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requires improvement

Podcasts

Podcast by requires improvement

Location:

United Kingdom

Genres:

Podcasts

Description:

Podcast by requires improvement

Twitter:

@requirespod

Language:

English


Episodes

035// How to get Palestine on the agenda in schools, Attendance & Teach First

2/12/2024
Requires Improvement return with a discussion on how to get Palestine on the agenda in schools, with additional topics including the DfE's latest school attendance campaign, and how things appear to be going from bad to worse for the government's favoured entry route into teaching "Teach First". Hosted by Nik alongside co-hosts Anu, Daisy and Lee. Check out the podcast Surviving Society with guest and friend of the show Vik Chechi-Ribeiro https://on.soundcloud.com/rHVEZ

Duration:01:12:39

034//Strike Debrief: Why did members accept 6.5% + what do we do now?

8/12/2023
As the 2022-2023 teacher's pay dispute against the UK government is concluded, the Requires Improvement team offer our reflections on what has been achieved through industrial action, what we need to do better for next time and what the future opportunities could be. We also take a look at Labour's plans for promoting "oracy" in schools alongside concerns regarding rumoured plans by the Department of Education to bring in discriminatory safeguarding regulations for LGBTQIA+ students and what educators can do in response. This episode is hosted by Nik, who is joined by Tom, Lee and Charlie. If you would like to get in touch for feedback or collaboration please email requiresimprovementpod@gmail.com or DM us on twitter @requirespod https://twitter.com/requirespod Links to the Articles mentioned: https://www.rs21.org.uk/2023/08/01/school-strikes-results-and-prospects/ https://notesfrombelow.org/article/struggles-railways-critical-reflections-engineer https://schoolsweek.co.uk/revealed-the-full-details-of-labours-education-mission/

Duration:01:27:51

033// Power In The Union: Conference & Strike Update

4/14/2023
Requires Improvement talk you through their recent experiences on the picket lines and what's been voted on at the 2023 NEU Annual Conference. We talk through the pay campaign strike escalation in response to the government's risible pay deal, the urgent motion on OFSTED, the new motion on support staff members: what this all means for trade union organizing in the education sector going forwards. Your host for this episode is Charlie, and she is joined by new co-host Hannah, as well as Nik and Lee.

Duration:01:20:14

032// Won't somebody please think of the children? The strikers are!

1/29/2023
Requires Improvement return from their temporary ballot-hiatus to celebrate the huge recent ballot result of the premier education union in England and Wales, how everyone played their part in achieving it- and what we're thinking about as strikes are now planned in order to win the education funding dispute. Your co-hosts Lee, Nik, Charlie and Lauren talk about the recent conditions in the workplace, and we look forward to an exciting future for trade unionism and organising in the education sector. How to build member confidence for striking and picket lines, the importance of building workplace solidarity and countering misinformation, why all members should be ready for a super fun time out on strike, and why scabs are ultimately losers of colossal proportions.

Duration:01:14:05

031// Back To Class (War) - Ballot Special

9/13/2022
So it's back to school for all educators in September 2022 but all eyes are on the National Education Union and our forthcoming ballots of teaching staff and support staff - will the hot strike summer morph into a cool strike autumn? We certainly think so! Join your hosts Nik, Charlie, Lauren and Lee as they talk through how we're going to organize and fight for a fully funded pay rise for educators in the UK. Recorded on 4th September 2022.

Duration:01:15:16

030// How can we disrupt capitalism in the education system? feat. Ashok Kumar

7/14/2022
In this episode the Requires Improvement team are honoured to be joined by Dr. Ashok Kumar, senior lecturer in political economy at Birkbeck University. We use the recent UCU strikes as a jumping off point for a wide ranging discussion about privatization and neoliberal forces within the education sector, the importance of strategy in taking effective industrial action, and where the trade union movement should be looking next for victories. Solidarity with all members, reps, organisers and officers of the UCU. Ashok can be found on twitter @broseph_stalin https://twitter.com/broseph_stalin You can find out more/buy Ashok's book here: https://monopsonycapitalism.com/ You can listen to Ashok's podcast "Historical Materialism" here https://rss.com/podcasts/historicalmaterialism/

Duration:01:17:15

029// Always Be Organising feat. Vik Chechi-Ribeiro

6/21/2022
Despite the hectic times of late, your hosts Nik, Charlie, Lee and Tom found some spare minutes to kick off this episode with a swift round-up of everything we've been up to recently, before introducing our esteemed interview guest Vik Chechi-Ribeiro (@VikCR_) who is a Teacher of Science, union rep and organizer based in Manchester. We get into fine detail of how to organize a workplace by implementing deep organizing methods. Our discussion also covered the need for fresh, engaging methods of political education and the dangers of the government's PREVENT agenda on free speech in education. Major thanks to Vik for sharing his valuable time with us, check out the links below. Links: Bristol Transformed: https://bristoltransformed.co.uk/ Kernow Transformed: https://kernowtransformed.co.uk/ Labor Notes Article on Phone Banking: https://labornotes.org/2014/03/how-phonebank-when-members-screen-their-calls Strike! MCR https://twitter.com/strikeMCR Give us a follow/Get in touch with Requires Improvement https://twitter.com/requirespod

Duration:00:57:26

028// The Trojan Horseshoe Theory

2/27/2022
In this term 3 roundup your Requires Improvement hosts Nik, Anu, Lauren, Charlie and Lee offer you their thoughts on their recent experiences in state and prison education, how to take on your bullying bosses, why you should check out the Trojan Horse Affair Podcast and why "horseshoe theory" is not OK for children, or anyone else. Recorded on 18th February 2022. Link to the Trojan Horse Affair Podcast: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/podcasts/trojan-horse-affair.html

Duration:01:30:28

027// "Nad's Army" - Will ex-teachers save 2022?

12/28/2021
In this seasonal episode of Requires Improvement, your hosts Lee, Nik, Lauren and Charlie reflect on how the ongoing pandemic is continuing to impact the education sector, discussing our experiences at work and the impact of illness, inadequate resourcing and mitigations on staff and students. We analyze the recent government proposals to invite ex and retired teachers back to the profession, the necessity of individual acts of defiance in order to spark collective solidarity, and we reflect on the growing crop of success stories for trade union organizing at home and abroad. Wrapping up with our predictions for 2022, we would like to thank all our listeners and guests for their contributions to this show over the last year and we look forward to better times ahead for us all. In solidarity x Requires Improvement

Duration:01:07:40

026// British Child Soldiers For The Class War feat. Joe Glenton

11/25/2021
We are honoured to be joined by journalist and ex-soldier Joe Glenton, as we consider the role of militarism in Britain and the UK education system. We draw upon themes in Joe's new book out this month entitled "Veteranhood: Rage and Hope in British Ex-Military Life", in a wide ranging discussion around how the military is presented in schools, the curriculum and society at large. We discuss the outrageous headlines recently surrounding the allegations of abuse towards 16-18 year old children at the Army Foundation College, lesser known histories of radical struggle from within the armed forces and the pressing need for a critical approach to miltiarism, with lessons for left-wing organising more widely. Hosted by Tom and joined by co-hosts Lee and Nik, we thank Joe wholeheartedly for giving us his time and insights into these issues. Buy his book here! https://housmans.com/product/veteranhood-rage-and-hope-in-british-ex-military-life/ References: https://www.forceswatch.net/ - a watchdog and research organisation on British Armed Forces https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/nov/18/parents-call-for-british-army-college-to-be-shut-down-after-abuse-claims Death at Deepcut Podcast https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Death-at-Deepcut-Podcast/B096W9DKLL War School: The Battle for Britain's Children - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl5Zc71KV_g a superb new documentary film from director Mic Dixon which complements our discussion in this episode - well worth a watch.

Duration:01:06:26

025// Class Struggle Not Class Cuddle

10/13/2021
The Requires Improvement crew are BACK after a brief hiatus, and in our September-October episode we discuss the return to school, the latest shenanigans going on at Pimlico Academy, practical approaches to organising and self-care, sexism in schools and trying to fight for hope in the Prison Education system. Hosted by Anu, she is joined by co-hosts Nik, Lauren, Lee and Tom. Links: Article Mentioned from EducationUncovered.co.uk by Warwick Mansell https://twitter.com/warwickmansell https://www.educationuncovered.co.uk/diary/diary/152346/attention-switches-to-pending-ofsted-judgment-on-pimlico-academy-with-its-former-head-now-revealed-in-senior-role-at-trust-running-it.thtml Times Education Supplement Article on Education White Paper: https://www.tes.com/news/nadhim-zahawi-schools-education-school-funding-white-paper-illiteracy-new-year Further Article on Rumoured Future Direction for Government Education Policy: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/oct/01/dfe-considering-return-of-sats-at-14-and-axing-teaching-hours-limits

Duration:01:29:47

024// The Work We Do For Love feat. Sarah Jaffe

7/30/2021
In this July 2021 episode of Requires Improvement, we are joined by author and journalist Sarah Jaffe, as we discuss and explore the wider impact of work in our lives in response to Sarah's recent publication "Work Won't Love You Back", a book which comprehensively analyses and challenges the insidious ways in which workers are convinced that our jobs and working conditions are necessary or fulfilling, especially in contexts where caring professionals are routinely coerced into tolerating exploitation and suffering. Hosted by Charlie with co-hosts Lauren and Anu, in a wide-ranging discussion we consider our complex relationships with jobs and careers, union organizing and class struggle in the US and UK education contexts, the role of second wave feminism, the patriarchy and neoliberalism in changing the fundamental parameters of work and our material conditions to the present day, and how systemic forces condition people into thinking about work and careers. "Work Won't Love You Back: How Devotion to Our Jobs Keeps Us Exploited, Exhausted and Alone" by Sarah Jaffe can be bought here: https://housmans.com/product/work-wont-love-you-back-how-devotion-to-our-jobs-keeps-us-exploited-exhausted-and-alone/

Duration:01:05:03

023// Students protest on Palestine, Extending the school day and being TAGged And CAGged

6/9/2021
If you're already wondering what this episode is about: CAGs are centre-assessed-grades and TAGs are teacher-assessed grades, both of which constitute all the free labour teachers have just had to complete in order to rescue some qualification outcomes for the student cohort class of covid-19 (2021 edition). It's not been a great time in education but it was great to get the the RI crew back in a room to discuss Israel-Palestine, Student led democracy and protest, political education strategies and a whole bunch of stuff which has been on our minds as educators and union organisers of late. Hosted by Tom, Co-hosted by Lauren, Nik, Charlie and Lee. References/Links: 1. 1199’s advice to (rookie) Organisers https://organiseforchange.nz/2019/02/14/1199s-advice-to-rookie-organisers/ 2. Capital by Karl Marx 3. David Harvey Lectures on Capital https://www.youtube.com/user/readingcapital 4. Why men hate women by Laura Bates 5. Natives by Akala 6. Akala Oxford Student Union Address and Q&A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUtAxUQjwB4&t=401s 7. Women, Race and Class by Angela Davis 8. Chapo Trap House Episode “So You Want to Start A Union” https://soundcloud.com/chapo-trap-house/288-so-you-want-to-start-a-union-feat-brace-belden-21019

Duration:01:18:10

022// Why do the Tories hate teachers? feat. Jeremy Gilbert

5/8/2021
We are thrilled to welcome lecturer, podcaster and thinker Jeremy Gilbert onto our show in order to talk about why exactly it is the government seems to hate educators. In a wide ranging discussion we seek to place UK education in its wider political context and history, what factors explain the atavism of the right against a truly equitable state education provision and what the possible strategies are available for challenging neoliberal hegemony in the present moment and in the future. We hope you enjoy the thought-provoking discussion and big thanks to Jeremy for offering us his insights. Hosted by Nik, and co-hosts Charlie and Lee. Links to Jeremy Gilbert's various output and projects: https://www.jeremygilbert.org/home https://twitter.com/jemgilbert/ https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/author/jeremy-gilbert/

Duration:01:14:03

021// Situation Report Spring 2021 - Behaviour 4 Burning

4/14/2021
It's been a while since we've been able to report in, and this has resulted in a bumper April episode where hosts Charlie, Nik, Anu, Lauren and Lee all take a look back over lockdown #3, going on to discuss the "big bang" re-opening of schools, behaviour hubs, student radicalisation, Kill the Bill protests, and ending with a focus on recent events at Pimlico Academy. Articles: Behaviour Hubs - https://schoolsweek.co.uk/revealed-first-22-lead-schools-for-dfes-10m-behaviour-hubs-project/ Bristol "leaders" condemn violence - https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2021-03-25/bristol-leaders-condemn-sundays-violence Article on Student Walkout at Pimlico Academy - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/31/pimlico-academy-pupils-stage-protest-over-discriminatory-policies The Battle for Pimlico Academy, and its Kent connections https://www.kentadvice.co.uk/peters-blog/item/1386-pimlico-academy-and-its-kent-connections.html

Duration:01:46:59

020// Getting Hammered and United feat. Andy Byrne - How do football supporters organise?

1/31/2021
In this episode of Requires Improvement, Co-hosts Tom and Lauren interview Andy Byrne, one of the committee members of Hammers United, a football fan club for West Ham. Andy speaks about the similar challenges fans face to educators and trade unionists when confronted with market forces, structural change and the need for ordinary people to have control over their cultural lives as well as in the workplace. Connections are drawn between how organisers in different sectors can learn from each other about effective approaches to building inclusive supermajorities and having an impact on real life events. Check out Hammers United's website here: http://hammersunited.com/ You can also find them on twitter here: https://mobile.twitter.com/hammersunited2?lang=en

Duration:01:14:18

019// Lockdown Brain

1/14/2021
After the chaos of another week being educators and union organizers on "Rainy Plague Island" in January 2021, the Requires Improvement team come together to reflect on school closures, remote learning, the failures of certain apparent allies in various political parties and unions to stand alongside us, and finally Gavin Williamson and OFSTED's flooded inbox. Hosted by Lauren, she is joined by co-hosts Nik, Charlie, Tom and Lee. Our brains are already melted, but let's reflect together in solidarity always!

Duration:01:10:43

018// Education Under Occupation - Solidarity with the Palestinian People feat. Muhammed Tamimi

12/23/2020
As we draw 2020 to a close, Requires Improvement co-hosts Tom and Lee interview Muhammed Tamimi from the Hebron International Resource Network, as we discuss what conditions are like in the Occupied Territory of the West Bank, in particular HIRN's activities around school building and providing material support to the Palestinian people. We discuss what people in the UK can do to practically show their solidarity, and reflect on the wider meaning of the Palestinian struggle and whether lessons can be drawn for the international left today. Please follow this link if you wish to make a donation to the Hebron International Resource Network, via the Amos Trust Charity. https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/7827#!/DonationDetails#%2FDonationDetails Hebron International Resource Network Website: https://hebronresources.wordpress.com/about/ Amos Trust: https://www.amostrust.org/ Books Referenced: Romeo and Juliet in Palestine: Teaching Under Occupation by Tom Sperlinger https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/romeo-juliet-palestine Potential History Unlearning Imperialism by Ariella Aïsha Azoulay https://www.versobooks.com/books/3079-potential-history

Duration:01:19:18

017// No More Exclusions - Understanding Abolition feat. Lana Crosbie

12/6/2020
In this episode of Requires Improvement hosts Charlie and Anu are joined by Lana Crosbie, who is a National Education Union rep and branch officer, and a member of No More Exclusions who are a campaigning network of educators and activists pushing for urgent reform to the UK education system. NME work with schools, students and communities in order challenge and address issues around systemic and structural racism, with a view to abolishing practices which exclude children from education - practices which demonstrably fail to address the underlying social problems that too often have disastrous consequences for the life chances of young people. Lana discusses the ideology and role of No More Exclusions, alongside highlighting their links to other organizations such as the Coalition of Anti-Racist Educators, Black Educators Alliance and Pupil Voice. Links: No More Exclusions: https://nomoreexclusions.com/ CARE: https://nomoreexclusions.com/care/ CARE Twitter: https://twitter.com/CARE2Liberate Crowdfunding for CARE legal challenge to the government: https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/liberate-our-classrooms/ Black Educators' Alliance: https://blackeducatorsalliance.org/ Pupil Power: https://thepupilpowercampa.wixsite.com/pupilpower Pupil Power Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepupilpower?lang=en

Duration:01:02:05

016// Lockdown 2: If only someone had warned us this would happen

11/20/2020
In this November episode of Requires Improvement we offer some personal insights into what conditions are like in schools right now and how this is affecting staff, students and the wider community. We discuss Lee's story about catching COVID and ending up in hospital, whether schools can continue to be fully open, the apparently still-happening exams system in England, the NEU's current response, comparisons between primary and secondary schools, in addition to some other errata of the current historical moment. This episode is hosted by Lee, who is joined by Tom, Nik, Lauren and Charlie. Prepare yourselves for a real rager folks. Articles mentioned: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/nov/10/wes-streeting-labour-from-free-school-meals-to-shadow-schools-minister

Duration:01:24:01