Planning and evaluating lessons is at the core of what teachers do. Deciding what we want our pupils to know or be able to do, how we'll know whether they've managed it, and how we'll be able to tell is the key to selecting a sequence of activities that will get them there and allow us to judge how they're doing.

But this is one of the hardest skills for a new teacher to grasp, as an experienced teacher looks like they're just stringing together activities and it's all just happening as if by magic. Breaking down those complex thought processes is hard, and supporting student teachers to think about the learning of their pupils is a vital part of the work of those who look after them in school (as well as us in university).

We sat down with some colleagues from both school and university to make some materials that student teachers and their school mentors can watch or listen to to help get them thinking about the best ways to make it happen. Today, we're brining you a taste of those materials and discussing why planning and evaluating is such a vital part of the magic of teaching.

Whether you work with us at the Cardiff Partnership or not, you're very welcome to take a look at all our resources to support mentors at https://studio.youtube.com/@cpmentors

Thanks to James Wise from Cardiff High School, Kate Haynes from Danescourt Primary School and Dr Anne Hodgson from Cardiff Met for their sterling work in the studio.

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Recorded in studio B2.15 at Cardiff Metropolitan University's Cyncoed Campus on 29th April 2025 (resources) and 18th June 2025 (main episode)