The Satchel Blog

Autonomy Classroom Management Pedagogy
26 Feb 2020

What is Liberationist 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 ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

Classroom Management Pedagogy
13 Feb 2020

What is Behaviourism?

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

Author: Ben Greenwood

Teaching and Learning Teacher Workload Pedagogy
05 Feb 2020

What is Pedagogy? An Introduction to Learning Theories

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 ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

Gender Equality PSHE
22 Jan 2020

Free Sanitary Products in Schools to Beat Period Poverty

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 ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

Teacher Teacher Workload
15 Jan 2020

Email Etiquette and Saving Time

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’ ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

British Values
10 Jan 2020

The Problem with 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. ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

Classroom Management Learning Environment
18 Dec 2019

How to Create a Better 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 ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

Ofsted PSHE
16 Dec 2019

PSHE Under the New Ofsted Framework

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 ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

Ofsted Parental Involvement Students & Parents
04 Dec 2019

What Happens in an Ofsted Inspection?

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 ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

Time Management Teacher Workload
28 Nov 2019

How to Manage Time - A Teacher's Guide

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 ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

Ofsted framework Ofsted School Improvement
26 Nov 2019

SIPs and SEFs in the New Ofsted Framework

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 ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

Ofsted SMSC
21 Nov 2019

What is SMSC and How Can You Teach It?

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 ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

Parent Tips for Homework Parental Involvement
14 Nov 2019 | Read time 3 mins

Why Should Parents Help With Homework?

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 ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

Ofsted framework Ofsted Education Reform
11 Nov 2019

Ofsted's New 'Quality of Education' Judgement

Ofsted introduced the new key judgement, quality of education, earlier this year and with it, they detailed new inspection criteria they will ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

Ofsted
08 Nov 2019

The Guide to Ofsted Terminology

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 ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

GCSE MFL
05 Nov 2019

Are Modern Foreign Languages About to Get Easier?

Following a review of the current grading criteria, some modern foreign language (MFL) subjects will be judged less harshly at GCSE next year ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

Classroom Management Behaviour Management
30 Oct 2019

Creating Your Classroom Management Philosophy

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 ...

Author: Ben Greenwood

Teacher Workload Behaviour Management
16 Oct 2019

How to Reduce Behavioural Workload

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 ...

Author: Ben Greenwood