Teaching and learning is crucial to the success of a primary school. Our best practice articles and case studies focus on how school leaders can support their teachers to sustain high quality teaching and learning.

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Metacognition in the primary school classroom

They are among the most effective teaching strategies, especially for pupils who are disadvantaged. Matt Bromley looks at how metacognition and self-regulation can work in the primary school setting

An inspiring range of STEAM activity ideas

Science, art, technology and computing education is high on the agenda at St Mary Magdalen’s Primary as can be seen from their work each year to mark British Science Week. Gary McNab explains

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

A consistency of teaching while protecting teacher autonomy

Consistency is often a misconstrued word in education. David Ruddle explains how his school achieved a consistency of teaching approaches in mathematics while still protecting teacher autonomy

Mission Mondays, RESPECT and character education

The RESPECT curriculum at three Manchester primary schools has seven tenets of character education at its heart and is brought to life for pupils by the exciting Mission Mondays. Sophie Murfin explains all...

Dogs in schools: Getting it right

There has been recent media attention praising the impact of bringing dogs into schools, but this must be done in the right way to avoid putting both the dogs and the children at risk. Headteacher Nik Gardner urges schools considering this approach to take on board the proper guidance

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Getting maths mastery right in your primary school

Maths mastery is not a quick fix and takes time to implement and embed. Mathematics specialist teacher Chris Gallagher gives us his guide on how to introduce a whole-school mastery approach

Curriculum design under a new Ofsted regime

The new Ofsted inspection framework will see a focus on the breadth of a school’s curriculum offer, including its ‘intent’, ‘implementation’ and ‘impact’. In light of these changes, Matt Bromley looks at how schools might plan their curriculum

Theatre-inspired ideas to boost creative skills

How can we integrate creativity into the primary classroom? Drawing on the approaches of the National Theatre’s Let’s Play programme, Lorna McGinty offers some ideas and inspiration

The four Cs of effective teaching assistants

Professional collaboration between teachers and teaching assistants is crucial to high-quality lessons and teaching. Matt Bromley outlines his four Cs for creating outstanding working relationships

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RSE: Engaging with parents

Parents cannot opt-out of new statutory relationships education in primary schools, but should still be consulted over the curriculum. Lucy Emmerson looks at how schools can engage with parents

What do you want to be when you’re older?

The importance of careers education and breaking down gender stereotypes at primary age is increasingly recognised. After the publication of a new report, Suzanne O’Connell looks at some best practice examples

A STEM-inspired primary school curriculum

Pupils at Willowtown Primary in South Wales benefit from a STEM-rich curriculum. Headteacher Paul Keane discusses what the school offers and how this curriculum has been developed

Getting the ‘E’ of PSHE right

There are many ways for primary schools to bring financial education lessons to life. Julian Wright offers some ideas and advice from the free RedSTART programme

The challenges facing primary science education

Primary science education faces some key challenges since it was overhauled in the national curriculum reforms, including questions over how well ‘working like a scientist’ is promoted and how confident teachers are to deliver lessons. Deborah Roberts explains

How to close the vocabulary gap

The best way to tackle the disadvantage gap in the early years and throughout primary school is to improve children’s literacy and language skills. Matt Bromley offers some practical strategies and interventions

Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework: Finally moving in the right direction?

The consultation over Ofsted’s draft Education Inspection Framework is almost at an end. With its new focus on curriculum breadth and balance and with the chief inspector speaking out against teaching to the test, the framework has been broadly welcomed. What are the key talking points?

Supporting an effective transition for EAL pupils

Continuing our series on supporting learners with English as an additional language, Kamil Trzebiatowski looks at how we can best help EAL pupils to prepare for their transition to secondary school

Five steps to maths mastery

Successful implementation of maths mastery approaches requires a whole-school strategy and effective support and training for your teachers. Alexandra Riley offers a school leader’s mastery checklist

Parent-child learning conversations in action

Some schools are reducing teacher workload and boosting parental engagement by scrapping homework and moving to a system of ‘Learning Conversations’. Fiona Aubrey-Smith explains

Supporting EAL learners in your classroom

Continuing our series on supporting learners with English as an additional language, Emma Parsons recommends strategies and resources for teachers and support staff to use in class and offers her suggestions for CPD and sharing good EAL practice within your school

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Supporting refugee children

The plight of the millions of child refugees and their fight for education is being highlighted in the run up to this year’s Red Nose Day on March 15. Emma Stevenson looks at the work of two charities and seeks some advice for UK schools on how they can support refugee children

STEM: Building early foundations

When should we introduce the STEM approach and how can we maintain children’s engagement with STEM throughout their education? Emily Hunt offers teachers some advice

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Case study: Arts, creativity and the curriculum

Headteacher Michael Schumm speaks to Amanda Hall-Davis about the innovative curriculum at his school and its basis in creativity and the arts

Choosing to read – what the evidence tells us...

Literacy and numeracy are critical skills for pupils to develop if they are to reach their potential and achieve rewarding outcomes during and after education. Liz Twist highlights the evidence showing why reading – including reading out loud – must be at the heart of the curriculum in the primary ...

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