At the chalk-face
At the Chalk Face is a no-nonsense podcast from Craig’n’Dave, tackling real issues in education. Expect honest chat about pedagogy, classroom practice, and what actually works — from two ex-teachers still embedded in the world of schools. Not just for computer science teachers — this one’s for every educator.
Episodes
37 episodes
At the chalk face: Why do pupils stop enjoying computing?
At the chalk face: Why do pupils stop enjoying computing?Are students losing interest in computer science teaching? We examine the root causes of disengagement in the computing classroom.Craig and Dave, former computer ...
At the chalk face: Will AI replace coding in schools? Why coding is here to stay..
Will AI replace coding in schools? Or is programming more important than ever?In this episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave dive headfirst into one of the biggest debates in computer science education right now: with AI and “vibe ...
At the chalk face: The UK social media ban debate
At the chalk face: The UK social media ban debateAI, social media, and online safety – where do we draw the line?In this episode of At the chalk face, Craig and Dave tackle one of the biggest challenges facing education, technolo...
At the chalk face: Why we left teaching
Are you thinking of leaving teaching this year? This is our story.In this honest and personal episode of At the Chalk Face, Craig and Dave share the story of why they eventually stepped away from full-time teaching after years in the pr...
At the chalk face: Are extra roles in school actually worth it?
Are extra roles in school actually worth it? - Teaching Careers ExplainedIn this episode of At The Chalk Face, we (Craig & Dave) dive into the paid and voluntary opportunities that come along in teaching — from exam marking an...
At the chalk face: Teaching - Would we do it again?
At the chalk face: Teaching - Would we do it again?Craig & Dave take a look back at their teaching careers and ask - If we could go back and do it all over... would we? 🤔In this very personal episode of At the Chalkface, we ...
At the chalk face: Cambridge OCR at the Festival of Computing 2026
At the chalk face: Cambridge OCR at the Festival of Computing 2026We’re delighted to have Cambridge OCR as one of this year’s sponsors for the Craig’n’Dave Festival of Computing 2026!In this interview, we catch up with Ceredig, ...
At the chalk face: The 4 revision methods that actually work
At the chalk face: The 4 revision methods that actually workExams are coming… feeling the pressure? Good. It means you care.In this episode of At the Chalkface, we cut through the noise and focus on the four revision methods tha...
At the chalk face: Built by a Teacher, for Teachers: The Story of Go Code It
At the chalk face: Built by a Teacher, for Teachers: The Story of Go Code ItIn this episode of At the Chalkface, we’re joined by Pete Hudson — computer science teacher, Head of Department, and creator of Go Code It — a programming platf...
At the chalk face: Why AQA backs our Craig'n'Dave Festival of Computing 2026.
At the chalk face: Why AQA backs our Craig'n'Dave Festival of Computing 2026.A Behind-the-Scenes chat with this year's Festival of Computing Headline Sponsor AQA.In this special Festival of Computing episode, Craig & Dave si...
At the chalk face: Differentiation is dead
At the chalk face: Differentiation is dead“Differentiation is dead”… or is it? 🧠🔥In this week’s At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave dive headfirst into one of the most controversial (and misunderstood) ideas in modern teaching....
At the chalk face: It's not in the mark scheme
At the chalk face: It's not in the mark schemeEver marked a mock and heard, “But it’s not in the mark scheme…”? 🤔In this episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave tackle one of the biggest misconceptions in Computer Science assess...
At the chalk face: Making learning fun
Does learning really have to be fun to be effective? 🤔In this episode of Craig’n’Dave 'At the chalk face', we tackle one of the biggest debates in education — making learning fun — and whether it actually leads to better outcomes for st...
At the chalk face: Tackling GCSE Discuss Questions
At the chalk face: Tackling GCSE Discuss QuestionsExam season is just around the corner… and while students might be feeling the pressure, we know teachers are too! 😅In this episode of At The Chalk Face, Craig and Dave tackle on...
At the chalk Face: Inception of the Festival of Computing
At the chalk Face: Inception of the Festival of ComputingThe Festival of Computing 2026!Join us Wednesday, 1st July 2026, at Bromsgrove School for the Festival of Computing 2026 – a fantastic CPD event in the UK dedicated to sec...
At the chalk face: Craig'n'Dave Festival of Computing Sponsor Highlight - VEX Robotics
At the chalk face: Craig'n'Dave Festival of Computing Sponsor Highlight - VEX Robotics 🚀 Robots, rivalry (the friendly kind!) and reinvigorating computing education 🤖In this episode of At the Chalkface, we’re joined by Chri...
At the chalk face: Handwriting & embodied cognition
Is Handwriting Still Important in Computing Lessons? 🖊️💻In a world full of keyboards, screens, and now AI, do students still need to pick up a pen? In this episode of At the Chalk Face, Craig and Dave dive into the surprisi...
At the chalk face: Is Ofsted copying and pasting inspection reports?
At the chalk face: Copy and paste Ofsted reports? Is Ofsted copying and pasting inspection reports?In this episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave dive headfirst into one of teachers’ favourite (and most stressful) topics: ...
At the chalk face: Schools should be phone free?
At the chalk face: Schools should be phone-free?Well, it’s official – mobile phones in schools are under the microscope! In this episode, Craig and Dave dive deep into the latest government guidance, Ofsted expectations, and th...
At the chalk face: Dodona Learning Technologies - A Coding Platform That Actually Works for Teachers
Are you fed up with coding platforms that appear… then disappear just as you’ve got your scheme of work sorted? This week At the Chalk Face, we’re joined by two brilliant guests who might just restore your faith in programming pla...
At the chalk face: Too much pushback on exclusions
At the chalk face: Too much pushback on exclusionsDo schools get too much pushback on exclusions – or not enough support to deal with persistent disruptive behaviour?In this episode, we tackle one of the most complex and emotion...
At the chalk face: Fail an Ofsted inspection for safeguarding | Should mobiles be banned in schools?
At the chalk face: Fail an Ofsted inspection for safeguarding | Should mobiles be banned in schools?In this episode of At the chalk face, Dave is joined once again by the brilliant Kat Morgan for a lively, honest and (at times) nerdy de...
At the chalk face: Curriculum and Assessment Review - PART 3 | CAR2025
At the chalk face: Curriculum and Assessment Review - PART 3 | CAR2025 This week, together we’re going into part three of our deep dive into the recent Curriculum and Assessment Review.If you’ve missed parts one and two — w...
At the chalk face: Curriculum and Assessment Review - PART 2 | CAR2025
At the chalk face: Curriculum and Assessment Review - PART 2 | CAR2025Welcome back to Craig & Dave at the Chalkface as we dive into part two of our CAR trilogy.The biggest shake-up in education for a decade is here! 🚨The...
At the chalk face: Curriculum and Assessment Review - PART 1 | CAR2025
At the chalk face: Curriculum and Assessment Review - PART 1 | CAR2025The 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 pr...