Shows
It’s Your Time You’re WastingEngagement Crisis in Schools?Some links to articles mentioned: https://powerfulknowledge.substack.com/p/how-should-we-think-about-the-engagement
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/curriculum-labour-is-on-the-right-path-but-its-a-tightrope/
https://daviddidau.substack.com/p/what-do-you-mean-by-engagement?selection=8e3325ff-837e-40fd-becb-cc379a5e3fb3
Fiona Millar was quoted from the RSA Journal Issue 2, 2025
2025-07-1059 min
It’s Your Time You’re WastingCan Schools Solve the Mental Health Crisis?In this episode, we take apart the myth that schools can paper over the cracks of a society in crisis with mindfulness sessions, gratitude journals and breathing techniques.
We look at what the data really tells us: a fifth of children now meet the threshold for a probable mental disorder. Over a third of 17 to 19-year-old girls are struggling. Services are overwhelmed. Yet instead of fixing what’s broken, we offer sticking plasters and tell young people to breathe through the damage.
We explore why wellbeing initiatives of...2025-07-0354 min
It’s Your Time You’re WastingShould Schools Teach Queer Theory?According to the Times Newspaper, the English Department at Alleyn’s School in southeast London are in the process of diversifying their curriculum and are introducing students to the 'works of a drag queen and non-binary authors.' We're not sure that the Times approves… There is another question underlying the discussion here and that is ‘should children see themselves in the curriculum?” and in times of growing individualism and self-authorship is that even possible?
Some Links:
https://www.thetimes.com/article/7c9a532d-c23e-4bcb-b649-d26562cda39a
...2025-06-2652 min
It’s Your Time You’re WastingIs Assessment Failing the Test?Is our obsession with testing failing students?
2025-06-1955 min
It’s Your Time You’re WastingOracy: Talking About TalkIs Oracy a fad or part of the ongoing tradition of Western Education?
Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:
https://oracyeducationcommission.co.uk/oec-report/
https://www.education-uk.org/documents/pdfs/2021-appg-oracy.pdf
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-commission-conversations/id1739353277?i=1000658062482
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-commission-conversations/id1739353277?i=1000659285974
2025-06-131h 05
It’s Your Time You’re WastingSchool Uniform: Equity or Oppression?What is the case for school uniforms? Would schools become chaotic places (more chaotic?) without them? Do they provide a ‘discipline distraction’ for some naughty pupils to hit out against? All this AND MORE in today's episode!
Some links which are referred to:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14777071/parents-fury-school-ban-skirts-gender-neutral-options.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=social-twitter_mailonline
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2417240-school-uniforms-may-prevent-children-from-getting-enough-exercise/
https://www.playscotland.org/play-scotland-backs-new-made-to-move-campaign-on-active-school-uniforms/
https://www...2025-06-0558 min
It’s Your Time You’re WastingPowerful Knowledge with Prof. Michael Young (REPLAY)A replay of our February 2021 interview with Professor Michael Young. The original is still viewable on our YouTube Channel, it has been reproduced here for new viewers but also for our growing band of listeners on sound only platforms, where the original wasn’t available… until now!
NB: This broadcast takes the place of our usual Thursday broadcast this week. Hopefully you managed to catch our bonus episode earlier this week, if not, check it out, it's on AI in education.
2025-05-2946 min
It’s Your Time You’re WastingIt’s Artificial, but is it Intelligent?Are you the maker or the tool?
Is AI a threat to schooling or an extension to the accessibility of knowledge for humanity? (First there was writing, then the book, the library, printing, the internet and now AI...)
Some references in the chat:
The Ballad of Accounting, Sung by Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger: https://youtu.be/MY3kYU5CYmk?si=oMwecn8TQV2s9Xmz written by Ewan MacColl (I think we inadvertently said Pete Seeger wrote it, can we blame AI?!)
2025-05-261h 07
It’s Your Time You’re WastingAre We an Island of Strangers?Do schools contribute to whether we see ourselves as an Island of Strangers or not?
Some links for your delectation:
Our interview with ED Hirsch: https://youtu.be/H097vPnDpkI?si=erXALkeyInTYmRTY
Our Interview with Michael Young: https://youtu.be/xi_AhfWjeis?si=oanbhXx4OC8vc_W8
EmanRTM: https://youtu.be/OXn4lFNVb-Y?si=nAQmw4B8cXkaA_tP
Sutton Trust Report: https://www.suttontrust.com/our-research/the-opportunity-index/
Policy Exchange Report: https://policyexchange.org.uk/publication/lessons-from-the-past/
2025-05-221h 03
It’s Your Time You’re WastingCoaching or Ker-CHING!?Is the current vogue for coaching in schools a fad or fundamental part of good CPD?
2025-05-1558 min
It’s Your Time You’re WastingShould Teachers Stick to the Script?Scripted lessons vs Teacher Autonomy
Sam Gibbs article: https://www.tes.com/magazine/teaching-learning/general/teacher-autonomy-how-we-dumbed-down-teaching
Greg Ashman Substack: https://fillingthepail.substack.com/p/on-scripted-lessons?r=18455&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true
Curriculum Revolutions: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Curriculum-Revolutions-practical-guide-enhancing/dp/1913622983/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1CJAF8E626TLP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0WYdXLdKZ5VQvl_-FH5DYm2Wxdh93XhlojB_n2ij4knc0Z8T6zhPLC5LX5Rwg3SRxRvh4LKASdAyOwAD3lx7od4NsQl7NikqD2gxcysBpqvk5wtURf4u4hegd7rgi-Gzk72ZjWxo4Aghb8kD4BfIF82MVkfP78geMATSuWEcaTnmdGjvlV294NS1...2025-05-0842 min
It’s Your Time You’re WastingOfsted Causing ConcernDo the proposed changes to Ofsted’s inspection regime go far enough? (spoiler - no)
Some of the articles mentioned in this episode:
https://neu.org.uk/press-releases/close-ofsted-consultation
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/can-ofsted-listen-its-way-out-of-its-political-bind/
https://daviddidau.substack.com/p/rewiring-inspection?r=18455&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true
2025-05-0152 min
It’s Your Time You’re WastingUnmet Needs - Is There an Overdiagnosis Crisis?Autism, ADHD, and the burgeoning crisis in funding for schools. Are too many pupils being diagnosed with Special Needs?
Some sources used in this episode:
The Age of Diagnosis by Suzanne O'Sullivan (Review here: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/12/the-age-of-diagnosis-by-suzanne-osullivan-review-do-no-harm)
The Lost Girls of Autism by Gina Rippon (Here is an article by her in the New Scientist https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26635372-400-a-revolutionary-new-understanding-of-autism-in-girls/)
Why is There a Crisis in Special Educational Needs? The Briefing Room BBC Radio 4: https://www.bbc...2025-04-241h 04
It’s Your Time You’re WastingPedagogy vs KnowledgeWhat is more important in the teacher’s toolbox? Knowing how to teach or knowing what to teach?
2025-04-1749 min
It’s Your Time You’re WastingIs It Worth It?In which we look at Sutton Trust data on private tuition, Cold Call - is it a good technique to use in lessons, and should schools show Adolescence to their pupils?
2025-04-1153 min
It’s Your Time You’re WastingWhat is group work and why does it matter?Martin & David discuss the differences between 'group work' (a set of pedagogical strategies) and 'working in groups' to see whether 'never doing group work' is a tenable position for a headteacher to take.
2025-04-0433 min
It’s Your Time You’re WastingCovid Chaos! The year in schools and last minute government directives... Episode 17John Tomsett, Jane Manzone, Al McConville and David Medway reflect on the year in state secondary schools, an inner London primary school and an independent boarding school. Different experiences emerge but so do stories of human resilience.
John Tomsett also talks about his book on Angling.
============================TIMESTAMPS=========================
0:00 Intro (no sound sorry!)
0:01:01 John Tomsett about Covid
0:13:25 Reflect
0:21:04 David Medway interview
0:25:51 Reflect
0:29:10 Jane Manzone
2020-12-191h 00
It’s Your Time You’re WastingThings Fall Apart - Exams, Inset days and the Eton Teacher - Episode 16Including interviews with Sam Freedman and Toby Young, discussing exams, free speech for teachers to express their own views as well as the need for a range of perspectives to be presented to pupils. Also Martin and David discuss whether Inset days are a good thing. Including some items for discussion, this episode raises a lot of questions, join the chat below and keep a lookout for the full length interviews by subscribing.
2020-12-121h 02
It’s Your Time You’re WastingDebate, Oracy and Free Speech - Episode 15We discuss Eton - free speech for pupils and teachers, Mantle of the Expert, Oracy, and Debating, with the Baroness of Buckley, Claire Fox, Tim Taylor, Mary Myatt and the John Catt book of the week author - Sarah Davies
2020-12-051h 04
It’s Your Time You’re WastingCurriculum vs Data. Episode 14What do parents want for their child's education, do they worry about curriculum and pedagogy? Ed Dorrell and Jonathan Simons have been finding out for their organisation 'Public First'. James Pembroke gives us his thoughts about Primary Schools and data including how to measure progress. Carl Gombrich talks about the soon to been launched new university - London Interdisciplinary School and argues for the need for students to have more breadth in their studies.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 intro from Stonehenge
0:03:39 Ed Dorrel and Jonathan Simons about...2020-11-281h 03
It’s Your Time You’re WastingLeadership - Trials and Tribulations, and Joys! - Episode 13This week we have interviews with Barry Smith about leadership, Ros McMullen about Exams and her charitable venture 'Headrest' NB the web address for Headrest is https://www.headrestuk.co.uk (not the website referred to in the programme) and in the John Catt interview Tom Rees & Jennifer Barker talk about their contribution to the ResearchEd book on Leadership. Also David and Martin discuss workplace bullying and, also comments by the Shadow Education Secretary about traditional education. Check to see if you won - "10 Things Schools Get Wrong" by Jared Cooney Horvath & David Bott - in the prize draw.2020-11-211h 05
It’s Your Time You’re WastingProgress & Tradition - Episode 12#IYTYW This bumper edition explores the themes 'Progress and Tradition' - looking at rows with Conservative MPs and 'common-sense' in history teaching, and the challenges to schools on curriculum and behaviour policies following on from such movements as Black Lives Matter.
A look at 'traditional' teaching of Latin and Classics and the 'John Catt book of the week '10 Things Schools Get Wrong'.
With guests: Jonathan Mountstevens, Patrick Alexander, Ed Clarke, Jared Cooney Horvath and David Bott.
Oh, and did you...2020-11-141h 02
The Evidence Based Education PodcastBack to school with David DidauIn 2011, frustrated by the current state of education, David Didau (aka the Learning Spy) began to blog. He charted the successes and failures of his classroom and synthesised 15 years of teaching experienced through the lens of education research and cognitive psychology. The blog became very popular, very quickly. With well over 2.5 million readers, David’s blog – The Learning Spy – is widely recognised as one of the most influential education blogs in the UK and has won a number of awards.
In 2012, David left teaching. Over the last eight years he has spent a significant amount of time reading and thinking about...2020-11-1353 min
It’s Your Time You’re WastingAcross the Divides - Episode 11#IYTYW Can the poor catch up with the rich or have they lost too much education due to Covid? Pedro De Bruyckere gives us some answers. Martin Robinson looks at John Lydon's (Johnny Rotten's) rant on Good Morning Britain about voting for Trump - 'the thickos vs the left wing intelligentsia' and David Didau interviews Dr. James Mannion and Kate McAllister about their book 'Fear is the Mind Killer' about Learning to Learn.
2020-11-0756 min
It’s Your Time You’re WastingEpisode 10 - A look back#IYTYW. A short look back at our first half term of interviews. news and views, a discussion about 'No More Exclusions' and a look into Covid safety in the classroom.
2020-10-3154 min
It’s Your Time You’re WastingEpisode 4: Curriculum thinkingThis week’s episode of It’s your time you’re wasting! with Principal of Oak Academy, Matt Mood, Andrew Doyle discussing Critical Race Theory and Zoe & Mark Enser talking about their book, Generative Learning in Action. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fiorella-Mayers-Generative-Learning-Action/dp/1913622207/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=generative+learning+in+action&qid=1600534079&s=books&sr=1-1
2020-09-191h 09
It’s Your Time You’re WastingEpisode 3 - Back to Normal?
2020-09-121h 10
It’s Your Time You’re WastingEpisode 2 - What if the numbers go up?***********************Show starts @10:00***********************
In this second episode of 'It's Your Time You're Wasting', Martin and David welcome Tom Bennett for a chat about Tom's new book 'Running the Room' (https://amzn.to/3201KAr) and will discuss what going back to school is like from a Governors perspective. Also what if the numbers go up!?
To our live viewers: apologies for the technical difficulties and thank you for bearing with us!
Guests:
Tom Bennett & Naureen Khalid
2020-09-051h 08
It’s Your Time You’re WastingEpisode 1 - The ReturnIn this first episode of 'It's Your Time you're Wasting' David and Martin discuss the return to school, a 'mutant algorithm' and an uncommon kerfuffle. We'll also find out what Martin has been reading.
2020-08-291h 00
It’s Your Time You’re WastingCurriculum Conversations: Athena versus the MachineA 'webinar' in which David Didau asks Martin Robinson questions about the book 'Curriculum: Athena versus the Machine'. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Curriculum-Athena-machine-Martin-Robinson/dp/1785833022/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?cv_ct_cx=athena+machine&dchild=1&keywords=athena+machine&pd_rd_i=1785833022&pd_rd_r=966cd64c-7060-4ae9-88c0-a4de699a1573&pd_rd_w=su20B&pd_rd_wg=kspr2&pf_rd_p=9b1a9511-9af9-4d06-8643-d54ebec511ef&pf_rd_r=RWEQEGJQENTARDTKG1GT&psc=1&qid=1598197856&sr=1-1-fdbae751-0fa5-4c0f-900b-865654896618 Filmed 'live' this video also includes questions from...2020-08-231h 13
It’s Your Time You’re WastingUnrehearsed intellectual adventures 3: CultureIn which David Didau and Martin Robinson discuss culture
2020-06-031h 03
It’s Your Time You’re WastingUnrehearsed intellectual adventures 2Martin Robinson and David Didau discuss attention, intuition, causality and 'being in the world'
2020-05-081h 02
It’s Your Time You’re WastingDidau & Robinson 1A rambling, incoherent chat about meaning that takes in Michael Polanyi, John Keats, Michael Oakeshott, Frank Kermode, Toni Morrison, Michael Young, Carlo Rovelli and more...
2020-05-041h 07