Extra curricular

How to spend the PE and Sport Premium

The DfE has confirmed the PE and Sport Premium funding for two more years and new guidance is imminent. Kate Thornton-Bousfield from the Youth Sport Trust advises how to spend the funds strategically


Ten principles for effective outdoor education

Outdoor adventure education can provide many benefits for pupils, not least helping them to build skills and thrive. Expert Dr John Allan looks at 10 principles to make school-based outdoor and adventure activities effective



Making chess clubs work at primary level

Chess club can be a successful addition to a primary school’s extra-curricular activities, but it must be approached in the proper way, and beginning with ‘mini-chess’ activities is recommended. Richard James offers some dos and don'ts...



Wrap-around provision as part of Covid recovery

Before and after-school clubs have been hit hard – first to be cut, the last to be reinstated. But they could be exactly what disadvantaged pupils and your Covid recovery plan need, says Suzanne O’Connell




Racism: Helping schools to lead a legacy of change

Stephen Lawrence loved school and he wanted to be an architect. Twenty-eight years since his senseless and racist murder, schools can help to create a legacy for change by focusing on classrooms, community and careers. Deborah Lawson explains





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...




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



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



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

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