emails, Teacher Workload

It’s a familiar routine for most - sitting down after a full day of teaching to an overflowing email inbox and working through the bottomless pit of ‘To whom it may concern’ and ‘kind...

British Values

The new Ofsted judgement framework, introduced in September 2019, saw ‘British Values’ surge in importance, as PSHE takes an increasingly significant role in the curriculum. But what are...

Ofsted framework, Ofsted

2019's Ofsted Framework changes threw a spanner in the works for many school leaders. It seemed like something of a change of course for our national regulatory body. A shift away from...

Classroom Management, Learning Environment

Teachers experience it in their classrooms, and parents experience it at kitchen tables and IKEA desks across the country: kids struggling to concentrate on their work or outright...

Ofsted, PSHE

In 2013, Ofsted highlighted a connection between outstanding schools and the provision of high quality PSHE lessons. Back then it was a sign of intent, a signal to schools to look ahead...

SEND, Slow Processing

Have you ever noticed when a student takes a longer time to get an answer, but you can see them working hard to get there? Perhaps you’ve read the educational psychologist report saying...

Ofsted, parental involvement, Students & Parents

When it comes to Ofsted, it’s easy for parents to feel a little in the dark. As the inspection happens, you often don’t have any input or insight into what’s happening at school. At...

time management, Teacher Workload

The clock strikes 12 and you’re still sat at the kitchen table, eyes wearily bouncing from exercise book to mark scheme. Any promise of an early night has been dashed by the mountain of...

Ofsted framework, Ofsted, School Improvement

School Improvement Plans (SIPs) and Self Evaluation Forms (SEFs) have been around for a while. When done well, they give unparalleled insights into the workings of a school and help to...

Ofsted, SMSC

Ofsted’s new framework puts more emphasis on child development, with criteria such as ‘British Values’ taking a more central role. This is reinforced by the separation of behaviour and...

Parent Tips for Homework, parental involvement

We always hear how important parental engagement in homework is. That providing support with homework can increase student attainment or boost their skills, just with a little effort...

Ofsted framework, Ofsted, education reform

Ofsted introduced the new key judgement, quality of education, earlier this year and with it, they detailed new inspection criteria they will use to assess a school’s success in this...

Ofsted

Are you treading water with deep dives? Do you know your SIP from your SEF? This September’s changes have brought with them brand new judgement criteria and yet more terminology to...

gcse, MFL

Following a review of the current grading criteria, some modern foreign language (MFL) subjects will be judged less harshly at GCSE next year following on from complaints that it had...

Ofsted framework, Ofsted

In September 2019 Ofsted’s new inspection framework came into effect for schools across the UK. This new framework was introduced in a bid to address areas of concern that schools have...

SEND

What is ASD? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a broad term that incorporates aspergers, austistic tendencies and atypical autism. Two students both diagnosed with ASD can exhibit very...

Classroom Management, Behaviour Management

One of the biggest sources of anxiety for new teachers is dealing with student behaviour. How will I manage a class of 20-30 students effectively? Will I be in control? What if they...

government, SEND

After making a written submission to the call for evidence in the SEND inquiry, I was invited in January to attend a Committee Meeting with other SEND focussed school staff from across...