Episode description

In today’s podcast Matt and Femi discuss two main topics which are 'setting', and 'de-escalation'.

In both cases the points raised should be of interest to colleagues from all subjects.

In the long-overdue chat on setting the duo touch on streaming vs mixed attainment; some reasons why different approaches might be more or less suited to different contexts; Why year 7 is not ‘the start’; sink groups; setting by ability not behaviour; tackling attitudes and historic mindsets around streaming; set changes; managing setting as a HOD and supporting teachers with issues around set changes.

On de-escalation they share some of the skilful and less skilful approaches that they have seen, discern attributes of skilful de-escalation; avoiding conflict; being clear in your mind about what outcome you actually want and how that influences your response; and how we can learn from the masters, amongst other topics.