Teaching and Learning

Sharing good teaching practice

Coaching is falling short of its potential but is at its best when it is a two-way process. Rachel Lofthouse and David Leat as they describe the findings of their research

New team at the Department for Education

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

Primary Assembly: Wonder Woman!

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

Are you getting the best value from your ICT provision?

Where can schools get reliable information on ICT equipment? David Gordon looks at some useful sources

Sharing vision and implementing change

Subject development tasks for subject leaders and their teams, to help ensure successful sharing and implementation of a subject vision

Secondary Assembly: Where do we make the cuts?

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

Exploring the world of animals with early years

Most young children are fascinated by the wonderful rang of small creatures that can be found in the outdoor environment at this time of year. Even the smallest outdoor space can be developed into a haven for insects, butterflies and other invertebrates, providing new things to explore every day

Secondary Assembly: Really, truly, sorry?

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

Primary Assembly: Man and horse

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

Secondary Assembly: Only human

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

Secondary Assembly: Being a supporter

In this assembly, children will learn about why supporters are important for encouraging sportsmen and women and for sporting events as a whole

Developing ‘effective participators’ using Open Space Technology

This issue we look at a technique known as Open Space Technology – another form of cooperative investigation that can be used to encourage students to engage actively with the issues that effect them

Using natural materials to enhance children’s learning

Natural resources encourage children to observe closely and use all their senses. They provide opportunities for sorting, classifying and using descriptive language – all important skills and dispositions for young children. Here are some practical ideas to bring them into early years learning

Secondary Assembly: Meanwhile…

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

Using consultation to develop your extended services

We consider some mechanisms for consulting with pupils, parents and community to ensure that you are providing extended services that meet local demand

Primary Assembly: Scary moments

This assembly discusses being scared when students are lost, and offers advice as to what they should do when they are

Secondary Assembly: Chariots of Danger

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

Primary Assembly: It might seem a small thing to you, but to me…

This primary assembly looks at personal injury and disappointment, and how to make the most of a bad situation

Developing ‘effective participators’ using the World Café

In this series looking at 'effective participators', in this issue we look at a technique known as the World Café – another form of cooperative investigation that can be used to encourage students to engage actively with the issues that affect them

Exploring outdoor learning with early years

Exploring the natural world is a fantastic way to develop and inspire early years. Find out why, and gain practical ideas for how to encourage young children to explore the world of plants

Secondary Assembly: For those who are left behind

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

Primary Assembly: No stereotypes here!

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

Wider Family Learning – how to apply for funding

Wider Family Learning is a cross-cutting strategy to engage reluctant adult learners while involving them more with their children’s learning. Although one in three schools take up Wider Family Learning grants from their local authority, the level of funding available means that many more could successfully apply. Nick Holt takes you step-by-step through an application form

Secondary Assembly: A rainbow people

In this assembly students are encouraged to consider the balance of rivalry and unity that is exemplified by the World Cup

Primary Assembly: The Queen’s Speech

This assembly looks at the history of the Queen’s Speech and what her latest speech will mean for the UK

Secondary Assembly: ‘Not Angles, but angels’

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

Developing ‘effective participators’ using Appreciative Inquiry

This week we will look at an approach known as Appreciative Inquiry – another form of cooperative investigation that can be used to encourage students to engage actively with the issues that affect them

Primary Assembly: Looking East

This assembly looks at the importance of technology and wonders where science will take us in the next few decades

Secondary Assembly: Team Earth

This week’s assembly challenges listeners to imagine a world where we’re all in the same ’team’, and reflect upon how their own actions might start to bring this dream about

Developing ‘effective participators’ using Narrative Enquiry

This e-bulletin continues our focus on developing 'effective participators'. This issue we look at Narrative Enquiry – a form of cooperative investigation that can be used with students, staff, parents, governors to encourage active exploration of the issues that affect them

Primary Assembly: Trying to do the right thing

As recent political events have shown, sometimes you’re in a position where whatever you choose to do is going to upset someone. This assembly keeps away from the political issue, but presents the dilemma in familiar terms

Why spending on teaching assistants could raise attainment

A new report has found that well deployed teaching assistants help raise a school’s attainment. David Gordon looks at the details

Out and about – exploring the built environment with early years

Often when we think about using the environment to teach young children, we focus on the natural world and ignore all the wonderful examples that exist around us in the built environment. Early Years Update discusses ways to use the man-made environment around us to develop early years learning

Secondary Assembly: A PC world

In this assembly Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider the addictive effects of video games and suggests some relational strategies to address them

Primary Assembly: The fools that we were then

This assembly reflects on spring and memories, using a poem written by A. E. Housman

Secondary Assembly: The Many Meanings of X

This assembly considers the significance of the letter X, which voters use to mark their ballot papers in the general election. Thinking about the many meanings of X can help us to understand ourselves and others

Primary Assembly: Cheating

The assembly helps children to understand that fairness is an intrinsic quality of all sport – that cheating damages the sport as well as taking away from the achievements of the cheat

Helping young people to become ‘effective participators’

This e-bulletin continues our exploration of how the QCDA personal, learning and thinking skills framework can be put into practice. For the summer term, our focus is on the final key competence of the framework: that of 'effective participators'

Secondary Assembly: Rescue me!

This assembly challenges listeners to think about the rescue services available to us, suggesting that perhaps we take such things for granted especially in more economically developed countries such as our own

Primary Assembly: Coming home

This assembly discusses British citizens stuck abroad due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland and subsequent flight ban

A quick roundup of the main political parties’ school manifesto points

What do the four main parties (Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green) have to say about education?

Secondary Assembly: Listen to me!

In this assembly Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider how they might influence the upcoming general election, despite their young age

Improve your school’s extended services through volunteering schemes

Volunteering provides opportunities for the local community to engage with your school’s extended services. Here are some suggestions for activities, including awareness days, accreditation opportunities, the arts and the Olympic Games

Primary Assembly: Thirteen year old attempts Everest

This assembly looks at the sport of mountain climbing and the huge challenge that awaits the boy who wants to be the youngest person to conquer Everest

Heuristic play for toddlers

The word heuristic derives from the Greek word eurisko meaning ‘I discover’. It is used to describe an intuitive way of meeting challenges and solving problems – exactly what young children do when they are engaged in heuristic play

Accelerate learning in early years using Treasure Baskets

Treasure baskets are thought to promote accelerated learning in early years. Early Years Update describes the benefits, as well as explaining the key elements of a successful Treasure Basket

'Learning for transfer' - Hugging and Bridging

We are currently looking at the crucial role of metacognitive plenaries in helping our students to develop a more reflective mindset. Last time we looked at some activities designed to introduce the concept of metacognition – or 'thinking about thinking' – to young learners. In this bulletin we will look further at the idea of helping students to 'learn for transfer'

Area

Your Role

Teaching and Learning