Teaching and Learning

The influence of ED Hirsch: A response

14 June 2017

A recent piece in SecEd critiqued the influence of ED Hirsch on our politicians and our curriculum. Having read the arguments, teacher Michael Fordham offers his response, arguing that our curriculum is far from a Hirschian one

Every teacher is a teacher of literacy: Literacy across the curriculum

7 June 2017

During the next five weeks, Matt Bromley will be focusing on practical strategies for delivering effective cross-curricular literacy education. He begins with a look at why every teacher must be a teacher of literacy

Six tips for effective lesson observations

7 June 2017

To help reduce workload for both observer and observee during lesson observations in mathematics, Lucy Rycroft-Smith offers six evidence-informed best practice tips

The case for student debating in schools (and some ideas)

7 June 2017

Oxford Union-style debating in schools? Erin Miller argues why you should give it a try

Activities to tackle hate speech

7 June 2017

Sadly, cyber-bullying and online hate speech is now a part of modern online life, especially on social media. Mark Walker describes some activities that we can use with students to tackle potential problems and raise awareness

Teaching poetry: Does this smell like a good poem?

7 June 2017

The prestigious Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award is open for entries. Joanne Bowles offers some lesson ideas and tips for getting your classes involved in poetry and competitions

The role of the ‘M’ in STEM

24 May 2017

There are significant overlaps across the new STEM curricula, especially between science and maths. Michael Anderson discusses what this means for schools and the renewed importance of cross-curricular learning

Interventions to raise attainment in MFL

24 May 2017

A project focused on raising attainment in French and Spanish saw Karine Buffon introduce a number of interventions, especially targeting disadvantaged and underachieving pupils

Curriculum: The influence of ED Hirsch...

17 May 2017

As part of his Master’s studies, teacher Greg Sloan has dissected the impact that ED Hirsch’s influence on education ministers has had on our curriculum culture. He argues why this will do nothing for the culture of success in our schools...

Ideas for effective differentiation

10 May 2017

How do you teach a mixed-ability class effectively? Helen Webb offers some practical advice and ideas to help achieve effective differentiation in your classroom

The power of STEM study visits

10 May 2017

Professional study visits and placements for science teachers can enhance practice back in the classroom and provide vital insights. Adam Little and Mark Langley explain

Teaching perseverance

10 May 2017

After tackling wisdom and optimism, Dr Stephanie Thornton now considers how we might ‘teach’ and encourage our students to develop skills of perseverance

Ideas for teaching wisdom

3 May 2017

Dr Stephanie Thornton continues her series on the teaching of traits and skills to our pupils. This time, she considers ‘wisdom’ and whether we can teach the young to be wise

Is there creativity in your classroom?

3 May 2017

Creativity is not just for art, music or after-school clubs. Teacher Martin Matthews explains how we must all try to bring creativity into our classrooms – no matter what the subject (or the curriculum)

Can we teach optimism?

26 April 2017

Following last week’s article on coping with today’s 24/7 news cycle, Dr Stephanie Thornton continues her discussion on optimism – can we (and should we try to) ‘teach’ this in schools?

Spelling: Engaging the hard-to-reach

26 April 2017

Engaging pupils who don’t want to be taught is a common classroom challenge. Teacher Michelle Lockwood discusses how she is engaging hard-to-reach pupils in learning to spell

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Skills: Further lessons on adaptability

26 April 2017

Continuing her focus on helping your students to become adaptable, Karen Sullivan offers some practical evidence-based teaching ideas

Teaching practice: Sixth form & post-16

19 April 2017

Do children and adults learn differently? Matt Bromley finishes his teaching practice series with a look at pedagogy in the post-16 classroom

Does your school have a positive moral climate?

19 April 2017

Does your school and your teaching still maintain its moral dimension – or has this lost out to competing pressures? Matt Bawden reflects on teaching in a ‘positive moral climate’

Teaching practice: Revision

29 March 2017

Our teaching practice series now turns its attention to exam preparation and how we can help to make revision more effective for students. Matt Bromley explains

Developing a mentoring programme

29 March 2017

Mentoring is a popular intervention in schools. Stephanie George looks at mentoring as an intervention and asks what we mean by effective mentoring practice

Learning to be adaptable

29 March 2017

Key among the skills our students need in today’s world are adaptability and resilience, both of which link to emotional intelligence. Karen Sullivan advises

Student-led research or project work

29 March 2017

We often try to boost independent learning skills by asking pupils to select topics for research projects, especially for the Extended Project. Dr Andrew K Shenton looks at how we can facilitate this process

Teaching practice: Lower-performing students

22 March 2017

All teachers will have lower-performing students in their classroom. Matt Bromley looks at some effective teaching strategies – and some approaches we should perhaps avoid

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Changing lives: One pencil at a time...

22 March 2017

In a bid to make education more accessible to the 124 million children around the world not in school, Evan Lewis is introducing Share A Pencil Day. He explains more about the initiative, taking place on May 17, and the resources available for schools