National Association for Primary Education

Education currently presents an unparalleled challenge, yet it remains an immensely rewarding profession, as articulated by our guest, Jonathan Arthur, the Executive Headteacher of Badock’s Wood E-ACT Academy. Within this episode, we delve into the vital role of fostering a learning culture, where the focus is not merely on raising aspirations but rather on instilling a belief that dreams are attainable for every child. Jonathan shares his commitment to modelling expectations and actively engaging with students to ensure they feel supported in their educational journey. He emphasises the necessity of embracing challenges, both for educators and students, underscoring the significance of relationships and emotional regulation in shaping positive behaviour within the school environment. Takeaways: Education is currently one of the most challenging yet rewarding professions we can pursue. As educators, we possess the unique privilege of fostering meaningful changes in children's lives. It is essential to cultivate an environment where children can believe in the attainability of their dreams. Building a learning culture requires dedication and a visible commitment to education and community involvement. Effective leadership in education centers on integrity, open communication, and shared values among all staff members. Fostering resilience in children involves teaching them to navigate challenges and express their emotions constructively. www.badockswoodacademy.e-act.org.uk/www.ilminsteravenueacademy.e-act.org.uk/https://nape.org.uk/ https://www.educationonfire.com/

Al Kingsley has spent the last 30 years in the Educational Technology space and almost 20 of those as a school trustee and governor. He is Group CEO of NetSupport Ltd, an internationally acclaimed EdTech vendor, and Chair of Hampton Academies Trust and the Richard Barnes (AP) Academy, all in the East of England. He also chairs his region’s Governor Leadership Group.Alongside these roles, Al also sits on the DfE’s Regional Schools Directorate Advisory Board for the East of England and is the Independent Chair of the County’s SEND Board. As a firm supporter of lifelong learning, he is also a regional Apprenticeship Ambassador and Chair of the Employment and Skills Board for his region’ s combined authority.An active writer about all things Education, Al is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and sits on the advisory council for the Foundation for Education Development.Websitewww.alkingsley.comNAPE is the long term sponsor of Education on Fire. This episode is repurposed for NAPE from the Education on Fire podcast hosted by Mark Taylor - NAPE, Vice Chairwww.nape.org.ukwww.educationonfire.comWatch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley – ‘Creating Digital Strategies for Schools’ from the Primary Education Summit – ‘Visions for the Future’ – 2023

Ally Sousa has worked in education for more than 16 years and has a longstanding interest in teachers’ CPD and supporting ECTs. She’s a former teacher and currently leads the content creation at BlueSky Education where she works with a wide range of teachers to create professional development resources.Prior to joining BlueSky, Ally taught in secondary education. While teaching physical education at Gosport and Fareham MAT, she took on the role of Initial Teacher Training manager and professional mentor, supporting primary, secondary and special phase trainees across a range of training pathways, and developing continued professional development programmes for trainees, ECTs and experienced members of the school community.Ally is keen to help teachers to have more constructive conversations about professional development with those who support them. She would love to discuss how teachers can take more ownership of professional development, how PD can happen throughout the year, the approaches early career teachers take to CPD. Websitewww.blueskyeducation.co.ukNAPE is the long term sponsor of Education on Fire. This episode is repurposed for NAPE from the Education on Fire podcast hosted by Mark Taylor - NAPE, Vice Chairwww.nape.org.ukwww.educationonfire.com

Sam Kendall leads all of Eden’s work with schools, young people and their teachers and has done so since 2010. Eden’s Schools Team design and deliver programmes and projects for children and young people and offer training, consultancy and resources to schools towards Eden’s vision for children and young people who are motivated and equipped to create, and flourish in, a better future in which all living things thrive within planetary boundaries.Sam has been a member of Eden’s Education Team since the project opened in 2001, establishing Eden as a must-go school visit destination for schools across the UK and maintaining a focus on high quality teaching and learning across Eden’s learning programmes – at Eden and online. Following a first degree in Natural Science at Jesus College, Cambridge, she qualified as a primary school teacher, with science specialism, in 1997 and worked in schools in Bristol, Cornwall, Karachi and South Africa prior to joining Eden in 2001. In 2021 she completed an MSc in Environment and Human Health.Websitewww.edenproject.com/learn/schoolsNAPE is the long term sponsor of Education on Fire. This episode is repurposed for NAPE from the Education on Fire podcast hosted by Mark Taylor - NAPE, Vice Chairwww.nape.org.ukwww.educationonfire.com

Little Troopers is a registered charity supporting service children who have parent(s) serving in our British Armed Forces, regular or reserve. These children often face unique challenges including frequent house and school moves, as well as regular periods of separation from their serving parent(s) for varying lengths of time due to exercises, training, operations and other service commitments.As a charity, Little Troopers ensures our British Armed Forces children and their families have access to child-focused support wherever they are in the world and whatever community they live in. They provide fundamental resources and initiatives to help ease repeated separation periods and keep parent and child connected even when miles apart. They are the only charity in the UK dedicated to celebrating just how special all our Little Troopers out there really are.Louise Fetigan, founder, is a British Army veteran who saw active service in Kosovo. Her husband was also a serving soldier for 24 years, and undertook seven operational tours of duty. Together they have a daughter who spent her whole childhood as a military child and is the inspiration behind the charity, Little Troopers.Websitewww.littletroopers.netNAPE is the long term sponsor of Education on Fire. This episode is repurposed for NAPE from the Education on Fire podcast hosted by Mark Taylor - NAPE, Vice Chairwww.nape.org.ukwww.educationonfire.com

Join BBC Teach on a journey through Musical Storyland, where children’s fairy tales and traditional folktales are re-imagined with music performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. The stories are narrated by a host of stars; BBC Radio 5 Live presenter, Nihal Arthanayake; international storyteller, Jan Blake; and CBBC and Eastenders actor, Molly Rainford.There are currently five short films: Three Billy Goats Gruff; Jack and the Beanstalk; Ananse and the Monkeys; the Great Race; and The Little Fir Tree. A further five will be available on Monday 25 March. The films feature an array of guest musicians, including multi-instrumentalist, Sidiki Dembélé; Guzheng player, Zi Lan Liao; and DeaF trumpeter, Sean Chandler.  On the BBC Teach website, the classroom videos are accompanied by comprehensive activities and listening guides, exploring musical skills and cross-curricula connections for non-specialist early years and primary-level teachers.Websitewww.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/articles/zqg2s82NAPE is the long term sponsor of Education on Fire. This episode is repurposed for NAPE from the Education on Fire podcast hosted by Mark Taylor - NAPE, Vice Chairwww.nape.org.ukwww.educationonfire.com

More Than A Score:It’s time to fundamentally change the high-stakes, high-pressure assessment system in primary schools and make good mental health the basis for good learning.Primary pupils in England now face SATs and other government tests in five out of seven school years – that’s more formal assessments than in almost any other country.But the evidence against the current system is growing. Parents, teachers and heads are united in calling for change.In 2022, only 3% of heads wanted SATs to go ahead. 89% of parents say they would support an alternative. And 1 in 10 year 6 pupils didn’t sleep well in the run-up to the tests.SATs and other government tests don’t help learning and cause unnecessary stress and pressure.Let’s speak out for children.Alison Ali Director/Owner Can Can CampaignsAlison began her career in journalism, moving into international consumer publishing. Her experience runs from human rights and global finance reporting, to launching premium multi-language magazines and digital platforms for household brand names. She has run her own successful creative agency Can Can Creative since 2006 and, in 2019, launched sister agency Can Can Campaigns to harness the collective’s exceptional skills for greater good.www.morethanascore.org.uk/FB @morethanascoreT @MoreThanScoreInsta @morethanascoreTikTok @morethanascore_