Best Practice

Adaptive teaching explained: What, why and how?

8 December 2021

The PISA research says that ‘adaptive instruction’ is one of the approaches most positively correlated with student performance. Matt Bromley looks at what adaptive teaching entails and how to deliver it

Refocusing on Prevent: Five actions to take now

8 December 2021

It feels like work on the Prevent Duty has gone quiet during the pandemic. Justin Reilly says now is the right time for schools to rejuvenate their focus on Prevent and offers five actions we can take

The fear of physical touch: A new teacher's nightmare

7 December 2021

Why is the fear of physical contact with pupils such a nightmare for new teachers? Alan Newland argues it needn’t be – and urges the revival of the maxim ‘in loco parentis’ as our guiding principle

Simplifying our practice: Lesson planning

6 December 2021

In a series of five articles, Adam Riches is looking at how we might simplify common classroom practice in order to make teaching and learning more effective. Part five looks at lesson planning

Why and how we should be using retrieval practice and space learning

1 December 2021

Retrieval practice alone is not enough. We must also consider spaced learning, interleaving, feedback and metacognition if we are to have an impact on the retention and transfer of knowledge and skills. Kristian Still looks at why we must use and combine all five approaches

Adaptive teaching for EAL students in language-heavy subjects

29 November 2021

History, geography, English literature and religious studies are undeniably language-heavy subjects, making them particularly challenging for learners who have English as an additional language. Caroline Bruce offers some advice, ideas and resources to support your teaching of EAL students

Simplifying our practice: The learning environment

29 November 2021

In a series of five articles, Adam Riches is looking at how we might simplify common classroom practice in order to make teaching and learning more effective. Part four looks at your physical classroom environment including desks, displays and clutter

Classroom management tips for NQTs

24 November 2021

Classroom management is the bread and butter of effective teaching – and is just like running a successful restaurant! In this article, Steve Burnage offers a menu of nine tips for effective classroom management

Staff mental health: Are you having your five-a-day?

22 November 2021

In a three-part series, Phil Denton considers the merits of initiatives to improve mental health. In part three, he meets school leader and self-confessed ‘Wellbeing Super Model’ Patrick Ottley-O’Connor and considers the NHS five steps to mental wellbeing resource

Simplifying our practice: Independent learning skills

17 November 2021

In a series of five articles, Adam Riches is looking at how we might simplify common classroom practice in order to make teaching and learning more effective. Part three looks at boosting students’ independent learning skills

Getting the most out of your MAT

15 November 2021

As a teacher, how do you get the most out of your school’s multi-academy trust? Paul Ainsworth looks at some of the opportunities MATs should be providing for their staff and what teachers themselves can do to take advantage

How to talk to students about the news

10 November 2021

Many teachers would like to use the news to spark great classroom discussions as part of their subject teaching, but it can be challenging to do well. Tom Bigglestone from the Topical Talk project offers 10 tips for getting it right

Suicide: How to support during crisis moments

7 November 2021

Supporting someone – a student or colleague – who is suicidal may feel daunting, but you can make a difference with some small actions. Dr Pooky Knightsmith explains
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