Headteacher - Teaching Expertise

During this term we are focusing on aspects of school improvement that can be improved with a ‘spring clean’ (see Issue 10). In this edition it’s time for a spring clean of the indoor and outdoor environments to promote life skills

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

The subject of pets is one that can effectively be used to engage children in lessons about personal responsibility, and the importance of natural habitats for animals. Gerald Haigh uses a popular advertising campaign to relate these important social lessons to young children

This assembly by Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider what it means to be generous in tough financial times. Reference points are The Sunday Times Rich List and the Channel 4 programme The Secret Millionaire

This assembly for primary school children introduces them to ideas about schools and education in other countries and cultures

During the summer term, Primary Leadership Focus will discuss some of the different aspects of school improvement that can be improved with a thorough ‘spring clean’; beginning with attitudes to learning

This primary assembly looks at the music and the problem with judging appearances, using Britains's Got Talent's star Susan Boyle. It looks at the reasons why her TV appearance has moved so many people.

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

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

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

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

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

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

This secondary SEAL assembly discusses patriotism and personal identity

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

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

Work placements are a key learning activity for young people, however it is obviously important to ensure that your pupils are safe. Dai Durbridge discusses how, and whose responsibility it is

This secondary SEAL assembly asks pupils to consider their moral actions

Universal and specialist secondary student support was made more accessible to students at the Duchess's Community High School in Alnwick, Northumberland by the development of specific support structures. George Adamson outlines them

A successful peer support scheme has encouraged students to participate at Flegg High School in Norfolk. Mike Ward, deputy headteacher, discusses the evolution of the scheme and how increased student involvement has had real benefits to the school

This assembly focuses on the Christian holiday of Easter, specifically the history and traditions surrounding Maundy Thursday

Jane Golightly previously discussed why home-school partnerships are valuable and how to build one with parents. In this issue, she discusses the importance of sustaining and developing these relationships throughout the child's primary years

In this SEAL assembly for secondary students, Brian Radcliffe encourages students to consider the latest techniques used for painting the Forth Bridge, taking from it advice about ways to tackle recurring problems

Mark Blois looks at how changes to the machinery of government are affecting the delivery of education for 16 to 19 year olds

The England women’s cricket team is currently in Australia taking part in the World Cup – and doing rather well. This assembly looks at the history of cricket as a game in itself and as a game for women, and discusses some of the members of the women’s team.

Do we really need governors? Roger Smith considers the governing role of this seemingly random assortment of stakeholders

A no-nonsense whole school approach to behaviour can be led from the top, says deputy headteacher David Morley, who here shares tips on how

The provision of transport for pupils with SEN, specifically the responsibility of local authorities (LAs) in this area is discussed here by Michael Segal

About to embark on your first post as headteacher? Hafise Nazif, a headteacher in the London Borough of Havering, reflects on her first year of headship and offers some personal but common-sense survival tips

Independent schools with international pupils on roll are now required to have a more active involvement in immigration administration. Mark Blois and Helen Rideout discuss

Do you think yours can become an outstanding school? Dave Weston gives advice on helping schools reach the highest level at Ofsted, through strong leadership

The local authority's role in improving schools is a crucial one. But new powers that have been proposed are controversial, says Mark Blois

Schools can use the 2012 Olympics to promote sport, tackling PE participation problems. Primary headteacher Angela Youngman looks at how

Complex legal guidance on exclusion and reintegration has been updated to take Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) into account. Ingrid Sutherland thinks the detail is worth reviewing

A second benefit to bringing the concept of sustainable schools to your institution is how much pupils can learn about sustainability through the curriculum. Anne Clarke explains

How can schools reach out to challenging pupils? Suzanne O'Connell looks at the government's response to the problem of challenging behaviour, from a leadership perspective

While many schools engage in fundraising for Children in Need, some are unaware that they can apply for Children in Need funding for projects at their own school

What does school 'strategy' mean from a leadership perspective, and how useful is it as a concept? Richard Bird discusses whether school headteachers and school leaders have a real sense of what school strategies are

This secondary assembly looks at the concept of fair trade, with reference to the recent ‘Fairtrade Fortnight’ which took place from 22nd February to 7th March.

Reorganising your curriculum into grouped subjects can encourage development in facilitated learning. Jim Donnelly explains

The BSF initiative (Building School for the Future) is providing high levels of investment, but changes must be able to stand the test of time. Philip Watson looks at the questions schools need to consider

School league tables and other school statistics can cause problems when they are poorly understood and inaccurately interpreted, warns Peter Kent, who here issues advice on the right way to use educational statistics

How can your school benefit from the first UK staged Olympics since 1948? Gill O'Donnell explains what financial funding support is available to help prepare you

This assembly for primary children centres around one man's sense of adventure, teaching children the importance of inquisitive minds

An effective home-school partnership is vital for giving learners the best opportunities possible. Jane Golightly discusses why it matters and how it can be built in Primary Leadership Focus

This secondary assembly offers the author's view of the miners' strike of 1984-5, drawing similarities with the current recession crisis and highlighting the benefits of community life

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is a major school rebuilding programme. It is the biggest single government investment in improving school buildings in the last 50 years and its aim is to rebuild or remodel every secondary school across the UK, totalling 3,500 schools

This assembly looks at school transition, which can be a stressful time for children and their parents. It considers children in the UK who are moving from one school to another, and also children across the world who are not able to go to school at all

This primary assembly looks at the actual and the Christian symbolic arrival of spring, as well as the traditions of Lent and the Green Man

Chessington Community College in the first Building Schools for the Future one-school pathfinder (OSP) to open in the UK. But what does the transformation actually mean for the school and the local community?