PSHE: We need to talk about cannabis 20 June 2022 Use of cannabis among teenagers is on the rise and charity the Alcohol Education Trust has responded with new workshops for schools. CEO Helena Conibear offers some tips on tackling cannabis education
Extra-curricular activities as part of a broad and balanced curriculum 20 June 2022 In this five-part series, Matt Bromley looks at best practice for planning and delivering effective extra-curricular provision. In part three, he looks at how extra-curricular activities can help create a broad and balanced curriculum offer and how we can boost student take-up
Safeguarding: Responding to harmful sexual behaviours 14 June 2022 Responding to and addressing harmful sexual behaviours is now a key part of safeguarding practice. Carmel Glassbrook considers 10 forms this behaviour might take and how we can respond and support students
Using poetry – some principles, ideas and approaches 13 June 2022 Using poetry to explore how young people feel about world events is a powerful and increasingly popular approach, says Gareth Ellis
Research projects: Investigating qualities as well as quantities 6 June 2022 The world of qualitative research is not one we usually tackle during secondary education, but this misses the chance to teach useful skills and knowledge, says Dr Andrew K Shenton
Vocabulary development for EAL students 18 January 2022 Vocabulary development is vital for those using English as an additional language. Sheila Hopkins considers how teachers can identify key vocabulary during lesson planning and outlines strategies for teaching these key words to EAL learners
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
After COP26: What and where next for climate work in secondary schools? 1 December 2021 From eco-anxiety to the curriculum, from school travel to buildings, there is much to do if we are to truly prioritise climate change education and carbon reduction in schools. Dr Verity Jones advises and signposts to a range of resources to help
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
A curiosity cabinet: How school libraries can develop curious students 23 November 2021 Curiosity is crucial to lifelong learning and motivating our pupils – and the school library can play a key role in fostering this skill. Valerie Dewhurst offers some ideas and advice
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
A robust cross-curricular approach to climate education 8 November 2021 How do teachers make sense of the decisions emerging from COP26? Alan Kinder says clear curriculum thinking will be required and offers ideas for ensuring a robust approach to climate change education 1 comment
Six steps to supporting Afghan refugees arriving in your school 26 October 2021 As refugees from Afghanistan begin to arrive in the UK, schools are ready to welcome the children of these families. Katy Isaac offers us six steps for supporting newly arrived refugees and signposts to resources to help 1 comment
Case study: Teaching oracy skills 27 September 2021 Oracy has been identified as a key post-lockdown priority. One school is working closely with Shakespearean actors to boost children’s speaking skills. Lucy Cherry explains
EAL recovery: Creating opportunities for talk 20 September 2021 As the pandemic continues, promoting oracy and opportunities to talk will be crucial to supporting the recovery of students who use English as an additional language. Sarah Moodie offers some ideas
Case study: Embedding literacy across a subject discipline 30 August 2021 Students might not consider design and technology or food lessons to be places where literacy is at the forefront of teaching and learning. Emma Goldfinch describes her school’s work to put literacy at the heart of their subject discipline
Words for All: Ideas and approaches for boosting literacy skills 30 August 2021 Whole Education's Words for All project is helping teachers to prioritise vocabulary development and reading in our secondary schools. Lisa Ling looks at some of the ideas and approaches that have proved successful...
RSHE: Teaching sensitive topics 28 June 2021 Consent, misogyny, sexual harassment, healthy relationships and much more – the list of sensitive topics within RSHE is long and tackling these issues can be daunting for unprepared staff. Rachel Coathup offers some tips
Classroom teaching & EAL: Planning for linguistic diversity 28 June 2021 Many of our EAL students will likely have suffered a language learning loss during successive lockdowns. Kamil Trzebiatowski considers ideas and resources to help support these learners in the coming months
Reading and writing poetry: Some top tips and lesson ideas 24 May 2021 Poetry can be a tough sell for some young people, but it is worth persevering. Stephanie Nobes – a teacher trailblazer for the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award – offers some quick tips and lesson ideas to hook your students
EAL in the Early Career Framework 10 May 2021 The Early Career Framework makes no mention of teaching pupils who use English as an additional language, despite the fact that nearly half of teachers teach in diverse classrooms. Silvana Richardson advises
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
Student voice: How to create a collaborative school and classroom culture 13 April 2021 Collaborative decision-making happens when the options, constraints and possibilities in the classroom are discussed and decided in partnership with pupils. Dr Geraldine Rowe explains what this looks like in practice
Earth Day 2021: Inspiring young global citizens 5 April 2021 This year’s Earth Day on April 22 offers secondary schools the chance to engage pupils in issues relating to climate change and environmental protection. Harriet Marshall and Matthew Smitheman offer some ideas
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