Headteacher

Making evaluation more manageable

How can schools develop an effective department or faculty review system, asks Paul Ainsworth

Creativity and the primary curriculum

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

Revised Working Together guidance and your school (2)

Tracey Eldridge-Hinmers looks at how changes to the guidance will affect schools’ duties in relation to information sharing and the prevention of bullying

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

Encouraging parental engagement

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

Working with governors

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

Changing school cultures (with students)

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

Making multi-agency working easier

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

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

‘Free schools’: what are they and what will their impact be?

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

The A-Z of school life – Understanding, Voice, Wobbling walls, the eXtra mile, Yesterday and Zzz

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

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

Changing school cultures

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?

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

The A-Z of school life – Regular reflection, Strengths and Thinking things through

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

Measuring the impact of extended services

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

Academies: how they are changing, and how your school can apply to become one

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’

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

The value of staff surveys

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

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

The Vetting and Barring Scheme – where are we now?

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

Interviewing staff and making sure they're suitable

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

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

The A-Z of school life – Momentum, Not important/important, Opportunities, People and Questions

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

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

Are you up-to-date with the latest developments in safeguarding?

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

Getting the right pastoral mix

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

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

Preparing your safeguarding procedures for Ofsted

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.

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

The A-Z of school life – Inclusion, Jigsaws, Knowing your school and Leadership

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

Is your school fulfilling its disability duties?

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

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

Coping with an Ofsted category

How do you cope when your secondary school is placed in special measures by Ofsted?

The A-Z of school life – Fit for the Future, Getting to Grips and Health

Jane Golightly continues to offer suggestions about areas in which you could initiate school improvement in your school

Primary Assembly: Looking East

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

Record keeping for efficient child protection

Record keeping is an essential part of a school’s role in child protection; it is vital that it is done accurately and managed carefully and securely

Summer Term FUNd Raising, Social and Community Events

This edition of Extended Schools Update looks at some of the resources available and events coming up this term to help schools promote Every Child Matters and extended services outcomes, through environmental learning initiatives and activities

Are your school’s pupils safe online?

The internet is a vital learning resource, but its use comes with a number of legal risks. Following the Byron Review in 2008, the delivery of e-safety in schools has come under greater scrutiny. Rebecca Taylor-Onion looks at schools’ legal duties to ensure the online safety of their pupils and how they can manage the risks effectively

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

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

The Financial Management Standard in Schools (FMSiS) – supporting your school through assessment

In an educational management world filled with assessment, the FMSiS may seem at first to be yet another drain on the school business manager’s time – but this ebulletin shows the vital supportive role it can play for all of those involved in leading the school

Obesity, healthy lifestyles and the role of schools

Healthy lifestyles, in particular tackling obesity, can be promoted through extended schools. Nick Holt considers some practical approaches

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Headteacher