Shows
The EduDisruptor PodcastDoug Lemov: What really makes teaching effective & how can we grow better teachers?In this special episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Doug Lemov, author of Teach Like a Champion, to explore the foundations of great teaching, the evolution of his thinking, and what truly drives school improvement.
We unpack:
✅ What effective teaching and learning actually look like
✅ The best ways to develop teachers and improve schools
✅ Balancing structure with teacher autonomy
✅ Common misconceptions about TLAC
✅ Insights from his new book on the science of reading
✅ Global lessons on what makes teaching great
Whether you're a teacher, leader, or edu-geek, this is essential l
2025-08-1154 minThe EduDisruptor PodcastJamie Clark: The Power of One-Pagers in Teaching & Professional DevelopmentIn this episode, I sit down with Jamie Clark the educator and author behind of the most widely-used one-pagers in schools today. We explore how these concise, research-informed guides are transforming both classroom practice and professional learning.
🧠 Topics we unpack include:
✅ Research informed practices
✅ How schools are using one-pagers to support CPD and improve consistency
✅ Cognitive science and memory
✅ Tips for designing your own effective one-pagers
✅ Common misconceptions and how to overcome them
2025-08-0441 minThe EduDisruptor PodcastSam Gibbs: How do you build high-quality professional learning across multiple schools?In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities and opportunities of trust-wide CPD with Sam Gibbs an experienced leader shaping development across a multi-academy trust. We explore:
✅ What defines high-quality CPD at scale
✅ Balancing consistency with contextual relevance
✅ Supporting both ECTs and experienced staff
✅ What works: coaching, mentoring, lesson study & more
✅ Designing sustained, iterative, and evidence-informed CPD
✅ Measuring impact and responding to feedback
✅ Building a culture of continuous learning
✅ Leadership lessons and practical advice for those setting up CPD across schools
Whether you’re a school leader, CPD lead, or educa...
2025-07-2953 minThe EduDisruptor PodcastDr Haili Hughes: Authenticity, Agency & CPDI’m joined by the inspiring Haili Hughes—teacher, author, and expert in mentoring and professional learning—for a rich conversation that blends authenticity, research, and practical wisdom.
Across the episodes, we explore:
✨ Why authenticity is at the heart of impactful teaching
🎯 The key ingredients that make teaching and learning truly effective
🏗️ How to build a strong, positive school culture
🎓 The role of teacher agency and how leaders can empower it
📚 What effective professional development looks like in practice
🔍 Why subject-specific CPD is non-negotiable—and how to find time for it
🌱 How to mentor Early C...
2025-07-2536 minThe EduDisruptor PodcastSam Crome: How to create and lead thriving school teamsI’m joined by the brilliant Sam Crome to explore what it really takes to build, lead, and sustain high-performing teams in schools.
From pastoral teams to senior leadership and multi-school networks, Sam shares a wealth of experience and practical strategies for creating strong, collaborative cultures that drive school success.
Across the series, we explore:
🤝 How to get the most out of pastoral teams and support a culture of care
🌟 The key qualities that define high-performing teams—and how leaders can develop them
🚀 Practical advice for middle and senior leaders to boost team performa...
2025-07-2546 minThe EduDisruptor PodcastAdam Robbins: Middle Leadership MasteryI’m joined by the brilliant Adam Robbin, author of Middle Leadership Mastery, to explore what it truly takes to thrive as a middle leader in education.
Whether you're new to middle leadership, navigating a new school, or seeking to grow in your role, this series is packed with actionable strategies, honest reflections, and expert guidance.
Together, we explore:
📚 Why Adam wrote Middle Leadership Mastery and how it supports real leadership growth
📝 What effective assessment leadership looks like
📋 How middle leaders can drive curriculum and quality assurance with purpose
🏫 Tips for building a str...
2025-07-2554 minThe EduDisruptor PodcastMarzan Ahmed: Leading Teaching & Learning in an International SchoolI’m joined by the brilliant Marzan to explore what really drives effective teaching, learning, and school leadership.
From the classroom to the leadership office, Marzan shares practical wisdom and research-informed strategies for educators at every level.
Together, we unpack:
📚 What effective teaching and learning actually look like in practice
🏫 How to shift school culture and develop lasting, positive habits
🌍 What meaningful professional development looks like—especially in international contexts
🧭 How leaders can navigate challenges and lead schools toward real, sustainable success
Each episode is filled with actionable advice, honest reflectio...
2025-07-2541 minThe EduDisruptor PodcastKate Jones: Evidence & EquityThis inspiring interview features the incredible Kate Jones — teacher, author, consultant, and international thought leader — as we explore what it truly means to bridge research and practice in today’s classrooms.
We delve into:
🔍 How teachers can meaningfully engage with research
🖊️ Kate’s journey as an education author and advocate for evidence-informed practice
🧠 Everything you need to know about retrieval practice — from its foundations to its “lethal mutations”
✅ Practical, research-aligned strategies for formative assessment and feedback
📚 Insights for primary practitioners, early career teachers, and school leaders alike
🌍 Key reflections from the pandemic, and how we can build ba...
2025-07-251h 23The EduDisruptor PodcastYamina Bibi: Leadership, Coaching & CPD That LastsThis week, I’m joined by the inspiring Yamina Bibi for a rich and thought-provoking series on what it really takes to drive meaningful professional development and leadership in schools.
In this conversation, we explore some of the most pressing and practical questions in education today—from how to enter the world of educational consultancy to building a lasting culture of teacher development.
Together, we unpack:
✅ How to break into consultancy and make CPD genuinely effective
✅ The transformational role of coaching and coaching circles in teacher growth
✅ What it takes to build a safe, th...
2025-07-2559 minThe EduDisruptor PodcastTom Sherrington: What Does Effective Teaching Really Look Like?I had the absolute privilege of sitting down with the brilliant Tom Sherrington to unpack some of the most important and nuanced questions in education today. Across this five-part series, we explore what great teaching actually looks like—and how we can build it, see it, and sustain it in our classrooms and schools.
💡 From defining effective learning to breaking down Tom’s powerful Mode A and Mode B teaching framework, this series is full of research-informed insight and classroom-tested wisdom.
We discuss:
The role of teacher talk and how to use it purpose...
2025-07-251h 02The EduDisruptor PodcastNathan Burns: Metacognition & Making the Most of Tutor TimeThis week marks the launch of an exciting new series featuring the brilliant Nathan Burns, where we take a deep dive into metacognition and how to unlock the full potential of tutor time.
From exploring what metacognition actually is and why it matters so much for learning, to breaking down how it can be embedded meaningfully across subjects and phases—this series is packed with practical strategies and thoughtful insights.
We cover:
How to implement metacognitive strategies in Early Years, Primary, and Secondary
The impact of AI and cognitive offloading on th...
2025-07-2558 minThe EduDisruptor PodcastAmjad Ali: How can we support SEN students? had the absolute privilege of sitting down with the incredible Amjad Ali to explore what it really means to support students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
In this episode we unpack:
What SEND actually means
Why Amjad is so deeply passionate about this work
Low-effort, high-impact strategies that make a genuine difference
How to give feedback that’s both meaningful and effective for learners with SEND
The strategies we need to let go of when supporting SEND learners
Actionable ways to better support students wi...
2025-07-2527 minThe EduDisruptor PodcastCarl Hendrick: What Really Works in Teaching and LearningThis week, I’m thrilled to share highlights from my extended conversation with the brilliant Carl Hendrick. We discussed all things teaching and learning.
Carl is a walking encyclopedia of educational research, and in this series, we explore everything from why research matters and how to implement it in the classroom, to the effectiveness of explicit instruction, the role of teacher talk, and the importance of motivation.
We also delve into current debates like the use of AI in education, how we define effective teaching and learning, and what meaningful teacher development really looks like. Fi...
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