The Renaissance Space Podcast

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 a...

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...

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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 n...

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 ...

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 passio...

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 learn...

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 lear...

Cathy has spent all her career in primary teaching starting work in central London.  Having taught in several culturally diverse schools, Cathy moved to West Sussex and in 1990 became headteacher at Edward Bryant School in Bognor Regis.  She trained and worked as an Ofsted Inspector and lead Edward Bryant to attain an ‘outstanding’ rating in 2010. Cathy has also worked in other schools in partnership with the local authority as a s...

Kay Tinsley is an English teacher and the Director of Teaching and Learning at TKAT (The Kemnal Academies Trust). Before joining TKAT she worked in a variety of different contexts, many deprived, to secure school improvement. Kay has over 27 years of experience in teaching and educational leadership and is currently researching for her PhD in Education at Sussex University, focused on the reading and teaching of poetry in schools. ...

Join this conversation with Natalie Fountain, Regional Education Director for the WISE Academies Trust. This Multi-Academy Trust serves schools in the Northeast of England and comprises 13 primary schools, including one SEND primary school. Across the trust, there have been many great examples of rapid school improvement where senior leaders, staff, parents and local communities have worked collaboratively to inspire success and ex...

As James D'Souza steps into his 20th year as an educator, his story takes on a new chapter richly embroidered with data. He holds the role of Lead Practitioner and serves as the Head of Psychology, with a history of leading Sixth Form education. He strongly believes in empowering fellow teachers to kindle and sustain their passion for profoundly impacting their students.

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Join this conversation with Ben McGarry, Director of English for the OGAT primary academies, as he shares his experiences pitching and developing their trust-wide reading strategy and curriculum. This consistent approach across the academies allows them to pilot impactful and innovative activities which not only support student learning, but also build engagement in reading – and don’t just take their word for it, Ofsted thinks so ...

Jeffrey Boakye is an author, broadcaster and educator with a particular interest in issues surrounding race, masculinity, education and popular culture. 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.

Jeffrey’...

Margaret Allen speaks to researcher Dr Sarah McGeown discuss the challenges of finding motivation for some children to be enthusiastic about reading and what to expect from readers of every ability. Sarah is at The University of Edinburgh as a Senior Lecturer in Development Psychology, and Deputy Director of Research, Knowledge Exchange and Impact.

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Bec Richardson is an experienced Primary School teacher at Irchester Primary School – part of  Nene Valley Partnership Trust – 3 primary schools and one secondary.  Her many roles include leading Key Stage 2 and reading across the school, and within her Trust leads on writing and presentation.  At County level she is a lead moderator.

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For our World Book Day special episode of the Renaissance Space Podcast, we speak to secondary school Librarian Sharan Kaur who explains how World Book Day is celebrated at her school.

Sharan also discusses how the Complete Literacy Solution from Renaissance including solutions such as Accelerated Reader, Star Reading and myON play an integral role in boosting reading confidence and enjoyment amongst all students so that c...

Alison Tarrant is the Chief Executive of the School Library Association and is Co-Chair of the Great School Libraries campaign. A school librarian before-hand, she set up a library in a new school, and was on the middle management team and held roles as Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator and a form tutor. She was on the Honour List for the SLA School Librarian of the Year in 2016. 

The School Library Association is a charity...

Schoolsworks a MAT of eight primary schools have been using Star Assessments for about 7 years and now use the data to support key teaching and learning decisions across the Trust.   

With over 35 years experience in Primary schools, Karen Bolland has a role which ensures that schools are exploiting their data.  Her one day a week equivalent role means that she is able to ensure teachers, Senior Leaders and the children ar...