Épisodes

  • The most boring podcast you'll ever hear

    The most boring podcast you'll ever hear
    Jan 14 2026

    I couldn’t think of a better title to this week’s podcast which is all about admin work. Unfortunately, the biggest change to my job in the last decade or two is the crazy increase in administrative work and constant additions to my workload. My brain physically can’t hold it all so I decided to make it my aim to outsource my brain. This episode goes through some techy tools to help with admin. If nothing else, it will make a good sleeping aid.



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    40 min
  • The Anseo.net Review of 2025

    The Anseo.net Review of 2025
    Dec 27 2025

    In this episode I offer a comprehensive review of Irish primary education for the year 2025. I cover various educational policies, initiatives, and challenges, spanning teacher shortages, special education crises, the hot meal scheme, religious influences in schools, and the controversial snow days. I discuss new policies introduced by the government, the effectiveness of the Department of Education, and the impact of external events like the conflict in Gaza on school environments. Despite the challenges, I’m, as always, cautiously optimistic for 2026!

    00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

    00:50 Annual Review of the Primary School Year

    02:49 January: Snow Days and New Government

    07:09 February: Controversies and Challenges

    11:08 March: The Cluster Games and Special Education

    16:37 April: Teacher Burnout and Financial Crisis

    22:52 May: Religion in Schools Debate

    26:45 June: End of School Year and ICT Grant

    27:52 July: Teacher Shortages and National Convention

    31:24 August: Secretary and Caretaker Strikes

    34:44 September: Strike Lessons and Hot Meal Scheme

    37:34 October: School Census and Budget

    39:59 November: IPPN Conference and New Minister

    41:44 December: Reflections and Looking Forward



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    48 min
  • AI Explains the 2025 School Year

    AI Explains the 2025 School Year
    Dec 23 2025

    Every time I open Google’s NotebookLM, it gets better and better. The graphic above was created using the app and I think it did a good job of summarising the year in a single graphic.

    The podcast didn’t do a bad job either though it fell into temptation a couple of times referring to issues at second level. However, all in all, I’m pretty pleased with it, and I’d love to know what you think.



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    15 min
  • Interview 30: Amanda Jolliffe, Lead Microsoft Dream Space

    Interview 30: Amanda Jolliffe, Lead Microsoft Dream Space
    Dec 6 2025

    In this episode of 'If I were the Minister for Education', I delve into the integration of AI in the Irish Primary Education System joined by Amanda Jolliffe, the lead of Microsoft Ireland's Dream Space, to discuss the influence of AI on education and the various innovative tools and programs offered by Dream Space. We explore how AI can assist both teachers and students, from lesson planning to creative learning activities. The discussion covers not only the benefits and applications of AI but also the importance of critical thinking, ethical use, and equitable access to technology in schools. The episode also highlights the significance of professional learning for teachers and forthcoming initiatives like a new Dream Space hub focused on skilling and cloud operation infrastructure.

    More about Dream Space: https://dreamspace.microsoft.com/en-us/dreamspace/ireland

    Oide AI Hub: https://www.oidetechnologyineducation.ie/ai-hub/



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    47 min
  • What's the point of the Primary Ethos Survey?

    What's the point of the Primary Ethos Survey?
    Nov 22 2025

    In this episode of ‘If I Were the Minister for Education,’ I explore the recent survey conducted by the Irish Department of Education concerning primary school patronage. I also discuss the legacy left by former Minister Helen McEntee and give my initial thoughts on the new Minister Hildegarde Naughton. I raise questions about the survey’s efficacy, its democratic value, and its alignment with the constitutional rights of children. I provide a historical context on the secular roots of Irish primary education and argue for state-run, multi-denominational schools.

    00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

    00:31 A New Minister for Education

    01:37 Legacy of Helen McEntee

    02:30 The Primary School Ethos Survey

    03:53 Survey Questions and Parental Choices

    06:25 Critique of the Survey’s Purpose

    09:08 Human Rights and Education

    23:52 Historical Context of Religious Schools

    26:25 Conclusion: The Need for Genuine Reform



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    29 min
  • Interview 29: Debbie O'Neill (LIVE)

    Interview 29: Debbie O'Neill (LIVE)
    Nov 1 2025

    Debunking Myths in Special Education: A Live Discussion with Debbie O’Neill In the latest episode of ‘If I Were the Minister for Education,’ I welcome Debbie O’Neill, principal of a school for primary and secondary students with mild general learning disabilities. This live podcast covers topics ranging from the special education system in Ireland, the challenges faced by special schools, and debunking common myths surrounding special education.

    Key points include the lack of specialised resources and funding, misconceptions about inclusion, and the need for more support for students and staff. Debbie and I also discuss the importance of creating an environment where every student feels included and valued, regardless of their educational setting.

    Timings: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:45 Special Education Focus 02:17 Debunking Myths in Special Education 03:31 Debbie O’Neill’s Journey in Special Education 05:14 Challenges and Realities of Special Schools 11:45 Inclusion vs. Integration 17:02 Resource Allocation in Special Schools 29:32 Challenges in Special Schools 29:44 Resourcing Issues in Special Classes 30:25 In-School Therapy Program 32:45 Debunking Myths About Special Schools 33:29 Importance of Community in Special Schools 49:15 Special Schools and Extracurricular Activities 50:38 Final Thoughts and Future Plans



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    55 min
  • Guidance on Artificial Intelligence in Schools

    Guidance on Artificial Intelligence in Schools
    Oct 21 2025
    It was too obvious not to do it. Let AI summarise the Department of Education’s guidance. Sure, while I’m at it, I may as well use AI to create the show notes:Explore the safe, ethical, and responsible use of AI for primary educators and school leaders. We share practical examples, such as how a second class teacher can use Generative AI (GenAI) to create curriculum-aligned math activities, or how a fifth class teacher uses GenAI for visual support in Irish lessons. Learn strategies for integrating AI, including the essential 4P framework (Purpose, Planning, Policies, Practice). Remember to maintain human oversight and review all AI outputs for accuracy and bias. Resources like the DALI4US project support data literacy for primary teachers.😱Eek… what about a summary using Notebook LM?Woah! (Ignore the American spelling)Artificial Intelligence in Schools: A Strategic BriefingExecutive SummaryThis briefing synthesizes the core principles, practical applications, and strategic recommendations outlined in the “Guidance on Artificial Intelligence in Schools.” The guidance establishes a foundational framework for school leaders and teachers to navigate the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Generative AI (GenAI), into the educational landscape. It posits that while AI offers significant potential to support teaching, learning, and school administration, its adoption must be responsible, planned, and informed to mitigate inherent risks related to safety, privacy, bias, and academic integrity.The central tenet of the guidance is the principle of human agency and oversight, asserting that AI should serve as a tool to complement and enhance, but never replace, the professional judgment of educators. A key strategic recommendation is the adoption of the 4P Approach (Purpose, Planning, Policies, Practice) as a practical framework for implementation. This approach advocates for aligning AI use with clear educational goals within a school’s digital learning plan, reviewing and updating existing school policies rather than creating new ones, and embedding critical, ethical practices into daily use. The document is designated as a “living document,” acknowledging the rapid evolution of AI and committing to ongoing review and updates based on emerging research, regulatory changes like the EU AI Act, and feedback from the school system.Core Principles for Ethical AI AdoptionThe guidance establishes a clear ethical framework for the use of AI in schools, grounded in seven key requirements for trustworthy AI. These principles are essential for ensuring that AI is deployed in a safe, fair, and effective manner.1. Human Agency and OversightThis is the cornerstone principle, emphasizing that AI systems must empower humans and operate under their control.* The “Human in the Loop”: Educators must act as the final checkpoint, systematically reviewing and validating all AI-generated outputs for accuracy, bias, and reliability.* Mitigating Risks: Human oversight is crucial for managing the risks of GenAI, which include:* Hallucinations: Outputs that seem plausible but are factually incorrect.* Bias: AI models can reflect and amplify biases present in their training data, potentially disadvantaging certain groups.* Disinformation: The capacity of GenAI to rapidly create and scale misinformation.* Decision-Making: AI should support, not replace, human judgment and decision-making, especially in high-stakes educational contexts.2. Privacy and Data GovernanceProtecting student and staff data is a critical compliance and ethical challenge.* Confidentiality: Content used in a request to a GenAI tool is generally not confidential by default and may be used to train the model. All data provided should be considered public unless otherwise stated.* Data Protection: The inputting of sensitive, proprietary, or personal data into AI systems should be avoided. All use must comply with GDPR.* Anonymization: If data is properly anonymized and cannot be re-linked to an individual, it may not be subject to GDPR principles.3. Technical Robustness and SafetyAI systems deployed in schools must be dependable, secure, and perform as expected.* EU AI Act: The EU AI Act (2024) is the world’s first comprehensive AI law. It classifies some uses of AI in education as “high risk,” including systems for evaluating learning outcomes, assessing educational levels, or determining access to education.* Safeguarding: AI introduces unique safeguarding challenges, such as the generation of harmful deepfakes (fake images or voices) and the potential for covert, widespread bullying.4. TransparencyBuilding trust in AI requires clear communication about how and when it is being used.* Shared Expectations: Schools should be transparent with students, parents, and the wider community about the use of GenAI to establish shared expectations.* Age Restrictions: Many GenAI tools have minimum age requirements (e.g., 13, 16, ...
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    13 min
  • Interview 27: Rozz Lewis

    Interview 27: Rozz Lewis
    Oct 4 2025

    I couldn’t think of a better guest than Rozz Lewis for this podcast interview about the new ERB subject in the curriculum, mainly because we talk about it endlessly in our house. Rozz is not only my wife, but she is one of the most knowledgeable people I know when it comes to this new subject and she is not afraid to hold back about her concerns as to how she thinks it could be more harm than good. I know I’m biased but I think you’ll be blown away by her thoughts on this less talked about new subject in the new curriculum. Rozz has also shared some links and resources, which you can find here:

    * The little guide to teachers of ethical education https://school-education.ec.europa.eu/bs/teach/teaching-materials/little-guide-teachers-ethical-education

    * Primary Religious Education-a new approach (Conceptual enquiry in Primary RE) by Clive Erricker( book)

    * Teaching Religious Education by Julian Stern (book)

    * Mastering Primary Religious Education by Maria James and Julian Stern (book)

    * Educate Together’s Summer EPV course on Conceptual Enquiry based approach in Ethical Education



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    45 min