It’s time to get stuck into the pros and cons of homework! After discussing the research in the last episode, Chris and Emma talk about the benefits of homework as well as the drawbacks of setting it. From building independent learning habits and reinforcing classroom content to concerns around workload, equity and engagement, they explore both sides of the debate. Is homework still an essential part of education, or is it time to rethink its role? Join the conversation as they unpack one of teaching’s most enduring topics.

This week’s teacher tip is a way to help fight the battle of pupils losing items of
stationery!

Schools in England blog discussed during this episode:
https://schoolsinengland.co.uk/blog/homework-expectations-primary

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It’s time to talk about all things homework in the first of our two-part discussion! In this first episode, Chris and Emma focus on the research behind homework – what is the impact, how much should be set and how often should it be set? With a discussion about the history of homework along the way, including how the Labour government and the Victorian attitude to homework impact on modern
approaches, there’s a lot to get your teeth into!

This week’s teacher tip is a lovely plenary idea that will promote oracy and positivity
in your classroom!

Get in touch: theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk

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This week, Emma and Chris tackle how to arrange tables in your classroom! They
discuss the pros and cons of the three most common ways of organising tables,
such as impact on pupil focus, how social interaction can be affected and how
navigating around the classroom is a key consideration. With anecdotes, personal
recollections and experiences along the way, this will give you food for thought for
how your seating is set out in your classroom!

This week’s teacher tip will help shave time off each book that you mark, helping
your work-life balance!

Get in touch: theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk

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In the final part of our three-episode deep dive into orthography, morphology and
etymology as part of the writing framework, Chris and Emma talk all about excellent
etymology! With an explanation of what this is, suggestions for how to teach it within
your classroom and quick-win games on using etymology to impact spelling, this
episode will help you understand what etymology is and how you can immediately
start threading it into your teaching.

This week’s teacher tip is an easy one to help your class community too. Hit
download and enjoy!

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In the second part of our three-episode deep dive into orthography, morphology and etymology as part of the writing framework, Chris and Emma talk all about the marvellous world of morphology! Full of information about how to teach morphology

both explicitly and implicitly, strategies for embedding it within your classroom and the linguistic theory behind it, this episode is sure to help you tackle morphemes to bolster your teaching of spelling.

With a teacher tip linked to your personal wellbeing, there is lots to discover in this episode so get downloading!

Get in touch: theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk

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Chris and Emma kick off a three‑part series exploring the building blocks of spelling, starting with orthography—how children learn what “looks right” in written English.

Chris shares the roots of his love for language, why English spelling is so complex and how phonics, pattern‑spotting and automaticity shape confident writers.

They unpack spelling across EYFS to KS2, touch on Ofsted’s expectations and offer practical ways teachers can support children without overwhelming them.

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In this episode of the Teachers Podcast, Chris and Emma dive into phase one phonics—the playful sound-focused stage that comes before the more official letters and reading.

Emma explains how it’s all about listening, rhythm, rhyme, alliteration and oral blending, giving children the foundations for confident reading later on. From environmental sounds to body percussion, voice experiments, and fun games like I-Spy, they explore practical ways to bring phonics to life in nursery and early years classrooms—and even revisit it with older children when needed.

It’s a happy reminder that phonics is about playing with sounds, building attention, and sparking a love of language.

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In this episode, Chris and Emma celebrate one of the simplest (and most magical) things teachers do: reading aloud to your class. No guided reading, no assessments—just you, a book and your pupils, sharing stories together.

They chat about why it’s so powerful for building vocabulary, imagination and classroom community, how to make the time for it, choosing books that children actually love and leaning into the joy of storytelling with voices, gestures and pauses.

Packed with practical tips and teacher anecdotes, this episode is a reminder that reading aloud isn’t an extra—it’s a core classroom experience worth protecting.

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