News, Views and Social
Discussing Reading with Children in Key Stage 1
Discussing Reading with Children The starting point for evaluating reading in primary schools is to look at the standards and progress within reading. One of the main ways to address the whole-school approach and progression within reading, is to speak directly to pupils and get an in-depth understanding of the... View Article
To Be or Not To Be… The INCo?
The Changing Role of SENDCo With the continual changing practice to our education system, the role of SENDCo has changed significantly. Mercifully, no longer is the SENDco role generally allocated to the teacher who couldn’t cope with change or who didn’t teach well, or the staff member who was waiting... View Article
My First International School Visit to Doha
Doha: My first international school visit I was attending a Focus PD day in June, when Linda asked me if I would be interested in working with a school in Doha, Qatar. As a keen traveller, I instantly agreed to this fantastic opportunity. I have visited many schools around England,... View Article
Leadership in The Early Years
Be Prepared and Proactive The leadership of early years has become a difficult entity in the past few years. Many early years leaders find themselves in the job overnight, as there is no-one else to do it. Some strive for the position, only to find they are working with unsympathetic... View Article
Summary of Changes to Ofsted Inspection 2016
Last week I finally got round to decluttering my computer files. I am ashamed to say that some of them date back to 2008! So it was quite a big job and one that was well overdue. Most of the deleting was straightforward. ‘Stuff’ simply had to go as it... View Article
What are we Doing About the Teaching of Reading in Primary Schools?
The KS2 reading test results have lit a proverbial bonfire! As a result, many schools are reflecting on and reviewing the way in which reading in primary schools is taught. Before I consider the effective teaching of reading in primary schools, let us put the dodo to rest! The test... View Article
Learning Challenge Curriculum in Shanghai
International Education Consultancy in… Shanghai I recently went on the most amazing adventure. When Linda emailed to ask whether I would travel to Shanghai to provide international education consultancy and introduce the Learning Challenge Curriculum into a primary school there, my brain didn’t have chance to catch up to my... View Article
Reflecting on Effective Self-Evaluation
“Without proper self-evaluation, failure is inevitable” is a quote I found online when doing a bit of research. Well, I was Googling stuff really, but ‘research’ sounds more consultant-ish. Any idea who said it? Sir Michael Wilshaw perhaps? Or maybe you’re thinking it’s from a blog entry by a beleaguered... View Article
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