Fraction of a Teacher

Episode 17: Assessment is the Start of Something

Assessment is more than marks, grades, and data drops. In this episode of Fraction of a Teacher, Jen and Francis unpack how assessment can actually shape learning rather than simply measure it. From mini whiteboards and exit tickets to QLAs, self marking, and revision strategies, we explore the difference between confidence and competence, the role of low stakes assessment in reducing maths anxiety, and why feedback should lead to action rather than just sit in a book in purple pen. Jen also shares insights from her Solent Maths Hub metacognition inquiry, including how “No Hiding Exit Tickets” helped students attempt more GCSE questions and develop greater ownership over their learning. This episode is a reflective conversation about assessment, metacognition, motivation, and helping students become resilient learners both inside and beyond the maths classroom.

Episode 16: The Pressure of Wanting to Be a Good Teacher

In this solo episode of Fraction of a Teacher, Jen reflects honestly on the pressure teachers place on themselves to be “good” at the job. Not just surviving the day or meeting the teaching standards, but genuinely making a difference to the students in front of them. From the constant feedback of the PGCE year to the quieter internal pressure of ECT life, this episode explores the emotional weight of teaching, the fear of getting things wrong, and the reality that one difficult lesson can sometimes feel deeply personal. Jen discusses perfectionism, observations, social media comparisons, behaviour, reflective practice, and the challenge of separating mistakes from identity. She also reflects on what students actually remember about their teachers and why relationships, consistency, care and reflection may matter more than perfection. This episode is an honest conversation about teaching, self-doubt, growth, and the invisible pressure many teachers quietly carry. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing enough, this one is for you.

Episode 15: From the City to the Classroom: What Teacher Training Doesn’t Tell You

In this episode of Fraction of a Teacher, Jen and Francis are joined by Peter, who shares his journey from a 40-year career in the City into education through Now Teach. Together, they explore what career changing into teaching really looks like, from the shock of stepping into the classroom to the reality of training routes, lesson planning, mentoring and finding your feet in a completely new profession. Peter reflects honestly on the parts of teaching he found most challenging, the importance of support, and why good mentoring can make such a difference. Along the way, the conversation opens up into wider reflections on classroom culture, how teachers develop their own style, and what it really means to be “the teacher” in the room. If you are thinking about career changing into teaching, are currently in training, or just want an honest conversation about the reality of learning to teach, this one is for you.

Episode 14: Can One Lesson Work for 30 Different Learners?

In this episode of Fraction of a Teacher, Jen and Francis explore Teacher Standard 5: how to adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils. From dyslexia and processing time to confidence, stretch, scaffolding and classroom culture, they reflect on what adaptive teaching actually looks like in a real classroom. Through honest examples from their own practice, they discuss how teachers can support pupils as individuals without feeling like they have to create thirty different lessons. A conversation about knowing your pupils, making thoughtful adjustments, and building classrooms where every learner can access success.

Episode 13: Contacting Home: Partnership Over Panic

In this episode of Fraction of a Teacher, Jen and Francis dive into one of the most important (and often most daunting) parts of the job: contacting home. We start with a reflective question: How would you like a parent to describe you as they walk away from parents’ evening? From there, we explore how our approach to parent communication has evolved from PGCE training to ECT life and why so much of the real work happens before parents’ evening even arrives. You’ll hear practical ideas for: * Making your first contact home positive and proactive * Avoiding “surprise” concerns at parents’ evening * Choosing the right method (phone call vs email vs postcard) * Using simple tracking systems to communicate with evidence, not emotion * Building partnership with parents and carers to support behaviour, progress and confidence If you’re a PGCE trainee, ECT, or just finding parent communication overwhelming this one’s for you.