Rob shares the thinking behind TeachQuest - a persuasive game designed to give undergraduates an immersive, honest simulation of life in the classroom. The conversation covers motivational matching, the illusion of choice in game design, and why the feedback loop matters as much as the experience itself.

Episode Links

Professor Rob Klassen Robert Klassen - Department of Education

TeachQuest project page, University of Oxford, Department of Education Gamifying teacher recruitment: TeachQuest - Department of Education

Full Tilt by Dervla Murphy - Rob's book recommendation Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle by Dervla Murphy | Goodreads

In this conversation, James takes us through his academic journey, unpacks the terminology around early childhood education and care, discusses the state of the nation in terms of early years provision, and why the Heckmann curve has had lasting influence. James also explores why the distinction between structural quality (ratios, qualifications, environment) and process quality (the human-to-human interactions that really matter) is so critical to understanding what good provision actually looks like. James makes a compelling case that the research world has been telling two separate stories around early childhood education and missing something fundamental as a result and how a different methodological approach he has pioneered - using existing data and existing statistical tools - could bring these narratives together to change our understanding of how policymakers decide where to invest.

Guest bio

Dr James Hall is Associate Professor of Psychology of Education at Southampton Education School, University of Southampton, and Deputy Director of the UK National Centre for Research Methods. He leads the Quantitative Methods in Education group, and his research focuses on improving life chances for children through better understanding of Early Childhood Education. James's current research aims to integrate two previously separate bodies of literature to produce a fuller, more policy-relevant picture of what early childhood education can achieve.

Ruth Luzmore is a Research Fellow and Lecturer at Southampton Education School, University of Southampton. A former school leader, her work focuses on educational leadership, ideas-engagement in society at large, and how schools can navigate evidence-informed practice in high-stakes cultures. Ruth continues to work closely with school leaders through governance and mentoring roles. Follow Ruth on X @RLuzmore or LinkedIn

This podcast is produced by Southampton Education School. Follow us on LinkedIn

After 20 years in mainstream education, Nige made the leap to specialist provision and discovered a different way of working. In 2025, his school achieved top 1% GCSE outcomes, with 55% of students achieving grade 4 or above in English and maths - a remarkable achievement in a sector where the average is just 2%.

But academic success is just one part of the story. Nige shares how his team built an innovative curriculum even creating a professional esports suite. He explains the thinking behind 'unmissable days' designed to boost attendance and the importance of regulation-focused environments.

We also explore the complexities of the SEND system: the challenges of post-16 transitions, why resource provision within mainstream isn't always the answer, and the financial pressures facing special schools. Nige offers a thoughtful critique of how success is measured in specialist settings and makes a compelling case for why special schools deserve more prominence in curriculum reform discussions.

This is a conversation about ambition, relationships and what it really takes to remove barriers for students who've struggled elsewhere.

Episode Links

Kings Academy Lord Wilson - King's Academy Lord Wilson

‘Why some pupils are better off in speciality provision’ TES article by Nige

The Stanley Parable – game recommended by Nige

Bios

Dr Nigel Matthias is Headteacher of King's Academy Lord Wilson, a special school for boys with SEMH. The school's GCSE outcomes are in the top 1% nationally for special schools (FFT Attainment 5). In 2025 Nigel was shortlisted for TES Specialist School Headteacher of the Year. He has led three schools (two mainstream, one special) to their record-highest examination outcomes as both a Headteacher and Raising Standards Leader. Nigel's doctoral research at the University of Southampton was concerned with student experience in a policy context, and he is passionate about preparing students for the world of work. In December 2025 he became a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching (FCCT) and in January 2026 he became a Visiting Fellow at the University of Southampton. Connect with Nige on LinkedIn

Ruth Luzmore is a Research Fellow and Lecturer at Southampton Education School, University of Southampton. A former school leader, her work focuses on educational leadership, ideas-engagement in society at large, and how schools can navigate evidence-informed practice in high-stakes cultures. Ruth continues to work closely with school leaders through governance and mentoring roles Follow Ruth on LinkedIn

This podcast is produced by Southampton Education School Follow us on LinkedIn

The conversation also explores the power of research-practice partnerships, where questions emerge from practice. We also touch on current challenges in education, including the particularly concerning rates of school non-attendance among autistic girls, and why relationship-building and truly understanding individual young people remains at the heart of meaningful support.

Sarah Parsons is Professor of Autism and Inclusion in Southampton Education School at the University of Southampton, UK. Sarah’s work is participatory and inclusive with an emphasis on knowledge co-construction between research and practice. Sarah co-directs the Autism Community Research Network @ Southampton [ACoRNS] with Professor Hanna Kovshoff, which is a neurodiverse research-practice partnership between the University, education providers, and related organisations.

Ruth Luzmore is a Research Fellow and Lecturer at Southampton Education School, University of Southampton. A former school leader, her work focuses on educational leadership, ideas-engagement in society at large, and how schools can navigate evidence-informed practice in high-stakes cultures. Ruth continues to work closely with school leaders through governance and mentoring roles Follow Ruth on X @RLuzmore or LinkedIn

‘I am’ Digital Stories Giving autistic children a voice – the power of ‘I am’ Digital Stories | University of Southampton

‘I am Lil’: Enabling Autistic Voices in Transitions from School to Adult Life through the Co-Creation of a Digital Story - Asha Ward, Sarah Parsons, Hanna Kovshoff, 2024

This podcast is produced by Southampton Education School Follow us on LinkedIn

Lucy Hoyes is the Co-Director of Initial Teacher Education, where she works closely with the mathematics PGCE and champions inclusive practice, with a big focus on supporting beginning teachers’ wellbeing and confidence. She loves helping new teachers find their feet and feel at home in the teaching profession. Connect with Lucy here on LinkedIn

A Secondary English Teacher by trade, Kate Freeth has worked at Southampton University for 21 years. She has had various roles during this time, but all have centred around Initial Teacher Education, SEND and integration between theory and practice in one way or another! Connect with Kate on LinkedIn

Ruth Luzmore is a Research Fellow and Lecturer at Southampton Education School. A former school leader, her work focuses on educational leadership, ideas-engagement in society at large, and how schools can navigate evidence-informed practice in high-stakes cultures. Ruth continues to work closely with school leaders through governance and mentoring roles. Connect with Ruth here on X @Rluzmore or LinkedIn

This podcast is produced by Southampton Education School

Rachele’s article in Chartered College Impact – What does it really mean to be classroom-ready? Professional agency, autonomy and confidence in beginner teachers. https://my.chartered.college/impact_article/what-does-it-really-mean-to-be-classroom-ready-professional-agency-autonomy-and-confidence-in-beginner-teachers/

National Education Union Are you on slide 8 yet? The impact of standarised curricula on teacher professionalism: https://neu.org.uk/latest/library/are-you-slide-8-yet

Mark Priestley’s blog for BERA Teacher agency: What is it and why does it matter? https://www.bera.ac.uk/blog/teacher-agency-what-is-it-and-why-does-it-matter

Southampton Education School Education Research Practice Network: https://erpn.soton.ac.uk/

Rachele Newman is Director of Teacher Professional Learning and co-founder of the Education Research & Practice Network at Southampton Education School, University of Southampton. A former secondary school teacher with 26 years in education, she has held various roles in initial teacher education including Director of ITT. Her research focuses on teacher learning, particularly for beginner and early career teachers, and the professional agency, identity and autonomy of teachers. Connect with Rachele on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachele-newman-52a1b5332/

Ruth Luzmore is a Research Fellow and Lecturer at Southampton Education School, University of Southampton. A former school leader, her work focuses on educational leadership, ideas-engagement in society at large, and how schools can navigate evidence-informed practice in high-stakes cultures. Ruth continues to work closely with school leaders through governance and mentoring roles Follow Ruth on X @Rluzmore or LinkedIn (2) Ruth Luzmore | LinkedIn

This podcast is produced by Southampton Education School Southampton Education School: Posts | LinkedIn

Dr Christian Bokhove is Professor in Mathematics Education at Southampton Education School, University of Southampton. A former mathematics teacher from the Netherlands, his work focuses on mathematics classrooms, international comparisons, and research methods. Follow Christian on X @cbokhove or LinkedIn Christian Bokhove | LinkedIn

Ruth Luzmore is a Research Fellow and Lecturer at Southampton Education School, University of Southampton. A former school leader, her work focuses on educational leadership, ideas-engagement in society at large, and how schools can navigate evidence-informed practice in high-stakes cultures. Ruth continues to work closely with school leaders through governance and mentoring roles Follow Ruth on X @Rluzmore or LinkedIn Ruth Luzmore | LinkedIn

This podcast is produced by Southampton Education School Southampton Education School: Posts | LinkedIn