The Impact Podcast

Episode 235: Estyn’s 10 year record 10.06.2026 41m

Estyn is the final arbitrator of self-evaluation and quality in Wales’s schools, especially at primary level. But how much influence does the inspectorate have on outcomes, and is the inspection process working? In this episode, Fin delves into Estyn’s record over the last decade. Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSPRE-ORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Episode 234: Why isn’t the disadvantage gap closing in Wales? 03.06.2026 51m

The disadvantage gap in education is persistent and deeply damaging to educational outcomes. In this episode, Finola asks: Why is the gap not closing in Wales?Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSPRE-ORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Episode 233: Executive Functions, with Mitch Weathers and Sarah Oberle 20.05.2026 35m

Fin is joined by Organized Binder creator Mitch Weathers and first grade teacher Sarah Oberle to discuss their new book - Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom. To order their book, visit:Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start: https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/executive-functions-for-every-k-3-classroom/book298245https://amzn.to/3PyGtcASocial media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSPRE-ORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Special episode: Wales’s new education minister 14.05.2026 14m

Wales has a new Cabinet Minister for Education - Anna Brychan. In this bonus episode, Fin looks at Ms Brychan’s record in education and the challenges she faces in her new role. Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSPRE-ORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Episode 232: Post-election fallout - what happens now? 13.05.2026 51m

After the Senedd election Wales has a new government led by Plaid Cymru. But what will this mean for education policy? Fin is joined by Tom Breeze from the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to discuss the post-election fallout. Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSPRE-ORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Episode 231: All about forgetting 06.05.2026 37m

It’s frustrating when your pupils have forgotten what you’ve taught them - but actually, forgetting is an essential part of the learning process. Fin explains why forgetting is not a villain, but a superhero. Podcasts mentioned in this episode:Episode 142: All About Cognitive Loadhttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-impact-podcast/id1510281754?i=1000641932388Episode 223: Reading; Why Wales Failshttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-impact-podcast/id1510281754?i=1000749196574Episode 228: Is Estyn Expert or Novice?https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-impact-podcast/id1510281754?i=1000757196514Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSPRE-ORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Episode 230: Are your pupils paying attention? 29.04.2026 27m

Getting pupils to pay attention in class is difficult, but it seems attention spans are getting shorter. In this episode, Fin explains the problem and what you can do about it. Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Senedd election special episode 7: The debrief 22.04.2026 1h 5m

With the Senedd elections taking place in May, the Impact Podcast has teamed up with the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to interview candidates from the six main political parties about their education policies. In this final episode, Fin and Tom are joined by Dr Gareth Evans of UWTSD to discuss and dissect the policies shared by the candidates.PRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson and Tom BreezeProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Episode 229: Quality assuring assessment, with St Richard Gwyn 15.04.2026 29m

Impact Wales has worked with senior staff at St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School on quality assuring assessment. In this episode, Fin speaks to assistant head teachers Matt Davies and Louise Walsh about the impact the work has made. Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Senedd election special episode 6: Reform UK 26.03.2026 26m

With the Senedd elections taking place in May, the Impact Podcast has teamed up with the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to interview candidates from the six main political parties about their education policies. In this episode, we explain how we attempted to speak to a Reform UK candidate. PRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson, Jane Miller and Tom BreezeProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Episode 228: Is Estyn expert or novice? 25.03.2026 48m

This podcast is all about Estyn - is the inspectorate actually making a difference to education in Wales? Fin looks at the evidence. Read Fin’s recent blogs about Estyn here:Part 1 - https://www.impact.wales/news/why-estyn-isnt-helping-schools-in-wales-to-improve-part-1/Part 2 - https://www.impact.wales/news/why-estyn-isnt-helping-schools-in-wales-to-improve-part-2/Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Senedd election special episode 5: Plaid Cymru 24.03.2026 23m

With the Senedd elections taking place in May, the Impact Podcast has teamed up with the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to interview candidates from the six main political parties about their education policies. In this episode, we speak to Cefin Campbell of Plaid Cymru. PRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson, Jane Miller and Tom BreezeProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Senedd election special episode 4: Welsh Liberal Democrats 23.03.2026 18m

With the Senedd elections taking place in May, the Impact Podcast has teamed up with the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to interview candidates from the six main political parties about their education policies. In this episode, we speak to Jane Dodds of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. PRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson, Jane Miller and Tom BreezeProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Senedd election special episode 3: Welsh Labour 19.03.2026 26m

With the Senedd elections taking place in May, the Impact Podcast has teamed up with the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to interview candidates from the six main political parties about their education policies. In this episode, we speak to Lynne Neagle of Welsh Labour. PRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson, Jane Miller and Tom BreezeProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Episode 227: Why pupils don’t act on feedback 18.03.2026 24m

Feedback is one of the most common requests for support we receive from schools. Teachers often ask: “How can we make sure pupils really act on feedback?” In this episode, Fin explains how. Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Senedd election special episode 2: Wales Green Party 17.03.2026 18m

With the Senedd elections taking place in May, the Impact Podcast has teamed up with the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to interview candidates from the six main political parties about their education policies. In this episode, we speak to Angela Karadog of the Wales Green Party. PRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson, Jane Miller and Tom BreezeProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Senedd election special episode 1: Welsh Conservatives 16.03.2026 24m

With the Senedd elections taking place in May, the Impact Podcast has teamed up with the Emma and Tom Talk Teaching podcast to interview candidates from the six main political parties about their education policies. In this episode, we speak to Natasha Asghar of the Welsh Conservatives. PRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson, Jane Miller and Tom BreezeProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Episode 226: What happens when a school rethinks learning 11.03.2026 26m

Fin speaks to special guest Pam Potter, a teacher at Neyland Community School. Together they discuss what happens when a school rethinks learning.Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Episode 225: Two schools’ improvement journeys 04.03.2026 33m

Fin discusses the work Impact has done with two very different schools - Neyland Primary in Wales and Hyndland Secondary in Scotland - and the impact it has had on teaching and learning.Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Episode 224: Self evaluation - a tool that works 25.02.2026 30m

Delving into the details of the annual report by Estyn’s Chief Inspector, Fin explains why self-evaluation is critical to improving teaching and learning. Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur