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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Case study: A focus on literacy and numeracy

Thorough implementation of reading and maths initiatives have paid off at Lea Forest Primary Academy. Craig Clarke explains

A calming, therapeutic classroom environment

How can you create a therapeutic and calming classroom environment that cultivates learning? Play therapist Shahana Knight offers some suggestions and guidance

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Evidence-based resources: Do they make a difference?

Many teachers find it hard to engage with and act on research evidence, even when they know it can help them to improve teaching practice and student outcomes. Dorothy Lepkowska explains

A curriculum to stimulate a sense of engagement

A curriculum focusing on independence, collaboration, creativity and expression has been the key to turning around a primary school in an area known as ‘little Beirut’. Headteacher Steve Kernan explains

Simple science ideas

The Wellcome Trust’s free Explorify programme is helping to boost primary school science lessons. Louise Stubberfield discusses how headteachers can support excellent primary science provision

Developing a reasoning-rich maths curriculum

In 2015, Kirsty Munns spent 10 days in China observing maths lessons. The experience inspired her to develop a whole-school ‘reasoning-rich’ maths curriculum. She reflects on the outcomes and the lessons learned so far

Teaching reading comprehension: Some useful advice

Drawing on evidence into the best approaches to teaching reading comprehension, experts Di Hatchett and Gill Jordan give us their advice and tips for effective classroom practice

How after-school coding clubs can benefit pupils

In an increasingly digital world, Suzanne Straw looks at research findings showing to what extent after-school coding clubs can support young people to develop skills and further their interest in coding

Literacy: A moral right

In a challenging article, literacy expert Debbie Hepplewhite bemoans the conflicting and often strongly held views on how we should teach children to read – and calls for the moral rights of the child to be placed above the professional rights of the teacher

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Case study: An inspirational approach to writing

Inspiration is a key priority for Wilmslow Grange Community Primary when it comes to writing. Suzanne O’Connell finds out more

Some playground game ideas

Helping children to engage with playground games has clear benefits for their enjoyment of school life and their education, says Jenny Mosley. She offers some ideas and advice

Case study: A values-led philosophy

At the heart of the schools within the Inspire Learning Federation is a values-led philosophy for lifelong learning. Fiona Aubrey-Smith visited to find out more about their approaches to learning

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...

Literacy: Who is the Secret Storyteller?

Milton Primary School’s Secret Storyteller project, which brings parents into school to read to children, has been an enormous success. Christine Dean explains how it works

Go with the ‘flow’: Pedagogy in the EYFS

The ideal scenario for early years play-based learning is children who are naturally keen to explore and adults who know when to step back and when to intervene. Melody Lowe explains

Reviewing and shaping your curriculum

When she took up her current post as headteacher, Lyndsey King set about reviewing her school’s curriculum offer. She talks us through the approaches her school took and the lessons learned

Ideas to make outdoor learning work for your school

Expert Alex Alves offers some practical strategies and ideas to incorporate outdoor learning into primary school life despite time, locational and budget restrictions – and particularly in urban areas

Quick wins in the English classroom

Success in English is the key to success across pupils’ education. Expert David Maytham offers some quick ideas to help engage children and accelerate progress in English

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Year 6 attainment: Filling in the gaps

In a bid to raise year 6 attainment, Lesley Keast led a project to identify and focus on the ‘key marginal’ students and close the gaps in their learning

Practical ideas and strategies to improve writing skills

Drawing on the work of a number of schools, Fiona Aubrey-Smith shares some practical ideas from headteachers and class teachers to improve writing skills – especially for boys

Effective roles for teaching assistants in whole-class work

The teaching assistant’s role in intervention or group work is well understood, but what impact can they have on whole-class teaching and learning? Philip Hughes offers some advice

Moving primary school lessons into the museum

A King’s College research project has investigated the learning, social and cultural outcomes when significant parts of primary education take place in museums and galleries. Headteacher Russell Dwyer, who took part in the research, explains

Do you set homework, or just ‘busy work’?

How much homework in your school is simply ‘busy work’? Cindy Blanes explores how we can make homework both meaningful and engaging

Literacy, oracy and language with Shakespeare

Robinsfield Primary School has been delivering Shakespeare to its five and six-year-old pupils with a specific focus on literacy, oracy and language. Headteacher Naomi Leaver explains how they approach this work

Enlivening your approach to languages education

It can be difficult for primary schools to maintain their commitment to teaching modern foreign languages. Suzanne O’Connell looks at the challenges for schools and some ideas for enlivening approaches to language learning

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