At the chalk face: Non-specialist teachers curse or cure?

Non-specialist teachers: The classroom reality no one talks about
Did you know a third of Year 7 lessons are taught by teachers who aren’t specialists in that subject? 🤯

Craig and Dave are back on the chalk face to tackle a topic every teacher has an opinion on — non-specialist teaching.

From teaching biology with no science background to discovering how to book a Bunsen burner two weeks in advance (!), this episode dives into the reality behind timetabling decisions, the pressure on schools, and why “you only have to stay one step ahead of the students” might be more true than you’d think.

In this episode, we chat about:
Why so many teachers end up teaching outside their specialism
What makes someone a “specialist” anyway?
How non-specialists can still make a huge impact
The long-term effects of non-specialist teaching on students
And a few confessions from Craig and Dave’s own classrooms!

👀 Watch now for an open, funny and surprisingly relatable discussion about the juggling act teachers face every day.

Great teaching isn’t just about degrees — it’s about connecting with students, building relationships, and staying one step ahead.

💬 Expect laughs, honest reflections, and some eyebrow-raising stories about life in the classroom — whether you’re a teacher, head of department, or just curious about how schools really work.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, so you never miss an At the Chalk Face episode.


Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or just curious about the future of education, this discussion offers a thought-provoking look at innovation, flexibility, and what’s next for classrooms in England.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews #EducationUK #Teaching #ComputerScience #AtTheChalkFace #TeachingLife #NonSpecialistTeachers #SecondaryEducation #TeacherStories

At the chalk face: Why networking matters | Teachers need each other

Are you too busy to network… or just making excuses?

Craig and Dave get fired up in this episode as they unpack one of teaching’s biggest missed opportunities — genuine networking between teachers.

From the dangers of staying in your “school bubble” to how their own collaboration began on car journeys to CPD events, this chat digs into why connecting with colleagues (beyond your own department walls) is vital for growth, inspiration, and sanity.

Expect a few soapboxes, a bit of SLT-bashing (from someone who’s earned the right), and plenty of laughs along the way.

💬 Topics include:
Why networking matters more than inset days ever will.
How the best teaching ideas often start over coffee (or in a car park!)
Why saying “I’m too tired” might just be an excuse.
The power of communities like CAS (Computing at School).
And how Craig’n’Dave all started...

👉 Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or an NQT, this one’s for anyone who’s ever felt stuck in the classroom bubble.

If you’re a teacher, leader, or education watcher, you’ll find plenty to nod along with — and maybe a few points to debate.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews #TeamCompSci #TeachingChat #CraignDave #TeacherNetworking #ComputingEducation

Do school libraries still matter in 2025? | Rethinking learning spaces

Are traditional school libraries becoming outdated in the age of AI, smartphones, and instant online knowledge? Or do they still play a vital role in inspiring students?

In this episode of At the Chalk Face, we dive into:
Our own school-day memories of libraries (including date-stamping and dusty books no one borrowed).
The “death of the library” debate — and whether ebooks and devices could (or should) replace them.
Why libraries need to evolve into dynamic, inspirational learning spaces rather than static book storage.
How subject leaders, not just librarians, can take ownership in creating subject zones that spark curiosity.
The tough reality of budgets, staffing, and leadership priorities in making it happen.

Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or just passionate about education, this conversation asks some uncomfortable but important questions: what’s the purpose of a school library in 2025, and how do we make them truly valuable for students?

What do you think?
Should libraries be reinvented or left behind? Drop your thoughts in the comments.


👉 Join the conversation at craigndave.org.

If you’re a teacher, leader, or education watcher, you’ll find plenty to nod along with — and maybe a few points to debate.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews #schools #libraries #AI #teaching #chalkface

Is reading still essential once students can access the curriculum — or is it just another demand in an already packed timetable? In this episode of At the Chalk Face, Craig and Dave dig into the role of reading across subjects, from vocabulary growth and comprehension to cultural capital and academic performance.

We ask:

• Should reading for pleasure only belong in English lessons?
• How can short, focused reading sessions fit into busy classrooms?
• Can AI tools that summarise texts ever replace the benefits of real reading?

Drawing on insights from research, teaching practice, and Alan Harrison’s How to Learn Computer Science, we explore how reading can empower students in every subject, including computing.

Whether you’re an English teacher, a computer science specialist, or simply passionate about education, this episode challenges assumptions and makes the case for building lasting reading habits in the age of AI.

#GCSE2025 #EducationUK #Teaching #ComputerScience #AtTheChalkFace

Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or just curious about the future of education, this discussion offers a thought-provoking look at innovation, flexibility, and what’s next for classrooms in England.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews

🎓 GCSE results 2025 – what do they really mean? 🎓

The headlines always show the smiling (and sometimes not-so-smiling) students clutching envelopes, but the story behind the statistics is far more complex.

In this podcast, Craig'n'Dave dive deep into this year’s GCSE results:
📊 Which subjects are flying high (hello sciences!) and which are struggling.
✍️ Why English and maths remain a huge barrier for so many young people.
💻 The truth about computer science – is it really harder than the other sciences?
🤔 What the numbers mean for students, teachers, and the future of our subject.

Along the way, expect personal stories, a few strong opinions, and plenty of honest discussion about the challenges facing education today.

If you’re a teacher, parent, or just curious about what lies behind the results, you’ll find plenty to think about here.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, so you never miss an At the Chalk Face video.

#GCSE2025 #EducationUK #Teaching #ComputerScience #AtTheChalkFace

Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or just curious about the future of education, this discussion offers a thought-provoking look at innovation, flexibility, and what’s next for classrooms in England.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews

At the chalk face news: Stop teaching this myth.
A new year and another new initiative!

Are all CPD sessions worth your time?
In this episode of At the Chalk Face, Dave and Kat tackle one of education's most persistent myths: learning styles.

Despite being debunked over a decade ago, many schools still cling to them — why?
We also explore flipped classrooms, the tension between evidence-based pedagogy and school initiatives, and why teachers should feel empowered to challenge bad practice without risking career progression.

Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned leader, this episode offers honest reflections and research-backed truths to help you focus on what really works in the classroom.

👉 Listen now and join the conversation at craigndave.org.

If you’re a teacher, leader, or education watcher, you’ll find plenty to nod along with — and maybe a few points to debate.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews #teachingmyths #educationmyths

Join Dave and Lesson Hacker, experienced educator and edtech expert Kat Morgan, as they explore how remote subject specialists could help tackle the UK’s teaching recruitment crisis, the benefits for students, and the challenges schools face.

They discuss how virtual teaching can bring highly qualified experts into classrooms where staff shortages make it impossible to offer certain subjects, from GCSE computer science to A-level physics. They also cover the practicalities: the need for good equipment, trained in-class support, and the opportunities for personalised learning through technology.

But it’s not just about filling gaps—virtual teaching could open doors to new pedagogical approaches, AI integration, and exciting experiences for students that were previously out of reach. Dave and Kat weigh the pros and cons, challenge misconceptions about cost and exam preparation, and explore how this model could reshape teaching careers.

Could this really be the way forward?

Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or just curious about the future of education, this discussion offers a thought-provoking look at innovation, flexibility, and what’s next for classrooms in England.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews

Newly appointed union leader Matt Wrack has caused a stir — not just for stepping into teaching without ever having taught, but for calling out the real pressures in UK schools. In this episode of At the Chalk Face, Craig and Dave unpack Wrack's take on teacher workload, the creeping privatisation of education through multi-academy trusts, and his comments on Ofsted inspectors. From the “no off-switch” reality of teaching to CEO-level salaries in education, this candid discussion hits the issues many in the profession face daily.

If you’re a teacher, leader, or education watcher, you’ll find plenty to nod along with — and maybe a few points to debate.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews