Ben Greenwood

Student & Parent Resources, Distance Learning

By now, the novelty of working from home or being in isolation has probably worn off. You’re at home with kids who are not in the mood to learn, but are in the mood to wake up at 7am and...

Parental Engagement, Distance Learning

School may be closed and exams cancelled, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to put our students’ learning on hold too. In fact, the next few months could be crucial in preparing your...

Exams

As coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to change day to day life, it was announced by Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, that schools will close this Friday (20th) and summer exams will be...

Distance Learning

The world is changing. Our education system is being dragged unwillingly into the 21st century as it stubbornly digs in its heels. We’re finding that many traditional structures no...

Embracing Technology, Pedagogy

So far we’ve covered the pedagogical theories of behaviourism, liberationism and social constructivism on the Satchel blog. This week we’ll explore the world of connectivism - a...

collaborative learning, Pedagogy

Learning theories, or pedagogies, inform most of what you do as a teacher. Whether you notice it or not, your teaching method will likely fall under the umbrella of one of the main...

Teacher Wellbeing, Student Wellbeing

The advice in this article is true as of 09/03/20 - The situation is changing rapidly so for up to date information surrounding the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, check www.gov.uk for...

School Marketing

The school market is competitive. With so many schools trying to attract prospective students, and parents, it’s difficult to be heard above the noise. In this blog we’ll explore why...

Autonomy, Classroom Management, Pedagogy

Liberationism flips the traditional classroom on its head. By putting the student at the centre of the classroom instead of the teacher, pupils have more say in what they learn and how...

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...