Edu Insights

From Crisis to Quest: Rethinking Teacher Recruitment with Professor Rob Klassen

Why are we still trying to solve a 21st-century teacher recruitment crisis with 20th-century solutions? In this episode, Professor Rob Klassen from the University of Oxford argues that the problem isn't just structural - it's psychological. Young people don't choose teaching because they don't really know what teaching is. And the tools we use to tell them about it aren't working. Rob shares the thinking behind TeachQuest - a persuasive game designed to give undergraduates an immersive, honest simulation of life in the classroom. The conversation covers motivational matching, the illusion of choice in game design, and why the feedback loop matters as much as the experience itself. Episode Links Professor Rob Klassen Robert Klassen - Department of Education [https://www.education.ox.ac.uk/person/robert-klassen/] TeachQuest project page, University of Oxford, Department of Education Gamifying teacher recruitment: TeachQuest - Department of Education [https://www.education.ox.ac.uk/project/gamifying-teacher-recruitment-teachquest/] Full Tilt by Dervla Murphy - Rob's book recommendation Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle by Dervla Murphy | Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/163921.Full_Tilt]

Early Childhood Education: Access, Quality and Equity with Dr James Hall

Dr James Hall, Associate Professor of Psychology of Education at the University of Southampton and Deputy Director of the UK National Centre for Research Methods,. In this conversation, James takes us through his academic journey, unpacks the terminology around early childhood education and care, discusses the state of the nation in terms of early years provision, and why the Heckmann curve has had lasting influence. James also explores why the distinction between structural quality (ratios, qualifications, environment) and process quality (the human-to-human interactions that really matter) is so critical to understanding what good provision actually looks like. James makes a compelling case that the research world has been telling two separate stories around early childhood education and missing something fundamental as a result and how a different methodological approach he has pioneered - using existing data and existing statistical tools - could bring these narratives together to change our understanding of how policymakers decide where to invest. Guest bio Dr James Hall is Associate Professor of Psychology of Education at Southampton Education School, University of Southampton, and Deputy Director of the UK National Centre for Research Methods. He leads the Quantitative Methods in Education group, and his research focuses on improving life chances for children through better understanding of Early Childhood Education. James's current research aims to integrate two previously separate bodies of literature to produce a fuller, more policy-relevant picture of what early childhood education can achieve. Ruth Luzmore is a Research Fellow and Lecturer at Southampton Education School, University of Southampton. A former school leader, her work focuses on educational leadership, ideas-engagement in society at large, and how schools can navigate evidence-informed practice in high-stakes cultures. Ruth continues to work closely with school leaders through governance and mentoring roles. Follow Ruth on X @RLuzmore [https://x.com/RLuzmore] or LinkedIn [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ruthluzmore] This podcast is produced by Southampton Education School. Follow us on LinkedIn

Success in SEMH Education with Dr Nigel Matthias

What does genuine inclusion look like in practice? Dr Nigel Matthias, Headteacher of Kings Academy Lord Wilson, takes us inside a specialist SEMH school that's redefining what's possible for students with social, emotional, and mental health needs. After 20 years in mainstream education, Nige made the leap to specialist provision and discovered a different way of working. In 2025, his school achieved top 1% GCSE outcomes, with 55% of students achieving grade 4 or above in English and maths - a remarkable achievement in a sector where the average is just 2%. But academic success is just one part of the story. Nige shares how his team built an innovative curriculum even creating a professional esports suite. He explains the thinking behind 'unmissable days' designed to boost attendance and the importance of regulation-focused environments. We also explore the complexities of the SEND system: the challenges of post-16 transitions, why resource provision within mainstream isn't always the answer, and the financial pressures facing special schools. Nige offers a thoughtful critique of how success is measured in specialist settings and makes a compelling case for why special schools deserve more prominence in curriculum reform discussions. This is a conversation about ambition, relationships and what it really takes to remove barriers for students who've struggled elsewhere. Episode Links Kings Academy Lord Wilson - King's Academy Lord Wilson [https://kgalordwilson.uk/] ‘Why some pupils are better off in speciality provision’ [https://www.tes.com/magazine/author/dr-nigel-matthias] TES article by Nige The Stanley Parable [https://www.stanleyparable.com/] – game recommended by Nige Bios Dr Nigel Matthias is Headteacher of King's Academy Lord Wilson, a special school for boys with SEMH. The school's GCSE outcomes are in the top 1% nationally for special schools (FFT Attainment 5). In 2025 Nigel was shortlisted for TES Specialist School Headteacher of the Year. He has led three schools (two mainstream, one special) to their record-highest examination outcomes as both a Headteacher and Raising Standards Leader. Nigel's doctoral research at the University of Southampton was concerned with student experience in a policy context, and he is passionate about preparing students for the world of work. In December 2025 he became a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching (FCCT) and in January 2026 he became a Visiting Fellow at the University of Southampton. Connect with Nige on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-nigel-matthias-49a313141/] Ruth Luzmore is a Research Fellow and Lecturer at Southampton Education School, University of Southampton. A former school leader, her work focuses on educational leadership, ideas-engagement in society at large, and how schools can navigate evidence-informed practice in high-stakes cultures. Ruth continues to work closely with school leaders through governance and mentoring roles Follow Ruth on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthluzmore/] This podcast is produced by Southampton Education School Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/southampton-education-school/posts/?feedView=all]

‘I am’ Digital Stories: Strength-Based Inclusion and Autistic Voices with Prof Sarah Parsons

How do we truly hear the voices of young autistic children? Professor Sarah Parsons shares the story behind 'I Am' Digital Stories, that places autistic children and young people at the centre of conversations about their education and support. Sarah explains how these videos transform transitions and allow practitioners to meet the young person authentically through their own voices, interests, and strategies for success. The conversation also explores the power of research-practice partnerships, where questions emerge from practice. We also touch on current challenges in education, including the particularly concerning rates of school non-attendance among autistic girls, and why relationship-building and truly understanding individual young people remains at the heart of meaningful support. Sarah Parsons is Professor of Autism and Inclusion in Southampton Education School at the University of Southampton, UK. Sarah’s work is participatory and inclusive with an emphasis on knowledge co-construction between research and practice. Sarah co-directs the Autism Community Research Network @ Southampton [ACoRNS] [https://acorns-soton.org.uk/] with Professor Hanna Kovshoff, which is a neurodiverse research-practice partnership between the University, education providers, and related organisations. Ruth Luzmore is a Research Fellow and Lecturer at Southampton Education School, University of Southampton. A former school leader, her work focuses on educational leadership, ideas-engagement in society at large, and how schools can navigate evidence-informed practice in high-stakes cultures. Ruth continues to work closely with school leaders through governance and mentoring roles Follow Ruth on X @RLuzmore [https://x.com/RLuzmore] or LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthluzmore/] ‘I am’ Digital Stories Giving autistic children a voice – the power of ‘I am’ Digital Stories | University of Southampton [https://www.southampton.ac.uk/research/highlights/giving-autistic-children-a-voice-the-power-of-i-am-digital-stories] ‘I am Lil’: Enabling Autistic Voices in Transitions from School to Adult Life through the Co-Creation of a Digital Story - Asha Ward, Sarah Parsons, Hanna Kovshoff, 2024 [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13607804231186856] This podcast is produced by Southampton Education School Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/southampton-education-school/posts/?feedView=all]

Supporting Neurodivergent Beginner Teachers: Digital Stories for Successful Placements with Kate Freeth and Lucy Hoyes

School placements are a key moment in teacher training, but they can be particularly challenging for some neurodivergent beginner teachers. Kate Freeth and Lucy Hoyes share their project using digital stories to help neurodivergent beginner teachers, and by extension, all beginner teachers, have more successful placements in schools on their PGCE. Lucy Hoyes is the Co-Director of Initial Teacher Education, where she works closely with the mathematics PGCE and champions inclusive practice, with a big focus on supporting beginning teachers’ wellbeing and confidence. She loves helping new teachers find their feet and feel at home in the teaching profession. Connect with Lucy here on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-hoyes-381394185/] A Secondary English Teacher by trade, Kate Freeth has worked at Southampton University for 21 years. She has had various roles during this time, but all have centred around Initial Teacher Education, SEND and integration between theory and practice in one way or another! Connect with Kate on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-freeth-324577247/] Ruth Luzmore is a Research Fellow and Lecturer at Southampton Education School. A former school leader, her work focuses on educational leadership, ideas-engagement in society at large, and how schools can navigate evidence-informed practice in high-stakes cultures. Ruth continues to work closely with school leaders through governance and mentoring roles. Connect with Ruth here on X @Rluzmore [https://x.com/RLuzmore] or LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthluzmore/] This podcast is produced by Southampton Education School [https://www.linkedin.com/company/southampton-education-school/posts/?feedView=all]