Jez Alborough is the author and illustrator of over 45 books for children. His Eddy and the Bear trilogy (which began with the much loved WHERE’S MY TEDDY in 1992) has sold nearly four and a half million copies and was made into a Bafta award-winning animated television special and series.

DUCK IN THE TRUCK (1999) heralded the start of another bestselling series, this time featuring the irrepressible Duck and his three friends – Frog, Goat and Sheep. There are nine books in the Duck series (1.3 million copies sold) including DUCK’S KEY WHERE CAN IT BE? which won the Child magazine Best of the Year Award.

In 2000 Jez created HUG – a powerful and touching book of only three words about a baby chimpanzee called Bobo who loses his Mum. HUG was raved about by Oprah Winfrey on her show when she chose it for her recommended reading list while Richard Curtis (the writer and director of Four Weddings and a Funeral) selected HUG as one of his ‘Best Books’ calling it: ‘classic family drama which holds up well next to Jez’s other masterpieces.’ Bobo went on to star in three more classics; TALL (which along with HUG won the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Book Award), YES and PLAY. The series has sold around 2 million copies. Jez’s other books include SOME DOGS DO (2004) and the NAT THE CAT series (2013).

Takeaways:

• Smiling is a contagious act, capable of spreading joy across vast distances.
• The journey of creativity often begins with a single idea that evolves over time.
• The relationship between an author and a publisher is crucial for a book’s success.
• Illustration and storytelling are intertwined, where images and text complement each other.
• Learning is a continuous process that requires both patience and resilience from the learner.
• Inspiration can strike unexpectedly, leading to the creation of impactful works of art.

Chapters:

• 00:08 – The Ripple Effect of a Smile
• 00:34 – Introduction to the Education on Far Podcast
• 13:21 – The Journey of Creation: From Idea to Publication
• 29:32 – The Intersection of Creativity and Technical Skill
• 44:15 – The Power of Inspiration

https://jezalborough.com/

https://jezalborough.com/numberwondersgame/

Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/

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Kirsty Heap is an executive coach, keynote speaker, and neurodiversity advocate who helps individuals and organisations create environments where people can truly thrive. Drawing on her lived experience of dyslexia, she empowers business owners and leaders to understand their strengths, build confidence, and grow sustainably.

Kirsty is also the author of Silent Snow, a picture book without words, designed to help you create your own stories with your children. Each page is filled with beautiful illustrations to spark your imagination, making storytime fun and personal. Whether reading has always felt tricky, or you just want to try something different, Silent Snow gives you the freedom to tell stories your own way.

The idea for Silent Snow came from Kirsty’s own experiences as a dyslexic parent. She used to find reading to her children difficult, and when she stumbled over words, she felt like she was letting them down. But instead of giving up, she started making up her own stories based on their lives and the little adventures they had. Bedtime soon became one of their favourite times of the day.

Takeaways:

• The podcast emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing the strengths associated with dyslexia, rather than merely focusing on the challenges.
• Kirsty Heap shares her personal journey as a dyslexic parent, highlighting her creative storytelling as a means of connecting with her children.
• There is a significant need for educational systems to adapt and provide personalized learning experiences for neurodivergent students.
• The discussion reveals how the implementation of technology, such as dictation software, can greatly enhance learning outcomes for individuals with dyslexia.
• Kirsty reflects on the profound effect of positive reinforcement and constructive feedback in fostering self-esteem among students with learning differences.
• The episode advocates for greater transparency and openness among educators regarding their own neurodivergent experiences to better support their students.

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Understanding the Weight of Expectations
• 00:18 – Creating Stories from Imagination
• 13:12 – Navigating Dyslexia: Challenges and Strategies in Education
• 26:41 – The Importance of Personalized Learning
• 39:55 – The Impact of Feedback in Coaching and Education

https://kirstyheap.com/

https://kirstyheap.com/silentsnow/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstyheap/

https://www.instagram.com/kirstyheapcoaching/

Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/

Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape

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Mashood Ahmad is the CEO and founder of Gigabit IQ, an award-winning UK broadband provider dedicated to delivering safer, smarter, and faster internet through fully managed Wi-Fi and industry-leading online safety tools. A recognised voice in digital inclusion and child online protection, Mashood is a Council Member at ISPA UK and a vocal advocate for stronger ISP accountability in protecting families online.

Under Mashood’s leadership, Gigabit IQ has pioneered services like FamilyGuard+, a network-level parental control solution designed to meet the real-world needs of modern families. He has spearheaded initiatives supporting vulnerable communities, including children in care, refugees, and low-income households, through fair access broadband and safety education.

Mashood is the author of the white paper “Beyond the Act: The Hidden Layer of Online Harm No One’s Regulating”, which challenges current UK online safety legislation and proposes a new national ISP Safety Rating System, akin to NCAP for cars or Ofsted for schools.

A frequent speaker on digital safety, Mashood is leading an Online Safety & ISP Accountability session at the UK Internet Parliament Conference with ISPA, and continues to work with regulators, MPs, and safety groups to shape a safer digital future for all.

Takeaways:

• The introduction of digital safety measures is akin to implementing seat belts in cars, enhancing Internet safety.
• Gigabit IQ aims to provide parental controls that ensure children access only age-appropriate online content.
• The company’s initiative, Parent Line, offers parents guidance on navigating online safety and concerns.
• Faster Internet speeds necessitate enhanced safety protocols to protect children from harmful online content.
• Gigabit IQ advocates for industry-wide parental controls, empowering parents to safeguard their children online.
• Digital inclusion is essential; broadband should be accessible to all communities, regardless of their location.

Chapters:

• 00:17 – Digital Safety in the Age of the Internet
• 01:41 – The Launch of Parent Line
• 13:47 – Advocating for Online Safety in Broadband Services
• 21:12 – The Importance of Granular Parental Controls
• 28:33 – Digital Inclusion and Accessibility
• 39:24 – Empowering Parents for Online Safety

https://www.gigabitiq.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mashood-ahmad-gigabitiq/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/gigabit-iq

https://www.facebook.com/GigabitIQ

https://www.instagram.com/gigabit_iq/

https://x.com/GigabitIQ

https://www.tiktok.com/@gigabitiq

https://www.youtube.com/@GigabitIQ

https://bsky.app/profile/gigabitiq.bsky.social

https://mastodon.social/@GigabitIQ

https://www.parentline.uk

Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/

Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape

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Aurora Orchestra’s creative learning programme supports teachers to bring rich musical education and experiences to all children. The Aurora Classroom programme encompasses:

• digital resources for primary and secondary schools
• flexible cross-curricular resources for SEND settings
• training for teachers from our team of experts
• world-class programme of live activity for children and young people.

Music at the heart of your primary school

Bring Aurora Orchestra into your classroom using our free music resources, designed for music specialists and generalist teachers alike. Explore our fully planned 10-week units of work or build your own music lessons from our library of hundreds of activities and audio excerpts.

Supporting your teaching at KS3, GCSE and A level

Aurora Classroom for secondary schools focuses on bringing high quality resources, films and audio excerpts together in one place – without the adverts and for free! Explore our teaching support materials for each Key Stage – from an introduction to the orchestra for KS3, to detailed set work resource packs for GCSE and A level music specifications.

Build your own unique SEND programme 

Aurora’s inclusive and adaptable resources for children with additional needs enable teachers to build bespoke units of work by selecting activities from a number of learning strands:

Live events for schools

Aurora Orchestra is a pioneering orchestra that creates concert experiences beyond the ordinary, introducing children to music in an innovative and exciting way.

Takeaways:

• The Aurora Orchestra has made its educational resources completely free to ensure maximum reach and impact.
• The organization emphasizes the importance of integrating music education into the curriculum amidst challenges such as funding and time constraints.
• Aurora Orchestra’s live programs are designed to engage children interactively, allowing them to participate in music through body percussion and singing.
• The orchestra has developed a series of resources called Aurora Classroom, which provides high-quality materials tailored for different educational stages.
• The importance of fostering creativity among teachers, particularly in primary education, is highlighted, as many teachers lack confidence in teaching music.
• Aurora Orchestra aims to expand its touring networks to reach diverse audiences and ensure music education is accessible to all children.

Chapters:

• 00:33 – Innovations in Music Education
• 07:26 – Introducing Aurora Classroom: Resources for Music Education
• 13:20 – The Transformation of Music Education Resources
• 14:31 – Funding Models for Educational Programs
• 23:07 – Breaking Down Barriers in Classical Music
• 31:58 – The Life of a Modern Musician
• 37:07 – The Importance of Music in Education

https://www.auroraorchestra.com/

https://www.instagram.com/auroraorchestra/

https://www.facebook.com/auroraorchestra/

https://www.youtube.com/user/AuroraOrchestra

https://www.tiktok.com/@auroraorchestra

https://bsky.app/profile/auroraorchestra.bsky.social

https://www.auroraorchestra.com/people/jane-mitchell/

Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/

Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape

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Dr. Jennifer Berry doesn’t just talk about STEM—she redefines how student see themselves in it. As a leading voice in inclusive STEM education, Dr. Berry champions a powerful idea: STEM identity is not something students are born with—it’s something they build. As the CEO of SmartLab, she is dedicated to bridging the gap between today’s classrooms and tomorrow’s workforce.

Takeaways:

• Engaging students in hands-on learning experiences fosters both problem-solving skills and resilience in the face of failure.
• The integration of community involvement in educational ecosystems significantly enhances students’ learning experiences and future opportunities.
• STEM identity is developed through numerous ‘aha moments’ that help students connect concepts meaningfully and deepen their understanding.
• Creating customized learning environments is essential for effective project-based learning, catering to diverse student needs and maximizing their potential.
• Students must be encouraged to embrace mistakes as vital learning opportunities that contribute to their growth and adaptability.
• Empowerment and resilience are crucial qualities that educators should foster in students to prepare them for challenges in a rapidly changing world.

Chapters:

• 00:30 – The Importance of Hands-On Learning
• 05:52 – Building STEM Identity Through Aha Moments
• 12:42 – Creating Custom Learning Environments in STEM Education
• 20:00 – Community Involvement in Education
• 28:59 – The Importance of Critical Thinking in an AI-Driven World
• 36:40 – The Importance of a Human-Centered Approach
• 39:46 – The Importance of Resilience and Empowerment in Education

https://www.smartlablearning.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/creative-learning-systems/

Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/

Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape

🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire and get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources you can use to support learning

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