News, Views and Social
Getting to Grips with Grammar
Why should we teach grammar? Well, we now have an intense focus on grammar within the statutory English curriculum, so that is certainly one reason! Much more than that, however, is that grammar is about language. It is about how words are chosen, how sentences are written, how effective detail... View Article
Category: English
Being a Primary Deputy Head, This Much I Know…
When I was 11 years old I knew that I wanted to be a primary school teacher. It wasn’t just the influence of having parents as teachers (they didn’t put me off!) I just knew that I liked doing pretty much everything. I loved learning and I loved the day-to-day... View Article
Category: School Leadership
Leading English Effectively in Primary Schools
Leading English in a primary school is a vast undertaking and, with all the current shifts and changes with the implementation and embedding of the 2014 curriculum, it has become increasingly demanding. An English leader needs to be organised and confident, but much more than that needs a passion for... View Article
Category: English Subject Leadership
Leading Lights in the World of Maths
Euclid, Hypatia, Archimedes. Pythagoras, Newton, Euler. Fibonacci, Pascal, Somerville, Turing. Mrs Emma Lacey from Redbrick Primary School. Every one of them a mathematics pioneer. Every one of them a leading light in the sometimes dark world of numbers. Every one of them a calculating colossus, striding the landscape of three... View Article
Category: Maths
Fresh Perspectives on the School Self Evaluation
I was recently working with a primary school on their self evaluation, something I do often, and I was trying to think about why this process is so useful. Why, I kept wondering, was it better to get advice and support writing a self evaluation? Surely the clue is in... View Article
Category: School Leadership
Getting to Grips with School Recruitment and Staffing
Without a doubt, school recruitment is critical for the success of any school. We know only too well that poor selection decisions can be costly and time consuming. However, selection decisions within teacher recruitment are no more or less important than any other part of managing staff.
Category: School Leadership
Managing School Finance in Times of Budgetary Pressures and Uncertainty
Financial pressures and uncertainty on school budgets There is little doubt that school funding should be high on the priority list of school leaders. Pressure on school budgets will bring real challenges and the next stages of national funding reform will bring a degree of uncertainty, all at a time... View Article
Category: School Leadership
Working with Teaching Assistants in Primary Schools
Teaching Assistants Within a Changing Context I have just started my 42nd year working within the primary education system. During this time I have seen reform after reform, some of which were much needed and others less so. One of the greatest changes within primary schools has arguably been to... View Article
Category: Teaching Guidance
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