Health and Wellbeing

Tackling homophobia in primary schools

The 10th annual LGBT History Month has just come to an end. Alex Newton, from charity Stonewall, offers primary schools some best practice advice for tackling homophobia and celebrating difference

How many young carers are there in your school?

Statistics suggest that there are far more young carers in our primary schools than we might imagine. A new law is aiming to help better identify and support our young carers. Suzanne O'Connell explains

Ofsted and e-safety in schools

It is vital that schools get their e-safety policies right. Geoff Millington offers advice for schools on creating an effective e-safety policy and outlines what Ofsted inspectors are looking for

British values: What are England's schools doing?

British values are nothing new – this is the message Headteacher Update is hearing from headteachers. Call it community cohesion, SMSC or religious education, most primary schools are already teaching British values. Now they must make sure inspectors see it too.

Resilience education

The role of schools in fostering resilience in their pupils is being increasingly discussed by politicians and educators. Headteacher Rose Threlfall offers her view

NFER Research Insights 2015

Headteacher Update's Research Insights articles, published in conjunction with the NFER, offer in-depth, evidence based advice, guidance and best practice covering a wide range of areas relevant to primary school leadership and education. Download the latest articles from 2015 and 2014 for free ...

The term-time absence dilemma for school leaders

It is a tough decision for headteachers to make – whether to authorise term-time absences or not. We look at what ‘exceptional circumstances’ mean and how headteachers are dealing with the new registration regulations

Driving school meal take-up

There is more to the School Food Plan than universal free school meals. Jo Wild reports on a government-funded project offering support to boost school meal take-up

SEN: A focus on psychology

Frederick Bird School is a Nasen Outstanding Schools thanks to its SEN provision, which includes the extensive use of psychologists. In this profile of its work, we talk to staff and the psychologists to discuss how they meet the needs of all pupils

Tackling bullying: Knowledge is power

Information, both about national trends and about what is happening in your own school, is a powerful and crucial weapon in the fight against bullying. Dorothy Lepkowska looks at how schools are keeping on top of the problem

Acting on referrals – an escalating role for schools

Reporting child abuse is not yet mandatory. As ministers debate the pros and cons, Ofsted raises its expectation of schools. How much should the designated person do when it comes to making sure social care take action? Suzanne O’Connell reports.

Supporting delivery of universal FSMs

Media attention may have died down since September, but the challenge of delivering universal free school meals to all of key stage 1 continues. Jeremy Boardman of the Children’s Food Trust discusses the practical support available to improve your meals s

Strategies to support vulnerable children

Faced with a large proportion of both Pupil Premium children and pupils who have SEN and disabilities, Harbour Primary and Nursery School has used a range of strategies – not least parental engagement – to meet these children’s needs.

CAMHS under pressure

A recent survey of school leaders shows that many are concerned about their pupils’ mental health and wellbeing, but that delays to CAMHS are preventing them getting quick and effective help. Amy Cook reports.

Helping pupils to handle anxiety and stress

The pressure that our primary school children can face as they grow-up is increasingly being recognised as something that schools must play a part in tackling. Sal McKeown reports from two schools in Coventry which are using different approaches.

Avoiding the transition dip

The transition dip is a well-known and ongoing problem in our education system. Primary head Anna Traer-Goffe reports on a transition programme undertaken with their partner secondary school and some of the lessons they have learnt.

What can schools do about mental health?

New government advice highlights the route to CAMHS – but schools portray CAMHS as a service in crisis. What can we do to help pupils struggling with their mental health? Suzanne O’Connell reports.

A challenging year ahead for school food

On top of the challenge of expanding free school meals to all key stage 1 children, schools now face new school food standards in January. Suzanne O’Connell looks at the challenges ahead for school food.

A focus on mindfulness

Mindfulness has become a familiar term, but what does it really mean and does it have a place in our schools? Amanda Bailey discusses how mindfulness can help children in particular to grow and develop

Attachment Theory and its implications

A new programme to raise awareness of the practical implications of attachment issues in schools has published a set of training materials for teachers, school leaders and governors. Dr Janet Rose and Richard Parker explain

Term-time absence

How are the tighter rules surrounding parents pulling their children out of class for holidays and other events affecting schools? Amy Cook takes a look.

First aid in schools

Jess Hubbard from St John Ambulance offers advice to schools that have decided to offer first aid teaching for their pupils.

Spotting and tackling low-level neglect

Based on recent research evidence, Caroline Sharp offers some practical advice on how schools can identify and support pupils who are suffering from low-level neglect.

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Headteacher Update is the only magazine delivered directly to every primary school headteacher in the UK. It is published six times a year, at the beginning of each term and half-term, to keep headteachers up-to-date with everything going on in primary education.

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