Health, Wellbeing and Behaviour

Behaviour conversations: Your unconscious bias...

4 May 2021

When holding crucial behaviour conversations with pupils, we need to be aware of our unconscious bias and the negative impact it may have on our responses – and the young people we teach. Fiona Aubrey-Smith and Marva Rollins explain how, why, and what you can do about it...

Safeguarding & Everyone's Invited: Have I done enough to keep children safe?

28 April 2021

The Everyone’s Invited revelations and Ofsted’s subsequent review of sexual harassment and abuse in schools and colleges has clear implications for safeguarding practice. Elizabeth Rose advises on conducting an internal review of safeguarding structures around sexual harassment, violence and abuse

At risk of dropping out? How to turnaround a disconnected young person

28 April 2021

We all understand the importance of re-engaging with disaffected students and those at risk of dropping out, but this is often easier said than done. Mark Goodwin – who does this for a living – offers his advice and a ‘turnaround checklist’

Racism: Helping schools to lead a legacy of change

26 April 2021

Stephen Lawrence loved school and he wanted to be an architect. Twenty-eight years since his senseless and racist murder, schools can help to create a legacy for change by focusing on classrooms, community and careers. Deborah Lawson explains

When September comes: 12 tips for a smooth year 6 to 7 transition

20 April 2021

Transition from year 6 to 7 is always a challenging time for students, but during a pandemic the potential difficulties have been heightened for both young people and schools. Matt Bromley offers 12 strategies to help our new year7s thrive when they arrive this September

Restorative practice: Placing relationships at the heart of teaching

20 April 2021

Every day, in lots of different ways, our students ask: do I matter to you, do you notice me, do I belong here? Mark Finnis looks at why relationships are the most important thing in teaching and offers some tips

Sexual violence and harassment: How schools must respond

14 April 2021

As thousands of young people share their experiences of sexual harassment and violence, both in and out of schools – safeguarding expert Hannah Glossop looks at how schools can sharpen their policies and procedures

Behaviour and bias: Where are your blind-spots?

13 April 2021

When it comes to behaviour, do you treat different pupils differently? Do you look for underlying needs? What biases do you have and how do they affect your responses to poor behaviour? Adele Bates discusses and advises

SEND & Covid: Supporting students in the months to come

12 April 2021

The return to school last month may have been particularly challenging for our students with SEND. Garry Freeman reminds us of the basic principles of supporting students’ underlying needs – which will be more crucial than ever in the months to come

Rejecting catch-up: Recalibrating and responding beyond the pandemic

6 April 2021

How many pupils want to be told – repeatedly – that they are behind? It’s not about ‘catch-up’, but ‘recalibration’ says Sean Harris. He reports on what this looks like at Bede Academy in Northumberland and what our priorities should be, both this term and next academic year

Staff wellbeing: Five resilience hacks

5 April 2021

Protecting the wellbeing of our education workforce is crucial during the pandemic. Martina Witter offers five resilience hacks for teaching staff to help support wellbeing during these times of change and uncertainty

Blended learning: Creating an effective culture of virtual safeguarding

24 March 2021

Schools are fully re-open but with self-isolation requirements still in place, remote and blended learning is set to continue for the foreseeable future. Elizabeth Rose considers how we can ensure an effective culture of virtual safeguarding in this new blended world of education

Sexual harassment and violence: What can schools do?

23 March 2021

Schools can play a crucial role helping to end the culture of sexual harassment and violence – but how? Natasha Eeles offers some practical reflections and suggestions

Advising new teachers: How can I get my pupils to behave?

17 March 2021

Pupil behaviour is one of the most common concerns for early career teachers. Patrick Garton draws on his research with teachers and school leaders to give us three principles for developing effective behaviour management. His article advises both ECTs and those who mentor and support them

Teaching consent as part of statutory RSE

17 March 2021

Young people are keen to explore what consent means for them in practice, including potential ‘grey areas’. Dr Elsie Whittington, who has helped develop new teaching resources to support consent education, discusses the challenges and opportunities for opening up the consent conversation as part of ...

Ventilation and hygiene: Advice and tips for secondary schools

16 March 2021

One year on and good ventilation, good hygiene and mask-wearing remain at the heart of keeping school sites and classrooms Covid-safe. It is worth reminding ourselves of the safest approaches. Dr Neil Bacon offers some advice and tips for secondary schools

Lessons learned: Providing pastoral care during a pandemic

15 March 2021

Providing pastoral care this past year has been a particular challenge for schools. One year on from the outbreak of Covid-19, head of year Dave Stephenson reflects on the challenges, successes and lessons learned during the pandemic

Safeguarding: Managing disclosures following lockdown

9 March 2021

As schools re-open to all pupils, staff will be on the look-out for a range of safeguarding issues. Elizabeth Rose looks at how we must handle disclosures in the weeks ahead

Full school re-opening: Supporting SEND pupils

8 March 2021

As schools re-open to all students, those with SEND may well need more support. Stephanie Glenister outlines how we can help pupils – both those who have been attending school during lockdown and those who have been at home – to transition back into ‘normal’ school life

Vigilance is key: Five things for safeguarding leads to consider

8 March 2021

Safeguarding and pastoral leads will be on high alert as all pupils return to school, playing a key role in supporting colleagues to be vigilant and watch for the signs of distress. Hannah Glossop offers five pieces of advice

Supporting autistic children to return to school post-lockdown

3 March 2021

The return to school after lockdown 3.0 could be challenging for students with autism. Drawing on experiences and lessons learned from the first national lockdown, Dr Pooky Knightsmith advises on how we can best support them

School counselling: What does the evidence say about what works?

2 March 2021

School counselling services are a common response to mental health and wellbeing challenges, not least those caused by Covid-19 and lockdown. New research findings have shown us exactly when and how counselling can be most effective. Professor Mick Cooper explains