IOE Insights

Tessa Blair (East London Teaching School Hub) tells us how mentors can support the development of positive orientations to learning.She tells Mark and Elaine how a professional culture tied to learning and mentorship can make a big difference in the lives of early career teachers (ECTs).Tessa explains that mentors can help foster an inclusive and encouraging culture for ECTs, guiding them through the process of learning to teach. Mentors can model a process of reflection and self-evaluation so "ECTs can really see how to think like a teacher.""Teachers need the time, space and encouragement to articulate and critically examine the processes of learning to teach – mentors are the best place to do that."Full show notes: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2025/nov/learning-teaching-why-mindset-matters-and-what-means-mentors-staffroom-s06e02

How do you support the next generation of creative leaders?Explore how East London’s creative ecosystem nurtures talent after the 2012 Olympics.Host Liza Fletcher and guests dissect bridging gaps between institutions and grassroots organisations, affordable spaces, and youth entrepreneurship in the Olympic Boroughs. With a focus on growth, representation, and accessibility, this episode challenges the creative industries to rethink who gets to lead, and why. Full show notes: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2025/nov/empowering-creative-talent

A holistic view of how phonics, writing, reading and language come together to make a child truly literate.Dominic Wyse and Charlotte Hacking tell Mark and Elaine about the "double helix" of reading and writing, an approach that combines phonics teaching with engaging reading and writing activities.They chat about the importance of creating a balance – between fostering a child's early love for reading, and supporting children's ability to read through technical elements like phonics.Full show notes: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2025/nov/bringing-balance-reading-wars-debate-staffroom-s06e01

Ruby Williams was told her hair was too big for school - and she refused to accept it. In this episode, Ruby and her mother Kate speak with Alison Wiggins about the emotional and legal journey that followed. Their story is a call to action for educators and institutions to do better.Full show notes and links: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2025/oct/fight-protect-black-hair-schools-lets-talk-about-anti-black-racism

In this episode, we hear about the cultural landscape within the Olympic boroughs, and the evolution that has occurred in the wake of the 2012 Olympics.Our panel of speakers share their insights on the opportunities and challenges of reaching under-represented audiences through initiatives such as education, screenings, exhibitions, and workshops.They talk about their success stories in engaging with new audiences and their plans for future initiatives to enhance the benefits of cultural engagement for all.Full show notes: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2025/sep/unearthing-creative-pulse-our-east-london-olympic-boroughs