How can schools develop an effective department or faculty review system, asks Paul Ainsworth
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While the future direction of education policy hangs in the balance Dave Weston argues the case for keeping the creative ethos of recent primary reviews very much in mind
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Tracey Eldridge-Hinmers looks at how changes to the guidance will affect schools’ duties in relation to information sharing and the prevention of bullying
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The new Department for Education demonstrates the unfamiliar look of coalition politics with Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather taking on the role of Minister of State for Children and Families under the new Conservative Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove
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The school business manager is an important member of a school’s SLT – but can face difficulties being accepted as such. Ruth Bradbury offers advice on overcoming these barriers
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Birchensale Middle School’s Family Learning programme targets the parents of low-ability children, offering them the chance to improve key skills and participate more fully in their children’s learning. Carrie Saint Freedman visited the school to find out more
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The role of school governor has changed over the years, and with schools facing economic challenges it is now even more important that school business managers have a good relationship with their governors
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Students can be your greatest allies when it comes to changing school culture. Below are some of the ways in which we engaged students in our school to bring about the changes we were after
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Many staff in schools work with other agencies from time to time, such as health and social services. Here we outline training that is beneficial to all staff working with children in a multi-agency environment
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Governors carry the weighty responsibility of overseeing and monitoring safeguarding arrangements in schools. How can schools help them with this task? This article considers some practices they might adopt
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This assembly follows the inspiring story of Wanda Summers − her recovery from a serious accident, and her determination to complete an ultra-marathon across the Gobi desert
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The government has promised that it will allow teachers, charities, businesses and parents to set up their own schools under its flagship ‘free schools’ policy. Rebecca Taylor-Onion explains how the new schools will operate and looks at the impact that this radical change will have on our education system
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Good schools are constantly aspiring to do better. Hopefully, the A-Z of school life is supporting your pursuit for improvement. This last e-bulletin in the series looks as the final letters but, although they come at the end of the alphabet they are no less important
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In this assembly, Brian Radcliffe invites students, in light of the Government’s proposed spending cuts, to consider the way they prioritise their time, money and energy
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Schools are complex organisations that are often resistant to change. What do you do as a new headteacher when faced with the need to change the culture? Can it be done and if so how long does it take?
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This assembly begins by considering the numerous apologies which have been made in connection with the football World Cup. It goes on to discuss the difference between a qualified apology and a true expression of regret
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This bulletin is about how you construct your students’ curricula and how you evaluate the success of the provision you make
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On 11 June this year, the hills around Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales saw the thirtieth Man versus Horse Marathon. The assembly tells the story of the race, and along the way reflects on the long story of the close relationship between humans and horses
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In this edition we are looking at R to T. Access previous editions to think about A-Q. Each edition gives you prompts for a letter and focuses on one. Use them to prompt your thinking and come up with suggestions that mean something for your school
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Making the case for extended services is more important than ever. Here we provide some snapshots of how various schools have evaluated the impact of their extended services
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Now that the introduction of the ISA Vetting and Barring Scheme has been put on hold, how should schools ensure that volunteers are suitable and safe to work with students and what measures should you take to support them in their role?
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One of the new government’s key education reforms is well under way following the publication of the Academies Bill on 27 May 2010. With over 1,000 schools expressing a formal interest in becoming an academy, Katie Michelon examines how the Bill is changing the face of academies as we know them and looks at the process involved in becoming a ‘new academy’
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This week’s assembly considers the extent to which we might expect too much of people and reminds us that we’re only human. It challenges listeners to show a little more compassion in their lives
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In this assembly, children will learn about why supporters are important for encouraging sportsmen and women and for sporting events as a whole
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Some schools still have a limited understanding of how to make citizenship education effective, according to a new report from Ofsted. David Gordon looks at the background to the report and describes a tool that governing bodies can use to evaluate the teaching of citizenship in their schools
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In this issue, we share our experience of using staff surveys for the first time – what worked well and what we learned about the process
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This edition considers the part that research and reflective practice have to play in school and professional development
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This week’s assembly challenges listeners not to lose sight of the important issues, even when only certain ones seem to be in the public eye
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This assembly discusses being scared when students are lost, and offers advice as to what they should do when they are
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It has just been announced that the Independent Safeguarding Authority’s registration process is to be put on hold pending a review. This issue of Legal Expertise examines the implications for schools
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Some school leaders remain unconvinced that the school business manager should have a place on the leadership team. But there’s plenty of evidence that the SBM has a vital role to play – this week’s bulletin encourages SBMs to make sure their voice is heard in whole-school management
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Every year schools recruit new members of staff, from headteachers, to teachers, to classroom assistants and administrative staff. It is vital that a robust procedure is followed for all interviews to ensure that the successful candidate is a suitable person to work with children and young people
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This assembly, coinciding with the start of the World Cup in South Africa, looks back to the sport of chariot racing in ancient Rome. It asks questions about the pros and cons of professional sport – then as now
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A-Z of school life examines maintaining the momentum, sorting out the important from the not important, making the most of opportunities, people and questions, questions, Jane Golightly has written extensively on school improvement and has more than 30 years experience in primary educationuestions
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A recent Ofsted report has highlighted the role of governors in evaluating CPD. David Gordon examines the report and other sources of information that will be valuable to governors in this task
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This primary assembly looks at personal injury and disappointment, and how to make the most of a bad situation
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There are currently two live consultations that will impact upon your safeguarding duties, the most important of which is the long-awaited sector-specific guidance for the Vetting and Barring Scheme. Dai Durbridge explains how they will affect your safeguarding responsibilities in the new academic year
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The way in which a school is organised (horizontal or vertical? House system? Form tutors or personal tutors?) has a huge impact on the culture and ethos of the school, but what will work best in each situation and why? Below we consider the changes made at Federation of West Sleekburn Middle School and Bedlingtonshire Community High School
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This week’s assembly challenges listeners to remember those who are left behind in one way or another, and asks listeners to question the extent to which they are inclusive in their thoughts and actions
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Perhaps more than any other inspection judgement, ‘The effectiveness of safeguarding procedures’ has caused anxiety amongst schools. Here are some suggestions for how you might prepare.
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In this assembly, children will learn about Doug Gregory – the 87 year old RAF pilot who is still flying and performing stunts. Children will be invited to confront stereotypes about older people
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This week, the A-Z of school life continues to examine some of the vital parts of your role as school leader, including inclusion and knowing your school
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The new Equality Act will remove the exemption for schools which previously meant that they did not have to provide auxiliary aids and services to students with a disability. Rebecca Taylor-Onion looks at the impact of the new disability duty in relation to auxiliary aids and services on schools
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In this assembly students are encouraged to consider the balance of rivalry and unity that is exemplified by the World Cup
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This assembly looks at the history of the Queen’s Speech and what her latest speech will mean for the UK
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It’s vital that school business managers avoid inadvertently leaving gaps between the school’s budget and its development plan. This ebulletin flags up ways to avoid these gaps and keep your budget in line with the school’s development needs
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This assembly uses the theme of puns and similar wordplay. It looks at many definitions of the word pun, such as in the form of a corny joke and a way to highlight tragedy, and also explores the idea of the visual pun (the ‘rebus’) with reference to the prisoner Thomas Abel’s carving in the Tower of London
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The long-awaited report of the Ministerial Working Group on School Governance comments on the performance of governing bodies and makes recommendations for change. David Gordon examines its findings
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As we await the framework for ICT assessment and qualifications, and therefore clarification about whether ICT will be more fully integrated, or have greater stand-alone status as a subject, we consider how to assess the current role of ICT in your curriculum
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