Pedagogy

Curriculum development: Two key questions

9 October 2019

Teachers talk a lot about pedagogy, but often neglect to discuss the curriculum and how it translates into their lessons. Curriculum specialist Stephen Rollett looks at how we can have high-quality conversations about what we teach...

In the classroom: Teaching by algorithm

9 October 2019

How can algorithms, flowcharts and checklists be put to good use in education without us losing our sense of humanity, professional autonomy or creativity? Matt Bromley offers some practical ideas and reflections

Encouraging talking in the classroom

17 September 2019

Many students can be reluctant to speak in lessons but talking confidently is a key skill that we must be encouraging. Adam Riches looks at how we can help young people to find their voices

Four ideas for applying Rosenshine’s Principles

11 September 2019

Barak Rosenshine’s 10 Principles of Instruction may seem statements of the obvious, but are we really embracing them in our classroom and whole-school practices? Andy McHugh considers the principles and how they can help to improve the quality of your teaching

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CPD Workshop: Positive classroom management

11 September 2019

In this regular series, Steve Burnage talks us through CPD workshop ideas that can be adapted for your school. This time he looks at positive classroom management

Death by PowerPoint and how to avoid it...

3 July 2019

PowerPoint can get a bad rep in the classroom and we can feel ashamed to use it. However, as with many teaching tools, it has its place. Gerry Mallaghan looks at how to use it well

Get out from behind the desk...

20 June 2019

Effective classroom circulation is crucial, says Adam Riches. In fact, if you are sitting behind your desk while your pupils work, you are missing several tricks...

NQT Special Edition: Classroom routines...

5 June 2019

Establishing classroom rules and routines is a vital part of good teaching. Matt Bromley advises trainee teachers and NQTs on developing and building on effective practice

An unapology for poetry in school

21 May 2019

Poetry in schools can open the door to so many other areas of learning and skills. It can be the springboard to other literature and texts, more articulate and confident students, and can engage students like no other medium. Kathy James offers some ideas...

Getting group work right

15 May 2019

A culture of regular group work in your classroom can help to develop and embed crucial learning and social skills. Tom Knott explains his approach...

Encouraging students to think divergently

15 May 2019

Our obsession with exam preparation and the curriculum script is resulting in dull lessons and the loss of divergent thought, lateral thinking and creation. Joel Wirth looks at how we must be brave if we are to teach our pupils how to think

Evidence-based pedagogies

13 May 2019

With a focus on her school’s geography teaching, Kate Mouncey looks at the evidence-based strategies and pedagogy they have employed to meet the challenge of the new GCSE and A level courses and the move to terminal examinations

Ideas for stretch and challenge in key stage 3

9 May 2019

Stretch and challenge should always be the teacher’s priority – for all pupils – but this can be a difficult ask, especially at key stage 3 where classes are often very mixed in terms of ability. Andy McHugh offers some ideas

What is the jigsaw classroom technique?

8 May 2019

Created in response to racial turmoil in Texas, the jigsaw classroom is an evidence-based approach to building relationships and fostering cooperative learning. John Dabell explains

Effective teacher modelling

9 April 2019

Effective teacher modelling can help to address misconceptions before they arise. Adam Riches advises how teachers can make this approach work in their classrooms

Getting started with metacognition theories

8 April 2019

Many trainee teachers will have been introduced to metacognition theories and strategies for learning. Kate Sida-Nicholls looks at how we can begin to filter these into our teaching

Revision techniques: Interleaving and spacing

3 April 2019

‘Spacing’ refers to revision throughout the course of study, while ‘interleaving’ means switching between ideas while you learn. Both techniques can help boost students’ long-term memories and retrieval of key information. Helen Webb explains

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Building positive student relationships

20 March 2019

Building positive student relationships can have an above average impact on outcomes. But it is not always straight-forward. Having moved to a new school, Caroline Sherwood discusses how she has begun to build those crucial relationships

Independent learning projects: Out on their own...

20 March 2019

Familiar or new? A student’s topic selection for independent learning assignments can be crucial, but should they stick to what they know or explore uncharted waters? Dr Andrew K Shenton discusses

The traits of super teachers

13 March 2019

There is no such thing as a super teacher. But if one did exist, what abilities would they exhibit? John Dabell looks at some of the traits of great teachers and urges all teachers to reject imposter syndrome and recognise their many talents...
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