Welcome back to The Elements of Great Teaching podcast series, where we continue breaking down the elements of what makes great teaching. In this sixth episode, Adam Kohlbeck and I focus on Dimension 3: Maximising Opportunity to Learn, with a spotlight on Element 2: Consistent and fair application of expectations from the Model for Great Teaching.

We highlight the importance of clarity and fairness. When students understand the rules and know they’ll be enforced predictably, classrooms become spaces where focus and learning can flourish. Adam and I explore how applying these principles consistently helps students feel secure, while also reducing behaviour issues.

Listen to the full episode below to learn more about creating a classroom culture of trust and clarity.

 

Welcome back to The Elements of Great Teaching, where we explore the essential elements that make great teaching impactful. In this fifth episode, Adam Kohlbeck and I turn our attention to Dimension 2: Creating a Supportive Environment, with a focus on Element 3: Promoting Learner Motivation from the Model for Great Teaching.

Motivation is the driving force behind effective learning, and teachers play a key role in creating an environment that fosters it. In this episode, we discuss how to nurture student motivation by cultivating feelings of competence, autonomy, and relatedness—three essential psychological needs that fuel engagement and persistence in learning.

What strategies do you use to motivate your students? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments or on social media. We’d love to hear how you bring this element to life in your classroom!

Listen below.

 

Welcome back to The Elements of Great Teaching, where we continue exploring the evidence-based practices of effective teaching. In this fourth episode Adam Kohlbeck and I dive into Dimension 4: Activating Hard Thinking, with a focus on Element 2: Explaining from the Model for Great Teaching this time with a special guest!

Great teaching hinges on the ability to present and communicate ideas clearly and in ways that resonate with students. In this episode, we unpack what it means to deliver concise, engaging explanations that connect new learning to what students already know, making it accessible and meaningful.

Listen below to explore how explaining can transform your teaching and help students engage in deeper, more meaningful learning.

How do you ensure your explanations resonate with your students? Share your tips and reflections in the comments or on social media. We’d love to hear from you!

Welcome back to The Elements of Great Teaching podcast series, where we explore the evidence-informed principles that underpin effective teaching. In this third episode, Adam Kohlbeck and I focus on Dimension 1: Understanding the Content, zeroing in on Element 3: Knowledge of Curriculum Tasks from the Model for Great Teaching.

Teaching isn’t just about delivering content; it’s about delivering the right content in the right way. This episode dives into why understanding the curriculum deeply—and knowing how to connect it with meaningful tasks, assessments, and activities—is key to fostering student learning.

Listen below to Episode 3. Let us know your thoughts on the episode—how do you incorporate this element into your practice? Share your ideas and reflections in the comments or on social media!

Welcome back to The Elements of Great Teaching podcast series, where we unpack the essential elements of effective teaching and explore how they translate into real-world classroom practice. In this second episode, Adam and I delve into Dimension 3: Maximising Opportunity to Learn, with a focus on Element 1: Managing Time and Resources from the Model for Great Teaching.

Efficient time and resource management in the classroom might not always be the first thing that comes to mind when we think of great teaching, but it’s a critical foundation for student success. Teachers who skilfully manage their time and resources ensure that every moment in the classroom counts, maximising both productivity and learning outcomes. In this episode we discuss the practical strategies that teachers can use to optimise time, reduce wasted moments, and create a structured environment that supports learning.

Listen below to start maximising opportunities to learn in your classroom.

 

We’re excited to bring you the first episode of The Elements of Great Teaching podcast series. In each episode alongside Adam Kohlbeck we break down the elements of the Model for Great Teaching, from a learner’s perspective sharing insights and real-world applications to enhance classroom practice.

In this inaugural episode, Adam and I dive into Dimension 1: Understanding the Content, specifically focusing on Element 4: Knowledge of Student Thinking. We discuss why understanding students’ thought processes—their strategies, common misconceptions, and typical sticking points—is crucial for effective teaching. This knowledge helps teachers anticipate where students might struggle and enables them to provide more tailored support, leading to a deeper and more lasting grasp of the content.

By better understanding student thinking, educators can create learning experiences that resonate, ensuring students aren’t just memorising but truly comprehending the material.

Listen below to hear how mastering this element can transform your teaching and help students build a strong foundation for future learning.

Are you passionate about helping teachers grow and flourish? Are you rethinking your school’s performance management process to create a greater positive impact on both educators and learners? Recently, Professors Rob Coe and Stuart Kime, hosted an insightful ‘lampside chat’ webinar on this critical topic in schools.

In this webinar, they covered:

Understanding the Term:

• What exactly is ‘performance management’ in the school context?
• Find out research suggests about its impact on teachers and students.

Implementing Fair and Effective Systems:

• How can schools develop motivating performance management systems that align with regulation, are fair and constructive, and genuinely support teachers’ growth?
• Reflect on cost-effective ways of providing meaningful feedback to teachers.

 

The podcast version of this webinar is available below.

In this episode, EBE’s Director of Education, Stuart Kime hears from Helen and Mat from CoachED about the work they’ve done in their own school to help colleagues flourish in within the classroom and without.

From constructing a bespoke programme to thinking more widely about supporting colleagues other schools, Helen and Mat talk about their drive to place wellbeing at the heart of their work, and their enthusiasm for it is palpable!

If you’d like to contact Helen and Mat, you can contact them on [email protected].

Listen to the podcast below.

 

 

How can you facilitate school improvement at scale and across a Multi Academy Trust?

In this webinar, which is also available as a podcast, hosted by Professor Stuart Kime, we hear from a panel of Trust leaders who are:

• Facilitating school improvement across their Trusts
• Growing their Trusts in line with the DFE’s Trust Quality Descriptors
• Identifying strengths and measuring improvement across their Trusts

Thank you to Julie Deville (CEO of Extol Trust), Kirsty McMurdo (Head of Teaching and Learning at Wonder Learning Partnership) and Embrace Multi Academy Trust for joining our panel!

If you would like to discuss how you can facilitate school improvement across your Trust with the Great Teaching Toolkit, please contact us here!

The podcast version of this webinar is available below.

Professors Rob Coe and Stuart Kime, on the 11th of March, discussed the concepts of “routine expertise” and “adaptive expertise” in a webinar. This webinar, which is also available as a podcast, examined the essence of expertise in education and beyond, providing invaluable insights for educators working in any context.

Rob and Stuart discussed:

• Understanding what distinguishes routine expertise from adaptive expertise, and why both are crucial in different contexts.
• The implications of these concepts for professional development and classroom practice.

Professors Coe and Kime have years of research and practical experience between them. This is a rare opportunity to hear them in conversation, and to understand more about the nuances of expertise in teaching, and how to develop more of it!

The podcast version of this webinar is available below.

Kate Jones, Senior Associate for Teaching and Learning, interviews Science teacher, co-founder of Carousel Learn and author Adam Boxer about retrieval practice in the classroom. Understanding the role of memory in the learning process is essential for all educators. It is important for those planning and designing lessons to be aware of the limitations of working memory and recognise how regular retrieval practice can strengthen long-term memory. Retrieval practice involves recalling already-learned information from long-term memory to make that learned information easier and quicker to retrieve in the future. In this episode: Adam Boxer explains why teachers should carefully consider the language used when discussing retrieval practice in the classroom, providing all learners with retrieval opportunities. Kate asks Adam how teachers can provide retrieval opportunities, other than a ‘Do Now’ or quizzing starter task. Adam explores the importance of regular retrieval practice and how retrieval opportunities can be promoted throughout a lesson and for homework. Adam talks about how Carousel Learning was developed and explains all the different features and tools the platform can provide for teachers. You can found out more about Carousel Learn here. Retrieval practice in the primary classroom is also explored. Finally, Kate and Adam explain the importance of explaining effective (and ineffective learning strategies) to students. To enhance your use of retrieval practice you can access the Science of Learning Programme, as part of the Great Teaching Toolkit and download the eBook Retrieval Practice: Myths, Mutations and Mistakes. All of our podcasts can be found in our podcast archive, and we have a host of free eBooks, videos and webinars for you in our Resource Library.