Mid-year transitions: Supporting new arrivals How do you welcome children who join your school mid-way through the school year or mid-way through their primary education? Fiona Aubrey-Smith looks at some of the simple strategies that schools use to help children settle in to already established classes and year groups
Supporting your challenging students Daniel Sobel reflects on the challenges often presented by our more difficult students, and how as a whole-school team we might be able to overcome these problems before it is too late 1 comment
Early Help – getting it right Early intervention is crucial if we are to give pupils the best chances of success. Ann Marie Christian offers her practical strategies and advice on creating and managing an effective early help programme
Is your new intake ‘ready’ for school? There is on-going concern about the extent to which children arrive at school ‘ready to learn’. Anne Lyons looks at the challenges for school leaders
Early learning and child wellbeing research The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) is piloting the OECD’s new study of early learning and wellbeing in England later this autumn term. Caroline Sharp explains what the study is about and what it will mean for schools
SATs: Protecting pupil wellbeing As another year begins, Laura Ralph looks at how schools might support those pupils who are facing SATs this year and who might soon begin to feel the pressure around their assessments
The links between character education and mental health The government is to strengthen the role of schools both in preventing mental health problems from arising and in supporting pupils in crisis. Anna Feuchtwang considers the part that ‘character education’ can play in new policy
Child abuse: The ‘art’ of listening It takes on average seven years for children to disclose sexual abuse and teachers are on the frontline. Safeguarding expert Sam Preston asks if your staff really know how to ‘listen’ to their pupils
Setting up a primary school nurture group Drawing on the work of South Rise Primary School, Jo Corrigan considers what makes nurture group provision successful, the impact it has on children and their families, and offers advice for schools 3 comments
Safeguarding: Are you covering all bases? Creating and maintaining a culture of safety is a priority for all primary schools. National Leader of Education and headteacher Helen Frostick advises on preparing and embedding effective practices and satisfying Ofsted requirements
Behaviour guidance with a sharp, no-nonsense edge Behaviour tsar Tom Bennett’s guidance contains some strong messages about behaviour in our schools. It also promotes a hard line. Suzanne O’Connell considers its main messages and how they apply to primary schools
Ideas for the summer... As the end of the year approaches, Fiona Aubrey-Smith speaks to headteachers from across the country who share a range of practical ideas to support pupil (and teacher) learning this summer term and into the school holidays
Relationships education: What should we expect? The campaign has been long and difficult, but at last those determined to see the introduction of statutory relationships and sex education have been rewarded. What can primary headteachers expect now as the discussions and consultations set in? Suzanne O’Connell reports
Case study: A non-confrontational approach to behaviour The outstanding Gilbrook School caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Among its many strategies is a non-confrontational approach to behaviour management with minimal sanctions. Emma Lee-Potter paid a visit to find out more
Safeguarding: What are the early signs of abuse or neglect? Most schools are clear about those signs of abuse and neglect that should lead to a referral. But what about the first warning signs that something needs further investigation? NICE has released draft guidance to help schools and other services know what these are. Suzanne O’Connell takes a look
The mental health crisis Headteachers are reporting a rise in mental health needs among children. Yet, the resources to help support them seem to be lacking. Is the government right to put the emphasis back on to schools? Suzanne O’Connell reports
Pastoral support: Emotion coaching Emotion coaching is a concept that could help schools to better support students’ social, emotional and mental health. Educational psychologists Licette Gus and Dr Laura Meldrum-Carter explain 1 comment
Wellbeing and life-skills What first steps can primary heads take to set up a strategy that will help pupils develop the wellbeing and life-skills they need for success? Colin McLean shares some advice
Safeguarding and the law From radicalisation to female genital mutilation, are your staff up-to-date on their safeguarding duties and will they know what to do if they suspect abuse? Safeguarding specialist Sam Preston offers her advice
Why you should let your year 6 pupils play! Play can be an important outlet for children, but by the time they reach key stage 2 it has often all but stopped. Play therapist Shahana Knight argues the importance of play in all year groups, especially year 6
Positive male role-models For many pupils, having a positive male role-model in their lives can make a big difference to outcomes. Kim Jones suggests hosting workshops to give your fathers a chance to engage with their children and the school
Encouraging pupils to make friends Making friends is a key learning curve of primary school and teaches pupils many key skills for later life. However, it is something that some pupils can find difficult. Naomi Richards offers some ideas for how schools can help pupils to make and retain friends
Safeguarding: Maintaining professional boundaries Maintaining personal, professional and protective boundaries is a crucial consideration for those working in our schools. Sarah Morgan offers her guide for teachers and education professionals 1 comment
Prevent for primaries – a misplaced strategy? An increasing number of primary-age children are being referred to the government’s Channel anti-terrorism scheme. With a bid to remove the duty for primary schools currently in Parliament, how beneficial is the Prevent strategy for this age group?
Safeguarding: Keeping Children Safe in Education The latest updates to the statutory Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance were published in September. Ann Marie Christian looks at the main implications for our safeguarding work
