Pupil Premium: Tracking progress, challenges and involvement – a case study A small sheet of paper completed four times a year has transformed one primary school’s approach to Pupil Premium support and intervention. Jessica Hawley explains
Coronavirus: Home education resources for schools, teachers and parents A range of resources and education services are being offered to schools and parents to help support the home education of students during the coronavirus crisis. Dorothy Lepkowska looks at some of what is out there, including a number of free-access resources
Perhaps the greenest school in England... How do primary schools translate children’s anxieties about our planet into practical learning opportunities? Nick Bannister spoke to a Greater Manchester primary which has forged a national reputation for its approach to environmental education
Chess in the classroom Chess is a low-risk and low-cost route to creativity, cross-curricular learning and attainment according to deputy headteacher Elizabeth Scott, who has been trialling it at her primary school in South Wales
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
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...
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
School trip tips: Effective planning and organising Gill Harvey offers her advice on planning and running educational and safe school trips, including tips for schools that decide to work with a tour operator or other provider
Give them a challenge outside! With the summer here, it’s a good time to take the children outdoors. Suzanne O’Connell summarises what the Education Endowment Foundation has to say about the benefits of outdoor adventure learning
Case study: Bring the countryside to the heart of the curriculum The Food and Farming project at Sacred Heart RC Primary School engages pupils across all year groups with growing foods, cooking dishes, visiting farms and more. Emma Lee-Potter reports
Diary of a headteacher: The joy of residential trips! Residential trips have come a long way since Tom Donohoe’s first experience as an NQT…
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
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
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
Diary of a Parent: The Cinderella subjects? After seeing the impact of a trip to the theatre on her daughter, our parent diarist is concerned that the academic focus of education is limiting children’s life chances
Case study: The arts across the curriculum Balancing high-quality arts provision with meeting core academic measures is a challenge for primary schools. Jane Ryder discusses how this is tackled at Sidegate Primary School and offers some examples of their practice
Positive male role-models For many pupils, having a positive male role-model in their lives can make a big difference to outcomes. Kim Jones suggests hosting workshops to give your fathers a chance to engage with their children and the school
Music education: An evaluation of In Harmony The In Harmony project has received £3 million in government funding to bring music opportunities to primary pupils in six disadvantaged areas. Dorothy Lepkowska looks at a new evaluation of the scheme’s impact so far 1 comment
Getting to grips with teaching Shakespeare Engaging young pupils with the work of Shakespeare is not as hard as you might think. Emma Lee-Potter speaks to two schools who have been working with the Royal Shakespeare Company to great effect
A character education SEF Make a difference to personal development, behaviour and welfare – Matt Bawden explains how character education might set the tone across a school and offers a self-evaluation framework
The growth mindset in key stage 2: Part 1 In the first of a four-part series, Ross McWilliam looks at the growth mindset theory in action at key stage 2 and discusses implementing ‘starter’ growth mindset approaches
Developing your pupils’ emotional intelligence With children and young people facing so many challenges to their wellbeing and mental health, having active strategies in the school environment to develop their emotional intelligence can make a real difference. Expert Shahana Knight offers some quick ideas
Diary of a Headteacher: Time for enrichment? Despite government accountability and pressure focusing on academic outcomes above all else, Tom Donohoe is adamant that a breadth of curriculum provision must be maintained...
Ten steps to prioritising communication skills in the primary school Aerodrome Primary Academy won national recognition at the Shine A Light Awards for its work supporting pupils’ speech, language and communication development. Maxine Whitmore discusses their approaches and offers 10 tips
Character education: Virtue In a new series of best practice articles exploring character education, expert Matt Bawden asks what aspects of character should be central to our education system and details a new DfE-backed pilot project to teach character through the curriculum
