Teacher Writers with Andy McHugh

Thinking Deeply about Primary Education

Author

Kieran Mackle
October 06, 2025

Teacher Writers with Andy McHugh

Good Morning!

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Andy McHugh about something close to my heart — the power of teachers finding their voice through writing.

Andy’s journey from RE teacher to editor and founder of Teacher Writers is a fascinating one, and it raises important questions about professional development, representation, and the way we share knowledge across the system.

What struck me most in our conversation was Andy’s belief that writing isn’t just about reaching an audience — it’s about clarifying our own thinking, building credibility, and connecting with others who share our challenges and aspirations.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to write about my practice, but I don’t know where to start,” this episode will resonate deeply.

Teacher Writers with Andy McHugh by Thinking Deeply about Primary Education

Episode 248: This week on Thinking Deeply About Primary Education, I’m joined by Andy McHugh, teacher, editor, writer, and founder of Teacher Writers, to explore the place of teacher voice in education, and how writing can serve as a form of professional development, influence, and impact.

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Teacher Writers in 5 Minutes 45 seconds

Challenge and Depth in Primary Mathematics

Click the image for tickets to London

Looking to strengthen challenge and depth in primary mathematics without increasing workload? Join us in London, Coventry, or Greater Manchester this autumn.

This practical workshop is designed to turn routine tasks into rich thinking by increasing cognitive demand in simple, workable ways.

We will develop:

  • in-the-moment habits that keep every student thinking,

  • responsive prompts to sustain challenge and guide students towards generalisation

  • sequences that move from representation to reasoning to proof,

  • ready-to-use materials and routines that help replace worksheet tiers with intellectual rigour and purposeful challenge.

Don't miss out on the chance to expand your mathematical horizons! Click for tickets…

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I know I say it often, but it’s worth repeating — thank you to everyone who shared last week’s episode. Your support genuinely makes a difference and helps more teachers join the conversation. If you know someone who enjoys thinking deeply about their professional development, please do pass the link their way.

That’s it for this week. I’d love to hear your thoughts or questions — drop a comment wherever you listen, or just hit reply to this email.

Until next time, thanks for listening.