At the chalk face: Curriculum and Assessment Review - PART 1 | CAR2025

The biggest shake-up in education for a decade is here! 🚨

The Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) has landed – and it’s a whopper!
180+ pages of proposed changes that could redefine how we teach, assess, and support learners across the UK from ages 5 to 18. But don’t worry, Craig and Dave have done the hard work so you don’t have to.

In this episode of At the Chalkface, we break down what you really need to know — the key headlines, timelines, and takeaways from both the CAR and the Department for Education’s response.

We’ve pulled together a summary that highlights what we believe are the most important takeaways for teachers — with a particular focus on those teaching Computing.

You’re welcome to download it and use it however suits you best; we hope it proves useful.

Get it here - https://craigndave.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Curriculum-and-Assessment-Review-Summary.pptx

Read the blog -

🎧 Listen on the go via our podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2535893/episodes

🌐 Explore more Computer Science resources: https://www.craigndave.org

Discover how Smart Revise boosts attainment and frees up your evenings:
👉 https://smartrevise.craigndave.org/

👉Learn more about our Resource Centre here - https://craigndave.org/study-tools/resource-centre/

#CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherTips #ClassroomManagement #SmartRevise #TeachingIdeas #GCSEComputerScience #AlevelComputerScience #TeacherLife #EducationUK

At the chalk face: High expectations from the first minute

A great lesson doesn’t start when the bell rings — it starts long before!

In this episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave dive into what it really means to have high expectations from the very first minute of your lesson.

From meet-and-greet routines at the door to establishing calm, purposeful starts, they share practical strategies to help you set the tone right from the start — and keep it consistent.

Whether you’re an NQT finding your feet or an experienced teacher looking to fine-tune your classroom flow, this episode is packed with relatable stories, humour, and tips that actually work.

💡 Learn how to:
Create high expectations without being “strict”
Master the art of meet-and-greet
Use Smart Revise quizzes and starter tasks effectively
Build smooth transitions between lesson phases
Stay consistent, calm, and in control — every time

If you’ve ever wondered how to make the first minute count, this episode’s for you!

🎓 Watch, learn, and join the conversation in the comments — how do you set high expectations from the first minute?


**Want to get ALL our amazing GCSE and A-level resources for all exam boards?**
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🎧 Listen on the go via our podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2535893/episodes
🌐 Explore more Computer Science resources: https://www.craigndave.org

About Smart Revise -
Smart Revise is the continual revision platform built by teachers, for teachers.
• Personalised retrieval practice that saves marking time.
• Auto-marked quizzes, homework, and mock exams.
• Used by tens of thousands of students across the UK.

Discover how Smart Revise boosts attainment and frees up your evenings:
👉 https://smartrevise.craigndave.org/


#CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherTips #ClassroomManagement #SmartRevise #TeachingIdeas #GCSEComputerScience #AlevelComputerScience #TeacherLife #EducationUK

🎯 High expectations. But what does that really mean?

Craig and Dave are diving into one of education’s favourite buzzwords — and giving it a proper reality check! For them, it’s not about piling on pressure; it’s about purpose.

In this episode, we unpack how homework can be used as a tool to prepare students for lessons, boost memory retention, and actually make learning easier — not harder. It’s all about making homework something students can achieve, enjoy, and see the value in.

Discover how:
✅ homework can be short, focused, and achievable (no long essays or parental help required!)
✅ the flipped classroom approach helps students prepare for lessons and embed knowledge
✅ note-taking with the Cornell method turns simple homework into higher-order thinking
✅ Smart Revise personalised goals help students manage their workload and track progress

It’s not about making tasks harder – it’s about creating routines, habits, and consistency that really set students up to succeed.

📚 Teachers, if you’ve ever wondered how to get students to actually do their homework and engage meaningfully with lessons, this video is for you.

Check out all our Computer Science teaching resources in our Resource Centre:
https://craigndave.org/study-tools/resource-centre

Check out Smart Revise -
https://smartrevise.craigndave.org/

✉️ Questions? Drop us a line at admin@craigandave.co.uk

💬 Expect laughs, honest reflections, and a few classroom stories along the way — whether you’re a teacher, head of department, or just curious about how schools really work.

#TeachingLife #EducationUK #SecondaryEducation #TeacherStories #Chalkface #CraignDave #UKSchools #ClassroomInsights #EdChat

Craig and Dave reminisce about the days of CD-ROMs, dot-matrix printers, and mischievous bus networks — and connect those stories to a timeless truth: technology will fail you sooner or later. So how do you keep a Computer Science lesson productive when the Wi-Fi dies?

This episode explores practical unplugged activities, quick-print resources, and strategies to stay calm and keep learning moving when digital systems go down. It’s part nostalgia, part survival guide for every modern teacher.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an At the Chalk Face episode.

Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or just curious about the future of education, this discussion offers a thought-provoking look at innovation, flexibility, and what’s next for classrooms in England.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – https://smartrevise.craigndave.org/

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews #EducationUK #Teaching #ComputerScience #AtTheChalkFace #TeachingLife #NonSpecialistTeachers #SecondaryEducation #TeacherStories

At the chalk face: Non-specialist teachers curse or cure?

Non-specialist teachers: The classroom reality no one talks about
Did you know a third of Year 7 lessons are taught by teachers who aren’t specialists in that subject? 🤯

Craig and Dave are back on the chalk face to tackle a topic every teacher has an opinion on — non-specialist teaching.

From teaching biology with no science background to discovering how to book a Bunsen burner two weeks in advance (!), this episode dives into the reality behind timetabling decisions, the pressure on schools, and why “you only have to stay one step ahead of the students” might be more true than you’d think.

In this episode, we chat about:
Why so many teachers end up teaching outside their specialism
What makes someone a “specialist” anyway?
How non-specialists can still make a huge impact
The long-term effects of non-specialist teaching on students
And a few confessions from Craig and Dave’s own classrooms!

👀 Watch now for an open, funny and surprisingly relatable discussion about the juggling act teachers face every day.

Great teaching isn’t just about degrees — it’s about connecting with students, building relationships, and staying one step ahead.

💬 Expect laughs, honest reflections, and some eyebrow-raising stories about life in the classroom — whether you’re a teacher, head of department, or just curious about how schools really work.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, so you never miss an At the Chalk Face episode.


Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or just curious about the future of education, this discussion offers a thought-provoking look at innovation, flexibility, and what’s next for classrooms in England.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews #EducationUK #Teaching #ComputerScience #AtTheChalkFace #TeachingLife #NonSpecialistTeachers #SecondaryEducation #TeacherStories

At the chalk face: Why networking matters | Teachers need each other

Are you too busy to network… or just making excuses?

Craig and Dave get fired up in this episode as they unpack one of teaching’s biggest missed opportunities — genuine networking between teachers.

From the dangers of staying in your “school bubble” to how their own collaboration began on car journeys to CPD events, this chat digs into why connecting with colleagues (beyond your own department walls) is vital for growth, inspiration, and sanity.

Expect a few soapboxes, a bit of SLT-bashing (from someone who’s earned the right), and plenty of laughs along the way.

💬 Topics include:
Why networking matters more than inset days ever will.
How the best teaching ideas often start over coffee (or in a car park!)
Why saying “I’m too tired” might just be an excuse.
The power of communities like CAS (Computing at School).
And how Craig’n’Dave all started...

👉 Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or an NQT, this one’s for anyone who’s ever felt stuck in the classroom bubble.

If you’re a teacher, leader, or education watcher, you’ll find plenty to nod along with — and maybe a few points to debate.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews #TeamCompSci #TeachingChat #CraignDave #TeacherNetworking #ComputingEducation

Do school libraries still matter in 2025? | Rethinking learning spaces

Are traditional school libraries becoming outdated in the age of AI, smartphones, and instant online knowledge? Or do they still play a vital role in inspiring students?

In this episode of At the Chalk Face, we dive into:
Our own school-day memories of libraries (including date-stamping and dusty books no one borrowed).
The “death of the library” debate — and whether ebooks and devices could (or should) replace them.
Why libraries need to evolve into dynamic, inspirational learning spaces rather than static book storage.
How subject leaders, not just librarians, can take ownership in creating subject zones that spark curiosity.
The tough reality of budgets, staffing, and leadership priorities in making it happen.

Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or just passionate about education, this conversation asks some uncomfortable but important questions: what’s the purpose of a school library in 2025, and how do we make them truly valuable for students?

What do you think?
Should libraries be reinvented or left behind? Drop your thoughts in the comments.


👉 Join the conversation at craigndave.org.

If you’re a teacher, leader, or education watcher, you’ll find plenty to nod along with — and maybe a few points to debate.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews #schools #libraries #AI #teaching #chalkface

Is reading still essential once students can access the curriculum — or is it just another demand in an already packed timetable? In this episode of At the Chalk Face, Craig and Dave dig into the role of reading across subjects, from vocabulary growth and comprehension to cultural capital and academic performance.

We ask:

• Should reading for pleasure only belong in English lessons?
• How can short, focused reading sessions fit into busy classrooms?
• Can AI tools that summarise texts ever replace the benefits of real reading?

Drawing on insights from research, teaching practice, and Alan Harrison’s How to Learn Computer Science, we explore how reading can empower students in every subject, including computing.

Whether you’re an English teacher, a computer science specialist, or simply passionate about education, this episode challenges assumptions and makes the case for building lasting reading habits in the age of AI.

#GCSE2025 #EducationUK #Teaching #ComputerScience #AtTheChalkFace

Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or just curious about the future of education, this discussion offers a thought-provoking look at innovation, flexibility, and what’s next for classrooms in England.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews