Mixed-age classes can work brilliantly — but what happens when change is driven by necessity rather than vision?

Re-release: Originally aired on 13 Feb 2026

Anne Brass and Kate Gingles join us to discuss the complexities schools face with mixed-age classes, from establishing a clear guiding purpose to navigating structural change with limited guidance available.

Episode Links

• Order our New Guide to Mixed-Age Classes
• Discover more from Education Durham
• Download the Free School Leader Reflection Tool on Mixed-Age Classes
• Find out more about the Education Durham Mixed Phase Magic guidance books

What can visual art experiences really unlock for young children — and how do you make the most of them in practice?

Re-release: Originally aired on 27 Mar 2026

Dr Gai Lindsay joins us to explore the rich learning opportunities that visual art experiences offer young children, with practical guidance for teachers and practitioners on bringing creativity to life in their settings.

Episode Links

• Explore Dr Gai Lindsay's website
• Order a copy of her book on Amazon
• Discover Early Excellence resources to facilitate creativity

Lucy Fox from Stoke Primary School in Coventry joins us for this week’s episode, as we explore the impact of screen-free practice in the EYFS.

Episode Links

• Read the Blog: Block Play Alongside Small World Resources
• Read the Blog: Navigating the Sea of Talk - why language-rich environments go beyond labels and key words
• Explore language-rich environment resources on the Inspiration Hub App

What does it look like when a whole city gets behind children's communication and language?

Re-release: Originally aired on 17 Apr 2026

Rachel Shearer and Martin Cumming join us to explore Early Talk for York — a citywide initiative aimed at closing the communication and language gap in young children, and what it takes to make that kind of joined-up approach work.

Episode Links

• Explore the Early Talk for York Initiative
• Read about Developing Language in the Early Years
• Discover our Communication and Language CPD

Role play is our focus this week as we welcome Becky Hoare to the podcast. Becky is a Primary Teacher and the Founder of Pop Up Play Village Ltd. We discuss children’s natural desire to role play what they see in the world around them. There is lots of key advice here too for developing effective and inspiring domestic role play in your setting.

Episode Links

• Read the Blog "Exploring Powerful Learning Through Home Corner Role Play"
• Explore Complete Home Corner Role Play Area Resources
• Find out more about Pop Up Play Village Ltd

We’re joined on the podcast this week by Ed Finch, a Headteacher with a passion for storytelling. We have a great chat about our natural desire to tell stories and the impact of this on our lives. We also explore how storytelling provides wonderfully engaging learning opportunities for our youngest children.

Episode Links

• Read the Blog - Unlocking the Power of Block Play in the EYFS
• Listen to this Episode "Why Children Need Joy with Ben Kingston-Hughes"

Play isn't a luxury — so why does it keep getting pushed to the margins?

Re-release: Originally aired on 20 Feb 2026

Eugene Minogue, Interim Executive Director at Play England, joins us to discuss why play matters so much for children's development, the barriers standing in its way, and what a genuine cultural shift around play would look like.

Episode Links

• Explore Play England's Official Website
• Listen to our Episode with Ruth Lue-Quee

Dixie-Louise Dexter joins us for this week’s episode as we explore effective transition processes and the value of slowing down the pace.

Episode Links

• Explore our Transition to Year 1 Blog
• Discover our EYFS CPD & Training Programme
• Transform your Learning Environment