Head of Year

Secondary Assembly: Responsibility

In this assembly, Joe Walker challenges listeners to think about how easily we tend to blame external factors for things and so perhaps avoid our own responsibilities

Developing approaches to manage self-harming behaviours

In this edition we consider self-harm and discuss what teachers can do to help young people who are vulnerable to self-harm

Secondary Assembly: ‘Patrick, come back!'

This assembly, timed to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, takes the form of a Time Travel Interview with Ireland’s Patron Saint. It disentangles fact from legend and shows that Patrick’s story is relevant today, giving opportunity for discussion at key stages 3, 4 and 5

Secondary Assembly: Cheap at half the price

In this assembly, students are invited to consider the cost of bringing up a child in the UK, and to think about whether they personally are offering good value for the money that has been spent on them

Secondary Assembly: Through alien eyes

In this week’s assembly, Joe Walker challenges listeners to look at themselves and the wider exploits of humanity from a different perspective… prompted by the arrival of aliens

Secondary Assembly: Cheats never prosper?

This assembly considers attitudes to cheating in the light of the news that more pupils are using new ‘technological’ methods in order to cheat in examinations. It considers the pressures that may drive us to cheat and asks questions about the role of conscience

Mobile phones, MP3 players and student behaviour

They’re often the cause of argument, disruption and off-task behaviour. So how can you reduce the negative impact of mobile phones and MP3 players in the teaching and learning environment?

Primary Assembly: He felt he might be needed

Reginald Earnshaw, killed at 14 years and 152 days, was belatedly recognised recently as the youngest serving casualty of World War Two

Secondary Assembly: Sceptical at a cost?

On the general subject of climate change, this assembly invites students to consider how easily we become sceptical, and the effect this might have on the world’s poorest people

Secondary Assembly: Hope

This assembly reflects on the idea of hope, challenging listeners to engage in hopeful thinking for the future. It refers to the recent events in Haiti, as well as the memorial services recently held to remember the victims of the Holocaust

Secondary Assembly: Groundhog Day

This assembly for secondary school pupils looks at the tradition of Groundhog Day, considers why we get bored of routine, and why we should think twice about it

Improve your behaviour management with pupil evaluation

Tips on how to solicit and apply feedback/evaluation from pupils to improve behaviour management

Secondary Assembly: When your chewing gum’s lost its flavour

In this assembly Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider an imaginative way to recycle an unsightly and invasive type of litter

Secondary Assembly: We are all ‘Time Lords’

In this assembly, Joe Walker considers the extent to which we are all masters of our own destiny, as we begin another decade. The assembly challenges listeners to consider not how the next year might turn out, but how they might shape 2010

Secondary Assembly: We are all 'Time Lords'

In this assembly, Joe Walker considers the extent to which we are all masters of our own destiny, as we begin another decade. The assembly challenges listeners to consider not how the next year might turn out, but how they might shape 2010

Secondary Assembly: What’s the point of advent calendars?

This assembly uses the popularity of advent calendars to consider what our values should be as we prepare for the season of goodwill

Secondary Assembly: Violence amongst teenagers

In this assembly, Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider the rise in incidents of violence between teenagers, even in apparently safe relationships

Secondary Assembly: Speaking out against injustice

Joe Walker explores the idea of being prepared to speak out against injustice – even when it could have negative consequences for you

Secondary Assembly: Which side of the wall?

In this assembly Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider the 20th anniversary of the demolition of the Berlin Wall that began in November 1989

Secondary Assembly: You’re worth it

In this assembly Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider how and why we give awards. Students are encouraged to consider what awards they might give within their school

Secondary Assembly: The show must go on

This secondary SEAL assembly looks at the personal qualities of determination and perseverance

Secondary Assembly: Give all children a chance

This assembly is written to coincide as closely as possible with United Nations Day, which falls on Saturday, October 24th, 2009. After outlining the UN’s structure, it concentrates on the work of UNICEF - The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund

Secondary Assembly: Shine a light

In this assembly Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider recent news stories about anti-social behaviour and the consequences

Secondary Assembly: Smile

Encourage your students to make somebody smile today with this secondary SEAL assembly

Secondary Assembly: No more Carling Cup?

This secondary assembly looks at advertising and the powers it has over the public, particulary in terms of alcoholic drinks advertised through sports branding

Secondary Assembly: Going to extremes

In this assembly, Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider why some people who believe they have a a cause to promote are tempted into terrorist activity

Secondary Assembly: Justice or compassion?

This assembly explores our views about the relationship, or possible conflicts between, justice and compassion. It responds to the issues raised by the release of the Lockerbie bomber by the Scottish Government

How to tackle truancy using ICT

Why does truancy remain a problem for some schools, and how far can hi-tech solutions help? Special Children looks at how e-registration might help

Secondary Assembly: Looking at the man in the mirror

Following the death of Michael Jackson, this secondary assembly considers his life and focuses on his song Man In The Mirror. It asks how we can ’make a change’ from selfishness to loving concern

Supporting parents support their children

Roger Smith considers the important role that parents play in supporting their children and asks what more schools can do to support them

Secondary Assembly: Let’s think about fashion!

This secondary assembly considers peer pressure and designer clothing

Partisan political view in the classroom

Where do schools stand legally on teachers airing their political views in the classroom? Michael Segal explores this sensitive issue

Secondary Assembly: Follow the leader

Leadership and leadership skills — this secondary assembly looks at what qualities are important in a leader

Secondary Assembly: Being brave every day

This secondary SEAL assembly explores the concepts of bravery and courage

Don’t take students' comments personally

Taking issues with pupils personally can lead to difficulties. This e-bulletin looks at how you can become more proactive and stand back to see the full picture

Headteachers: five things to never say in school

What five things should you never say in a school setting? Former headteacher Jane Golightly discusses five comments that she advises senior leadership to steer clear of in order to maintain positive school leadership

Secondary Assembly: British, European, or both?

National identity and personal identity are the themes of this secondary assembly, using the 2009 European elections as loose theme

Secondary Assembly: Slow Down London

This secondary assembly encourages students to consider the benefits of slowing down, in terms of greater enjoyment and health, referencing the principles behind the Slow Down London festival.

Secondary Assembly: Don’t panic!

This assembly discusses the current outbreak of swine flu and examines our emotional and social reactions to it. It seeks to discuss the unspoken fears that concern young people. It does not offer detailed health education on the subject

Defusing arguments with students

Arguments with pupils can escalate quickly, so Dave Stott gives tips on how to defuse or control arguments with students, before they become out of control and cause permanent behaviour problems

Managing cases of students' emotional abuse

Cases of student emotional abuse can all too frequently go unnoticed believes Jenni Whitehead. Here she suggests an exercise for staff-room discussion

A day in the life of a child and family support worker in school

As a child and family support worker at Kingfisher Primary School in Smiths Wood, Solihull, Debbie Todd explains what her role involves

Sexual relations with pupils over 16

Teachers should not face prosecution for sexual relations with pupils above the age of 16 (the age of consent) − this is what Chris Whitehead, the general secretary of the NASUWT said in October 2008. Jenni Whitehead discusses

Focusing on student and family health

A holistic approach to supporting young people's health is led by the school-based health adviser at Newall Green School, Manchester, who embraces the whole child and the family. Neil Wilson, headteacher, discusses

Collaborative professional enquiry in schools

How can participating in collaborative professional enquiry foster pupil learning and professional learning in teachers? Alison Fox from the University of Stirling and chartered teacher Jan Brophy describe how

Youth café at Springfield School, Portsmouth

The development of a youth café led by young people from Springfield School in Drayton, Portsmouth is outlined here by Jo Derham, manager of the North East Community Improvement Partnership in Portsmouth

Achieving global dimension: a case study

Sir John Lawes School in Harpenden, Hertfordshire shares how it has taken an all-encompassing approach to incorporating the global dimension both within and beyond the whole-school curriculum

Secondary Assembly: England and St George

This secondary SEAL assembly discusses patriotism and personal identity

Making global learning central to your curriculum

It is essential that schools help equip young people to live and work in the 21st century. Increase your understanding of when and where global learning can be included in your curriculum and how to deliver it to achieve maximum benefit, with in-depth advice from Douglas Bourn

The new GTCE code of conduct and practice

Mark Blois explores plans for a new code of conduct for the General Teaching Council for England GTCE

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