Best Practice

Four ways to develop and inspire high-quality teachers

2 May 2013

How does a school create exceptionally high-quality and motivated teachers? Headteacher and member of the SSAT Vision 2040 Group, Stephen Tierney, discusses four core approaches that his school is developing.

The silver bullet for ICT in education?

2 May 2013

Are iPads the next thing that will transform education, or yet another over-hyped technology that will be misused? Neil Atkins offers his thoughts, and an effective lesson strategy using the devices.

The rise of creative writing

2 May 2013

Paul Munden argues for the place of creative writing as a distinct subject in our schools and its power to encourage wider creativity in students.

App development in the classroom

2 May 2013

With the new computing curriculum prioritising programming skills, Torsten Stauch argues that app development projects can help schools to inject creativity into the new programmes of study.

Do we let the video games begin?

25 April 2013

The use of video games in the classroom can have a positive effect on engagement, but does this kind of learning really influence attainment and achievement? Carlo Perrotta examines the evidence.

Helping students to re-engage with their education

25 April 2013

Senior leader Emlyn Hall created and implemented an effective intervention system for pupils with behavioural issues, helping them to re-engage with school life. He explains how and why his approach worked.

Computing: Are you ready?

25 April 2013

The programmes of study for the new computing curriculum will come into force in September 2014. ICT teacher James Dent looks at how professionals and schools in his area are preparing.

Seven in 10 under-18s still experience bullying

25 April 2013

The annual bullying survey by Ditch the Label has found that high numbers of young people are still experiencing bullying before the age of 18, and that teachers remain high on the list of people who victims turn to for help. Liam Hackett explains.

The hunt for LGBT equality in schools

25 April 2013

What can schools do to meet their legal requirements and ensure staff are treated equally, irrespective of sexuality. Legal expert Paul Maddock advises.

Teaching students how to talk

18 April 2013

Schools can make great strides in tackling underachievement by improving students’ spoken language skills across the curriculum. Jean Gross, the former government Communication Champion for children, reports on some of the great practice she has seen.

Developing your leadership talent

18 April 2013

A programme to develop and manage leadership talent at Ninestiles School led to excellent leadership opportunities for young staff as well as an injection of new ways of working across the school. Principal Christine Quinn explains.

Engaging all students in school sport

18 April 2013

Everyone is talking about a London 2012 legacy, but champion skateboarder and student mentor Neil Danns says great work is already taking place in schools. He discusses how we can engage all students in school sports.

What are your school’s values?

18 April 2013

You may associate ‘branding’ with the business world, but Amanda Peck looks at why and how schools should consider their own brand and values as an organisation.

The law when dealing with difficult visitors

18 April 2013

What legal ‘armoury’ can a school use to defend itself when excluding difficult parents, unwanted visitors or other trouble-makers? Legal expert and former headteacher Roy Woollard explains.

Highlights from the Education Show 2013

17 April 2013

From new-look GCSEs and the Pupil Premium to discussions about dyslexia with the Fonz, seasoned Education Show delegate, Sal McKeown, offers her highlights from last month’s event in Birmingham.

Reigniting their love of MFL

21 March 2013

A new initiative is encouraging schools to combine language teaching with the teaching of other key subjects. Suzi Bewell takes a look at the immersion approach to MFL.

Tackling the traits of teen alcoholism

21 March 2013

After taking part in a pilot project to tackle alcohol misuse using targeted interventions with students grouped by personality traits and individual tendencies, Corelli College saw a real impact. Jon Kelly explains how.

Bridging the achievement gap

21 March 2013

Closing the achievement gap is a challenge every school faces. After an inspiring trip to schools in New Orleans, Jackie Bowen explains how she developed new approaches once back in the UK.

The red coats

21 March 2013

A team of US educationalists recently visited London to see the City Year programme in action – a national service movement that sees young people volunteering their time as mentors and role-models in schools. Sophie Livingstone introduces the initiative.

Delivering a whole education

21 March 2013

There are now more than 500 schools in the Whole Education network, all working to deliver a truly rounded education for their students. Chris Holmwood reports from a recent conference.

Making Shakespeare relevant for your students

21 March 2013

The Playing Shakespeare scheme is running once again with a dedicated web resource for teachers. This year it’s Romeo and Juliet and English co-ordinator Becky Tapper explains how she uses the resource to discuss the relevance of the play to her students.

Employers in the classroom

21 March 2013

John Morris explains how he used his 25 years of management development experience, working with companies including Debenhams, Lloyds TSB and the Home Office, to boost the confidence and educational development of disadvantaged children.

Advice for teachers using Twitter

21 March 2013

More and more teachers are embracing the CPD opportunities that Twitter presents. Following a previous introductory article for SecEd, school leader Ben Solly offers some more advice on making the most of what Twitter has to offer.
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