Best Practice

Anxiety and depression: The new normal?

11 March 2020

An estimated one in 10 teens have mental health problems, with high prevalence of anxiety and depression. In this five-part series, Dr Stephanie Thornton advises schools and teachers. In part one, she considers whether this is the new ‘normal’ and some implications for schools

The curriculum: Seven questions for your school

4 March 2020

The curriculum has become a core focus for Ofsted inspections. Drawing on inspections under the new EIF, Danny Cuttell offers seven curriculum questions to consider before the summer

SEND and SENCO support: Tenets of best practice

4 March 2020

The high numbers of pupils with SEN are putting a huge strain on school finances – and on SENCOs themselves. Margaret Mulholland looks at some tenets of best practice, what Ofsted wants to see, and how schools can best support their SENCOs

Differentiation: Time to rethink our approach?

26 February 2020

Differentiation for pupils, including those with SEN, is important – but it does not have to be all-consuming for the teacher. Daniel Sobel and Sara Alston discuss some simple adjustments to our thinking and teaching

SEND: Meeting with parents and carers

26 February 2020

The SEND Code of Practice requires schools to involve parents in decision-making about their children’s education. Garry Freeman considers how teachers and others can hold effective, impactful meetings with parents/carers

Saving time: Effective and efficient CPD

25 February 2020

Time is our most precious commodity and it is often in short supply. In this five-part series, Adam Riches looks at how we can change common practices to help save time and improve teaching and learning. Part two focuses on effective CPD sessions that can reduce workload

Good practice for professional coaching

25 February 2020

Drawing upon the literature and her experience as a professional coach, Helen Webb discusses the importance of effective contracting for in-school coaching programmes, including return on investment, goal-setting, confidentiality and demonstrating impact

Supporting autistic learners: 11 things to think about

12 February 2020

Most teachers will have autistic students in their classrooms and will need to consider this when planning their lessons. SENCO Garry Freeman outlines 11 key strategies and approaches that have proven effective

Trauma and adverse childhood experiences

12 February 2020

Trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have a huge impact on behaviour and learning. Darren Martindale advises how we can identify these problems and offer support

Setting up a parent council in your school

12 February 2020

One way to improve parental engagement, involvement and communication in your school is via a parent council. John Jolly from the charity Parentkind explains more and offers some tips

Trapped in social media: Beating the algorithms

12 February 2020

There is a real fear about the negative impact that social media is having on a generation of young people. Edwina Dunn looks at recent research and one simple yet effective solution

Interventions: How well do you know your cognitive bias?

5 February 2020

Cognitive bias can present itself in many forms and can hamper your school’s work to raise attainment and close the gaps. Fiona Aubrey-Smith asks whether cognitive bias is holding you, your colleagues or your school back

The blurred lines of online bullying

5 February 2020

If we are to better protect children from online bullying, we must recognise the blurred lines between different forms of bullying and stop treating online incidents in isolation. Martha Evans explains

How to pick the right candidates for interview

5 February 2020

Interview shortlisting is a vital stage of recruitment. Kaley Foran looks at how to ensure your school’s shortlisting process is fair and can stand up to scrutiny if a decision is challenged

Cutting out single-use plastics in your school

29 January 2020

We throw away more than 34kg of plastic packaging per person every year. Schools must do more to reduce the use of single-use plastics. Trewin Restorick offers some simple ideas

LGBT+ in the classroom: I am (not) what I am

29 January 2020

Being a teacher sometimes requires us to forcibly gather our strength to make it through the gates. Gathering strength, gearing up, putting on one’s armour – but must it also include denying one’s self? Nadine Pittam discusses the challenges of being an LGBT+ teacher

Exam preparation: Supporting EAL learners

29 January 2020

Research findings lay bare the challenges facing EAL students when it comes to examinations. Deborah Owen presents some practical preparation approaches and ideas, many of which may benefit all pupils, not only those with EAL
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