Welcome back! Today we're talking all about Early Years education and will be giving you tips on topics from play-based learning to language support. Your host for this episode is Jemma Joakim, Head of Early Years and Primary Curriculum at Cambridge. She is speaking to two special guests about their experiences of teaching the Cambridge Early Years programme. Aisha El-Sayed is KG Principal at English Modern School, Qatar, and Aiah Elghobashy is a Teaching and Learning Coordinator, also at Englis...
Jul 02, 2025•29 min•Season 6Ep. 52
Today, we're talking about inclusive education - what is it? What are the benefits of it as a teaching approach? And what are the misconceptions? Our host for this episode is Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by Lilian Dogiama, Head of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, and Lauren Woods, Assessment Accessibility Advisor – both from the International Education group here at Cambridge. Show notes: Cambridge Getting Started with Inclusive Education guide - https://c...
Apr 01, 2025•19 min•Season 6Ep. 51
In this episode we hear from teachers around the world about their perceptions on artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. Are they more excited or sceptical? And where do they think it can provide the most value to teaching and learning? Our host for this episode is our very own Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by two special guests. Rachel Logan, School Liaison & Insight Manager, and Andrew Field, Senior Education Manager, both from the Insight, Ideation & ...
Mar 25, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 50
In this episode we explore online schools, taking a closer look at the benefits, the challenges and the students who flourish there. Our host for this episode is producer of the podcast, Adam Steele. He is joined by Louis Bone, Online Schools Development Manager at Cambridge, and Catriona Olsen, Executive Head Teacher of the online school, King's InterHigh. Show notes: kingsinterhigh.co.uk Global Online Education Market Report by Type, Provider, Technology, Region and Company Analysis - https://...
Nov 25, 2024•46 min•Season 5Ep. 49
Today, we’re going to be taking a closer look at student wellbeing in schools and how you can create a wellbeing framework for your class. Along the way, we also discuss the importance of considering oracy and resilience. We also explore the development of our new primary and lower secondary curriculum and resources. Although the focus of this episode is on primary and lower secondary level, there are tips in here that teachers of all ages can use. Our host for this episode is Tamsin Hart. She i...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 48
Today we're going to be taking a closer look at teaching the climate emergency; we look at what the impact is for the planet and our classrooms. Plus, we introduce you to our climate and sustainability teaching ideas that work alongside books in the our Cambridge Reading Adventures series. Our host for today is Tamsin Hart. She is joned by Cindy Forde and Eddie Rippeth. Cindy is an author, activist and founder of the Earth-led education company, Planetari. Eddie is Head of Primary Publishing, Pr...
Oct 21, 2024•31 min•Season 5Ep. 47
Today, we’re going to be taking a closer look at predicted grades – dispelling misconceptions and giving advice for how your school can create an effective predicted grades policy. Our host is Laura Kahwati, Education Manager for Thought Leadership at Cambridge. She is joined by two special guests. Simon Child is the Head of Assessment Training at the Cambridge Assessment Network and Kevin Ebenezer is Head of Global Recognition at Cambridge. Show notes: An investigation of A Level teachers’ meth...
Sep 18, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 46
In today's episode we are discussing one of the most important stages of a child's development: early years. For this episode, we're joined by Abigail Barnett, Director of Cambridge 3-19 Curriculum, who has overall responsibility of the Cambridge Early Years Programme. We're also joined by Alison Borthwick, International Education Advisor and Cambridge Author. Our host today is Senior Marketing Manager at Cambridge, Rosie Howden. Show notes: Cambridge Early Years curriculum - https://www.cambrid...
Jul 19, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 45
Following on from Ep 43: Introduction to Climate Change, in this episode we look more closely at how teachers, school leaders and learners can nurture sustainability education in their school. Our host for this episode is Head of Thought Leadership at Cambridge, Paul Ellis. He is joined by special guest, Dr Mona Chiriac. Mona is an educational consultant, international lead trainer and online tutor. With over 20 years' experience working in the UK and internationally in various capacities, Mona’...
May 09, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 44
Welcome back to the Brighter Thinking Pod from Cambridge. In today's episode, we're starting to think about climate change education, moreover, what is education's role in tackling the climate crisis ? Our host for this episode is Head of Thought Leadership at Cambridge, Paul Ellis. He is joined by special guest, Chrsitine Özden. Christine is the Global Director for Climate Education at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and is focused on the climate-related contexts, challenges and op...
Mar 27, 2024•16 min•Season 5Ep. 43
In this episode, we discuss a topic that is never far from teachers' lips: technology! From ChatGPT to Wolfram Alpha, we look at how teachers are still the most valuable asset a student has, even in this world of rapidly-advancing technology. Our host for this episode is Commissioning Editor for our maths titles at the Press, Arifah Khan. She is joined by two special guests, Karen Morrison and Nick Hamshaw. Karen is an experienced teacher and teacher-trainer who now works as an author and materi...
Jul 27, 2023•59 min•Season 4Ep. 42
In this episode, we look at mental fluency in maths and how teachers can support their students when preparing for non-calculator questions. Our host for this episode is Commissioning Editor for our maths titles at the Press, Arifah Khan. She is joined by two practising teachers, Jasmine Teo and Nick Asker. Jasmine graduated with a Master of Science, specialising in Mathematics for Educators. She has over two decades of teaching experience, both in public as well as international schools in Sing...
Jul 24, 2023•36 min•Season 4Ep. 41
In this episode, we are discussing project work in maths lessons. What are the benefits? How can you facilitate a successful project-based lesson in maths and what kinds of skills do projects teach? Our host today is Arifah Khan, Commissioning Editor for our Mathematics titles. She is joined by two special guests with ties to NRICH. NRICH is an innovative collaboration between the Faculties of Mathematics and Education at the University of Cambridge which focuses on problem solving and on creati...
Jul 21, 2023•42 min•Season 4Ep. 40
This is a special five part mini-series where we are focusing on how best to eat healthily throughout our lives and encourage other people to do the same. In this fifth and final episode, we discuss what students can learn from elite athletes when preparing for their examinations. Your host for this episode is Paul Ellis – Head of Teaching and Learning Strategy at Cambridge Assessment International Education. Our other regular co-host in this series, Dr Chris McLeod, turns guest for this episode...
Jul 20, 2023•35 min
This is a special five part mini-series where we are focusing on how best to eat healthily throughout our lives and encourage other people to do the same. In this fourth episode, we discuss healthy eating for minoritized ethnic communities. Your hosts are Paul Ellis – Head of Teaching and Learning Strategy at Cambridge Assessment International Education – and Dr Chris McLeod – an academic at Loughborough University, UK, with an expertise in behavioural nutrition and public health. Our special gu...
Jul 13, 2023•34 min
This is a special five part mini-series where we are focusing on how best to eat healthily throughout our lives and encourage other people to do the same. In this third episode, we continue up the ages and look at how best to educate adults when it comes to healthy eating. Your hosts are Paul Ellis - Head of Teaching and Learning Strategy at Cambridge Assessment International Education - and Dr Chris McLeod - an academic at Loughborough University, UK, with an expertise in behavioural nutrition ...
Jul 05, 2023•29 min
This is a special five part mini-series where we are focusing on how best to eat healthily throughout our lives and encourage other people to do the same. In this second episode, we look at understanding how adolescents could eat more healthily. Your hosts are Paul Ellis - Head of Teaching and Learning Strategy at Cambridge Assessment International Education - and Dr Chris McLeod - an academic at Loughborough University, UK, with an expertise in behavioural nutrition and public health. Our speci...
Jun 28, 2023•32 min
This is a special five part mini-series where we are focusing on how best to eat healthily throughout our lives and encourage other people to do the same. In this first episode, we look at how to educate young children and caregivers about healthy eating. Your hosts are Paul Ellis - Head of Teaching and Learning Strategy at Cambridge Assessment International Education - and Dr Chris McLeod - an academic at Loughborough University, UK, with an expertise in behavioural nutrition and public health....
Jun 28, 2023•29 min
Are you looking for some top tips for helping students to build their skills in the Global Perspectives classroom? Then this episode is for you! Our host for this episode is Commissioning Editor for Global Perspectives and Commerce at the Press, Julia Fusi. She is joined by two special guests. Nancy Budler is a teacher at Brighouse High School in Calderdale, UK. She is also a teacher trainer and one of the authors from our upcoming Lower Secondary Global Perspectives series. Claire Payne is a te...
May 25, 2023•21 min•Season 4Ep. 39
We're back for part 2 of Stretch, Support and Challenge in Upper Secondary Science. In this episode, we look at challenging your students who want to take sciences beyond school, as well as the kinds of transferable skills sciences teach for those students who want to take a different path. Our host again is Senior Product Marketing Executive at the Press, Tamsin Hart. She is rejoined by Head of Science, David Martindill. David authors titles from our IGCSE biology and combined and co-ordinated ...
May 18, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 38
Are you a secondary science teacher looking for tips on stretching, supporting and challenging your students? This episode is for you! Today's host is Senior Product Marketing Executive at the Press, Tamsin Hart. She is joined by Head of Science, David Martindill. David authors titles from our IGCSE biology and combined and co-ordinated sciences series. We also welcome Chemistry Teacher, Dr. Steve Owen, author from our IB biology and chemistry series. Show notes Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-o...
May 12, 2023•32 min•Season 4Ep. 37
Welcome back to the Brighter Thinking Pod! In this episode we dive into teaching programming to primary and secondary learners. We believe that learning to code is an important skill for young people in today's world - not just in itself, but with the '21st century skills' that come with it: computational thinking, critical thinking, creativity and much more. Our host for this episode is Commissioning Editor for computing and ICT resources at the Press, Carys Morley. She is joined by Neil Rickus...
May 04, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 36
Welcome to the final part of this 3-part epic on assessment! In part 1 we covered the importance of assessment, how teachers are constantly assessing in the classroom, and the principles of good assessment. In part 2 we looked at how you can set assessments up for success. In this episode, evocatively called ‘Steering a Course in the Sea of Data’, we’ll be digging into types of assessment data and how you can effectively use it. Your host again is Senior Brand Marketing Executive and producer of...
Apr 26, 2023•30 min•Season 4Ep. 35
In this second episode on assessment, we hone in on how to make the most out of assessments and ensure they are achieving what you set out to do. Once again, our host is Senior Brand Marketing Executive from the Press and producer of the Brighter Thinking Pod, Adam Steele. He is re-joined by Simon Child, Head of Assessment Training at the Cambridge Assessment Network, and co-course Director for the Postgraduate Advanced Certificate in Educational Studies: Educational Assessment at the University...
Apr 20, 2023•28 min•Season 4Ep. 34
This is a 3-part episode on everybody's favourite subject: assessment. In this first episode, we discuss the main principles that underpin good quality assessment and the questions you can ask to determine if your assessments have worked. Our host for today is Senior Brand Marketing Executive from the Press and producer of the Brighter Thinking Pod, Adam Steele. He is joined by Simon Child, Head of Assessment Training at the Cambridge Assessment Network, and co-course Director for the Postgradua...
Apr 13, 2023•34 min
This episode is about managing behaviour by developing students' skills of conflict resolution. We discuss what positive peace is and how you can apply the dimensions of peace-keeping, peace-making and peace-building in schools. Our host this week is Senior Brand Marketer at the Press and Producer of the pod, Adam Steele. He is joined by, Professor Hilary Cremin, Peace Education Research Professor at the University of Cambridge. And Hema Mistry, Education Manager in the Teaching and Learning Div...
Apr 11, 2023•31 min•Season 4Ep. 32
What skills do students need to learn in order to flourish in IB sciences? Furthermore, do the courses the teach skills that students need for higher education and the world of work? Your host for this episode is Senior Marketing Executive for science titles at the Press, Tamsin Hart. She is joined by two special guests. Brenda Walpole is an author from our IB Diploma Biology series. Brenda has taught IB for around 25 years at a UK school and she is also a teacher trainer. Andreas Tsokos has tau...
Mar 24, 2023•45 min•Season 4Ep. 31
How do you promote positive learning behaviours inside, and outside, the classroom? Our host for this episode is Laura Kahwati, Education Manager for Thought Leadership at Cambridge Assessment International Education. She is joined by Dr Simon Ellis, a Freelance Educational Consultant who provides training and consultancy support to schools on behaviour for learning. Prior to this, he was a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Canterbury Christ Church University where he taught on the ...
Mar 15, 2023•50 min•Season 4Ep. 30
Welcome back to this two-part episode on neurodiversity. In this second part, we discuss strategies for making schools and societies more inclusive spaces. Our host again for this episode is Head of Teaching & Learning Strategy at Cambridge Assessment International Education, Paul Ellis. He is rejoined by our two special guests. Professor Amanda Kirby is a neurodiversity campaigner, medical doctor, academic, researcher, and entrepreneur. She is the CEO of a fast-expanding tech and health/edu...
Mar 13, 2023•41 min•Season 4Ep. 29
In this two-part episode, we look at neurodiversity, inclusive education and how teachers can help all students to flourish in the classroom. In this first part, we define inclusive education and neurodiversity, and discuss their importance when considering your class. Our host for this episode is Head of Teaching & Learning Strategy at Cambridge Assessment International Education, Paul Ellis. He is joined by two very special guests. Professor Amanda Kirby is a neurodiversity campaigner, med...
Mar 12, 2023•43 min•Season 4Ep. 28
