They Behave For Me
Episodes
Why are teachers still putting up displays? With Grainne Hallahan
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we are joined by Teacher Tapp's Grainne to explore her favourite facts:How has teacher workload changed over time?Should heads of year ...
Should we ban merits and reward points? Question time!
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's question time, Adam and Amy deal with:How to motivated the unmotivated How does CPD work in your schoolsIs providing colleagues wit...
Can AI give teachers quality feedback? With Raj Chande
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Raj is a teacher and researcher working on teacher expertise. In this episode, he tries to convince a skeptical Adam and Amy that AI might have a role...
Should every removal result in a restorative conversation? Question Time!
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy get in a little tiff about English teaching, and take questions from the listeners on behaviour, oracy, retrieval, resto...
What does it mean to be a school leader in 2026? With Matt Evans
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by one of the most experienced and respected school leaders out there. Matt has a lot to say about leadership...
Is it ever too soon to remove a student? Question Time!
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy take questions from the listeners, including how early is too early to remove a student, circulating, managing your boss...
How do I have an effective lesson start if I go from classroom to classroom? Question Time!
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy take questions from the listeners on a range of topics: AI and safeguarding, questioning, lesson starts and behaviour su...
What are the quickest wins in improving teaching? With Craig Barton
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Adam is joined by the GOAT and OG of education podcasts: Craig Barton. In a wide ranging interview, they discuss Craig's experiences vi...
What have we got wrong about behaviour? With Tom Bennett
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by behaviour czar, Tom Bennett, to talk behaviour, research and more. Tune in and share.
Does anyone still care about curriculum? With Jon Hutchinson
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week Adam and Amy are joined by friend of the show, Jon Hutchinson and they discuss his role at reach and on the curriculum assesment review. The...
What do you get if you cross a startup with a turnaround? With guest Liz English
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Liz is the principal of the Houstone School, a fascinating and probably unique case of being both a startup and a turnaround. Liz is extremely impress...
What is formative assessment, and why should anybody care? With professor Dylan Wiliam
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Amy and Adam are joined by assessment maestro Dylan Wiliam. Dylan’s voice has been a mainstay of educational discourse for decades, and t...
What can educational statistics tell us about the classroom and policy? With Natasha Plaister
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by Natasha Plaister, a statistician at the FFT Education Datalab. They discuss all sorts of nerdy things like...
Are we educating Yorkshire?
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy discuss their thoughts on Channel 4’s Educating Yorkshire. They try to pay tribute to the teachers involved whilst a...
What's the key to unlocking teacher development? With Adam Robbins
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by leadership maestro, Adam Robbins. They discuss the tensions between middle and senior leadership, and expl...
Should one student with one phone mean you fail OFSTED?
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Adam and Amy discuss the Conservatives' latest suggestions around school phone policy, the difference and take a listener question on the differen...
How can you build consistent routines in a badly setup classroom?
09 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A shorter episode as Adam has some stuff going on. Him and Amy discuss how to manage behaviour in a classroom that is not setup to best support learni...
What's going on with recruitment and retention? With Jack Worth
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Adam flies solo but is joined by recruitment and retention expert Jack Worth. They nerd out on market forces and how demographic effec...
Why do Jewish schools need security? Adam opens up about antisemitism
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In light of the horrific attack at a synagogue in Manchester, Adam gives a 2000 year history of antisemitism, and explores how it has applied in Engla...
Are knowledge organisers worth it, and how to observe and be observed
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Question time! In this episode, Adam and Amy take questions from the listeners on a range of things, including knowledge organisers and lesson observa...
Is behaviour better in primaries or secondaries? With Grainne Hallahan
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by guest (co-host?) Grainne to discuss all things data in schools. Is behaviour better in primaries or second...
What do teachers actually need to know about assessment? With Becky Allen
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by Becky Allen, co-founder of TeacherTapp. There's a lot on the agenda, including assessment, curriculum,...
What's the deal with booklets, and do they need to have the school's branding on them?
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Amy and her co-host as they take questions from the listeners on a range of subjects, including whether booklets need to have school branding and...
What three things from cognitive science should every teacher know? With Dr Carl Hendrick
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Adam and Amy are joined by the fantastic Carl Hendrick to discuss retrieval practice, whether we should teach kids about the reasons we are teaching t...
Did Nick Gibb get it right?
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Adam and Amy chat to Nick Gibb about his new book, the impact of his time in the department of education, and whether schools like Michaela are replic...
What is genericism, and why is it so important? With Christine Councsell
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Christine is one of the leading voices in education discourse, and has been at the heart of the curriculum revolution in schools and at Ousted .Tune i...
Can Amy and Bill Wilkinson explain the SEN crisis to Adam?
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Adam and Amy are joined by Bill Wikinson who, after a varied career across education, has just spent his first year as SENco. They discuss the life of...
How to observe non-subject-specialists and what can a lead practitioner do?
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Amy and Adam take more questions from listeners, looking at the role of the lead practitioner, school inductions and a terrifying example of negative ...
Is oracy a fad, and how do we actually improve behaviour?
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy take questions from the audience, covering topics as diverse as oracy, concrete behaviour strategies, getting promotions...
What have the unions ever done for us?
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Amy and Adam are joined by Neil Butler. Neil has dedicated his life to teachers' workload and conditions as a veteran activist fo...
Is safeguarding training enough, and how to provide instructional coaching if someone's already a great teacher?
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Adam and Amy take listener questions around safeguarding training, instructional coaching and even more!
How do I get students to work quietly?
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy take questions from the listeners on participation, engagement, CPD and behaviour management.
Should we ditch exam results day and what is dialogic teaching?
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy look at government plans to potentially scrap exam results day, how study leave varies across the sector and Robin Alexa...
Why is CPD broken, and what can be done to fix it?
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy delve into the launch of Carousel's new CPD offering, Carousel Teaching. They also take another look at Adolescence ...
What's in the curriculum review so far?
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by Jonathan Simons from Public First to talk all things education policy, with a particular focus on the Curr...
How does the teacher experience compare between the UK and US, and more with Grainne Hallahan from Teacher Tapp
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Adam and Amy are joined by Grainne to explore more data from Teacher Tapp. How do schools in the UK and US compare according to those who work there, ...
Should we show Adolescence in schools?
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy take questions from the listeners and discuss Keir Starmer's backing of Netflix's plans to have Adolescence scre...
How can lessons from the school system be helpful in prisons?
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Adam and Amy are joined by Natasha Porter from UnlockedGrads. Loosely based on TeachFirst, Unlocked aims to break the cycle of prisone...
What is evidence based practice? With special guest Alex Quigley
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Alan and Amy are joined by one of the biggest names in evidence based education: Alex Quigley. Tune in for discussions about how teac...
Mobile phones, private schools, and the need for long term memory strategies
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy go over a couple of recent news stories about private schools and children's access to mobile phones and the internet. T...
Are there too many education books, and should we dress up for world book day?
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Adam and Amy breach the topic of World Book Day. Dreaded by some, celebrated by others, to what extent is it a force for good in promo...
How do I ask for more pay, and what's the best way to run line management meetings?
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Question Time, Adam and Amy take questions from the listeners, covering behaviour, pay related progression, line management and lon...
Why don't schools improve? With Dr James Mannion
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by James Mannion in order to explore his new book and all things school improvement. Helping schools to get b...
Have Ofsted big listened to teachers?
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gráinne's back! Here to unpack more great data from Teacher Tapp. We explore what teachers really think about what would make an adequate Ofsted ...
Is bad behaviour my fault, and how to recruit and be recruited
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy give TONS of awesome advice for teachers looking for new jobs and schools looking to recruit. Not to be missed, whatever...
Everyone's Ill
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Due to illness They Behave For Me takes an unplanned break, back next week!
What's Labour's massive education bill going to change?
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy sit down with John Dickens, editor of Schools Week, to discuss the potential ramifications of Labour's new education bil...
What's your teaching new year's resolution and should your lessons be fun?
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy go over some potential resolutions that might supercharge your teaching this year. They also spend some time looking at ...
Are we doing safeguarding training wrong?
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy go through questions from the listeners, and open with a corker about safeguarding. Our training always focuses on the l...
Why have complaints and allegations against teachers increased? With special guest Alistair Wood, CEO of Edapt.
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy welcome Alastair Wood , CEO of Edapt to the show. Alastair has a wealth of knowledge on all things employment, and walks...
How are Ofsted managing to make things even worse?
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With Ofsted leaking documents about their new report card proposals, Adam and Amy debate Ofsted, Progress 8, colour blindness, and discovery based lea...
Why is everything broken, and how do we fix it? With special guest Sam Freedman
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy interview Sam Freedman, one of the finest political commentators around. Sam takes Adam and Amy on a journey through edu...
I think my school is getting things wrong. What should I do?
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Adam and Amy as they dive into the most common question they get, which is around what to do if your school is trying to get you to so something ...
Should we ditch Shakespeare?
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy delve into the English curriculum and look at whether the calls to ditch Shakespeare in favour of more modern texts are ...
What does one of the country's leading CEOs have to say about curriculum, attendance, and more?
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Adam and Amy interview Stuart Lock, CEO of Advantage Schools. Stuart discusses all things education and the conversation spans curricu...
Exploring the Legacy of Tim Brighouse
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Amy is away so Adam is joined by Adam Robbins, David Cameron (not that one) and Professor Mick Waters to discuss their new book exploring the legacy o...
Should it be illegal to use a phone on school grounds?
18 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy dive into a recent move by a Labour MP to toughen the rules around children accessing mobile phones and addictive conten...
Do teachers need to stop moaning?
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Adam and Amy discuss whether or not teaching is still a good carrer and answer questions from the listeners, including ones about tracking knowledge o...
What are Ofsted going to do next?
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Amy and Adam revisit Ofsted's Big Listen and explore their proposals. Are their suggestions and next steps corporate wool, or do they...
How do you narrow the disadvantaged gap, and where does job satisfaction come from?
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Adam and Amy answer questions from the listeners, including questions about workplace motivation, and closing the pupil premium gap.
Seven Fishes
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined once again by TeacherTapp's Gráinne doyenne of data. To celebrate Tapp's seventh birthday, Gráinne ...
What are Ofsted planning?
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy give a brief timeline of all the changes that have happened at Ofsted over the last five years or so. They explore Ofste...
Back to school!
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
TBFM is back! Join Adam and Amy as they discuss the ever-widening disadvantaged gaps, lollies being on the curriculum, and how to deal with a colleagu...
Episode 30: How should we reflect on the year, and improve for next year?
19 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the last episode of the year, Adam and Amy look back on the year that was - the things that have gone well and the things that haven’t quite work...
Episode 29: What are the biggest education myths and why are they so pervasive?
12 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy discuss a number of education myths, ranging from learning styles to behaviour as a communication of unmet needs.
Episode 28: I'm not getting better at teaching - what should I do?
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy take questions from the listeners about all things education, training, and whether we should "just give them a pen...
Episode 27: Should we be scared of Labour's education manifesto?
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy continue in their deep dive into the Labour manifesto on education. Tune in for discussions of child poverty, the benefi...
Episode 26: Have our schools improved in the last 14 years?
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by the astonishingly knowledgeable Sir Jon Coles, Chief Executive of United Learning. They dissect the last 1...
How can you build a positive culture around observations?
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy are once again joined by the fabulous Grainne from the TeacherTapp team. In the episode, they start by discussing observ...
Episode 24: Why does CPD suck, and who wants to do National Service?
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy explore CPD and why it's normally a bit rubbish. They also look at the Conservative plans to introduce National Serv...
Episode 23: The legendary Paul Kirschner is in the house!
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this interview, Adam and Amy get to talk to one of their educational heroes: cognitive scientist Paul Kirschner. Join them as they discuss foundati...
Episode 22: do we care too much about students' haircuts?
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy discuss our obsession with student presentation and if it's worth caring about. They also take questions from the au...
Episode 21: What can we learn from the best schools in New York?
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by the legend that is Jon Hutchinson. Join them to discuss Jon's recent trip to the land of the brave whe...
Episode 20: What can schools to do combat societal disadvantage?
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by Charley from Sutton Trust to look at an extremely serious issue: the under-representation of pupil premium...
Episode 19: What the hell is going on with behaviour?
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy are joined by Teacher Tapp superstar Grainne Hallahan to discuss all things tattoos, behaviour and more. Tune in and sha...
Episode 18: Do children naturally want to learn?
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy dive into a mini-controversy surrounding some things that were or weren't said at a researchED conference last week....
Episode 17: Should I apply to be a head of department?
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy take questions from the listeners: should we use clipboards when teaching? Should I apply to be a head of department or ...
Episode 16: What are parents saying about attendance?
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy start by discussing Martin Lewis and financial education, move on to looking at the national outlook for pay and finish ...
Episode 15: What should you do if your school sucks?
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy discuss dysfunctional schools and how teachers should respond to all the mad things they are supposed to do. They also l...
Episode 14: Why you should ban phones in schools
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy discuss mobile phone usage in teenagers and take a deep dive into the evidence around changing social norms and behaviou...
Ep 13: Top tips for job applications, and how to use YOUR VOICE
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy give their top tips for writing covering statements, getting more experience in advance of applications and how to handl...
Episode 12: What's going on with behaviour and how do you feel about brushing children's teeth?
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy start by looking at Labour's proposal to introduce teeth brushing to primary schools, and then move on to some very ...
Episode 11: What's going on at Michaela Community School?
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy open with a discussion around behaviour policies and the importance of holding the line. They then spend some time discu...
Episode 10: Should teachers put their qualifications on the door?
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and a lergy-stricken Amy play the education version of shoot/shag/marry and debate student aspirations and whether teachers shou...
Episode 9: Moments matter - how do we fix the attendance crisis?
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Adam and Amy start by talking about traditional and progressive education, and what those terms have come to mean over tim...
Episode 8: How do you get INSET to work?
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Adam and Amy return for their first episode of 2024. They discuss why INSET days are normally rubbish, Ofsted's postponement of inspections and &q...
Episode 7: Should poorly behaved students represent the school at sport?
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In our last episode before Christmas, Adam recounts a horrifying tale of being made to talk to a stranger on public transport, and Amy offers some nua...
Episode 6: Amanda Spielman, Ofsted accountability and learning walks
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy begin by reacting to the coroner's report into the death of Headteacher Ruth Perry and discuss what should happen ne...
Episode 5: Workload Tennis
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In addition to the usual japes, in this episode Adam and Amy play "workload tennis", in which they have to alternately set out a concrete an...
Episode 4: Active listening, and looking after your head
24 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy discuss how to get all students *really* listening in class, and what to do when you are asked to not direct questions a...
Episode 3: Nick Gibb's education legacy
17 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With long-standing Schools Minister Nick Gibb announcing that he will not be running for office again, join Adam and Amy as they rake over his policy ...
Episode 2 - Difficult parents, Educating Essex and the Social Contract
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy look at how things have changed post-covid. Is attendance getting worse? Is behaviour getting worse? Are parents getting...
Episode 1 - Wilshaw, curriculum and having high standards
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Adam and Amy take a deep dive into Michael Wilshaw's recent comments at the education select committee, and relive the observatio...