In this episode, Polly is joined by Beccie Hawes, CEO of Cadmus Inclusive and specialist SEN advisory teacher, to explore one of the most overlooked barriers to learning: working memory. Beccie shares insights from her new book on demystifying executive functioning and explains why assumptions about these skills can leave some learners struggling.

From identifying subtle classroom indicators to implementing simple but powerful “teaching tweaks,” Beccie offers practical strategies that lighten cognitive load and help every child thrive. Discover how routines, visuals and adaptive approaches can transform learning experiences - not just for pupils with working memory challenges, but for all learners.

Beccie's new book "Demystifying Executive Functioning: A Practical Classroom Guide and Toolkit" is available now, published by Taylor & Francis Ltd.

Find out more about Recall, our working memory assessment: https://www.gl-assessment.co.uk/Recall2026

If you’d like to get in touch, please email us at: podcast@renaissance.com

In this episode, our host Margaret Allen is joined by Gary Hillyard, Headteacher at The Carlton Academy - part of the Redhill Academy Trust. Gary has been in education for 22 years and led the secondary reading strategy across the 10 secondary schools in the trust for the last 8 years.

We explore Gary's journey from bookseller to teacher and his deep commitment to developing a trust-wide culture of reading. He emphasises the importance of authentic reading experiences, emotional engagement, and cross-curricular literacy to foster lifelong reading habits.

Sign up for our ‘What Kids Are Reading Report 2025’ report, featuring insights from over 6,700 schools and 1,200,000 students in the UK and Ireland using Renaissance Star Reading and Accelerated Reader data: https://uk.renaissance.com/resources/wkar-2025/

If you’d like to get in touch, please email us at: podcast@renaissance.com

In this episode, hosts Margaret Allen and Emma Dibden are joined by Dr Helen Ross - an independent educational research consultant, specialist assessor, and SEND expert. Together they delve into Helen's perspectives on reading, dyslexia, and education.

Helen discusses the challenges of teaching children to love reading, her personal experiences with dyslexia and the pressures of the education system - advocating for authentic teaching and having diverse pathways to success.

Helen chairs the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association and serves on the board of the US-based National Coalition of Independent Scholars. She has also consulted for the British Dyslexia Association, the UK Government’s Committee for Science and Technology, and Wiltshire Local Authority.

Her recent book "Literacy Learning Journeys: An Educator’s Guide to Dyslexia, Aged 0-18" sold out on Amazon within a day of publication, and continues to generate a buzz online.

If you’d like to get in touch, please email us at: podcast@renaissance.com

In this episode, Margaret Allen is joined by bestselling author Jacqui Rose (better known to readers as 'J.P.') who shares her journey as an author - highlighting her Northern roots and adoption, which profoundly influenced her worldview and writing.

They discuss her latest book "Birdie" inspired by her empathy for pit ponies she saw growing up - reflecting themes of loss, grief, and racism. J.P. shares her childhood love for reading and writing as a means of escapism and self-exploration.

J.P. Rose is the bestselling author of over 18 adult crime novels, and is also collaborating with Martina Cole on her new novels. Last year, she was a judge for the Jhalak prize writing for children's books and YA. She was also winner of our 2024 Quiz Writers' Choice Award for Secondary Fiction for "The Haunting of Tyrese Walker".

If you’d like to get in touch, please email us at: podcast@renaissance.com

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Our returning guest for this episode is Jeffrey Boakye - an author, broadcaster and educator with a particular interest in issues surrounding race, masculinity, education and popular culture. Together, Jeffrey and Margaret discuss the benefits of reading and why our perspective on it needs to change.

Jeffrey taught English to 11- to 18-year-olds for 15 years and now provides training for schools, universities and businesses on race, identity, masculinity and education. He is also Senior Teaching Fellow at the University of Manchester’s Institute for Education and received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from the University of Leicester in January 2023.

Jeffrey’s published books include 'Musical Truth: A Musical Journey through Modern Black Britain' (winner of the Quiz Writers’ Choice Secondary Non–Fiction Award 2023), and 'Musical World: Modern World History as You’ve Never Heard it Before' (recently selected as the Accelerated Reader Book of the Week).

If you’d like to get in touch, please email us at: podcast@renaissance.com

In this episode, Margaret Allen sits down with Nick Hart, the Principal of Horizon English School in Dubai, to explore his journey from the UK to the UAE and the evolving dynamics of educational leadership.

Nick shares insights into the importance of alignment, improvement, and transition during the start of the school year, emphasising the need for adaptability and relationship-building before pushing for change. He also discusses his approach to leadership in an established, high-performing school, balancing innovation with respect for the existing school culture.

Nick reflects on what makes great teaching, the role of assessment in a regulated educational system, and the challenge of ensuring that all students thrive. With a focus on long-term growth, legacy, and influencing education at a broader scale, this conversation offers a thought-provoking look at the realities and rewards of leading in international education.

Nick Hart is a former Executive Headteacher of a state school Federation in England as well as an NPQH and NPQEL facilitator with Ambition Institute. He has written two books on educational leadership and speaks regularly at education conferences.

If you’d like to get in touch, please email us at: podcast@renaissance.com

In this episode, we’re joined by Rob Jennings and Cat Eadle, co-founders of The Dyscalculia Network CIC, for an insightful conversation on supporting learners with Dyscalculia.

Rob has over 15 years of experience in special education, with a focus on helping children overcome challenges with maths. Cat, a specialist teacher and co-author of the 'Succeed with Dyscalculia' workbooks, brings her expertise and passion for making maths fun and accessible through practical, hands-on learning.

Together with co-host Andy Small, Assessment Specialist in Numeracy & Mathematics, they delve into effective strategies, the importance of early identification, and how to create positive learning experiences for those with maths difficulties. Whether you're an educator, a parent, or simply curious about Dyscalculia, this episode will provide valuable insights and tips for building a strong foundation in numeracy.

If you’d like to get in touch, please email us at podcast@renaissance.com.

Join us on Weaving a Space and a Place for Children as we sit down with Maxine Low, a visionary educator with 27 years of experience at the forefront of education. Maxine's journey from Nursery Nurse to Headteacher has been guided by two fundamental questions: What is the best way to learn, and consequently, what is the best way to teach?

Throughout her career, Maxine has been a beacon of inspiration within her learning community, leading Sure Start centres, and Children Centres, and serving as a trustee with Challenge Partners. From nurturing young minds in nursery schools to shaping the educational landscape as head teacher of the largest primary school in the country, with 1350 pupils, Maxine's passion for learning and teaching has remained unwavering.

Recently completing her MBA, Maxine delves deeper into understanding the complexities of the education system, striving to create environments where children, teachers, and parents can thrive amidst evolving contexts. Tune in as we explore Maxine's insights, experiences, and the transformative power of education.