In this podcast, our Primary Director, Darran Ellison-Lee, explores the way effective questioning can transform teaching and learning and ensure that pupils are getting the best out of every lesson.For more information, to ask any questions o

Primary Podcast: Why Should Leaders Focus on Improving the Quality of Teaching?

May 14th, 2019 14m 4s

In this podcast, our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee discusses why improving the quality of teaching should be a core focus for any primary leader. By investing in training, our teachers develop effective and durable skillsets and outcomes

Primary Podcast: Why we use Rosenshine’s 10 Principles of Instruction

May 3rd, 2019 4m 45s

In the second half of this two-part podcast, Darran Ellison-Lee explains why, as a Group, United Learning has chosen to adopt the Rosenshine principles and how this ‘common language’ is helping to drive continuous improvement across our schools

Primary Podcast: Introducing Rosenshine’s 10 Principles of Instruction

May 2nd, 2019 15m 48s

In the first half of this two-part podcast, our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee is joined by Jancie Garratt-Simpson, Principal of Cravenwood Primary Academy in Manchester, to discuss the Rosenshine Principles of Instruction and how they hav

Education with Character: Our Commitment for our Primary Schools

Mar 27th, 2019 7m 33s

In this podcast, Darran Ellison-Lee, our Director of Primary Education, explains what Education with Character means for our primaries and what value this adds as pupils kick-start their school careers.Education with Character is a core princ

Education with Character: Preparing Students to Thrive Beyond Sixth Form

Feb 15th, 2019 5m 45s

In this podcast, our Deputy Director of Academies, Steve Adcock, talks about the importance of fostering self-confidence in students and helping them to become independent learners in preparation for studying at university. This includes the ty

Education with Character: Sixth Form Destinations

Jan 30th, 2019 12m 28s

In this podcast, our Deputy Director of Academies, Steve Adcock, returns to talk about Sixth Form destinations. This time, he explains how delivering an Education with Character helps our schools ensure that students go on to flourish at univer

Education with Character: Our Six Pillars for Sixth Form

Jan 21st, 2019 6m 12s

In this podcast, Deputy Director of Academies, Steve Adcock, explains our Six Pillar approach to Sixth Form study and how we aim to weave academic learning with vital character development so that students are set up for success. The pillars

Education with Character: United Music Initiatives

Dec 11th, 2018 6m 25s

In this podcast, our Head of Music and Performing Arts, Catherine Barker, explores our programme of performance opportunities and partnerships and how they support our commitment to provide an Education with Character to students. As part of

Education with Character: United Sport Projects and Partnerships

Dec 4th, 2018 11m 32s

In this podcast, our Head of Sport, Shaun Dowling, talks through a range of our sporting projects and partnerships and how they help to deliver an Education with Character, benefiting students and staff alike. This includes developing confide

Education With Character: Arts Examples from our Schools

Nov 29th, 2018 10m 55s

In this podcast, our Head of Music and Performing Arts, Catherine Barker, highlights some excellent examples of Education with Character across the Group and discusses the benefits they are bringing to pupils. This includes the value of indep

Education with Character: PE Examples from our Schools

Nov 20th, 2018 11m 5s

In this podcast, Shaun Dowling, the Group's Head of Sport, describes in more detail how Education with Character is delivered through PE and sport in our schools. From the way team games help develop collaboration, strategy, fair play and res

Education with Character: The Role of Music and Performing Arts

Nov 13th, 2018 7m 38s

In this podcast, United Learning's Head of Music and Performing Arts, Catherine Barker, discusses how our schools embed Education with Character within the arts curriculum.She introduces some of the opportunities and experiences we aim to giv

Education with Character: The Role of PE and School Sport

Oct 9th, 2018 6m 56s

In this podcast, United Learning's Head of Sport Shaun Dowling explores the significant role of PE and school sport in delivering an Education with Character. He also explains the approach of our Group's common PE and sport curriculum and ass

Primary Podcast: What Should Leaders Focus On?

Jul 16th, 2018 9m 18s

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee:In this podcast, we explore five key issues that we believe primary leaders should focus on in order to secure ongoing improvements and maintain strong pupil outc

Primary Podcast: Effective Pupil-Focused Learning in Early Years

Jun 19th, 2018 10m 55s

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee:In this podcast, we look at the importance of pupil-focused learning in the Early Years. From your classroom layout to the role of the adult, we discuss how you c

Primary Podcast: Interlude: Strategies for School Leaders

May 16th, 2018 2m 14s

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee:We briefly focus in on why the last three podcasts – School Development Planning, Lesson Coaching and Win-Win Conversations – are such useful tools for school lea

Primary Podcast: Win-Win Conversations

May 16th, 2018 7m 42s

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee:In this podcast, we explore Win-Win Conversations as a useful technique for facilitating difficult conversations between school colleagues that result in positive

Primary Podcast: Lesson Coaching

May 1st, 2018 12m 41s

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee:In this podcast, we present Lesson Coaching as a better alternative to traditional lesson observations. The practice is more manageable, more regular and more eff

Primary Podcast: School Development Planning

Apr 18th, 2018 10m 23s

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee:In this podcast, we explore how School Development Planning can best be used in primaries to drive continuous improvement, and how this differs from your SEF and

Primary Podcast: An Introduction

Feb 19th, 2018 5m 25s

As we begin our Primary Podcasts, our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee talks through the purpose behind the series. We hope that these will be useful for all primary staff - from NQTs and those looking to begin their career in teaching to se

Primary Podcast: Improving the Quality of Teaching and Learning

Jan 16th, 2018 5m 59s

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee:In this podcast, we explore whole-school strategies for improving the quality of teaching and learning. This includes getting an accurate picture of teaching qual

Primary Podcast: Pupil Talk That Supports Effective Learning

Jan 5th, 2018 10m

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee:In this podcast, we look at the value and impact pupil talk can have on learning, and introduce two techniques which you can implement in any class to support thi

Primary Podcast: Improving Behaviour: Choices

Jan 5th, 2018 6m 55s

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee:In this podcast, we look at how teachers can improve behaviour by giving pupils simple, positive choices, and how this works in classroom practice.For more info

Primary Podcast: Improving Behaviour: Describing Behaviours

Jan 5th, 2018 7m 59s

United Learning's Primary Podcasts with our Primary Director Darran Ellison-Lee:In this podcast, we look at how describing the behaviours you want to see from your pupils - rather than simply reinforcing negative ones - can help to create a c