Primary Futures

By: Hamilton Brookes
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  • Summary

  • What could the future of primary education look like? How we can take things from where they are now and improve them to make the situation better for the pupils, for the teachers and for everybody involved in primary education? In each episode, Ed Finch will be talking to guests within the educational field to talk about how things are, how we want them to be and the actions we can take to get them from here to there.
    © 2024 Hamilton Brookes
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Episodes
  • Leading with Rigour and Heart with Sonia Thompson

    Leading with Rigour and Heart with Sonia Thompson
    Oct 9 2024
    Sonia Thompson, Head at St Matthew’s CE Research School, explores the importance of community involvement, research-based educational practices, and the challenges educators face. Sonia shares her experiences as a headteacher, discussing the benefits of being a research school and the collaborative ethos that drives their success. The discussion also covers the current state of education, the pressures of accountability, and envisioning a better future for schools. Sonia's optimism and dedication to creating a supportive and innovative educational environment shine throughout the episode.(00:42) - Sonia opens up about a day in the life at St. Matthews, when everything is going right to emphasise how the school builds community and belonging. (05:42) - Sonia reveals the visions and values of the school, expressing the importance that not only establishing them, but actively pursuing and working towards achieving them as a school community has within St. Matthews. (14:24) - Sonia considers the impact that the workload has on our teachers and how preventing over assessment and over marking can help prevent educators from feeling overwhelmed. (25:25) - Sonia discusses St. Matthews position as a research school and how an evidence-based approach to teaching can positively impact students and staff alike. (30:41) - Sonia and Ed look to the future of education to consider how improved accountability and support could help educators.About our guestsSonia is the Headteacher at St Matthew's CE Teaching School and is also the Director of the Research School. She is co-lead for English and also the History and Assessment Lead. She is an SLE for English and School Improvement and an accredited Talk for Writing Training Centre Lead. She is a member of the steering group for the National Tutoring Programme and an Advisory Board Member for OU/UKLA Reading for Pleasure website. She was a judge of the UKLA book awards 2020 and the Empathy Lab Books 2020. She is a frequent speaker at conferences on Literacy, Curriculum and Reading for Pleasure.Connect with Sonia ThompsonKey takeawaysEncourage a supportive and collaborative environment among staff and with other schools to share resources and expertise.Recognise and address the pressures on teachers to create a more sustainable and positive work environment.Tailor your school's initiatives and projects to meet the specific needs of your students and the local community.Be open to refreshing and updating curricula and practices to ensure they remain relevant and effective.Quotes"Today is that day when all of the children are in the same space singing together, acting together, enjoying each other's talents, the teachers are smiling, I'm crying because I'm just overwhelmed with the fact that I'm leading this amazing school." - Sonia Thompson"What we do really well is ensure that our parents get a sense that this is their school as well. There are no closed doors to them." - Sonia Thompson"Success begets success, I think and we know that when children feel that sense of achievement, it spurs them on to want to do more." - Sonia ThompsonResource recommendationsThompson, S. (2022) Berger's An Ethic of Excellence in Action. John Catt.Heads Up. A network for headteachers; past, present and future.Oracy Education Commission. An independent commission into speaking and listening skills.Oxford Brookes University. Education, Early Years and Teacher Training. Whole Education. A network of leaders in education.Berger's An Ethic of Excellence in Action by Sonia ThompsonFind out more about the Oracy Commission here. What will you take away?Download the Hamilton Brookes' Primary Pledge card to continue the conversation with your teaching community. Share your pledge card by tagging Hamilton Brookes on your preferred social platform.Hamilton BrookesPrimary Futures is brought to you by Hamilton Brookes, your loved and trusted place for quality lesson plans, materials and resources that you can use in your classroom.To find resources that work for you and your pupils, go to the Hamilton Brookes website and browse ideas for English, maths, science and cross-curricular topics. You can find more information here.FacebookInstagramLinkedInX
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    45 mins
  • Meaningful and Authentic Representation in Schools with Bukky Yusuf

    Meaningful and Authentic Representation in Schools with Bukky Yusuf
    Sep 25 2024
    Thought Leader and educator, Bukky Yusuf, brings insightful commentary on the existing challenges and potential solutions to create a welcoming environment for all students. Through a candid conversation, they explore the importance of authenticity, vulnerability and humility in fostering an inclusive school culture. Bukky also uncovers how unconscious bias can affect decision-making processes and perpetuate systemic inequalities. Following this, Bukky imagines a brighter future for education, where every individual feels valued, welcomed and included, and offers actionable steps for educators to start making a difference within their own schools.(00:40) - Bukky shares the positive things she is seeing within schools that bring her joy. (04:35) - Bukky and Ed consider how the pandemic continues to impact students and their education. (07:07) - Bukky considers the real-life examples of schools that have created inclusive environments for all students and how this benefits everyone. (27:36) - Bukky looks to the future to imagine how educators can work together to improve schools for all. (39:32) - Bukky presents some practical and actionable tips and strategies that teachers can implement in their classrooms now to ensure that students and staff alike feel welcome and included.About our guestBukky Yusuf is an author, leadership coach, public speaker, trustee and Thought Leader with over twenty years of teaching experience. She has undertaken several leadership roles within mainstream and special school settings, centring around professional development programmes, quality first teaching and learning and effective implementations of Educational Technology.Beyond the classroom, Bukky has a variety of Education Technology experiences, which includes participating as a judge for The EdTech50 Schools, BETT Awards and serving as an Education Board Member for Innovate My School. She was appointed by the Department of Education as co-chair for the EdTech Leadership Group. Bukky is passionate about leadership development and the need for diversity within education. Connect with Bukky YusufKey takeawaysEmbrace authenticity, vulnerability and humility to foster an inclusive school culture.Unpack and address unconscious biases that can affect decision-making processes and perpetuate systemic inequalities.Envision and strive for a future where every individual feels valued, welcomed and included in the educational environment.Listen to other voices and educate yourself to become a better ally in promoting diversity and inclusion.Quotes"I genuinely believe that there's more similarity between all of us than there are differences." - Bukky Yusuf"When we talk about diversity, [...] there are so many different levels and layers of it and I think that they've got to think about how are they preparing these young people to co-exist in the global arena." - Bukky Yusuf"I saw how the atmosphere and morale in the school changed when people felt seen." - Ed Finch“Belonging, being valued, being accepted for who you are. I think that's really important, not just for the young people, but for staff as well." - Bukky YusufResource recommendationsLyta. Media rich stories that you can use to bring diverse narratives into your classes.Radical Candor. Blog, podcast and a book about a communication framework that you can use in your work.BAMED Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic EducatorsBlack Men Teach a community network for Black Male Educators3 first steps to anti-racist teaching practice post by Omena O. on Hamilton Brookes blogTeach Lead Coach Bukky Yusuf’s websiteSchool pupils and their characteristics - UK government statistics Agarwal, P. (2020) Sway: Unraveling Unconscious Bias. Bloomsbury SigmaWhat will you take away?Download the Hamilton Brookes' Primary Pledge card to continue the conversation with your teaching community. Share your pledge card by tagging Hamilton Brookes on your preferred social platform.Hamilton BrookesPrimary Futures is brought to you by Hamilton Brookes, your loved and trusted place for quality lesson plans, materials and resources that you can use in your classroom.To find resources that work for you and your pupils, go to the Hamilton Brookes website and browse ideas for English, maths, science and cross-curricular topics. You can find more information here.FacebookInstagramLinkedInX
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    42 mins
  • Changing the Narrative Around LGBTQIA+ Representation with Ian Eagleton

    Changing the Narrative Around LGBTQIA+ Representation with Ian Eagleton
    Sep 11 2024
    Ian Eagleton, an author and former teacher, discusses the challenges and opportunities in creating inclusive and diverse educational environments. Ian explores the importance of addressing toxic masculinity and gender stereotypes in schools, as well as the need for a curriculum that includes diverse and marginalised voices. He also shares his experiences as both a teacher and author, highlighting the significance of safety in classrooms where students can openly discuss gender and sexuality. The conversation also touches on the practical aspects of implementing inclusive education, such as funding, time management and the availability of diverse resources. Throughout the episode, the conversation highlights the need for more diverse and engaging books in classrooms and calls for empowering teachers to shape the curriculum to reflect the diverse experiences of all students better.(00:57) - Ian discusses the positive trends that he is seeing within schools, starting with the growing trend of schools that are open and willing to facilitate the conversation surrounding the LGBTQ+ community to create a safe space for all. (04:30) - Ian considers that there are still schools or wider communities that are not ready to confront issues that challenge the LGBTQ+ community (11:54) - Ian and Ed explore the impact that Section 28 had on teachers when it was implemented and how following repeal, the repercussions still affect educators. (27:50) - Ian looks to the future and considers how safety is paramount within education, to ensure that children have a space where they can explore and discuss their own struggles. (35:44) - Ian looks at the current national curriculum and discusses how it can be improved, to ensure that the curriculum is representative for all students. (43:14) - Ian concludes the conversation with a brief discussion of his upcoming book, ‘The Boy Who Cried Ghost’.About our guestsIan Eagleton is the director of The Reading Realm and a resource writer for various educational organisations, including The Literacy Shed and Authorfy. Ian has taught in primary schools for thirteen years. He especially enjoys sharing picture books, poetry and creative writing activities with the children he teaches. His books include the award-winning Nen and the Lonely Fisherman, Violet's Tempest, The Woodcutter and the Snow Prince, Glitter Boy, and The Boy Who Cried Ghost. You can follow Ian on X at @MrEagletonIanConnect with Ian EagletonKey takeawaysEnsure that students have a safe classroom environment to discuss gender and sexuality openly without fear of judgment or shame.Include stories and histories of marginalised voices, such as LGBTQ+ trailblazers, to provide a more inclusive education.Integrate modern, inclusive books into the classroom that offer representation and are engaging for students.Allow teachers the flexibility to adapt the curriculum to address relevant topics and provide them with the resources they need.Advocate for better funding and time management to support the implementation of inclusive education practices.Quotes"I often talk to students and children and say to them, whose histories and whose stories are told and why is that? Why did I never hear these stories? And how does it make groups of people feel when they're excluded from the curriculum, when they're excluded from books?" - Ian Eagleton"Schools that are doing well are really trying to include, in a natural way, the LGBTQ+ community in their curriculum." — Ian Eagleton"I think when you talk to a lot of gay men, who grew up under that long shadow of Section 28, the most frequent word that comes up that everyone says, the word is shame." — Ian EagletonResource recommendationsEagleton, I. and Mayhew. J. (2021) Nen and the Lonely Fisherman. Owlet Press.Eagleton, I. (2023) Glitter Boy. Scholastic FictionEagleton, I. (2024) The Boy Who Cried Ghost. Scholastic FictionThe Reading Realm. Resources, book reviews and more created by Ian Eagleton.Stonewall. Best practices, toolkits and resources created by education professionals.What will you take away?Download the Hamilton Brookes' Primary Pledge card to continue the conversation with your teaching community. Share your pledge card by tagging Hamilton Brookes on your preferred social platform.Hamilton BrookesPrimary Futures is brought to you by Hamilton Brookes, your loved and trusted place for quality lesson plans, materials and resources that you can use in your classroom.To find resources that work for you and your pupils, go to the Hamilton Brookes website and browse ideas for English, maths, science and cross-curricular topics. You can find more information here.FacebookInstagramLinkedInX
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    46 mins

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