Back to School Guide: Teaching & Learning In this 12-page guide, we consider what teaching and learning should look like in schools from this September when all pupils are due to return following the Covid-19 lockdown...
Teaching climate change EduCCate Global and a group of Teaching Schools in Derbyshire are supporting teachers to train in climate change education in order to equip children to handle an uncertain future on a warming planet. Headteacher Fiona Cowan explains more about the project and her school’s climate change curriculum
Embracing the benefits and fun of forest schools Creating forest school environments and opportunities for primary pupils of all ages can pay dividends. Emma Lee-Potter looks at some recent research and speaks to one school that has embraced the outdoors...
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
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
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
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
Supporting the teaching of EAL through play Expert Sam Flatman offers us four ways to support the teaching of English as an additional language through play
Outdoor learning: Outside and outstanding In the drive for outcomes, the contribution that outdoor learning can make is sometimes neglected. Suzanne O’Connell talks to headteacher Ruth Dean about how it’s become a foundation of their school
Tips for running effective residential trips Lindsey Simpson offers some tips on how to organise and structure effective residential trips for your pupils
Case study: Sustainable schools The Ashden Sustainable Schools Awards celebrate schools that pave the way in saving energy and inspiring others. Alex Green looks at two recent primary school winners and explains more about Ashden’s work and awards
Running forest learning Pupils at Fairfield Preparatory School are taking their learning outside thanks to an initiative that is revolutionising the school day. Forest school leader Alex Carter explains
A little perspective The outdoor experiences on offer at Millbank Academy are a vital part of life at this inner city school. Principal Alyson Russen discusses why their residential visits are so important and how they go about organising them
Rewild your pupils! Outdoor education expert Chris Hupp explores the importance of rewilding students and bringing outdoor learning into the daily life of a school
Outdoor learning on a shoestring Outdoor learning is recognised as a vital part of primary school life for pupils, but how can schools deliver these experiences while also keeping the costs down? Fiona Aubrey-Smith hears from two schools.
Wellies at the ready in the outdoor classroom Making the most of every centimetre of the school grounds has ensured that learning at Boston West Academy is inspiring and embedded in the real world. Headteacher Mike Schofield explains.
Taking the primary curriculum outdoors With the pressures of the curriculum and key stage 2 tests, it can be difficult to take pupils outside of the classroom. However, Heather Crawford offers some ideas for how outdoor learning can link into the primary curriculum
Environmental citizenship – not just recycling We visit two schools that have worked to establish a culture of environmental citizenship and outdoor learning across the curriculum
Down on the farm – school trips to the country Farming and Countryside Education works to connect schools with farms and farmers. Jonathan Falkingham explains what a farm visit can bring to your curriculum
The great outdoors Tom Donohoe has been organising residential trips at his school for 20 years. He describes how they have evolved and offers some advice on making them an unforgettable experience
Take teaching outside Outdoor play and learning is regarded as more and more important for well-rounded, happy children. Here Elizabeth Hudson, from environmental charity BTCV, discusses the work they do and looks at ways primary schools can get involved
