We must not break the vital school-local authority support link 13 January 2016 With 7,000 children missing from education, the move to further weaken local authority-school links is dangerous, fears Anna Feuchtwang
How can we keep our teachers teaching? 13 January 2016 After a public debate on the issue, Julian Stanley offers some solutions to the recruitment and retention crisis
Where is the space for soft skills? 13 January 2016 Schools must be given the space and support to teach ‘soft skills’, says Brian Lightman
At the chalkface: Grim negotiations 13 January 2016 Another Parents’ Evening rolls round, this time for the 11th years. Always a big one. A New Year. New targets – and five high-pressured months to the exams, whose results will dictate their tiny fates.
Diary of an NQT: Handling the mocks 13 January 2016 As term two gets fully underway, our NQT diarist is handling the fall-out from the mock exams – both positive and negative…
Tackling the biggest threat to our children 6 January 2016 As we begin 2016, mental health must be recognised as the biggest danger to our young people’s wellbeing and a priority for us all, says Pete Henshaw
Leadership and gender equality 6 January 2016 Gender bias continues to blight society, not least when it comes to school leadership. Gerald Haigh examines the problems
Diary of an headteacher: A New Year’s Challenge 6 January 2016 While others are making resolutions, our headteacher diarist is asking his staff to set and commit to a New Year’s Challenge…
Diary of an NQT: Back to the chalkface 6 January 2016 Fully rested, our NQT diarist is ready to go for round two and is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead, both in and out of the classroom
They learn when they lose 6 January 2016 Sport is not just about fitness, but about the valuable lessons we learn when the odds are against us, says Dr Bernard Trafford
Is it too much to ask to fund education properly? 6 January 2016 As education faces more budget cuts and thousands of children grow up in poverty, Christine Blower demands an end to the government’s ‘smoke and mirrors’
At the chalkface: Get happy 6 January 2016 As you wend your way through the early morning murk, traumas of the festive season dimming, resolutions fading like action plans, towards yet another of those riveting New Year Briefings, does your morale feel less than perky?
Supporting long-term medical conditions in school 2 December 2015 Anna Feuchtwang explores the school nurse’s role in supporting pupils with medical conditions to play a full part in school life 1 comment
At the chalkface: Winter light 2 December 2015 Even Mother Mania has come to school. A first. Well, she’s here tonight and kissing her errant son, who grins proudly. At last he’s been witnessed.
Heterosexual focus excludes pupils from SRE 2 December 2015 Despite good intentions, many teachers delivering sex and relationships education are still focusing on heterosexuality, and therefore excluding many pupils. Dr Keeley Abbott explains
Is it show time at your school? 2 December 2015 Is the school production dying? A school show is not a bolt-on, says Gerald Haigh, but can often play a key part of healthy school community life
Diary of an NQT: Sixteen and a half days 2 December 2015 With Christmas just around the corner, our NQT diarist is starting to see the progress he has made this term and is making plans for the months ahead...
Diary of a headteacher: Business vs education 2 December 2015 To what extent should the practices of business influence how we operate our schools and education system? Our headteacher diarist reflects on this challenging question
Workload: No change for teachers 2 December 2015 A year on from the Workload Challenge and nothing has changed. The ATL is now taking direct action in a bid to help teachers. Dr Mary Bousted explains
NQT Special: Teacher workload – a call to action 25 November 2015 SecEd’s NQT special edition, out this week, offers a range of advice for new teachers across the UK. Editor Pete Henshaw kicks us off with a call to action on teachers’ workload
NQT Special: Are you getting your NQT rights? 25 November 2015 NQTs have a range of entitlements to support their development as teachers. Chris Keates asks if you are receiving yours...
Supporting good mental health 25 November 2015 We do not have a mental health crisis – but there are problems enough that it should be a key priority, says Dr Bernard Trafford
NQT Special: Reflections on my first term... 25 November 2015 SecEd’s current NQT diarist reflects on his first term at the chalkface and looks ahead to spring and summer
At the chalkface: Shelley 25 November 2015 Blimey, that’s telling them. That’s telling truth to power. Incendiary stuff. Topical too. Who could those “cold advisors” be? Our tax credit cutters? Ofsted’s cold minions? Or the pale chancellor himself?
Diary of a headteacher: Government policy vs personal ethics 18 November 2015 Government policy, such as on accountability and the EBacc, is leaving school leaders facing difficult ethical dilemmas. Our headteacher diarist is concerned
6 January 2016