Dilemmas in the Classroom: How to Balance Inclusion and Individual Needs
Release Date: 03/04/2026
“You matter here”: What helps teachers feel valued at work.
Psychology in the Classroom
...with Dr Ben Looker Teachers can spend all day surrounded by people and still feel professionally isolated. In this episode Dr Ben Looker, from the University of Worcester, explains why informal peer relationships matter—and how his study of 334 teachers led to a new theory: the “Relational Dynamics of Mattering.” He distinguishes feeling that you matter from simply belonging, and explores how trust, recognition, staff culture and even the spaces teachers share shape their relationships. The conversation also reveals how a toxic workplace can push teachers to consider leaving the...
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Addressing the Mental Health Crisis in Schools: Challenges, Solutions, and the Road Ahead
Psychology in the Classroom
…With Amy Sayer Amy Sayer is a mental health and neurodiversity consultant and former secondary school senior leader. This episode discusses the growing mental health crisis among young people, highlighting challenges in accessing CAMHS support, with only 36% of referrals receiving help. Amy emphasises schools' critical role in supporting student wellbeing, advocating for both a meaningful mental health curriculum and a positive whole-school culture. Amy also addresses staff wellbeing, inclusivity for neurodivergent students, and funding gaps. The conversation centres on her book, How to...
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Exploring the Complex Role of Emotions in Student Motivation, Performance, and Well-Being
Psychology in the Classroom
…with Professor Reinhard Pekrun In this episode, Professor Reinhard Pekrun discusses the critical role emotions play in academic settings. Drawing on his Control-Value Theory, he explains how emotions influence students' learning, motivation, and well-being. Pekrun challenges the oversimplified view that positive emotions always help and negative ones always hinder learning, emphasising context and intensity as key factors. He also highlights teachers' emotional impact on students and outlines six instructional strategies to foster positive emotional experiences. The episode concludes with...
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What Is Test Anxiety and How Can We Help Students Overcome It?
Psychology in the Classroom
...with Professor David Putwain In this episode, Professor David Putwain, from Liverpool John Moores University, shares his expertise and insights into test anxiety. Drawing on over 23 years of research, David explains the distinction between stress and anxiety, debunks the myth that moderate anxiety improves performance, and estimates that up to 20% of secondary students are significantly affected. He discusses how the UK's high-stakes exam culture amplifies pressure and outlines practical, evidence-based strategies to support students, including breathing techniques and...
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Why school exams don't prepare you for University (and that’s Okay!)
Psychology in the Classroom
...with Dr Jonathan Firth In this episode Jonathon Firth, a Principal Teaching Fellow at the University of Strathclyde and former secondary psychology teacher, discusses the major academic transition students face when moving from secondary school to higher education. Jonathon shares critical insights into why top-performing school students often experience an academic "shock" at university, the shift from exam-focused criteria to self-directed, original analysis, and the unique disadvantages faced by first-generation students lacking "cultural capital" . The conversation explores...
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The Power of Professional Dialogue: Turning Lesson Observations into Meaningful Conversations for Growth
Psychology in the Classroom
...with Angela Myers In this episode, Angela, an educator with 60 years of experience spanning primary, secondary, further and community education shares her thoughts on classroom observations. Having held roles from classroom teacher through to Deputy Principal at Solihull College, Angela brings a remarkable depth of knowledge to one of the most talked-about — and often dreaded — aspects of teaching: the lesson observation. Whether you're a classroom teacher who feels a knot in your stomach every time someone walks through your door with a clipboard, a middle leader tasked with observing...
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Gender Identity Decoded: How Biology and Society Shape Who We Are
Psychology in the Classroom
...with Dr Diana Sorrentino In this episode, Dr. D, an expert on gender diversity and transgender identities with over 40 years of experience, explores gender identity's neurobiological foundations, social influences, and evolving terminology. Dr. D shares her personal journey, explains foetal development and intersex variations, and discusses support strategies for transgender youth. She highlights the critical role of family acceptance, outlines age-appropriate medical guidelines, and emphasises that gender diversity is a natural, biological phenomenon. The episode encourages educators to...
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Changing the Narrative Around Neurodivergence in Schools
Psychology in the Classroom
With Prof Edmund Sonuga Barke and Dr. Susie Chandler. This episode marks the end of the series of podcasts on the RE-STAR project. In this final episode we discuss the four-and-a-half-year research initiative supporting neurodivergent adolescents with ADHD and autism. The discussion covers how the project shifted focus from internal emotion dysregulation to the school environment's role in mental health, introducing the concept of "emotional burden." Key findings include the importance of teacher understanding, consistent accommodations, and moving away from deficit-based language. The...
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How Do Habits Shape Students’ Use of Effective Learning Strategies?
Psychology in the Classroom
...with Ann-Kathrin Krause In this episode, Ann-Katrin Krause, a PhD student in educational psychology at the Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education in Frankfurt, discusses her research on the role of habits in students' learning strategy use, exploring why students often default to ineffective strategies like rereading despite knowing better alternatives exist. The conversation covers how environmental cues trigger habitual behaviours, the distinction between automaticity and effectiveness, and practical strategies like habit stacking and if-then planning. Ann-Katrin also...
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How Can Positive Psychology Transform Wellbeing in Secondary Schools?
Psychology in the Classroom
...with Hannah Brownhill To kick off the summer term, Hannah Brownhill, a positive psychology practitioner and former secondary teacher shares her insights into embedding wellbeing in to schools through positive psychology. Following her Churchill Fellowship research in Australia, Hannah shares how schools can move beyond "wellbeing as an add-on" to create a culture of genuine flourishing. This episode explores the PERMA framework, the power of character strengths, and the systemic shifts needed in UK education. Hannah also offers practical, classroom-ready strategies for teachers, alongside...
info_outline...with Dr Tracy Edwards
In this episode, Tracy Edwards, senior lecturer at Leeds Beckett University and author of Severe and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties in Schools, explores the ethical and practical dilemmas teachers face when supporting learners with complex needs. Drawing on her experience in both mainstream and special education, Tracy discusses inclusion, differentiation, and the importance of reflective, learner-centred practice. She highlights the value of embracing difference, fostering choice, and maintaining high aspirations for all pupils. This insightful conversation offers practical guidance and reassurance for secondary teachers navigating the challenges of inclusive education in UK schools.
Useful Links:
Severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties in school: considering ethical and dilemma-based perspectives by Tracy Edwards: https://www.routledge.com/Severe-Profound-and-Multiple-Learning-Difficulties-in-School-Considering-Ethical-and-Dilemma-Based-Perspectives/Edwards/p/book/9781032888750
Beyond the 'Dilemma of difference': an analysis of stories from expereinced teachers about their inclusive practice: https://bera-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/berj.4129
Simmons, B. (2021) 'How special are mainstream schools? Reflections on social spaces for children with profound and multiple learning difficulties.' : https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/14531/
BBC Articles on the topics mentioned in the podcast:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpr0xwx9e7jo
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2r8y0v6l7o
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjw0e3zjx2lo
Bullet point summary:
- Special and inclusive education challenges for teachers.
- Dilemmas faced by educators working with learners with complex special educational needs.
- Inclusion versus exclusion in educational settings.
- Ethical considerations in teaching and decision-making.
- The role of special schools compared to mainstream schools.
- Importance of "craft knowledge" in navigating educational dilemmas.
- The impact of systemic failures on students with special needs.
- The significance of choice and flexible differentiation in pedagogy.
- The relationship between classroom practices and student engagement.
- The need for ongoing reflection and ethical engagement in inclusive education.