Energy saving in your school: Top tips Schools can play their part in responding to the climate emergency while also reducing their energy costs at a time of rising prices. Suzanne Gibbon from the Let’s Go Zero campaign offers 10 energy-saving tips and examples from schools
'The feeling in the classroom is calm and purposeful' More schools are signing up to transform their classrooms into therapeutic teaching spaces. Shahana Knight looks at the approaches she has helped implement at St Charles Primary School
The chronicles of a therapeutic classroom: What a year it's been This year, Shahana Knight has transformed a real-life year 3 classroom into a fully therapeutic environment. As the end of term approaches, she reflects on the project and the lessons learned 1 comment
The chronicles of a therapeutic classroom: An inspector calls This year, Shahana Knight has transformed a real-life year 3 classroom into a fully therapeutic environment. But now Ofsted is on its way and the school is on tenterhooks to see what they make of these unusual approaches…
The chronicles of a therapeutic classroom: Ten low-cost ideas This year, Shahana Knight has transformed a year 3 classroom into a therapeutic teaching space. But not every school can rebuild an entire classroom – so here she offers 10 low-cost, easy therapeutic ideas
Hand-washing and hygiene: Improving primary school toilets Toilet areas in schools can sometimes be neglected, resulting in poor hand hygiene and pupils reluctant to use the spaces. Dr Catherine Stones has been looking into how we can change this using some very simple ideas
The chronicles of a therapeutic classroom: How much does it cost? So far this year, Shahana Knight has had a great response to her therapeutic classroom diary, but readers are asking one question above all others – how much does it cost?
The chronicles of a therapeutic classroom: Lights, Camera, Action! All this year, Shahana Knight has been working with a school to transform a year 3 classroom into a fully therapeutic teaching space. Staff have been inspired and children awestruck – and now you can watch a film of the entire transformation...
'The first thing I invested in was the school library' The library must sit at the heart of our teaching and learning environments. Former headteacher, Richard Gerver – the new president of the School Library Association – explains why school libraries have never been more important and looks at some tenets of good practice 1 comment
Assurance: It’s not sexy, but it’s important From boilers to putrefied rat remains, from magic buckets to burglar alarms – assurance is not well understood in education and the consequences can be catastrophic. MAT chief executive Mark Wilson explains
PFI: Challenging overly expensive contracts As an academy trust CEO, Andrew Chubb successfully challenged aspects of his school’s PFI contract, leading to substantial savings. He looks here at why PFI often proves unfairly expensive for schools – and what can be done about it
Why you should renegotiate your school’s contracts now How will the Covid-19 pandemic affect your purchasing power? Procurement consultant Naomi Clews says it makes sense to revisit your existing contracts now to secure best value for money for your school
Planning your school's digital strategy post-Covid With the future still uncertain, digital plans for schools have taken on a new significance and we must ensure that ed-tech can be used effectively both in-school and remotely. Al Kingsley offers some advice and reflections
Saving money on your school's rateable value What is your school’s rateable value? Are you overpaying? Mark Paterson looks at how schools might be able to make substantial savings
Case study: Creating an inspiring reading environment Drawing on research evidence, Nafferton Primary School has gone all-out to create a reading environment to inspire its pupils and make them want to pick up a book. Lucy May and David Murray explain how
Planning for school security Headteachers are very much aware of the need to protect pupils and staff. However, navigating the guidance and legal obligations can be difficult. Suzanne O’Connell looks at new online advice to help those responsible for policy and practice
Learning environments: A question of light and air With the darker days drawing in and winter upon us, Fiona Aubrey-Smith considers two issues that do not often make it to the top of school improvement plans – light and air
How we created an inspiring school library This is the story of how a small team created a new, woodland-themed library at Halberton Primary School. Christine Campion explains
Case study: Innovative school facilities As far as innovative facilities projects go, Aldingbourne Primary School perhaps takes the gold medal – from a diner made from shipping containers to a double decker bus-based breakfast club. Emma Lee-Potter takes a look
Making the most of your learning spaces Cuddington Croft Primary has been working to make better use of the potential learning spaces around the school. Deputy head Alice Cunningham outlines the action research they undertook and how they developed their design for new learning environments
Case study: A library in every classroom With a small school library that was not fit-for-purpose, Tom Donohoe set about a new approach – creating a well-equipped mini-library in every single classroom...
Planning a new SEND building Developing new facilities and buildings to cater for pupils with SEN and disabilities can be a challenge for schools. Gareth Barber discusses the requirements, offers expert advice, and looks at a case study of one school’s building project
Finding the funding for school expansion With growing pupil rolls, expansion is a priority for many schools – however, finance is a key consideration. Gareth Barber opens up the school place debate and looks into what funding options are on the table for those looking to upsize
Toilets and washrooms in your school What state are your school’s toilet and washroom facilities in? Ged Hirst looks at some common problems and offers some solutions 1 comment
Ideas for handling increasing pupil numbers Is your school site constrained? Is your school roll rising? From travel plans to making the most of your playground space, National Leader of Education Helen Frostick discusses how to cope with increasing pupil numbers when space is already tight
