Ben Greenwood

Classroom Management, Pedagogy

What is behaviourist pedagogy and what can cats teach us about the way students learn?

teaching and learning, Teacher Workload, Pedagogy

Pedagogy, pronounced ‘ped-a-godge-ee’ (yes, we had to google that), is a term whose definition is regularly contested. Wedged somewhere between teaching theory and psychological...

gender equality, PSHE

1 in 10 women aged 14-21 are unable to afford sanitary products. This can affect their confidence, ability to concentrate in class and ultimately, their performance at school.

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...

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...

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...

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...

Ofsted, lesson plans, Teacher Workload, Data Management

For teachers and SLT alike, Ofsted inspections are stressful. It’s hard to keep up with ever-changing guidelines and regulations whilst working one of the most demanding jobs in the...

Teacher Workload, Behaviour Management

Behaviour has a huge impact on teacher wellbeing. Over a quarter of teachers’ mental health issues are caused by student behaviour, forcing 70% to consider leaving the profession.