Episode overview

Chris and Emma kick off a three‑part series exploring the building blocks of spelling, starting with orthography—how children learn what “looks right” in written English.  

Chris shares the roots of his love for language, why English spelling is so complex and how phonics, pattern‑spotting and automaticity shape confident writers.  

They unpack spelling across EYFS to KS2, touch on Ofsted’s expectations and offer practical ways teachers can support children without overwhelming them. 

Get in touch: theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk

Episode overview
Chris and Emma kick off a three‑part series exploring the building blocks of spelling, starting with orthography&mdash;how children learn what &ldquo;looks right&rdquo; in written English.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Chris shares the roots of his love for language, why English spelling is so complex and how phonics, pattern‑spotting and automaticity shape confident writers.&nbsp;&nbsp;
They unpack spelling across EYFS to KS2, touch on Ofsted&rsquo;s expectations and offer practical ways teachers can support children without overwhelming them.&nbsp;
Get in touch: <a href="mailto:theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk">theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk</a>

Welcome!

This is a space for everyone working in primary education. Whether you're in the classroom, leading a school, or supporting learning this is your place to hear real, honest and relatable conversations about school life.

Originally hosted by Claire Riley for the first three seasons, Season 4 introduces new hosts Chris and Emma, bringing a fresh energy and plenty of staffroom-style chat.

Created in association with Classroom Secrets and proudly sponsored by them, the podcast is backed by research-informed, ready-to-use lesson content that supports adaptive teaching—helping you save time and focus on what matters most.

Grab a brew, pop your headphones in, and join us for a chat!

Welcome!
This is a space for everyone working in primary education. Whether you're in the classroom, leading a school, or supporting learning this is your place to hear real, honest and relatable conversations about school life.
Originally hosted by Claire Riley for the first three seasons, Season 4 introduces new hosts Chris and Emma, bringing a fresh energy and plenty of staffroom-style chat.
Created in association with Classroom Secrets and proudly sponsored by them, the podcast is backed by research-informed, ready-to-use lesson content that supports adaptive teaching&mdash;helping you save time and focus on what matters most.
Grab a brew, pop your headphones in, and join us for a chat!

The Teachers' Podcast

Orthography

In this episode of the Teachers Podcast, Chris and Emma dive into phase one phonics—the playful sound-focused stage that comes before the more official letters and reading.  

Emma explains how it’s all about listening, rhythm, rhyme, alliteration and oral blending, giving children the foundations for confident reading later on. From environmental sounds to body percussion, voice experiments, and fun games like I-Spy, they explore practical ways to bring phonics to life in nursery and early years classrooms—and even revisit it with older children when needed.  

It’s a happy reminder that phonics is about playing with sounds, building attention, and sparking a love of language. 

Get in touch: theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk 

In this episode of the Teachers Podcast,&nbsp;Chris&nbsp;and Emma dive into&nbsp;phase one phonics&mdash;the playful sound-focused stage that comes before the more official letters and reading.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Emma explains how it&rsquo;s all about listening, rhythm, rhyme, alliteration and oral blending, giving children the foundations for confident reading later on. From environmental sounds to body percussion, voice experiments, and fun games like I-Spy, they explore practical ways to bring phonics to life in nursery and early years classrooms&mdash;and even revisit it with older children when needed.&nbsp;&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s a happy reminder that phonics is about playing with sounds, building attention, and sparking a love of language.&nbsp;
Get in touch: theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk&nbsp;

Phase 1 Phonics

In this episode, Chris and Emma celebrate one of the simplest (and most magical) things teachers do: reading aloud to your class. No guided reading, no assessments—just you, a book and your pupils, sharing stories together.  

They chat about why it’s so powerful for building vocabulary, imagination and classroom community, how to make the time for it, choosing books that children actually love and leaning into the joy of storytelling with voices, gestures and pauses.  

Packed with practical tips and teacher anecdotes, this episode is a reminder that reading aloud isn’t an extra—it’s a core classroom experience worth protecting. 

Get in touch: theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk 

In this episode, Chris and Emma celebrate one of the simplest (and most magical) things teachers do:&nbsp;reading aloud to your class. No guided reading, no assessments&mdash;just you, a&nbsp;book&nbsp;and your pupils, sharing stories together.&nbsp;&nbsp;
They chat about why it&rsquo;s so powerful for building vocabulary, imagination and classroom community, how to make the time for it, choosing books that children actually love and leaning into the joy of storytelling with voices, gestures and pauses.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Packed with practical tips and teacher anecdotes, this episode is a reminder that reading aloud isn&rsquo;t an extra&mdash;it&rsquo;s a core classroom experience worth protecting.&nbsp;
Get in touch:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk">theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk</a>&nbsp;

Reading to Your Class

In this episode, Chris and Emma are discussing sustainability and what this looks like in primary schools. 

They break down what sustainability actually means, share real classroom ideas you can try straight away and swap plenty of relatable stories along the way.  

From simple swaps and clever classroom hacks to the bigger challenges schools face, this episode is packed with practical tips, a few laughs and just enough inspiration to help you take that first small step towards a greener classroom.  

Get in touch: theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk  

In this episode,&nbsp;Chris and Emma&nbsp;are discussing&nbsp;sustainability and what this looks like in primary schools.&nbsp;
They break down what sustainability actually means, share real classroom ideas you can try straight away and swap plenty of relatable stories along the way.&nbsp;&nbsp;
From simple swaps and clever classroom hacks to the bigger challenges schools face, this episode is packed with practical tips, a few laughs and just enough inspiration to help you take that first small step towards a greener classroom.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Get in touch: <a href="mailto:theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk">theteacherspodcast@classroomsecrets.co.uk</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Orthography

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The Teachers' Podcast

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