Arguing for a creative curriculum Headteacher Anne Bull has been awarded an honorary degree by Bath Spa University in recognition of her contribution to education. She argues why a creative focus across the curriculum is vital
Creative approaches to literacy and the SPAG tests Will the new spelling, punctuation and grammar tests produce an assembly line of rote-learning at the expense of creativity? Alison Wilcox looks at how we can tackle the tests, but still engage our pupils
Five ideas to get pupils reading Promoting reading and improving literacy is an on-going challenge for all primary schools. Deputy head Martin Cooper looks at five approaches that have proven successful at his school
Encouraging boys to read For 40 years, the charity Beanstalk has been providing trained volunteers to help encourage primary school children to read. We asked volunteer Sally Floyer for some tips on engaging boys with reading
Tackling truancy and driving up attendance Deputy headteacher Nadia Jarana explains some of the strategies her inner city school employed to help transform their attendance figures
Oracy: Improving your pupils talking skills Jonothan Wright offers advice on a range of approaches schools can take to develop pupils’ language, speech and communication skills
Putting teacher-led research to work Graham Handscomb argues the case for practitioner-led enquiry, reflection and research at the heart of successful schools
Improving pupils’ memory Children with poor working memory can be a barrier to achievement and a particular challenge for teachers. Sal McKeown looks at how some schools are tackling the problem
Diagnosis, treatment and progression: Using research in the classroom Evidence is everywhere – but what are teachers to think? Ben Durbin says teaching can be enhanced by the use of evidence in practice and, inspired by medical practice, gives three steps for its effective use
Achieving Ofsted outstanding for the Behaviour and Safety of Pupils The behaviour and safety judgement is one that underpins Ofsted inspection. In the first of a four-part series focusing on the four core inspection judgements, Suzanne O’Connell talks to five schools who are ‘outstanding’ when it comes to their behaviour
My 51-hour Ofsted inspection diary It lasted for just 51 hours – from initial phone call to final farewells. Headteacher of St Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Primary School, Helen Frostick, chronicles their last Ofsted inspection, which saw the school judged to be outstanding in all areas
Bouncing back from a poor school inspection Some of the most challenging times in a headteacher’s career can be after a poor inspection outcome. Nick Bannister meets leaders who have helped their schools to bounce back after inspection setbacks
Every school needs a bereavement policy When a bereavement affects a pupil in your school, it is vital to act quickly and appropriately. Heather Butler, the author of a new book on the subject, offers crucial advice on how both staff and pupils can be supported at these difficult times
Investing in film education The British Film Institute is investing £26 million in a unified programme of film education. Headteacher Janice Middleton explains
Team motivation: Hitting the ground running in September Today, team motivation is seen as a key responsibility of modern headship, and it is especially important that as the new school year begins the whole-school team hits the ground running. Nick Bannister looks at the experiences of one primary headteacher
Poverty: Just how much can schools do? The Pupil Premium is on the up, but so is child poverty. With the number of children below the minimum income standards set to grow by 400,000, can schools really bridge the disadvantage gap on their own?
What makes an Ofsted 'outstanding' lesson? Drawing on his experience of Ofsted and the views of the chief inspector, consultant headteacher Matt Bromley discusses the secrets to teaching outstanding lessons.
Getting the whole school singing Becoming a ‘singing school’ can have a range of knock-on benefits. Penny Sheppard, headteacher of Queen’s Hill Primary, explains why and how she has embedded singing in every aspect of school life
Avoiding common mistakes on grant applications Filling in grant applications is much harder than many of us think. Expert Jon Ellery offers some advice on avoiding common mistakes on application forms
Case study: A living Olympic legacy A year on from the London Olympics Nick Bannister revisits a Cornish school to find out how the leadership is not only keeping the Games’ legacy alive, but is spreading it far and wide
Speed Learning – a new form of CPD Speed Learning is a new concept in grass-roots, profession-led CPD, offering practical and high-impact ideas. Fiona Aubrey-Smith explains
Case study: Creating Good Learners The Good Learner project at Inkberrow First School has for the past three years focused on improving children’s learning skills. Heather Thomson and Sharon Cole explain
Booktime – Page-turning learning As pastimes go, reading has to compete hard for children’s attention these days, but research suggests that the gift of a book still has the power to excite. Harriet Weaving explains
Engaging boys with and through dance Dance can be a powerful medium to engage pupils, especially boys. Experienced dance teacher Louise Wilkie explains why and offers some practical advice and ideas
Teaching on the Falkland Islands Tom Hill has been head of a 260-pupil infant and junior school delivering the English curriculum for two years. Nothing unusual about that – other than its location. Emma Lee Potter caught up with him 1 comment
