TBFM is back! Join Adam and Amy as they discuss the ever-widening disadvantaged gaps, lollies being on the curriculum, and how to deal with a colleague who bullies you.

In the last episode of the year, Adam and Amy look back on the year that was - the things that have gone well and the things that haven’t quite worked out. Onwards to next year, see you on the other side! 

In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by the legend that is Jon Hutchinson. Join them to discuss Jon's recent trip to the land of the brave where he visited a number of remarkable schools in New York.

In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by Charley from Sutton Trust to look at an extremely serious issue: the under-representation of pupil premium students in great schools. Tune in to learn about what has caused this issue, how it varies across the country and what schools can do about it.

In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by Teacher Tapp superstar Grainne Hallahan to discuss all things tattoos, behaviour and more. Tune in and share our last episode before a short Easter break.

In this episode, Adam and Amy dive into a mini-controversy surrounding some things that were or weren't said at a researchED conference last week. Tune in for all the behaviour nuance you need!

In this episode, Adam and Amy take questions from the listeners: should we use clipboards when teaching? Should I apply to be a head of department or am I too inexperienced? How should I seat my students and, most importantly, what's the deal with the intro music?

In this episode, Adam and Amy start by discussing Martin Lewis and financial education, move on to looking at the national outlook for pay and finish by delving into the data on attendance and looking at testimony around absences.

Music: Chicken Hut Bluegrass by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

In this episode, Adam and Amy discuss dysfunctional schools and how teachers should respond to all the mad things they are supposed to do. They also look at tips for interviewing (both sides of the table) and briefly examine Labour's new anti-misogyny plans.

In this episode, Adam and Amy discuss mobile phone usage in teenagers and take a deep dive into the evidence around changing social norms and behaviours. Tune in, and remember to share!

In this episode, Adam and Amy give their top tips for writing covering statements, getting more experience in advance of applications and how to handle interviews and demonstration lessons. They also look at vocal coaching and the power of good vocal habits for general wellbeing and T&L. Finally, they deal with a thorny problem: you ask a student to leave and they refuse. What do you do next?

In this episode, Adam and Amy start by looking at Labour's proposal to introduce teeth brushing to primary schools, and then move on to some very alarming statistics about behaviour. At the end they move on to a few tips and tricks for having a restorative chat with a difficult student.

In this episode, Adam and Amy discuss a number of education myths, ranging from learning styles to behaviour as a communication of unmet needs.

In this episode, Adam and Amy open with a discussion around behaviour policies and the importance of holding the line. They then spend some time discussing the recent events at Michaela Community School, dissecting the issues around their non-existent prayer room and the resulting legal and political fallout.

In this episode, Adam and a lergy-stricken Amy play the education version of shoot/shag/marry and debate student aspirations and whether teachers should be putting their qualifications on the doors of their classrooms. Tune in and share!

In this week's episode, Adam and Amy start by talking about traditional and progressive education, and what those terms have come to mean over time. They then delve into the massive attendance crisis gripping our schools and examine the political fallout and proposed solutions. Tune in, and remember to share :)

Adam and Amy return for their first episode of 2024. They discuss why INSET days are normally rubbish, Ofsted's postponement of inspections and "Big Listen," as well as some top tips for Parents' Evening.

In our last episode before Christmas, Adam recounts a horrifying tale of being made to talk to a stranger on public transport, and Amy offers some nuance on the question of whether poorly behaved students should represent the school in sports fixtures. Adam and Amy also look at staff motivation and how we help motivate staff.

In this episode, Adam and Amy begin by reacting to the coroner's report into the death of Headteacher Ruth Perry and discuss what should happen next at Ofsted. Responding to a question on Threads, they also look at learning walks and how they can be best utilised by school leaders to drive improvement and meaningful change.

Samaritans are available 365 days a year. You can reach them on free call number 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

Education Support runs a confidential helpline for education staff and teachers – call 08000 562 561.

In addition to the usual japes, in this episode Adam and Amy play "workload tennis", in which they have to alternately set out a concrete and actionable strategy which leaders could use to reduce their staff's workload.

In this episode, Adam and Amy discuss how to get all students *really* listening in class, and what to do when you are asked to not direct questions at certain students. They also delve into recent findings about wellbeing which are universally worrying and start sketching out the various issues around staff happiness in the workplace.

With long-standing Schools Minister Nick Gibb announcing that he will not be running for office again, join Adam and Amy as they rake over his policy record. Listen to the end for more concrete tips on difficult parental conversations, sparked by a question from a listener to last week's podcast.

In this episode, Adam and Amy look at how things have changed post-covid. Is attendance getting worse? Is behaviour getting worse? Are parents getting harder to deal with? And if the answer is yes, then why?

In this episode, Adam and Amy take questions from the listeners about all things education, training, and whether we should "just give them a pen"...

In this episode, Adam and Amy take a deep dive into Michael Wilshaw's recent comments at the education select committee, and relive the observation madness of the 2010's. They also discuss a teacher Adam's been working with and why having to remove a student from a lesson doesn't mean you've failed.

In this episode, Adam and Amy continue in their deep dive into the Labour manifesto on education. Tune in for discussions of child poverty, the benefit caps and assessment reform.

In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by the astonishingly knowledgeable Sir Jon Coles, Chief Executive of United Learning. They dissect the last 14 years of English education, and look at the Conservatives' records and Labour's prospects. Will things get better in the future?

In this episode, Adam and Amy are once again joined by the fabulous Grainne from the TeacherTapp team. In the episode, they start by discussing observations, and how Adam's school has gone about creating a positive culture around peer-to-peer observations. They also discuss some exclusive data from TeacherTapp about detentions, and what students do - and should be doing - when they are in detention.

In this episode, Adam and Amy explore CPD and why it's normally a bit rubbish. They also look at the Conservative plans to introduce National Service and look for the grain of truth at the bottom of a bonkers policy.

In this interview, Adam and Amy get to talk to one of their educational heroes: cognitive scientist Paul Kirschner. Join them as they discuss foundational principles from cognitive science, the difference between being evidence based and evidence informed, and the prevalence of educational myths.

In this episode, Adam and Amy discuss our obsession with student presentation and if it's worth caring about. They also take questions from the audience about trainee-mentor relationships and the role of creative subjects within schools.

In this episode, Adam and Amy give a brief timeline of all the changes that have happened at Ofsted over the last five years or so. They explore Ofsted’s Big Listen, and try and figure out their plans for the future. 

In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined once again by TeacherTapp's Gráinne doyenne of data. To celebrate Tapp's seventh birthday, Gráinne will be sharing her seven favourite facts, that may or may not include fishes.

Adam and Amy discuss whether or not teaching is still a good carrer and answer questions from the listeners, including ones about tracking knowledge over time and calling a class back to silence.

In this episode, Amy and Adam revisit Ofsted's Big Listen and explore their proposals. Are their suggestions and next steps corporate wool, or do they represent a concrete attempt to improve and rebuild trust?

Adam and Amy answer questions from the listeners, including questions about workplace motivation, and closing the pupil premium gap.

In this episode, Adam and Amy dive into a recent move by a Labour MP to toughen the rules around children accessing mobile phones and addictive content. They also discuss discover learning and 'what makes an outstanding lesson?' Tune in and share!

Amy is away so Adam is joined by Adam Robbins, David Cameron (not that one) and Professor Mick Waters to discuss their new book exploring the legacy of Tim Brighouse. They cover the current relevance of his work including a focus on the impact of the London Challenge and similar schemes elsewhere.

In this episode, Adam and Amy delve into the English curriculum and look at whether the calls to ditch Shakespeare in favour of more modern texts are warranted or do violence to our cultural heritage.

In this episode Adam and Amy interview Stuart Lock, CEO of Advantage Schools. Stuart discusses all things education and the conversation spans curriculum, behaviour, attendance, and more. Not to be missed!

In this episode, Adam and Amy go through questions from the listeners, and open with a corker about safeguarding. Our training always focuses on the legalities of identifying, recording, and communicating disclosures. But does it fail to teach us how to be human?

In this episode, Adam and Amy welcome Alastair Wood , CEO of Edapt to the show. Alastair has a wealth of knowledge on all things employment, and walks us through the major issues facing teachers in terms of employment law, allegations and complaints. He also gives some tips on how to protect yourself in the workplace. Not to be missed!

With Ofsted leaking documents about their new report card proposals, Adam and Amy debate Ofsted, Progress 8, colour blindness, and discovery based learning.

In this episode, Adam and Amy interview Sam Freedman, one of the finest political commentators around. Sam takes Adam and Amy on a journey through education policy in a bid to explain why everything is broken and how we might go about fixing it.

Join Adam and Amy as they dive into the most common question they get, which is around what to do if your school is trying to get you to so something that professionally you don\t agree with. There are, unfortunately, no easy answers. :(

In this episode, Alan and Amy are joined by one of the biggest names in evidence based education: Alex Quigley. Tune in for discussions about how teaching has improved in light of the evidence, and where we still have to grow.

In this episode, Adam and Amy go over a couple of recent news stories about private schools and children's access to mobile phones and the internet. They also talk about long term memory strategies and the importance of thinking about learning over time rather than just in the moment.

In this episode Adam and Amy breach the topic of World Book Day. Dreaded by some, celebrated by others, to what extent is it a force for good in promoting a love of books? Also, Adam and Amy discuss their favourite education books and wonder if there are too many education books.

In this episode of Question Time, Adam and Amy take questions from the listeners, covering behaviour, pay related progression, line management and long term memory strategies. Tune in and share!

In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by James Mannion in order to explore his new book and all things school improvement. Helping schools to get better seems to be an uphill task, so what tips does James have for us?