News, Views and Social
School Leader Updates from the Focus Update Service
The Focus Update Service is an annual subscription providing primary school leaders updates regarding the DFE and Ofsted via email, with clear summaries of important documents, publications and developments in the education landscape. The service ensures that busy leaders get the information straight to their email as PDF documents.... View Article
Category: School Leadership
Inspection Dashboard: Playing the Data Game
I’m not prone to bouts of nostalgia, but the other day I saw a retro tea towel (yes, they do exist) in a shop and all of a sudden the memories of the Sunday dinners of my youth came flooding back, mainly because it was always my job to do... View Article
Category: Inspection
Early Years Foundation Stage: It’s Not a Checklist!
In the last few years, assessment in early years seems to have exploded to unmanageable levels and some teachers are highlighting, ticking, cutting, sticking and squeezing children into boxes (not literally). If you remember the first version of the Early Years Foundation Stage in 2008, you will recall Development Matters... View Article
Category: Early Years
Thinking Differently About Differentiation
Over the past eighteen months, I have worked alongside many schools as they reflect on the pedagogic practice that has been their mainstay. Differentiation has come under particular scrutiny and prompted a forensic review of its impact on pupil outcomes.
Category: Curriculum
What Does Mastery Look Like?
There has been lots of talk about mastery since the first draft of the national curriculum was published. We need not be too precious as it was clearly being talked about in the 16th century.
Category: Mastery and Metacognition
The Importance of Intervention in Teaching
Let’s consider the importance of intervention in teaching by looking at it from the opposite perspective; that is, from a school where it is not a priority and does not form part of the underlying pedagogy. Imagine you’re the visitor to that hypothetical school. Be ready to consider the impact... View Article
Category: School Leadership
Balancing the Maths Curriculum in Your Setting
The value of evaluating mathematics from a pupil’s perspective As part of my consultancy work in schools I have found myself having many discussions with headteachers, principals and subject leaders about the breadth and balance of their curriculum. Maths has emerged as one subject that sits very much alone in... View Article
Category: Mastery and Metacognition Maths
Keeping Track of Great Teaching
Never has it been more important to keep a clear record evidencing improvements in teaching and learning. This is the bread and butter of all inspections.
Category: School Leadership
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