In this episode, Alex speaks with Rachael Wilding, the visionary founder of Edsidera, about transforming the concept of student awards from mere "extrinsic fluff" into meaningful journeys of skill development. They explore how Edsidera's bespoke extracurricular programs are empowering children with vital life skills, fostering entrepreneurship, promoting wellbeing, and instilling a love for learning that goes far beyond the classroom. Rachael also unveils the exciting "Sunshine Squad" initiative, a unique summer program designed to keep children engaged and supported without adding to school or parental burdens. This conversation delves into the practicalities of creating impactful, non-screen-based learning experiences, the importance of community, and why encouraging children to "always give something a try" is fundamental to their growth.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Awards Reimagined: Certificates and badges should be by-products of a rich learning journey focused on skill development, not the sole aim.
• Holistic Development: Edsidera champions a bespoke approach, embedding life skills, entrepreneurship, sustainability, global citizenship, and wellbeing into its awards.
• Offline Engagement in a Digital World: While evidence can be digital, the core learning activities and challenges are designed to be hands-on and screen-free.
• Embracing Failure: Creating a supportive environment where children feel safe to try new things and learn from failure is crucial for building resilience.
• Flexible Learning: Programs must offer flexibility to accommodate busy family lives, fostering genuine engagement rather than adding pressure.
• Impactful Summer Learning: The "Sunshine Squad" demonstrates how summer holidays can be an enriching period of fun, learning, and wellbeing support for children.
• Power of Collaboration: Genuine collaboration between schools, parents, and educational partners can create "sparkle dust" opportunities for children.
• People First, Always: Despite technological advancements like AI, maintaining a human-centric, people-first approach in education remains paramount.
• Kindness is Key: Cultivating a culture of kindness and making time for personal connections are simple yet powerful actions for everyone in the educational community.
• The Courage to Try: The most important lesson for children is to develop the courage to "always give something a try" and explore new possibilities.

BEST MOMENTS

• "The journey and the opportunity for children to develop skills...is far more the rich reward than a certificate at the end."
• "Although we are an EdTech digital company, our challenges, our tasks, none of them are screen-based."
• "It's about really encouraging children to try new things, to have a go, to know and embrace failure."
• "It is basically having a summer camp, a summer buddy in your back pocket for six weeks." (On the Sunshine Squad)
• "I think collaboration is the key...when it's genuine...you really can get that sparkle dust of an opportunity."
• "We are a people company and I think we always will be."
• "Kindness is absolutely free. It is the easiest quality to have."
• "Always give something a try. Don't be afraid not to have a try."

ABOUT THE GUEST

Rachael Wilding is the founder of Edsidera, an innovative organisation creating bespoke extracurricular awards and programs. With an extensive 27-year background in international education in the UAE, Rachael has served as a teacher, school leader, and principal. Passionate about fostering real-world skills, wellbeing, and a love for learning, she now channels her expertise into developing impactful educational experiences that go beyond traditional academics. Rachael is also a school governor and continues to contribute to strategic educational development, championing a "people-first" approach in all her endeavours.

CONNECT & CONTACT

Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/theinternationalclassroom⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergray84/⁠Website: ⁠https://www.ticproductions.com⁠

In this episode, Alex sits down with renowned education expert Tom Sherrington to explore the often-complex world of educational research and its real-world application in schools. Tom, a veteran teacher, leader, and author of the impactful "Teaching Walkthroughs" series, challenges common assumptions about research implementation, questioning whether our efforts are truly impactful or merely surface-level. They delve into the practical realities teachers face when trying to adopt evidence-based practices, address the notion that research stifles creativity, and offer a grounded perspective on the potential (and limitations) of AI in the classroom. Discover why simply "doing" research isn't enough and how to cultivate a truly research-engaged teaching environment.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Beyond the Buzzwords: It's crucial to move beyond simply knowing the names of research and understand the "why" behind effective strategies.
• Long-Term Commitment: True implementation of research requires a sustained, deep engagement over time, not quick fixes or performative actions.
• Actionable Insights: Research needs to be translated into practical steps that teachers can realistically implement in their daily classroom practice.
• Creativity Thrives with Understanding: A strong grasp of learning principles and effective techniques actually enhances creative teaching, rather than hindering it.
• AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement: While AI holds potential, it's unlikely to replace the essential human elements of teaching and should be viewed as a supportive tool.
• Focus on Foundational Principles: Timeless research, like Rosenshine's Principles, continues to offer valuable insights into effective teaching practices.
• Collective Engagement: Schools see greater progress when research engagement is a shared endeavour, fostering discussion and collaborative implementation.
• Understanding Encoding: Effective retrieval practice hinges on successful initial encoding of information; simply testing what wasn't learned isn't effective.
• Teacher Well-being Matters: Creating a positive and engaging teaching experience for educators is crucial for motivation and student success.
• Manage Behaviour Methodically: Personalizing negative behaviour can be emotionally draining; a consistent and practical approach is more effective.

BEST MOMENTS

• "Are we truly listening to the research that's meant to guide our practice, or are we sometimes just paying it lip service?"
• "Where you find there's a kind of real kind of deep engagement with research, it's a kind of long, deep, slow commitment over time."
• "No, I just don't recognise that at all. I think that's really weird." (Regarding research killing creativity)
• "You have to translate that into things that teachers actually do differently in the classroom."
• "The way people learned in the 70s is the same as it is now." (Regarding the timelessness of some research)
• "It's not like you can get away with not seeing the other things. But it's what your focus is for the improvement journey."
• "Progress... basically it means moving through the curriculum and accumulating knowledge in a deeper, more connected way."

ABOUT THE GUEST

Tom Sherrington: Tom is a highly respected education consultant, speaker, and author based in London, UK. With decades of experience as a teacher and school leader, he is passionate about evidence-informed teaching and learning. He is the co-author of the influential "Teaching Walkthroughs" series, providing practical strategies for classroom improvement. Tom works with schools globally, supporting them in developing effective professional learning and embedding research-based practices to enhance student outcomes.

CONNECT & CONTACT

Instagram: https://instagram.com/theinternationalclassroomLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergray84/Website: https://www.ticproductions.com