people can truly thrive. Drawing on her lived experience of dyslexia, she empowers business owners and leaders to understand their strengths, build confidence, and grow sustainably. Kirsty is also the author of Silent Snow, a picture book without words, designed to help you create your own stories with your children. Each page is filled with beautiful illustrations to spark your imagination, making storytime fun and personal. Whether reading has always felt tricky, or you just want to try something different, Silent Snow gives you the freedom to tell stories your own way.The idea for Silent Snow came from Kirsty's own experiences as a dyslexic parent. She used to find reading to her children difficult, and when she stumbled over words, she felt like she was letting them down. But instead of giving up, she started making up her own stories based on their lives and the little adventures they had. Bedtime soon became one of their favourite times of the day.Takeaways: The podcast emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing the strengths associated with dyslexia, rather than merely focusing on the challenges. Kirsty Heap shares her personal journey as a dyslexic parent, highlighting her creative storytelling as a means of connecting with her children. There is a significant need for educational systems to adapt and provide personalized learning experiences for neurodivergent students. The discussion reveals how the implementation of technology, such as dictation software, can greatly enhance learning outcomes for individuals with dyslexia. Kirsty reflects on the profound effect of positive reinforcement and constructive feedback in fostering self-esteem among students with learning differences. The episode advocates for greater transparency and openness among educators regarding their own neurodivergent experiences to better support their students. Chapters:00:00 - Understanding the Weight of Expectations00:18 - Creating Stories from Imagination13:12 - Navigating Dyslexia: Challenges and Strategies in Education26:41 - The Importance of Personalized Learning39:55 - The Impact of Feedback in Coaching and Educationhttps://kirstyheap.com/https://kirstyheap.com/silentsnow/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstyheap/https://www.instagram.com/kirstyheapcoaching/Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire and get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources you can use to support learninghttps://www.educationonfire.com/🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunitieseducationonfire.com/support

Mashood Ahmad is the CEO and founder of Gigabit IQ, an award-winning UK broadband provider dedicated to delivering safer, smarter, and faster internet through fully managed Wi-Fi and industry-leading online safety tools. A recognised voice in digital inclusion and child online protection, Mashood is a Council Member at ISPA UK and a vocal advocate for stronger ISP accountability in protecting families online.Under Mashood’s leadership, Gigabit IQ has pioneered services like FamilyGuard+, a network-level parental control solution designed to meet the real-world needs of modern families. He has spearheaded initiatives supporting vulnerable communities, including children in care, refugees, and low-income households, through fair access broadband and safety education.Mashood is the author of the white paper “Beyond the Act: The Hidden Layer of Online Harm No One’s Regulating”, which challenges current UK online safety legislation and proposes a new national ISP Safety Rating System, akin to NCAP for cars or Ofsted for schools.A frequent speaker on digital safety, Mashood is leading an Online Safety & ISP Accountability session at the UK Internet Parliament Conference with ISPA, and continues to work with regulators, MPs, and safety groups to shape a safer digital future for all.Takeaways: The introduction of digital safety measures is akin to implementing seat belts in cars, enhancing Internet safety. Gigabit IQ aims to provide parental controls that ensure children access only age-appropriate online content. The company's initiative, Parent Line, offers parents guidance on navigating online safety and concerns. Faster Internet speeds necessitate enhanced safety protocols to protect children from harmful online content. Gigabit IQ advocates for industry-wide parental controls, empowering parents to safeguard their children online. Digital inclusion is essential; broadband should be accessible to all communities, regardless of their location. Chapters:00:17 - Digital Safety in the Age of the Internet01:41 - The Launch of Parent Line13:47 - Advocating for Online Safety in Broadband Services21:12 - The Importance of Granular Parental Controls28:33 - Digital Inclusion and Accessibility39:24 - Empowering Parents for Online Safetyhttps://www.gigabitiq.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mashood-ahmad-gigabitiq/https://www.linkedin.com/company/gigabit-iqhttps://www.facebook.com/GigabitIQhttps://www.instagram.com/gigabit_iq/https://x.com/GigabitIQhttps://www.tiktok.com/@gigabitiqhttps://www.youtube.com/@GigabitIQhttps://bsky.app/profile/gigabitiq.bsky.socialhttps://mastodon.social/@GigabitIQhttps://www.parentline.ukShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire and get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources you can use to support learninghttps://www.educationonfire.com/🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunitieseducationonfire.com/support

Aurora Orchestra’s creative learning programme supports teachers to bring rich musical education and experiences to all children. The Aurora Classroom programme encompasses:digital resources for primary and secondary schoolsflexible cross-curricular resources for SEND settingstraining for teachers from our team of expertsworld-class programme of live activity for children and young people.Music at the heart of your primary schoolBring Aurora Orchestra into your classroom using our free music resources, designed for music specialists and generalist teachers alike. Explore our fully planned 10-week units of work or build your own music lessons from our library of hundreds of activities and audio excerpts.Supporting your teaching at KS3, GCSE and A levelAurora Classroom for secondary schools focuses on bringing high quality resources, films and audio excerpts together in one place – without the adverts and for free! Explore our teaching support materials for each Key Stage – from an introduction to the orchestra for KS3, to detailed set work resource packs for GCSE and A level music specifications.Build your own unique SEND programme Aurora’s inclusive and adaptable resources for children with additional needs enable teachers to build bespoke units of work by selecting activities from a number of learning strands:Live events for schoolsAurora Orchestra is a pioneering orchestra that creates concert experiences beyond the ordinary, introducing children to music in an innovative and exciting way.Takeaways: The Aurora Orchestra has made its educational resources completely free to ensure maximum reach and impact. The organization emphasizes the importance of integrating music education into the curriculum amidst challenges such as funding and time constraints. Aurora Orchestra's live programs are designed to engage children interactively, allowing them to participate in music through body percussion and singing. The orchestra has developed a series of resources called Aurora Classroom, which provides high-quality materials tailored for different educational stages. The importance of fostering creativity among teachers, particularly in primary education, is highlighted, as many teachers lack confidence in teaching music. Aurora Orchestra aims to expand its touring networks to reach diverse audiences and ensure music education is accessible to all children. Chapters:00:33 - Innovations in Music Education07:26 - Introducing Aurora Classroom: Resources for Music Education13:20 - The Transformation of Music Education Resources14:31 - Funding Models for Educational Programs23:07 - Breaking Down Barriers in Classical Music31:58 - The Life of a Modern Musician37:07 - The Importance of Music in Educationhttps://www.auroraorchestra.com/https://www.instagram.com/auroraorchestra/https://www.facebook.com/auroraorchestra/https://www.youtube.com/user/AuroraOrchestrahttps://www.tiktok.com/@auroraorchestrahttps://bsky.app/profile/auroraorchestra.bsky.socialhttps://www.auroraorchestra.com/people/jane-mitchell/Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire and get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources you can use to support learninghttps://www.educationonfire.com/🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunitieshttps://www.educationonfire.com/support

Dr. Jennifer Berry doesn't just talk about STEM—she redefines how student see themselves in it. As a leading voice in inclusive STEM education, Dr. Berry champions a powerful idea: STEM identity is not something students are born with—it's something they build. As the CEO of SmartLab, she is dedicated to bridging the gap between today's classrooms and tomorrow's workforce.Takeaways: Engaging students in hands-on learning experiences fosters both problem-solving skills and resilience in the face of failure. The integration of community involvement in educational ecosystems significantly enhances students' learning experiences and future opportunities. STEM identity is developed through numerous 'aha moments' that help students connect concepts meaningfully and deepen their understanding. Creating customized learning environments is essential for effective project-based learning, catering to diverse student needs and maximizing their potential. Students must be encouraged to embrace mistakes as vital learning opportunities that contribute to their growth and adaptability. Empowerment and resilience are crucial qualities that educators should foster in students to prepare them for challenges in a rapidly changing world. Chapters:00:30 - The Importance of Hands-On Learning05:52 - Building STEM Identity Through Aha Moments12:42 - Creating Custom Learning Environments in STEM Education20:00 - Community Involvement in Education28:59 - The Importance of Critical Thinking in an AI-Driven World36:40 - The Importance of a Human-Centered Approach39:46 - The Importance of Resilience and Empowerment in Educationhttps://www.smartlablearning.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/creative-learning-systems/Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire and get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources you can use to support learning https://www.educationonfire.com/🔥 Support the show - Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunitieshttps://www.educationonfire.com/support

Ben Case is part of the Tapestry education team and a former primary and early years teacher. He works closely with settings to support their use of Tapestry and believes tech is only successful if you bring staff with you. As a teacher Ben regularly presented at TeachMeet Sussex and he now helps to host the Tapestry podcast, writes for education publications, and features in many of the Tapestry training videos to support users. He is keen to share actionable insights and foster a positive, confident approach to using technology effectively in early years settings across the UK.Tapestry's annual survey had some interesting findings around the use of AI in the early years; engaging with families; and supporting families with ideas for play at home.More info about the survey: https://tapestry.info/tapestry-early-years-education-survey-2025-what-we-learnt/Tapestry has teamed up with award-winning Playworker Amber – aka Amber Ogunsanya-William – to collaborate on a project championing children’s freedom to play. The animation shares Amber’s story, and highlights provocations for play at home.https://tapestry.info/let-play-lead-the-day/Takeaways: The importance of centering the child in educational processes cannot be overstated, as their home experiences significantly influence their learning in school. Tapestry facilitates effective two-way communication between educators and parents, enhancing the overall educational experience for children. As AI tools become increasingly prevalent, it is essential to teach children to critically assess the authenticity of the media they encounter. Engaging parents in their child's learning journey is vital, as it fosters a deeper understanding of child development beyond mere participation in school events. The integration of play in education is crucial, enabling children to develop problem-solving skills while maintaining engagement in their learning. AI can be a valuable resource in lesson planning and child activity suggestions, but it should support, rather than replace, the educator's role. https://tapestry.info/https://www.instagram.com/tapestry_fsf/https://www.facebook.com/TapestryLearningJournalhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/eyfsben/Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)https://nape.org.uk/Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape🔥 Discover more about Education on Firehttps://www.educationonfire.com/🔥 Support the show with a One-Off Tiphttps://educationonfire.com/support🔥 Ecamm Free Trial – How I record and produce this...

The AI maths tutor that gets pupils reasoning out loud.Third Space Learning believe an AI tutor should do more than just generate questions and mark answers.What if it could provide scaffolded support according to knowledge gaps, speaking to students and encouraging them to verbalise their reasoning as they go?What if every pupil who needs it could work through maths problems in this way for one fixed low cost?Meet Skye, the low-cost AI maths tutor built by expert maths teachersSkye&nbsp;mimics the behaviours of a pedagogically sound subject matter expert&nbsp;and prompts ensures responses are effective, adaptable, and focused on improving understanding and increasing confidence.Prompts are specified in detail for each slide, and use insights from thousands of maths tutoring sessions to teach concepts effectively, address common misconceptions and ensure Skye adapts the pitch and pace of the session and personalises the instruction to suit each learner.'Since 2013, over 4,100 schools have chosen Third Space Learning’s&nbsp;cost-effective one-to-one maths tutoring&nbsp;– giving them more time to focus on whole-class teaching and learning.We’ve used all the online tutoring insights we’ve gained in the last decade to create&nbsp;Skye, an AI maths tutor like no other.'Takeaways: The primary objective of our mission is to make effective tutoring accessible to underprivileged children, thereby assisting in closing the educational attainment gap. Utilizing artificial intelligence for tutoring can provide substantial scaling benefits while maintaining the essential requirements necessary for effective tutoring. Our tutoring programs are designed to be seamlessly integrated into school timetables, enhancing the overall learning experience and reinforcing classroom instruction. We have observed that the interaction between students and AI tutors fosters a low-stakes environment, encouraging children to engage more freely without the fear of judgment. Our approach focuses on high-impact tutoring, which necessitates a proactive and structured interaction rather than reactive responses to student inquiries. The transition from human to AI tutors is grounded in extensive research and data, ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of schools and students effectively. https://thirdspacelearning.com/maths-tutoring/ai-maths-tutor/https://thirdspacelearning.com/@thirdspacetweethttps://www.linkedin.com/company/third-space-learning/Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)https://nape.org.uk/🔥 Discover more about Education on Firehttps://www.educationonfire.com/🔥 Support the show with a One-Off Tip<a...

Matt Dalio dreams of a world in which every kid has the resources to shape their own technology instead of being shaped by it.In 2011, he founded Endless which aims to provide universal access to technology and equal opportunities to succeed in the digital world by tackling three key challenges.Endless is harnessing the power of modern games to introduce youth to 21st Century skills like coding and design. Second, it is addressing the internet gap by creating technology that enables youth anywhere to have access to basic educational resources. And lastly, Endless is building a “pay as you go” laptop program making it so that billions more people can afford a computer.Collectively these unlock educational opportunities that allow everyone to be a creatorTakeaways: The average child dedicates approximately 10,000 hours to playing video games by the time they complete their education, an astonishing figure that underscores the pervasiveness of gaming in youth culture. In the last fifteen years, a significant trend in the gaming industry has been the shift towards creation, with platforms like Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite leading the way in empowering users to engage in content generation. The concept of transforming players into creators is pivotal; through this transition, youths acquire essential software development skills tailored for an increasingly digital, knowledge-based economy. Endless Studios aims to provide scalable educational solutions that are both affordable and accessible, particularly in communities with limited access to qualified educators, thereby breaking down financial barriers to learning. Feedback, especially peer feedback, plays a critical role in the learning process by providing valuable insights and support without the traditional costs associated with formal education. The future workforce will largely consist of individuals who possess robust digital skills, which are essential for navigating the complexities of an AI-driven world, making it imperative to equip youth with these competencies. www.endlessstudios.comShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)https://nape.org.uk/🔥 Discover more about Education on Firehttps://www.educationonfire.com/🔥 Support the show with a One-Off Tiphttps://educationonfire.com/support🔥 Ecamm Free Trial – How I record and produce this show.<a...

Professor Dr Ger Graus OBE will be joining me for a dedicated season based on his book - Through a Different Lens - Lessons from a Life in Education.We will discuss in more depth the 6 chapters:1. The benefit of hindsight and the lessons learned. This includes family influences, school experiences, teachers, being a teacher and being involved in The Children's University, Kidzania and travelling the world giving lectures, presentations and being a keynote speaker.2. Children can only aspire to what they know exists. I am a living example of this........I would not have been a professional musician and had the career I have had if not for my school experiences and opportunities.3. Thoughts about schooling and education - what is the difference? Education is 0-99 years.......how do we instil this understanding in our children? 4. Technology!!!!!!5. The role we play6. More than a school - measuring what we value not just subject exam results and league tables. We will then invite expert discussion about 3 key areas.Early Years - the current situation, what it can be, why it is important and views from around the globe.School - What is a school and why do children attend?Higher/Further education - How is this working today? What are the alternatives, is it fit for purpose, can they all survive the threat of closure from lack of funding.....does that matter? We will also have a LIVE show where you can get involved, ask questions and bring your views to the campfire. Be a fire lighter. Be part of the movement.Education on Fire - Feedback Inspiration Resilience EmpowermentWhy not listen to Ger's conversation with me on Ep 439 to get ready for the Ger Graus Gets Gritty Season.https://www.educationonfire.comhttps://www.gergraus.com

Today we highlight 10 previous episodes and the educational resources created or shared by my guests.These include:Reading Writing and Spelling with Jane ConsidineLet's Learn About Science with Dr. Stephanie RyanArtis Foundation - Integrating the arts throughout learningNurture Resilience, Empathy and Global Citizenship with LyftaSir Linkalot - Spelling AppWHO SMARTED? Hit children's podcast with Jerry KolberC.H.A.M.P.S Mentoring with Vondale SingletonSatchel - Online Teaching and Learning ToolMarvellousMe - Parent Engagement AppSteer Education - Whole School Mental Health PlatformYou can download the FREE pdf with links to all the websites at https://www.educationonfire.com/

In advance of our Ger Graus season which will be based on his book Through a Different Lens - Lessons from a Life in Education I have created a summary podcast of our previous conversation (Ep 439) using NotebookLM. This is as - described on it's website - 'the AI research tool and thinking partner that can analyze your sources, turn complexity into clarity and transform your content'.You will hear 2 AI voices discuss and summarise our conversation about Ger's book. Why do this? Partly as a quick recap before we start the Ger Graus season but also to help me understand what is currently possible with AI in advance of our Education on Fire LIVE Stream shows that will focus on AI in education.To keep up to date with everything we are doing and download our FREE top 10 resources pdf please visit https://www.educationonfire.com/