...with Angela Myers

In this episode, Angela, an educator with 60 years of experience spanning primary, secondary, further and community education shares her thoughts on classroom observations. Having held roles from classroom teacher through to Deputy Principal at Solihull College, Angela brings a remarkable depth of knowledge to one of the most talked-about — and often dreaded — aspects of teaching: the lesson observation. Whether you're a classroom teacher who feels a knot in your stomach every time someone walks through your door with a clipboard, a middle leader tasked with observing your colleagues for the first time, or a senior leader trying to build a culture where professional learning is genuinely valued, this episode has something for you.

What we cover:

The history of lesson observations: Angela takes us back to the introduction of the first national inspection framework in 1992, explaining how grading and observation became intertwined from the very beginning — and why that legacy still shapes how many teachers feel about being observed today.
From quality assurance to coaching: We explore how the purpose of lesson observations has shifted dramatically over the decades, moving away from a model of judgement and towards one rooted in professional dialogue, reflection and genuine improvement.
What to look for when observing a lesson: Angela shares the five key areas she identified through visits to over 100 colleges, offering practical guidance for anyone stepping into an observation role for the first time. This includes why talking to students during a lesson can be one of the most revealing things an observer can do. **Observing lessons for your own development** Not all observations are about giving feedback. Angela discusses how to approach watching a colleague's lesson when your aim is to improve your own practice — including a fascinating example of the "narrative approach" as an alternative to traditional lesson objectives.
How to give effective feedback: From the outstanding lesson where you're not sure what to say, to the lesson where learning has broken down entirely, Angela offers a clear framework for feedback that prioritises partnership, teacher agency and sustainable change.
Professional dialogue explained: Angela unpacks the model of professional dialogue she helped develop — drawing on learning conversations and the work of Chris Argyris — and walks us through a detailed, real-world example of how it works in practice.
Building a culture where observations are welcomed: Perhaps most importantly, Angela makes a compelling case for what schools and colleges look like when observation becomes an organic, ongoing part of the way everyone talks about learning — rather than an annual event to be endured.