How to close the vocabulary gap The best way to tackle the disadvantage gap in the early years and throughout primary school is to improve children’s literacy and language skills. Matt Bromley offers some practical strategies and interventions
Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework: Finally moving in the right direction? The consultation over Ofsted’s draft Education Inspection Framework is almost at an end. With its new focus on curriculum breadth and balance and with the chief inspector speaking out against teaching to the test, the framework has been broadly welcomed. What are the key talking points?
Supporting an effective transition for EAL pupils Continuing our series on supporting learners with English as an additional language, Kamil Trzebiatowski looks at how we can best help EAL pupils to prepare for their transition to secondary school
The challenges facing primary science education Primary science education faces some key challenges since it was overhauled in the national curriculum reforms, including questions over how well ‘working like a scientist’ is promoted and how confident teachers are to deliver lessons. Deborah Roberts explains
Five steps to maths mastery Successful implementation of maths mastery approaches requires a whole-school strategy and effective support and training for your teachers. Alexandra Riley offers a school leader’s mastery checklist
Parent-child learning conversations in action Some schools are reducing teacher workload and boosting parental engagement by scrapping homework and moving to a system of ‘Learning Conversations’. Fiona Aubrey-Smith explains
Supporting EAL learners in your classroom Continuing our series on supporting learners with English as an additional language, Emma Parsons recommends strategies and resources for teachers and support staff to use in class and offers her suggestions for CPD and sharing good EAL practice within your school
Supporting refugee children The plight of the millions of child refugees and their fight for education is being highlighted in the run up to this year’s Red Nose Day on March 15. Emma Stevenson looks at the work of two charities and seeks some advice for UK schools on how they can support refugee children
STEM: Building early foundations When should we introduce the STEM approach and how can we maintain children’s engagement with STEM throughout their education? Emily Hunt offers teachers some advice
Case study: Arts, creativity and the curriculum Headteacher Michael Schumm speaks to Amanda Hall-Davis about the innovative curriculum at his school and its basis in creativity and the arts
Choosing to read – what the evidence tells us... Literacy and numeracy are critical skills for pupils to develop if they are to reach their potential and achieve rewarding outcomes during and after education. Liz Twist highlights the evidence showing why reading – including reading out loud – must be at the heart of the curriculum in the primary ...
STEM: Why we should do more tinkering How can we foster creativity, open-mindedness and resourcefulness while still working towards key academic outcomes. The Royal Academy of Engineering says the answer is to tinker. Rhys Morgan explains
The therapeutic teacher Continuing her regular series, expert Shahana Knight advises schools on supporting the emotional and mental health of children and staff, offering easy-to-implement and cost-effective activities. Here she focuses on therapeutic teaching skills
Computing: Resources, ideas, advice The move from ICT to computing continues to challenge schools, especially those relying on non-specialist teachers. Fiona Aubrey-Smith looks at some useful resources and offers three steps to help move your computing curriculum forwards
School trip tips: Effective planning and organising Gill Harvey offers her advice on planning and running educational and safe school trips, including tips for schools that decide to work with a tour operator or other provider
Relationships and health education The consultation over proposed guidance for statutory relationships education and health education has closed. John Rees looks at how schools might begin preparing for these vital new subjects
Teaching essential skills Is it possible for schools to adopt a whole-school approach to essential skills while still meeting curriculum demands? Tom Ravenscroft says it is
Supporting speech, language and communication needs The recommendations from the Bercow: Ten Years On review can help primary schools to ensure that pupils’ speech, language and communication needs are properly supported. Mary Hartshorne explains
EAL: Supporting new arrivals in your primary school Many primary schools will have new arrivals this September who have English as an additional language. Continuing our series on EAL, Emma Parsons recommends effective induction procedures, an EAL assessment tool, and differentiation strategies and resources for use in the classroom
Religion, culture and diversity Today more than ever primary schools need to adopt an interesting and creative approach to teaching issues relating to diversity and difference, argues Phil Champain
Engaging reluctant readers Engaging reluctant and struggling readers is a clear challenge for every primary school. Ahead of a workshop focused on this issue, Angela Fuggle from the literacy charity Beanstalk offers some practical tips
Learning environments: Finding the Catch Zone... How effective is your school’s learning environment? How do you organise your classroom and school displays for maximum impact on learning? Fiona Aubrey-Smith discusses the secrets to success and introduces the Catch Zone...
The vocabulary gap: A cross-phase challenge Differences in vocabulary acquisition might be particularly noticeable at age 5, but it doesn’t stop there. Teachers report that the word gap is increasing across primary education and into secondary. Suzanne O’Connell reports
Maths mastery uncovered Maths mastery is the latest policy being supported by the government. Tony Staneff explores the truth behind some common maths mastery myths and outlines four ways to kick-start your school’s journey to mastery 1 comment
Oracy: Speaking up for speaking Plans are afoot to create an All-Party Parliamentary Group on oracy. Primary school leader Anthony David considers the importance of speaking skills for children of all ages
