How would you respond? Dealing with pupils who can’t settle In her articles this year, Shahana Knight spotlights common behaviours or classroom scenarios, looking at why they might occur and how we can respond therapeutically. This time, she looks at the pupil who is unable to settle and is distracting others...
Teaching for mastery: Changing mindsets in maths Using the teaching for mastery approach in maths has led to deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. Assistant headteacher John Canavan explains
Taking a step back from burn-out... Burn-out is not inevitable. As a school leader, how do you take care of yourself? Frances Robertson urges you to avoid burn-out by making time to reflect and step back from the chaos...
What the DfE’s reading framework means for your school The DfE’s new reading framework is being implemented this year. Kathy Ewers picks out five key elements of the guidance and looks at bringing them into the classroom
The four pillars of parental engagement Now is a pivotal moment to take parental engagement seriously and review our approaches. Justin Robbins and Karen Dempster describe their four pillars of effective practice
Meet the two Mr Ps... The Two Mr Ps in a Pod(Cast) is one of the most popular educational podcasts. Emma Lee-Potter meets the two brothers behind the show and shares some of their anecdotes about primary school life
Seven principles of setting effective primary homework What is the secret to effective homework at primary level? Drawing upon the research, author of a new book on the topic Andrew Jones offers seven key principles for setting good homework
Case study: Keeping the MFL flag flying Languages education has been hit hard during the pandemic, while an Ofsted subject report has indicated varied quality in MFL delivery at primary level. Suzanne O’Connell finds out how Hounslow Heath Junior School is maintaining languages as a priority
Six steps to supporting Afghan refugees arriving in your school As refugees from Afghanistan begin to arrive in the UK, primary schools across the UK are ready to welcome the children of these families. Katy Isaac offers six steps for supporting these children and signposts to useful resources
The Pupil Premium strategy statement The DfE’s new Pupil Premium strategy statement is aimed at helping schools to explain how they are using this crucial funding. Suzanne O’Connell looks at what it entails and what’s involved
Neurodivergent pupils: 10 strategies for schools How best can we support neurodivergent children during these uncertain times? Dr Pooky Knightsmith offers 10 simple strategies for schools
SEND & safeguarding: Effective practice The increased vulnerabilities of children with SEND mean that safeguarding must remain a constant focus for all school staff. Sara Alston advises
Animal therapy: Down on the school farm From lambs to donkeys to pigs, the animals at York House School are helping pupils to adopt and model positive behaviour. Head Jon Gray explains why all schools should consider ‘animal therapy’
Metacognition in the primary classroom Metacognitive strategies can empower even the youngest children to think about how they are learning and equip them to learn new tasks. Jane Downes explains
Flexible working: How can it work for your school? Over the last 18 months more school staff will have worked flexibly than ever before, but what does flexible working actually mean in the school context? Louise Hatswell looks at employment law, best practice and offers some guidance for employers
Meaningless words? How to build a genuine school ethos Building a school ethos can so easily become an exercise in jargon and meaningless words. James Handscombe says that it is not until your ethos gets in the way of a hard decision that you know if you really believe in what you’re saying…
The chronicles of a therapeutic classroom: October This year, childhood trauma expert Shahana Knight is working with a primary school to transform a year 3 classroom into the ultimate therapeutic classroom. This diary chronicles the project. This time, she sketches out her initial plans…
Mental health, safeguarding & child protection: Three key considerations The links between safeguarding, child protection and mental health are extensive, multi-layered, and complex – what should we be doing to keep children safe? Elizabeth Rose advises
Sexual harassment: The role of RSE in responding to Ofsted’s review The shockwaves of Ofsted’s review of sexual harassment and abuse in schools can still be felt. Schools are now responding. Lucy Emmerson looks at the role of effective RSE as part of this response
Quality first teaching: Six features of excellent explanations Teaching is explaining. But how do we explain effectively? Robbie Burns draws on research evidence and best practice and distils them into the six principles of excellent explanations
No going back: Choosing the right MAT for your school Once your school has joined a multi-academy trust there is rarely any going back. As such, we must choose the right MAT for our ethos and community. Paul K Ainsworth offers some advice to primary heads and governors when taking this important decision
What works in maths? Maths is one of the subjects reported on in Ofsted’s series of research reviews. Suzanne O’Connell looks at the main themes and messages in the report and the implications for practice in our primary schools
Pedagogical content knowledge and the sequence of learning When it comes to great teaching and pedagogy, the sequence of learning trumps everything – and our new goal is pedagogical content knowledge. Ben Harding offers some insights into what this means in the classroom and school
Case study: Teaching Mandarin and a virtual trip to China The LEO Academy Trust launched its immersive Mandarin programme three years ago and recently held a virtual trip to China to give pupils further opportunities to practise speaking. Chris Ansell explains
A six-step guide for new mental health leads The emerging role of designated or senior mental health lead in schools has become even more vital in light of the impact of the pandemic. Wellbeing expert Kelly Hannaghan discusses effective practice for those taking on this new position and six steps for success
