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
Covid-19: Ideas for taking learning outside this autumn During the pandemic, many schools have become more adept at making the most of their outside spaces. How can we ensure that teaching outdoors continues to feature in our planning? Suzanne O’Connell gets some tips from headteacher Emma Barker and the charity Learning through Landscapes
Leadership: Certainty in uncertain times A new academic year dawns and we continue to live with the uncertainty of the pandemic. Dr Pooky Knightsmith offers us some simple ideas for leading with certainty in uncertain times
LGBT+ and gender: Auditing your school’s curriculum It is vital that your school curriculum represents the diversity seen in modern Britain. Katherine Fowler outlines what to consider when carrying out a curriculum review focused on gender and LGBT+ and considers how to instil a cross-curricular sense of inclusivity
Five priorities for your safeguarding checklist It is the start of an intense year for everyone working in schools, especially designated safeguarding leads. Hannah Glossop details her priorities to help DSLs be fully prepared for the months ahead
Safeguarding & KCSIE: What’s changed and what should we do about it? Every September the statutory safeguarding guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education is updated. Expert Elizabeth Rose looks at the key updates this year and the implications for those working in schools
Effective in-school SEMH and counselling support The pandemic has brought pastoral and social, emotional and mental health support to the fore. Sarah May discusses her role as an SEMH support worker across a primary and secondary setting
SENCO workload: Identifying barriers and finding solutions There are far more pupils who desperately need the expertise of the SENCO than the SENCO can realistically support according to on-going workforce research. Co-author Hannah Moloney responds to the findings
Early Career Framework: Roll-out and next steps The Early Career Framework is here and with it comes a new two-year induction cycle for early career teachers across England. Leora Cruddas identifies some key questions schools should be addressing as full roll-out of the ECF begins...
Employment law and Covid-19: The key issues With a new term upon us, where do we stand in relation to our school staff, vaccinations, self-isolation and other key Covid-related issues? Employment law expert Jane Hallas offers her reflections
Wellbeing: How to look after yourself as a headteacher Whether you are an experienced headteacher or new to the job, Kate Smith shares some strategies and ideas to help you protect your wellbeing in the months ahead
Three principles for an inclusive school environment Ensuring an inclusive school environment which supports every pupil to be their best is a priority for school leader Bavaani Nanthabalan. She discusses three core principles for achieving this
Four ideas to tackle workload in your school Teacher workloads have always been heavy but the pandemic has added to the strain. Former deputy head Graham Cooper suggests some practical approaches to cut down on time-consuming tasks and give teachers more time
Flexible working: How to job-share the role of primary headteacher Job-sharing the role of headteacher is an increasingly popular option. Co-heads Alison Fitch and Rebecca Stacey explain how their role works, why it is effective and why job-sharing could be a key factor in retaining more teachers
Edtech change and transformation: How to make things happen... When it comes to edtech in schools, we are all grappling with how to harness the momentum that has been built up during the pandemic. Al Kingsley – author of the new book My Secret EdTech Diary – explains how to take control of edtech change and make things happen
The First 100 Days: School leadership lessons from football Headteacher Phil Denton has spent the last 30 months talking to Premier League managers about the lessons that school leaders – and teachers – can draw from the high-pressure, unforgiving world of football management, especially when it comes to handling the first 100 days in post... 1 comment
How sustainable is your school’s CPD provision? Does your school have a CPD offer? Or does it have a culture of learning? Michelle Barker shares some self-evaluation questions to help you review the sustainability of your school’s CPD provision
Senior Mental Health Lead: How to have an impact If you are new to the role of mental health lead, or you would like to make sure that your role really makes a difference next year, Dr Pooky Knightsmith offers a few simple ideas to help you to maximise your impact
Developing your school's long-term strategic plan It is crucial that your long-term strategic plan helps you to sustain your school. Ciara Lamb outlines what to consider when deciding on your priorities and how to create a robust plan
Free school meals uptake: Removing the barriers There are still a number of barriers that put children and families off applying for and taking up free school meals. Georgina Burt advises on how schools can remove some of these barriers
Information-sharing: Effective safeguarding practice The Child Safeguarding Review Panel has identified timely and appropriate information-sharing as a key area of safeguarding that often needs to be improved. Elizabeth Rose offers best practice advice for schools
Reception to key stage 1: Achieving transfer of learning Reception, key stage 1 and beyond – learning transfer is a crucial part of effective education. Juliet Mickelburgh considers the EYFS Characteristics of Effective Learning and how we might transfer this key learning from the early years into primary
Early Career Framework: Choosing your school's induction mentors Under the new Early Career Framework, schools must appoint an induction mentor for their early career teachers. Simon Clark explains the role of the mentor, how you can pick the best candidates, and ways you can support them in their role
Wellbeing in schools: Common questions from parents The Schools Wellbeing Partnership works with parents to help them choose a school based on their record on mental health. Parent champion Michelle West considers some of the common questions that schools can expect from parents
Anti-racism & diversity: Curriculum, policy and practice Decolonising the primary curriculum, embedding diversity, and becoming an anti-racist school is a challenging and at times difficult process. Headteacher Laura McPhee describes how her school reviewed and reformed its curriculum, policy and practice
