In this episode of Mr M’s PTA, we peel back the curtain on the Year 6 SATs, and the systemic pressures currently reshaping primary education. I share my findings from my MA research at University College London, exploring how high-stakes testing is forcing schools to abandon a broad curriculum in favour of a narrow focus on "SPaG" and arithmetic, and we discuss what happens to your child's school experience when the target becomes the measure.

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This week I'm discussing all things GCSE and A. Level stress-related. This description is going to be cut very short because I am so woefully behind schedule! Listen to the episode, you'l catch up really quickly - you're awesome!

In this episode, Carl Headley-Morris puts on his teacher hat to tackle the serious and complex topic of school-based bullying. Moving past the outdated notion that playground harassment is just a rite of passage, this discussion breaks down the reality of what modern bullying looks like and how it strips children of their agency.

This episode covers:

• Defining Bullying: The three critical ingredients required to identify bullying: intentionality, repetition, and an imbalance of power.

  
  

• Modern Threats: The different forms bullying takes today, from relational exclusion and cyberbullying to prejudicial targeting, with a specific look at the heightened risks for children with SEND.

  
  

• Spotting the Signs: How parents can look out for internalised distress, including psychosomatic markers and signs of learned helplessness.

  
  

• Actionable Strategies: Practical steps for parents, including using the "Mad, Sad, Glad" technique to open dialogue, rejecting the pressure to mask distress, and the most effective ways to collaborate with your child's school.

  
  

Tune in for clear, educator-backed advice on providing the scaffolding your child needs to rebuild their resilience and navigate their social environment safely.