Leadership and Policy

Ed-tech in 2020 and beyond

Ahead of Bett 2020, Caroline Wright looks at BESA’s latest research findings on the state of ed-tech in UK schools and the challenges faced by the sector, not least when it comes to teacher training

January’s priorities for new headteachers

Continuing her series offering support and advice for new headteachers, National Leader of Education Helen Frostick considers what we should be prioritising at the beginning of the spring term

Getting subject-specific CPD right

The role of subject-specific CPD and curriculum development in effective teaching is vital. Maria Cunningham looks at the research and some best practice approaches

Parents and safeguarding

In the second of three articles on parental engagement issues, Dorothy Lepkowska looks at safeguarding and child protection and how schools can and should work with families

November’s priorities for new headteachers

This year in Headteacher Update, National Leader of Education, Helen Frostick, is offering term-by-term advice for those new to school headship. In her second article, she focuses on issues including Pupil Premium, staff wellbeing, Ofsted and data as the autumn term enters the home straight

Staff restructuring and difficult decisions

A thorough, methodical and sensitive approach is vital when it comes to making difficult staffing decisions in the face of struggling budgets, says primary trust leader Karen Burns

Curriculum design: Waiting for the Sunrise

In light of the new Education Inspection Framework, St Mary’s CE School has created the Sunrise Curriculum. Headteacher Nicola Bray describes their journey of curriculum design and development

Parents’ evenings: What should be on the agenda?

In the first of three articles examining parental engagement, Dorothy Lepkowska looks at parents’ evenings and asks if there is a mismatch between what teachers want to discuss and what parents want to know...

Reception Baseline Assessment: What to expect

The pilot of the new Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) has begun and the national roll-out is due in September 2020. Katherine Fowler from the National Foundation for Educational Research – which has developed and will deliver the new assessment – explains how it will work in practice and ...

Case study: An effective plan for CPD

How does your school plan and implement effective professional development? Drawing on his work at Springfield Junior School, Daniel Jones shares the main principles and logistics behind their approaches to using CPD to develop and sustain high-quality teaching

Social media: How to stop parents from misusing it

The best way to deal with inappropriate social media use by parents is to proactively set expectations and to be clear on how you will respond to incidents. Kaley Foran explains what you can do if an issue does arise

September’s priorities for new headteachers

A new term brings a new start for many school leaders, including those taking up their first headship. National Leader of Education Helen Frostick offers her advice to those new to the post, including a quick guide to areas of focus for the autumn term senior leadership meetings

Supporting your pupils with medical needs

Many schools work hard to make the best provision they can for young people with medical needs, but it is not always easy. Jackie Wheatley highlights key areas of best practice, considers some of the legal requirements placed on schools, and offers her advice

GDPR: One year on...

GDPR recently celebrated its first anniversary, but there is still confusion in schools about data duties and obligations. Richard Skipper provides clarity on some common problems

Leadership profile: A 28-year learning curve

Phil Hallman is one of the longest serving headteachers in the country having clocked up 28 years across two primary schools. He speaks to Emma Lee-Potter about his journey and what he has learnt...

Leading EAL in your primary school

EAL support is a core responsibility for every school. Catherine Brennan considers the key roles and duties for those leading EAL within primary schools and offers some tips on how to embed sustainable EAL provision within schools and support your teaching staff

Time-out and isolation under scrutiny

At the National Education Union annual conference, delegates recounted stories about school isolation rooms filled with SEND children. It seems that the use of ‘time-out’ or ‘reflection rooms’ is increasing at primary level. Suzanne O’Connell looks at this growing trend and its place in school ...

The role of governors in supporting CPD

How much does your governing board know about effective staff development – and to what extent do governors support and challenge your school’s work in this crucial area? Maria Cunningham advises

School development, curriculum and Ofsted

Schools across England will be reflecting on their curriculum design in light of Ofsted’s new ‘intent, implementation and impact’ approach. National Leader of Education Helen Frostick offers a quick insight into how her school’s curriculum will meet Ofsted’s criteria, including areas for development

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Headteacher Update is the only magazine delivered directly to every primary school headteacher in the UK. It is published six times a year, at the beginning of each term and half-term, to keep headteachers up-to-date with everything going on in primary education.

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