Best T A Wilkinson Podcasts (2025)

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39. Disciplinary Literacy in Primary Settings with Shareen Wilkinson 35:41

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23h ago35:41

35:41

Could disciplinary literacy be the missing piece in primary education? Prepare to have your assumptions challenged as education advisor Shareen Wilkinson reveals how young learners can benefit from thinking, reading, and writing like subject specialists – years before secondary school. Most educators associate disciplinary literacy with secondary e…

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38. How can secondary schools crack the reading nut? with Dr Laura Shapiro 39:18

8d ago39:18

39:18

What if our understanding of reading development has been missing crucial elements? Dr Laura Shapiro, developmental psychologist and senior lecturer at Aston University in the UK, challenges conventional wisdom about literacy instruction and reading engagement in this thought-provoking conversation. Shapiro brings a refreshing perspective, explaini…

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37. Building a vocabulary-led curriculum with Lauren Bishop and Natalie Miles 38:44

15d ago38:44

38:44

When literacy becomes everyone's responsibility, something remarkable happens to a school's culture. In this captivating conversation, we speak to Lauren Bishop (Literacy Coordinator and English Teacher) and Natalie Miles (Assistant Head) from The Bishop's Stortford High School about their journey to place vocabulary at the heart of their curriculu…

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36. What does literacy utopia look like, and how can we get there? with Jennie Shearer 35:05

2M ago35:05

35:05

What if every secondary school teacher knew how to teach a child to read? What if we stopped treating literacy as simply spelling and grammar exercises and instead recognised it as the foundation of all learning? In this thought-provoking conversation with English teacher and literacy lead Jennie Shearer, we explore the troubling reality that most …

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35. Breaking literacy barriers with Kaley Macis-Riley and Laura May Rowlands 39:42

2M ago39:42

39:42

Host Andy Sammons welcomes two extraordinary educators who are transforming how schools approach literacy: Kaley Macis-Riley, Senior Lead for Quality of Education, and Laura May Rowlands, Head of English. Both working in schools with high levels of disadvantage, they share candidly about their journey to establish thriving reading cultures in an ag…

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34. The Role of EdTech within Literacy with Jenny Webb 37:01

3M ago37:01

37:01

What happens when we treat reading as a checkbox rather than an ongoing developmental journey? Jenny Webb, Director of English and Literacy at Carlton Academy Trust, pulls back the curtain on the challenging reality of literacy in UK schools today. Despite government claims about improvements in reading standards, educators are experiencing somethi…

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33. Getting implementation right: Upstream, downstream and root causes with Mark Miller 33:50

3M ago33:50

33:50

How do schools successfully implement change that actually sticks? Mark Miller, Director of Bradford Research School, joins us to break down the recent updates to the Education Endowment Foundation's implementation guidance - revealing why the social dimensions of change might be the most critical factor for success. The conversation dives deep int…

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32. Reading is learning: Breaking down the artificial barrier with Natalie Wexler 35:38

4M ago35:38

35:38

Natalie Wexler joins Andy Sammons to tackle one of education's most persistent challenges: the artificial barrier between reading and learning. This eye-opening conversation dives deep into why traditional approaches to reading comprehension don't work - and what cognitive science tells us actually does. Wexler, author of The Knowledge Gap and co-a…

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31. Revolutionising Education: Aaron Leary's Journey from Teacher to Innovator 45:43

4M ago45:43

45:43

Aaron Leary's journey - from a student grappling with language to co-founding Bedrock Learning - illustrates the transformative power of literacy in education. This episode explores personal experiences, teaching philosophies, and future aspirations in the PedTech sphere. Literacy, Aaron reveals, is more than just words; it’s a tool that shapes our…

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30. Interdisciplinary approaches to modern education with Carl Gombrich 42:54

6M ago42:54

42:54

Carl Gombrich is the Lead Academic at London Interdisciplinary School and oversees curriculum design, teaching, and learning. He was previously a Professorial Teaching Fellow of Interdisciplinary Education at UCL and is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. In this episode, prepare to rethink higher education as Carl shares his journe…

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29. The future of English with Elizabeth Draper 35:36

7M ago35:36

35:36

Ever wondered how English education is evolving to meet the demands of our rapidly changing world? Join us for a fascinating conversation with Elizabeth Draper, a trailblazer in the realm of English education, as we uncover the profound shifts shaping this field. With over three decades of experience and her current role as deputy chair of the Engl…

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28. Teaching early years speech and language with Steph Hammond 38:10

8M ago38:10

38:10

Bedrock's Andy and Morgan are joined by Stephanie Hammond, who's a Teaching and Learning Consultant offering bespoke training, auditing and support in pre-phonics skills, early reading, phonics and spelling. As a Primary Teacher with over 20 Years of experience, Stephanie has worked alongside, trained and coached numerous EYFS practitioners, TAs, t…

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27. Implementing a disciplinary literacy strategy with Sophie Prescott 23:40

8M ago23:40

23:40

With 20 years of teaching experience, Sophie Prescott has held various leadership roles across schools in the Midlands. From a background as a science teacher, her current responsibilities now include overseeing Reading and Literacy, supporting disadvantaged students, and contributing to SCITT development. She is passionate about each of these area…

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26. Impactful trust-wide digital transformation with Richard Anderton 30:59

9M ago30:59

30:59

Prepare to transform your approach to education technology with insights from Richard Anderton, the Digital Transformation Lead at the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP). Richard joins us to unpack his extensive role, focusing on how ATLP's digital strategies extend beyond simply handing out devices to students. Learn about the critical eleme…

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25. Death by PowerPoint: Improving CPD at Trust Level with Mike Gardner 34:40

10M ago34:40

34:40

How can you transform your teaching practices to be more engaging and effective? In this episode, we sit down with Mike Gardner, the Teaching and Learning Lead for Maritime Academy Trust, to explore his successful strategies for enhancing education across 13 primary schools in southeast London and Kent. From his innovative start-up, The Oracy Shift…

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24. Innovation in Further Education with Holly Barnes-Lomax 34:28

11M ago34:28

34:28

Discover the hidden gems of Further Education (FE) as Holly Barnes-Lomax joins Bedrock Talks. Holly is the Teaching, Learning and Quality Lead at an FE college in Chesterfield. She takes us behind the scenes to explore the variety of courses, from vocational training to adult education, and the specialised support provided to SEND students. With he…

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23. Need for (more than) speed: fluency and oracy with Sarah Davies 36:39

11M ago36:39

36:39

Sarah Davies is the author of Talking about Oracy which focuses on the development of effective communication beyond the parameters of the classroom. She is currently an Assistant Head Teacher at a secondary academy in the north-west of England. Alongside her teaching, she has also written articles for SecEd, The Headteacher and the Teaching Times,…

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712: General Election 2024 in Review 1:26:56

11M ago1:26:56

1:26:56

Rob and Tom discuss their favourite thing, a General Election! The biggest actual poll there is… TOPICS - [0:00] Intro - [1:39] We Had a General Election - [4:08] The Labour Party - [18:48] The Conservative Party - [31:37] The Liberal Democrats - [46:08] Reform - [1:01:38] The Greens - [1:11:10] The SNP - [1:17:34] Wales - [1:25:34] Outro Support a…

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22. Going from teacher to school leader with Dani Walley 36:50

11M ago36:50

36:50

After so many comments, thoughts and requests from the first episode, Dani Walley returns to Bedrock Talks to discuss leadership and teacher development. Dani is an Assistant Principal leading on teaching, learning and curriculum in a large secondary school. Previously a Director of Humanities, Dani is passionate about empowering staff and students…

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21. Implementing a disciplinary literacy solution in secondary school with Katie Chanter 34:34

12M ago34:34

34:34

Katie Chanter is a literacy leader for a large secondary comprehensive school, and has extensive experience of teaching English- including language development in early years. She has successfully implemented Bedrock, both tier 2 and 3 vocabulary, in her school. In this podcast, she discusses her gradual approach to a successful implementation, and…

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20. Literacy in the library: innovative reading strategies with Val Dewhurst 22:26

12M ago22:26

22:26

Discover how to ignite a passion for reading and learning in your students with insights from Val Dewhurst, the dynamic Head of Library and joint Bedrock Learning lead at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (Quags). In our latest episode, Val speak to us about the library as the centrepiece of literacy in a school, as well as a place of safety and celeb…

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711: General Election Manifestos 2024 1:01:21

1y ago1:01:21

1:01:21

Rob and Tom discuss the 2024 General Election Manifestos for the 3 main parties (Part 2 of 2)… TOPICS - [0:00] Intro - [1:16] Lib Dem Manifesto - [18:28] Conservative Manifesto - [36:02] Labour Manifesto - [54:00] Quick Polls Update - [1:00:35] Outro Support all TTSS shows on Patreon SHOWNOTES - The Papers - Lib Dem manifesto: 11 key policies expla…

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710: General Election 2024 So Far... 34:45

1y ago34:45

34:45

Rob and Tom discuss the run up to the 2024 General Election (Part 1 of 2)… TOPICS - [0:00] Intro - [2:30] General Election Feelings - [24:55] Labour’s Campaigning - [34:01] Outro Support all TTSS shows on Patreon SHOWNOTES - The Papers - Evan Edinger on Political TikToks - Electoral Calculus - Politico Poll of Polls - Join us on Discord! DISCUSS - …

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19. Waltz with the machines: Navigating ChatGPT as a teacher 34:22

1y ago34:22

34:22

Ever wondered how AI can revolutionise education? Get ready to meet Patrick Hickey, the AI Teaching Guru, who turned traditional teaching on its head by embracing cutting-edge technology. This episode features Patrick’s remarkable journey into the world of artificial intelligence, starting with his creative experiment of generating a prequel to the…

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18: Navigating dyslexia: A parent's guide - with Sally Collard 37:00

1y ago37:00

37:00

What if understanding dyslexia could transform your child's reading experience? Join us as we sit down with dyslexia specialist Sally Raymond, who shares her heartfelt journey into the field, driven by her daughter's struggles with reading. Discover the crucial role parents play in offering unconditional reading support, highlighting how such suppo…

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17. Persistent and Consistent with Dani Walley: Aligning behaviour and pedagogy 32:18

1y ago32:18

32:18

Ever wondered what it takes to transform behaviour culture in schools, especially in a post-pandemic world? In our latest podcast, we sit down with Dani Walley to discuss how the pandemic and social media have reshaped student behaviour, leading to challenges like shortened attention spans and reduced socialisation. Discover the groundbreaking conc…

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16. Exploring transformative alternative provision with Richard Duffy 32:10

1y ago32:10

32:10

In this episode we are joined by Richard Duffy, Assistant Principal for the ARC at Trinity Academy in Halifax. We explore Richard's diverse experiences, including working with NEETs and managing behaviour in school settings, and how these shaped his unique approach to supporting vulnerable learners. We discuss how the transition from traditional te…

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15. Exploring the Reading for Pleasure agenda with Sarah Green 52:24

1y ago52:24

52:24

Unlock the secrets to fostering literacy and promoting a love for reading in your classroom with our special guest, literacy specialist Sarah Green. Sarah, who boasts over 20 years in literacy education, shares her compelling journey from an English teacher to the Trust Director of Literacy for Prosperity Learning Trust. Discover the transformative…

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709: Local Elections 2024 57:23

1y ago57:23

57:23

Rob and Tom discuss a whole load of local elections and what might be in store for the (now announced) General Election… TOPICS - [0:00] Intro - [4:05] By-Elections - [10:06] Local Council Elections - [27:57] Mayoral Elections - [47:12] Police and Crime Commissioners - [48:48] Quick Polls Update - [56:17] Outro Support all TTSS shows on Patreon SHO…

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14. Navigating the Heart and Soul of School Improvement with Paul Ainsworth 36:41

1y ago36:41

36:41

In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of education with Paul Ainsworth, Education Director at Infinity Academies Trust and author of "No Silver Bullets 2.0: The Heart and Soul of School Improvement." Paul shares insights from his extensive career, which spans from teaching math to leading secondary school improvements. We discuss his a…

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13. Unlocking Learner Potential: Inclusive & Tech-Enhanced Learning with Dr Alix Hibble 28:12

1y ago28:12

28:12

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Alex Hibble from EdProof, who draws on her psychology expertise from the University of Oxford and her experience with innovative educational practices. We delve into the integration of technologies like ChatGPT in schools and discuss how EdProof helps measure key aspects of student well-being and engagement. Alex …

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12. Mapper Success: Innovative Strategies at St. Thomas More Catholic Academy 27:47

1y ago27:47

27:47

In this episode, Sarah and Megan from St. Thomas More Catholic Academy discuss their experiences with implementing Bedrock Mapper, our subject specific tier 3 vocabulary solution, across the school. They share how Mapper is making strides in addressing literacy gaps and increasing learner engagement, highlighting both the successes and obstacles en…

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708: Have the Tories Lost the Plot, Or Will the Plotters Take Top Spot? 48:41

1y ago48:41

48:41

Rob and Tom discuss a grab bag of headlines and how the polls are looking for Rishi Sunak… TOPICS - [0:00] Intro - [1:27] Budget 2024 - [15:32] Lee Anderson & Reform UK - [29:56] How is Rishi’s Leadership Faring? - [36:22] When is the General Election going to be? - [43:50] Poll Update - [47:33] Outro Support all TTSS shows on Patreon SHOWNOTES - T…

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11. Creating Young Readers: The Joy of Reading with Literacy Expert Teresa Cremin 30:54

1y ago30:54

30:54

In this episode of Literacy Works with Bedrock Learning, Teresa Cremin, a leading figure in literacy research and education, shares insights from her career - from classroom teaching to research. The conversation focuses on how meaningful discussions can shape literary identities and extend literacy's influence beyond traditional subjects into dail…

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10. Leadership and Literacy: Pillars of Transformative Education with Lekha Sharma 31:34

1+ y ago31:34

31:34

We are joined by Lekha Sharma, School Improvement Lead for Curriculum and Assessment at the Avanti Schools Trust. Lekha navigates the complexities of weaving together curriculum and assessment across the trust, while maintaining and cherishing the unique identity of each individual school. Lekha shares her wisdom on crafting a high-quality, equitab…

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Literacy Works Mini-sode: Exploring An Inspector Calls with Haili Hughes 29:35

1+ y ago29:35

29:35

It's a Mini-sode! Always under 30 minutes, these shorter episodes are a perfect lunchtime listen. In the first of our Mapper deep dive episodes, Haili Hughes takes us through her top 10 keywords/concepts that are essential for your learners to understand when studying An Inspector Calls. From 'dramatic irony' to 'squiffy', and from 'bourgeoisie' to…

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9. The AI Educator: The future of AI in education with Dan Fitzpatrick 43:51

1+ y ago43:51

43:51

Explore the future of education through the eyes of Dan Fitzpatrick, a trailblazer for AI in education and former secondary school teacher and SLT member. Our conversation with Dan traverses seismic shifts in teaching methods, highlighting how grassroots efforts with AI and technology within schools can lead to significant time-saving, and engaging…

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8. From EdTech to PedTech: Exploring technology and pedagogy with Peter Twining and Olivia Sumpter 1:03:41

1+ y ago1:03:41

1:03:41

Dive into educational technology with Peter Twining as we unravel the complexities of edtech's role in our classrooms. Peter, a seasoned expert in education and pedagogy, joins Olivia, the Director of Education at Bedrock Learning, and our usual host, Andy Sammons, to offer a nuanced perspective on the challenges and promises of integrating technol…

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7. Teachappy: Nurturing Wellbeing in Education with Adrian Bethune 33:59

1+ y ago33:59

33:59

Adrian Bethune, a beacon of hope in the world of education, joins us on this episode of Literacy Works podcast, taking us through his life experiences, from the music industry to primary school teaching and how his own personal challenges with mental health led him to champion the teaching of wellbeing in schools. His journey is an inspiration, und…

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707: Keir Starmer, What Do You Stand For? 1:22:28

1+ y ago1:22:28

1:22:28

Rob and Tom discuss the Popular Conservatives, transphobia at PMQS and what policies Keir Starmer is likely to put forward… TOPICS - [0:00] Intro - [1:07] What is PopCon?? - [22:44] Does PopCon Matter? - [31:21] PMQs - [45:49] Keir Starmer, What Do You Stand For? - [1:13:17] Quick Polls Update - [1:21:30] Outro Support all TTSS shows on Patreon SHO…

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706: 2024 Predictions 1:14:08

1+ y ago1:14:08

1:14:08

Rob and Tom make predictions for 2024… TOPICS - [0:00] Intro - [1:28] General Election Predictions - [23:25] Conservative Predictions - [34:17] Labour Predictions - [55:23] Lib Dem Predictions - [58:32] SNP Predictions - [1:03:03] US Election Predictions - [1:13:16] Outro Support all TTSS shows on Patreon SHOWNOTES - The Papers - Our 2023 Predictio…

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705: 2023, The Year That Was 53:12

1+ y ago53:12

53:12

Rob and Tom discuss their 2023 predictions and how accurate they were… TOPICS - [0:00] Intro - [1:09] Tory Predictions 2023 - [15:29] Labour Predictions 2023 - [31:17] Lib Dem Predictions 2023 - [37:00] Brexit Predictions 2023 - [44:49] USA Predictions 2023 - [52:05] Outro Support all TTSS shows on Patreon SHOWNOTES - The Papers - Our 2023 Predicti…

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6. Choice, Context and Disciplinary Literacy: In Conversation with Marcello Giovanelli 38:33

1+ y ago38:33

38:33

Join us on a linguistic journey with Marcello Giovanelli, a renowned expert in literary linguistics from Aston University, as he shares a wealth of insights that will transform your understanding of language, literacy and beyond. In this episode, we delve into Marcello's latest book, written with Jennifer Webb, Essential Grammar (Routledge), a pivo…

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704: Rwanda Plan Bad 1:08:54

1+ y ago1:08:54

1:08:54

Rob and Tom discuss the Rwanda Bill… TOPICS - [0:00] Intro - [1:15] Headlines: Suella Gone, Cameron In - [12:28] Main Story: Rwanda - [29:12] The Rwanda Bill Vote - [39:26] Greek Marbles Interlude - [45:19] Labour on Immigration - [51:44] Public Feeling on Immigration - [1:03:50] Quick Polls Update - [1:07:19] Outro Support all TTSS shows on Patreo…

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5. It's Understanding, Not Knowledge: In Conversation with Lucie Turner 29:31

1+ y ago29:31

29:31

Ever wish you could unlock the true potential of your students? Today, we're joined by Lucie Turner, a dedicated history teacher from St. Anselm's Catholic School, who reveals her strategies for success with Bedrock Mapper's disciplinary literacy curriculum. Lucie highlights the transformative power of this program, guiding us through her hands-on …

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4. Rethinking Literacy: In Conversation with Haili Hughes 33:42

1+ y ago33:42

33:42

Ever wondered why literacy isn't just an English teacher's job? Well, we found the perfect guest to answer that - Haili Hughes. A true educational powerhouse, Haili has extensive experience in education, from teaching English for 16 years to now being a Director of Education at Iris Connect, a prolific author of many educational books, and a Mentor…

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3. Creating a Coherent History Curriculum with Mapper: In Conversation with Melissa King 27:36

1+ y ago27:36

27:36

Ever wondered how every academic subject can contribute to literacy development? This episode promises to enlighten you, as we chat with Mel King, Assistant Head and Subject Lead for History at St Simon Stock Catholic School, has worked closely with Bedrock champion school, St Anselm's Catholic School (case study here) to develop the use of Bedrock…

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2. How Can We 'Do' Disciplinary Literacy: in Conversation with Mark Miller 43:04

1+ y ago43:04

43:04

How would your educational journey have changed if your teachers focused on disciplinary literacy? That's the intriguing question we tackle with Mark Miller, director of Bradford Research Schools and an English teacher at heart. This episode is an invitation into the world of disciplinary literacy, shining a light on the intricate dance between sub…

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1. The Power of Sequenced Knowledge in Geography: In Conversation with Kate Stockings 46:29

1+ y ago46:29

46:29

Discover how geography educator, Kate Stockings, reshapes entire curriculums and inspires a new generation of young geographers. Welcome to the very first episode of our Literacy Works with Bedrock Learning podcast. In this first chat, we connect with Kate Stockings, the trust lead for geography, who's spearheaded monumental changes in Key Stage 3 …

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703: Liberal Destroys Conservative in Debate 1:07:51

1+ y ago1:07:51

1:07:51

Rob and Tom discuss by-elections and Suella Braverman… TOPICS - [0:00] Intro - [1:16] Tamworth By-Election - [10:40] Mid-Bedfordshire By-Election - [28:26] Suella Braverman - [44:05] Suella on Protests - [51:39] Would She Make A Good Leader? - [59:19] The Polls - [1:06:55] Outro Support all TTSS shows on Patreon SHOWNOTES - The Papers - Tamworth By…