The Educater Podcast

This episode explores a number of issues around school attendance and parental engagement. It aims to summarise some of the key points in the new statutory guidance on attendance: Working Together to Improve School Attendance 2024.  We’ll cover the importance of school attendance, how it links to outcomes, some of the common barriers to attendance and ways Educater can support schools. Show Notes: Children’s Commissioner: Attendance is Evertyone's Business Feb 2023 Missing Children, Missing Grades Nov 2023 Attednance Blog Jan 2024 Interim findings Attendance Audit 2022   Government Guidance: Working Together to Improve School Attendance 2024 Importance of Attendance May 2023

In this episode, we delve deep into the world of assessment with educators Andrew and Adam! They’ll explore what ‘assessment’ truly means, going beyond just a grade or a number. Listen in to hear more about: The teacher's perspective on effective assessmentWhy the right difficulty level for tasks is crucialUnveiling the story behind data We'll also tackle the challenge of assessing subjective areas like writing, alongside the lack of resources for assessing other subjects besides Maths in non-SAT years and the need for more training or resources for teachers to understand expectations in different year groups. About the speakers: Andrew Timbrell is a primary teacher and freelancer writer with over a decade of classroom experience, passionate about teacher well-being and personal development. Alongside his teaching and subject lead roles, he has been a part of senior leadership and is acutely aware of the wider, holistic view of education. Adam Cummins is a primary teacher with a wealth of experience in the classroom. During his time in education, he has taught across all of Key Stage 2, been a subject lead and trainer provider. With a deep passion for children's development, Adam is fully dedicated to providing high-quality teaching for his students.

Feeling overwhelmed by the never-ending to-do list, struggling to find time for yourself while making sure your students get the attention they deserve? Join host Andrew as he welcomes Adam, an experienced primary teacher, for a conversation on the time management challenges educators face in today's demanding school environment. In this episode, you’ll discover: Their perspectives on what managing time actually involvesHow to best manage time so it works for you and other staffHow to manage workload whilst finding time for things that matter outside of workAI's potential to change teacher workload and time management About the speakers: Andrew Timbrell is a primary teacher and freelancer writer with over a decade of classroom experience, passionate about teacher well-being and personal development. Alongside his teaching and subject lead roles, he has been a part of senior leadership and is acutely aware of the wider, holistic view of education. Adam Cummins is a primary teacher with a wealth of experience in the classroom. During his time in education, he has taught across all of Key Stage 2, been a subject lead and trainer provider. With a deep passion for children's development, Adam is fully dedicated to providing high-quality teaching for his students.

Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of school leadership? You're not alone. Juggling budgets, staff, and pupil needs can feel like a constant balancing act. But what if there was a way to thrive instead of just survive? This episode dives into the powerful world of coaching for school leaders, featuring special guest Catherine Hulme, Director of Leadership Edge. Catherine brings years of experience working with schools to implement effective coaching programs that empower leaders to achieve their full potential and support schools to embed a self-sustaining coaching culture over time. We'll explore the common challenges faced, how coaching can overcome these, and how to find the time for coaching.  Take a break from burnout and tune in! Meet the speakers: Becky St.John, our Lead Education Advisor, is passionate about using data effectively to enhance educational outcomes. She focuses on ensuring that data collection has a direct impact on classroom instruction while reducing the workload for teachers and administrators. Catherine Hulme is the Owner Director of Leadership Edge - Coaching in Schools. Following her Secondary Assistant Headship (Teaching & Learning), she became a triple-qualified ILM Coach & Supervisor in order to pursue her mission: to empower education professionals to enjoy their work, enhancing their professional development and personal wellbeing through pure coaching.  www.educater.co.uk

In this episode, we discuss the importance of hands-on learning in education. What is hands-on learning? Why is it important? And how can we implement it in our classrooms? Whether you are a parent, teacher, or simply interested in education, this episode is a must-listen. We hope you will join us as we explore the importance of hands-on learning in education.

In today's world, children are increasingly spending their free time on screens rather than with books. This trend is concerning because reading for pleasure has been shown to have a positive impact on a child's cognitive and emotional development. Join us in this podcast episode, as we delve into the evolving reading landscape among children. We will discuss the changing face of reading, including the rise of technological developments and their impact, both positive and negative. We will also discuss some strategies that parents and schools can adopt to help children develop a love of reading. If you would like to read Andrew's blog 'How to Encourage a Love of Reading', please click here.

In this final part of a three-part series, the understanding of formal testing in Primary Schools will consider how to get the best value for money from tests. There are some pitfalls and some Golden Rules which will lead you to think carefully about your choices of formal tests and best practice use of these. Education Advisor Karen Thompson, will talk about her experience with schools and share some universal wisdoms.

In this second of a three-part series, the understanding of formal testing in Primary Schools will be considered in the current day. The types of formal testing and the application of them in the classroom. Education Advisor Karen Thompson, will talk about the variety of tests, both in quality and use, along with some background information into this.

In this first of a three-part series, the understanding of formal testing in Primary Schools will be considered from a historical perspective. With a look over the last fifty years or so, this podcast episode journeys through developments from small scale local use, into the arrival of SATS tests on a National level. Education Advisor Karen Thompson, will talk about the variety of tests, both in quality and use, along with some background information into this.

With many schools looking to expand and increase pupil numbers, the need for marketing within schools is essential. Within this episode, Brand Communications Coordinator Holly McLeod, will highlight a selection of marketing activities to support schools in how they market their school and community to parents.

In 2021, a New EYFS framework came into to being along with a new Development Matters Guidance. In this podcast episode, Education Advisor Karen Thompson, will talk about the key changes (those most frequently cited in schools). And from evidence across multiple settings, the impact of the changes on classroom practice are considered. More information here.