Advertise on podcast: National Association for Primary Education

Jamie Moseley-Sarsfield is the Deputy Head Academic at Fairfield Prep School, part of the Loughborough Schools Foundation. He focuses on enhancing pupil experience and academic engagement, recently leading initiatives such as adapting IAPS pupil voice surveys for younger years and implementing STEAM-based enterprise education. https://lborofairfield.org Full details of NAPE activities at https://nape.org.uk Download digital copies of the Primary First Journal https://national-association-for-primary-education-shop.fourthwall.com https://www.educationonfire.com

Boundless Outdoors is a Worcestershire-based outdoor learning provider with centres in Malvern and Bell Heath, supporting schools, groups and young people through residentials, activity days, DofE, STEM programmes and tailored outdoor learning experiences. A key part of Boundless Outdoors’ work is helping schools create inclusive, confidence-building experiences for all pupils, including those with SEND or additional needs. The team works closely with each school to understand its pupils, adapt activities as needed, and shape packages around the group’s needs, abilities, and learning outcomes. With woodland settings, accessible facilities, experienced staff and a nurturing approach, Boundless Outdoors helps pupils build confidence, teamwork, communication, resilience and self-esteem in a safe, supportive environment. Safety is always a first priority, with an AALS licence and quality marks including Adventuremark, LOtC and AHOEC Gold. https://boundlessoutdoors.co.uk Full details of NAPE activities at https://nape.org.uk Download digital copies of the Primary First Journal https://national-association-for-primary-education-shop.fourthwall.com https://www.educationonfire.com

Joshua Davidson is the creator and co‑founder of Night Zookeeper, an award-winning online learning program that helps children aged 6–12 fall in love with reading, writing, and creativity through games and storytelling. He’s also the author of the Night Zookeeper Adventure book series, which follows Night Zookeeper Will into the magical Night Zoo filled with fantastical creatures dreamed up by children. Josh is passionate about giving kids the confidence to see themselves as writers and creators, and he speaks regularly about the power of play, stories, and co‑created worlds in education. Get a 7 day FREE trial and 50% of a subscription with affiliate code: http://educationonfire.com/nightzookeeper Full details of NAPE activities at https://nape.org.uk Download digital copies of the Primary First Journal https://national-association-for-primary-education-shop.fourthwall.com https://www.educationonfire.com

Trusted by over 6,500 schools worldwide, Jigsaw empowers teachers and helps every child thrive. Fully resourced, evidence-informed, and designed to build confident, resilient learners - together. From small village primaries to large international academies, Jigsaw partner with educators to create consistent, inclusive, values-led cultures where children can thrive. Their programmes don’t just meet statutory requirements, they embed emotional literacy, resilience, and mindfulness into everyday school life. The result? Confident teachers, engaged learners, and school communities equipped with the skills to grow happier, healthier, and kinder citizens of the future. https://jigsaweducationgroup.com/ https://www.educationonfire.com/

Widgit Symbols are used worldwide to support people to realise their full potential, regardless of age, ability or background. Widgit are a pioneering software company with a passion for symbols-based communication. They empower individuals to express themselves independently through symbols, aiding comprehension and understanding across any environment. They primarily cater to individuals with communication difficulties of all ages, including autistic people, learning disabilities, and speech impairments. Their solutions are designed to support educators, therapists, and caregivers by enhancing inclusive learning environments while promoting meaningful interactions. Widgit Online and InPrint software give users access to our entire symbol language, designed to meet the unique needs of symbol users across a multitude of settings. From flashcards to vocabulary lists to fully symbolised books, our solutions make it easy to personalise a wide range of materials – helping to facilitate communication in the everyday world. https://www.widgit.com/ https://www.educationonfire.com

Today we bring together Prof Dr Ger Graus OBE and Cristian Fabbi, Director of the Fondazione Reggio Children, for a deeply human and intellectually rich conversation about the future of early years education. Ger and Cristian share personal stories and the work of their friend and colleague Carla Rinaldi — one of the world’s most influential educational thinkers. They explore what it truly means to place children at the heart of learning. From the rubble of post-war Italy to classrooms in Soweto, Nairobi, and Napoli, the Reggio Emilia approach has quietly transformed how educators around the world understand childhood, creativity, community, and the very purpose of school. This is a conversation full of warmth, courage, and genuine hope — a reminder that when we believe in children’s potential, extraordinary things happen. https://www.frchildren.org/en https://www.reggiochildren.it/reggio-emilia-approach/ https://www.gergraus.com Get the book – Through a Different Lens: Lessons from a Life in Education https://www.educationonfire.com/

Today we have a brief summary of events happening during the summer of 2026. The National Association for Primary Education has transitioned its professional journal, Primary First, to a digital format, enhancing accessibility.Mark Taylor, the Vice Chair, expresses gratitude to listeners globally, emphasizing the podcast's wide reach beyond the UK.A noteworthy event is the launch of the book 'John Coe : An Enlightened Voice For Primary Education,' celebrating the life of a founding member of NAPE.Upcoming events include the Christian Schiller Lecture, focusing on curriculum curiosity, featuring guest speaker Claire Maloney-Banks.The NAPE conference on Reading coincides with the national year of reading, offering workshops and keynotes related to literacy.Listeners are encouraged to engage with the podcast and participate in upcoming educational events and initiatives. https://nape.org.uk/ https://www.nape.org.uk/the-schiller-lecture-2026 Digital Copies of Primary First Journal and John Coe - An Enlightened Voice for Primary Education https://national-association-for-primary-education-shop.fourthwall.com/en-gbp 27th May - LIVE book launch on YouTube watch at https://www.youtube.com/live/FGy-uPDR8ew?si=HwTYqih5DOhNrxpI Conference for Reading - 8th May https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/105006

Cerys Griffiths is the Head of BBC Bitesize, the BBC's free, online learning resource for students aged 5 to 16, their teachers and parents. Bitesize also aims to support educating the whole child through it's Careers, Study Support and media literacy offer, Other Side of the Story, as well as special educational initiatives like the Bitesize Guide to AI. Takeaways: The BBC Bitesize initiative provides comprehensive educational resources tailored for students aged five to sixteen.The integration of AI into educational frameworks necessitates a strong emphasis on critical thinking skills for students.Research indicates a significant number of teenagers lack awareness regarding effective AI resource utilization and its implications.The Bitesize platform aims to empower students by promoting media literacy and informing them about the risks of misinformation.Teachers play a crucial role in navigating the complexities of AI and misinformation in educational settings.The BBC emphasizes trust and quality in educational content, ensuring all materials are developed with input from educational professionals. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize Instagram: @bbcbitesize Chapters: 00:03 - Introduction to BBC BiteSize05:55 - Navigating the Future: AI and Education09:35 - Navigating AI in Education: Challenges and Opportunities17:46 - Navigating the New Digital Landscape21:22 - Engaging Young Learners Through Innovative Education29:00 - Empowering Young People Through Education National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Primary First Journal: https://national-association-for-primary-education-shop.fourthwall.com/en-gbp 2026 Conference Keynote : Reading for Pleasure – Dr Roger McDonald Workshops focusing on National Year of Reading : Writing, TESOL, Oracy, Drama and Story Telling, Poetry https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/105006 https://www.educationonfire.com

Kirsty Heap is the author of Silent Snow, a picture book without words, designed to help you create your own stories with your children. Each page is filled with beautiful illustrations to spark your imagination, making storytime fun and personal. Whether reading has always felt tricky, or you just want to try something different, Silent Snow gives you the freedom to tell stories your own way. The idea for Silent Snow came from Kirsty’s own experiences as a dyslexic parent. She used to find reading to her children difficult, and when she stumbled over words, she felt like she was letting them down. But instead of giving up, she started making up her own stories based on their lives and the little adventures they had. Bedtime soon became one of their favourite times of the day. https://kirstyheap.com/silentsnow/ https://nape.org.uk/ Find out more about our Primary First Journal - https://national-association-for-primary-education-shop.fourthwall.com/en-gbp

Mashood Ahmad is the CEO and founder of Gigabit IQ, an award-winning UK broadband provider dedicated to delivering safer, smarter, and faster internet through fully managed Wi-Fi and industry-leading online safety tools. A recognised voice in digital inclusion and child online protection, Mashood is a Council Member at ISPA UK and a vocal advocate for stronger ISP accountability in protecting families online. Under Mashood’s leadership, Gigabit IQ has pioneered services like FamilyGuard+, a network-level parental control solution designed to meet the real-world needs of modern families. He has spearheaded initiatives supporting vulnerable communities, including children in care, refugees, and low-income households, through fair access broadband and safety education. Mashood is the author of the white paper “Beyond the Act: The Hidden Layer of Online Harm No One’s Regulating”, which challenges current UK online safety legislation and proposes a new national ISP Safety Rating System, akin to NCAP for cars or Ofsted for schools. A frequent speaker on digital safety, Mashood is leading an Online Safety & ISP Accountability session at the UK Internet Parliament Conference with ISPA, and continues to work with regulators, MPs, and safety groups to shape a safer digital future for all. https://www.gigabitiq.com/ https://parentline.ai/ https://nape.org.uk/ Find out more about our Primary First Journal - https://national-association-for-primary-education-shop.fourthwall.com/en-gbp

Aurora Orchestra’s creative learning programme supports teachers to bring rich musical education and experiences to all children. The Aurora Classroom programme encompasses: digital resources for primary and secondary schoolsflexible cross-curricular resources for SEND settingstraining for teachers from our team of expertsworld-class programme of live activity for children and young people. Music at the heart of your primary school Bring Aurora Orchestra into your classroom using our free music resources, designed for music specialists and generalist teachers alike. Explore our fully planned 10-week units of work or build your own music lessons from our library of hundreds of activities and audio excerpts. Build your own unique SEND programme  Aurora’s inclusive and adaptable resources for children with additional needs enable teachers to build bespoke units of work by selecting activities from a number of learning strands: Live events for schools Aurora Orchestra is a pioneering orchestra that creates concert experiences beyond the ordinary, introducing children to music in an innovative and exciting way. https://www.auroraorchestra.com/ https://nape.org.uk/ Find out more about our Primary First Journal - https://national-association-for-primary-education-shop.fourthwall.com/en-gbp

The AI maths tutor that gets pupils reasoning out loud. Third Space Learning believe an AI tutor should do more than just generate questions and mark answers. What if it could provide scaffolded support according to knowledge gaps, speaking to students and encouraging them to verbalise their reasoning as they go? What if every pupil who needs it could work through maths problems in this way for one fixed low cost? Meet Skye, the low-cost AI maths tutor built by expert maths teachers Skye mimics the behaviours of a pedagogically sound subject matter expert and prompts ensures responses are effective, adaptable, and focused on improving understanding and increasing confidence. Prompts are specified in detail for each slide, and use insights from thousands of maths tutoring sessions to teach concepts effectively, address common misconceptions and ensure Skye adapts the pitch and pace of the session and personalises the instruction to suit each learner. ‘Since 2013, over 4,100 schools have chosen Third Space Learning’s cost-effective one-to-one maths tutoring – giving them more time to focus on whole-class teaching and learning.We’ve used all the online tutoring insights we’ve gained in the last decade to create Skye, an AI maths tutor like no other.’Takeaways: The primary objective of our mission is to make effective tutoring accessible to underprivileged children, thereby assisting in closing the educational attainment gap.Utilizing artificial intelligence for tutoring can provide substantial scaling benefits while maintaining the essential requirements necessary for effective tutoring.Our tutoring programs are designed to be seamlessly integrated into school timetables, enhancing the overall learning experience and reinforcing classroom instruction.We have observed that the interaction between students and AI tutors fosters a low-stakes environment, encouraging children to engage more freely without the fear of judgment.Our approach focuses on high-impact tutoring, which necessitates a proactive and structured interaction rather than reactive responses to student inquiries.The transition from human to AI tutors is grounded in extensive research and data, ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of schools and students effectively. https://thirdspacelearning.com/maths-tutoring/ai-maths-tutor/ https://thirdspacelearning.com/ National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/ Primary First Journal - Get the digital download at: https://national-association-for-primary-education-shop.fourthwall.com

Ben Case is part of the Tapestry education team and a former primary and early years teacher. He works closely with settings to support their use of Tapestry and believes tech is only successful if you bring staff with you. As a teacher Ben regularly presented at TeachMeet Sussex and he now helps to host the Tapestry podcast, writes for education publications, and features in many of the Tapestry training videos to support users. He is keen to share actionable insights and foster a positive, confident approach to using technology effectively in early years settings across the UK. Tapestry’s annual survey had some interesting findings around the use of AI in the early years; engaging with families; and supporting families with ideas for play at home. More info about the survey: https://tapestry.info/tapestry-early-years-education-survey-2025-what-we-learnt/ Tapestry has teamed up with award-winning Playworker Amber – aka Amber Ogunsanya-William – to collaborate on a project championing children’s freedom to play. The animation shares Amber’s story, and highlights provocations for play at home. https://tapestry.info/ https://tapestry.info/let-play-lead-the-day/ National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/

Ger’s professional autobiography, Through a Different Lens – Lessons from a Life in Education, published by Routledge in April 2025. Professor Dr Ger Graus OBE is a renowned figure in the field of education – once described as “Jean-Jacques Rousseau meets Willy Wonka”. He was the first Global Director of Education at KidZania and the founding CEO of the Children’s University. In 2019, Ger became a Visiting Professor at the National Research University in Moscow, Russia. He is also a Professor of Practice at the University of Cumbria, United Kingdom, and a Member of the PhD Advisory Council at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy. Ger is a frequent keynote speaker at some of the world’s leading education conferences. Driven by his famous mantra that “Children can only aspire to what they know exists”, Ger champions the cause of equity, progress, purpose, creativity, and innovation in children’s learning. Born in the Netherlands, Ger moved to the United Kingdom in 1983 where he began his teaching career, later becoming a Senior Inspector, and Education Director. Ger is a member of Bett’s Global Education Council; DIDAC India’s Advisory Board; and Junior Achievement’s Worldwide Global Council. He chairs the Beaconhouse School System’s Advisory Board, Pakistan; advises the Fondazione Reggio Children, Italy; supports a range of education start-ups globally; and was invited to help shape the future of education in Dubai as a member of the Dubai Future Councils. In 2023, he joined the Global Teacher Prize Judging and the World’s Best School Prize Academies as a judge. In 2024, Ger was invited onto the Board of Trustees of the Sharjah Education Academy by Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Ruler of Sharjah. In the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours List Ger was made an Honorary Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to children, and in 2018 he received the Global Education Leadership Award at the World Education Congress, India. In 2022, he was granted the award of Iconic Leader Creating A Better World For All by the Women Economic Forum (WEF) and the following year, Ger was made a Companion of the Harry Volker Genootschap in The Netherlands. https://www.gergraus.com/ Find out how National Association for Primary Education can support you at https://nape.org.uk/

Dr. Mannion shares insights from his recent publication, “Making Change Stick,” where he emphasizes the necessity of engaging educators at all levels in the change process, thereby fostering a collaborative environment that enhances student outcomes. We explore the transformative impact of project-based learning and self-regulated learning on students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, demonstrating how innovative educational practices can yield significant improvements. www.drjamesmannion.com www.makingchangestick.co Full details about National Association for Primary Education https://nape.org.uk/