Supporting looked after children in your school Specific support for looked after children is essential if they are to thrive. Darren Martindale focuses on three key elements – the designated teacher, the Personal Education Plan, and the virtual school head
The dark days of winter... Stress and mental health difficulties can be harder to handle during the dark winter nights. How can we support our staff?
What can schools do about pollution? We are finding out more about the impact of poor air quality on our children, especially in urban areas. But what can schools do to protect their pupils and to raise awareness? Suzanne O’Connell reports
Vulnerable pupils: Parent-school meetings In Headteacher Update this year, Daniel Sobel will be tackling common problems and questions when it comes to supporting vulnerable pupils in school. In his first article, he looks at the challenges and secrets to successful parent-school meetings
Behaviour & inclusion: Rules vs expectations Rules are necessary in games, but in relationships they are counterproductive. Headteacher Ryan Kilby explains why traditional approaches to behaviour can never be inclusive
When a young person opens up to you... When a child opens up about a mental health issue, responding in the right way is crucial. Caroline Hounsell from MHFA England offers five tips for primary school staff
Spotting and tackling child sexual exploitation Spotting potential child sexual exploitation is a key part of safeguarding work. Suzanne O’Connell provides a summary of what CSE refers to, how you and your staff might identify it, and what positive actions a primary school can take
Tackling childhood obesity – the view from Ofsted A recent Ofsted review into schools’ role in tackling the child obesity crisis has led to a confusing report that criticises and dismisses our efforts, while offering schools few useful recommendations, says Suzanne O’Connell
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
ID verification in schools ID verification for safer recruitment and to prevent other criminal activities is an essential responsibility in schools. Dave Verma offers some quick advice
LGBT: Common questions Equality and diversity consultant Adele Bates answers some of the questions she is commonly asked by teaching staff in primary schools
Preparing for statutory relationships and health education The government has finally published its draft guidance for the new subject of relationships and sex education – and has also set-out plans for statutory health education. Lucy Emmerson advises schools on how to begin preparing 1 comment
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
More depth and detail: The new safeguarding guidance Local Safeguarding Children Boards may be on their way out but schools will still be on the frontline when it comes to child protection. Suzanne O’Connell outlines the major changes and implications for schools of the new Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance
Teaching assistants’ role in managing behaviour Research has shown that fear of ‘overstepping the mark’ can stop teaching assistants from managing behaviour. Dr Emma Clarke outlines some of the issues uncovered during her research and suggests ways in which schools, teachers and teaching assistants can support effective behaviour management 1 comment
A safeguarding review Having just led her primary school through a safeguarding audit and review, Helen Frostick discusses her lessons learned and best practice safeguarding approaches
Children missing education: It’s time to track the vulnerable Schools are expected to follow up every absence, and yet there are thousands of children who have nobody checking up on them at all. The issue of children missing education is difficult to tackle, so what can be done to protect the vulnerable? Suzanne O’Connell reports
Seeking wellbeing support: Let’s end the stigma... More teachers are reaching out for wellbeing support, but only once they have already reached crisis point. Julian Stanley says headteachers have a key role in ending the stigma over asking for help
Behaviour management: Using reflective language Using reflective language to meet the emotional and behavioural needs of children can have a big impact on behaviour and learning. Cath Hunter advises
Pornography and other online safety issues The impact that exposure to pornography has on the lives of young people is becoming alarmingly clear – and it is increasingly becoming an issue for primary-age pupils. Stephanie Enson explores the problems and discusses preventative strategies
Diary of a headteacher: A focus on behaviour According to the statistics, behaviour seems to be getting worse in primary schools – yet this is no reason to abandon our ideals...
Will the latest safeguarding changes make a difference? Schools are on the front-line when it comes to safeguarding our children. With government guidance currently being overhauled after the Children and Social Work Act, what should schools be aware of?
Prevent: A curriculum issue? Earlier this year, a report into multi-agency Prevent work suggested that a shift in focus is needed for this agenda in schools. Author Dr David Lundie sets out his findings
How to create a mentally healthy school Creating mentally healthy schools benefits staff and pupils. Emma Mamo from the charity MIND offers her advice both to schools themselves and to staff who are struggling with a mental health problem
The Stella Project: Supporting our vulnerable learners The Stella Project has been working with professionals to provide mental health training in order to better support vulnerable learners. Clare Stafford explains more about the legacy the year-long project hopes to leave
