Below you will find the latest educational best practice articles covering . The role of teachers is constantly evolving as new advice, techniques and technology are implemented within schools, making it essential for staff to stay up-to-date with for the benefit of their pupils.

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Are they bothered? Using the curriculum to help ‘level up’

We want our pupils to be ‘bothered’ about where they live. Warrington headteacher Chris Jones explains how the primary schools in his trust have developed a curriculum designed to stem the drain of talent

Literacy: Top tips for instilling a love of reading

Summer reading learning loss is a common issue that primary schools face every autumn term, exacerbated this year in the wake of Covid. Dr Sarah McGeown shares some tips to help teachers instil a love of reading this academic year

Metacognition and self-regulation in the primary classroom

The explicit teaching of metacognition and self-regulation can bring a range of benefits, not least offering us a powerful tool for improving pupil behaviour, motivation and learning. Anoara Mughal – author of Think! Metacognition-powered primary teaching – offers tips and five concrete classroom ...

How your school library can help pupils and staff

An effective school library can support the whole school. Clare Brumpton and Elizabeth Hutchinson look at how libraries – and librarians – can play a key role in raising standards and improving outcomes

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Seven starting points for interrogating your curriculum

What are the seven starting points that will ensure you have a healthy, open conversation about your school’s curriculum? John Tomsett, co-author of a new book on curriculum conversations, discusses some of the key questions we should be asking…

The power of words: Teaching vocabulary

It is said that learning floats on a sea of talk. So how can schools build systems, processes, and strategies to make sure students develop powerful word knowledge over time? Robbie Burns advises

Teachers collaborating on the curriculum

It is teachers who deliver the curriculum, so curriculum design and implementation through collaboration is a clear way to improve teaching and learning quality, says Richard Jackson

Statutory RSE – a role for all teaching staff

Statutory RSE is not just a list of topics to tick off a list, it should be relevant to children’s everyday lives and reach across the curriculum. Indeed, in many ways, all teachers are teachers of RSE. Lucy Emmerson explains

Writing & literacy: How to help children beat writer’s block

For young pupils, writing is one of the skills that has been hardest hit by lockdowns and the pandemic. In this article, Kathy Ewers suggests ways to help pupils develop essential writing skills and learn to love writing

Planning and integrating outdoor lessons and learning

Outdoor learning can present many challenges for curriculum and lesson-planning, but it can be worth the effort. Headteacher Matthew Leach talks about his school’s focus on taking teaching outdoors and how it has helped improve outcomes

Discovery and discussion: Running university seminars for primary pupils

The Griffin University initiative sees primary pupils at schools across the Griffin Schools Trust experiencing university-style seminars every week. Sue-Ellen Lamb explains how it works at Race Leys Junior School

Curriculum review and redesign: A case study

From building vocabulary to cooperative learning and the 60 Curriculum Challenge, a curriculum review at Stalham Infant and Junior Schools led to a range of innovative reforms. Emma Lee-Potter finds out more

The climate crisis, the curriculum and CPD

The role of school leadership in responding to the environmental challenges of our generation is crucial – and will include ensuring high-quality teacher support and CPD. Heena Dave advises

Climate change and hope: Getting children outside

Getting children outside to enjoy nature and outdoor learning could be a key element in the fight against climate change, say Jacqui McDermid and Jo Gordon from the Natural Thinkers initiative

One-to-one tutoring: Dos & don’ts

Many schools are implementing small group or one-to-one tutoring programmes as part of their Covid recovery work. This article asks tutors at the Kemnal Academies Trust for their dos and don’ts of effective tutoring provision

Vocabulary development for EAL students

Vocabulary development is vital for those using English as an additional language. Sheila Hopkins considers how teachers can identify key vocabulary during lesson planning and outlines strategies for teaching these key words to EAL learners

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After COP26: What and where next for climate work in primary schools?

From eco-anxiety to the curriculum, from school travel to buildings, there is much to do if we are to truly prioritise climate change education and carbon reduction in schools. Dr Verity Jones advises and signposts to a range of resources to help

EAL: Adaptive teaching in language-heavy subjects

History, geography, English literature and religious studies are undeniably language-heavy subjects, making them particularly challenging for learners who have English as an additional language. Caroline Bruce offers some advice, ideas and resources to support your teaching of EAL pupils

A curiosity cabinet: How school libraries can develop curious students

Curiosity is crucial to lifelong learning and motivating our pupils – and the school library can play a key role in fostering this skill. Valerie Dewhurst offers some ideas and advice

How to talk to pupils about the news

Many teachers would like to use the news to spark great classroom discussions as part of their subject teaching, but it can be challenging to do well. Tom Bigglestone from the Topical Talk project offers 10 tips for getting it right

Responding to COP26: A robust cross-curricular approach to climate education

How do teachers make sense of the decisions emerging from COP26? Alan Kinder says clear curriculum thinking will be required and offers ideas for ensuring a robust approach to climate change education

Crafting your curriculum with poverty in mind

Poverty is an ever-present challenge in our schools and there are important links to our curriculum. Sean Harris, a teacher and post-doctoral researcher investigating poverty in schools, offers practical ways in which we can recalibrate our curriculum with poverty in mind