Teachers Talk Radio

Should Year 9 be the start of GCSE preparation? Lucy Powell wants schools to stop routinely starting GCSE courses early, arguing that pupils are having their options narrowed and being rushed towards exams. Her proposed answer is to reduce GCSE content so courses fit comfortably into two years. T he Points of View panel debates whether a three-year GCSE gives pupils valuable time to master demanding content or sacrifices the breadth and curiosity of Key Stage 3. Are schools starting early because of an overcrowded curriculum, pressure for results, or what works best for their pupils? Would cutting content create better learning, or would it simply leave important knowledge out? On the panel: Christopher Vowles, Maud Waret, Michael Wright and Ollie Bayliss.

In this episode, Konstantinos is joined by Dr Berfin Emre Cetin, Reader in Media and Conflict, from London College of Communication to explore the challenges of teaching in times of global uncertainty. Together, they discuss how can sensitive topics, political and cultural differences enrich classroom debates alongside managing disagreements, and how educators can encourage critical thinking, empathy and mutual understanding.

Are apps like TT Rockstars helping children master their times tables, or creating pressure to compete and spend more time on screens? Following concerns raised by an MP, Points of View debates gamification in education. Do virtual rewards and leaderboards motivate pupils, or distract from learning and cause conflict at home? With TT Rockstars announcing default time limits and curfews, we ask whether these safeguards strike the right balance and whether criticism of educational technology overlooks its benefits. On the panel: JP, Liz Webb and Maud Waret

Lucy Powell says the consequences of Ofsted inspections need to change. The education secretary argues that school context has become a penalty, with schools taking on more pupils with SEND being disadvantaged by the current system. She wants a more peer-led approach to school improvement, with Ofsted still providing an external judgement. But what would that mean for teachers and school leaders? Our Points of View panel debates whether her proposals could deliver fairer accountability, her criticism of the “secure fit” approach to grading, and which inspection consequences should change. We also discuss her vision for alternative provision to focus more on outreach and short-term support, with SEND reform proposals due early in 2027. Can mainstream schools provide the support this would require?

Join Michael Wright for the Sunday Lunch Show, where he and guest James Searjeant dive into the debate sparked by Dame Elaine Paige's recent comments in The Telegraph. Amid concerns about a lack of discipline in schools, their conversation turns to the role of music—specifically, whether greater involvement in Western classical music is the solution. Is classical music the key to classroom discipline, or does this view overlook the value of other musical genres, or other subjects in education that equally demand commitment? What do our students truly need for discipline, and how can educators best teach it? Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion, insightful opinions, and your chance to weigh in on this debate.

In this show, we look at the role that values and ethics play in the creation of teacher persona and the conflicts that can occur therein.

Are we doing enough at KS3 to promote a love of science? Are students side-lining science in favour of maths and English to avoid resits post-16? Are required practicals working or should we just bring back controlled assessment? These are just some of the big questions that panel will be tackling in this show. Tony is joined by experienced leaders in science education Ujwala Jayaram, Sara Cox and Kalpesh Pancholi for an interesting and illuminating deep dive into the real issues in science education.

Have we unintentionally harmed young people by wanting to make their world too safe? Is this the most supervised generation of young people in history. Carl considers the evidence.

Louise Marie meets with James Wilson to discuss how school improvement starts with the conditions senior leaders create for middle leaders to thrive. Together, they explore clarity, trust, coaching, accountability, psychological safety, and why rethinking how we lead the middle may be the key to sustainable school improvement.

In this show, and with the help of guest Lee Pace, Emma seeks to find answers to the difficult questions around the realities of delivering on SEND in the mainstream classroom.