Development changes in your workforce which make flexible use of vital support staff teams will do much to encourage school improvement in general, believes Brian Rossiter, headteacher of Valley School in Worksop
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Jim Donnelly looks at where schools can make a start on curriculum planning, in the light of the new Secondary National Curriculum which gives teachers a more flexible framework in order to raise standards
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School leadership teams have become increasingly complex, with two roles sometimes being created where there was once one. The sole deputy model has advantages, challenges and potential pitfalls however, say deputy heads Paul Ainsworth and Josephine Smith
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As part of Primary Leadership Focus, Jane Golightly considers the important role that governors play in a primary school, and affirms the importance of a good school-governor partnership
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Michael Segal discusses a case where religious dress was thought to interfere with teaching, clarifying a school's legal position in this situation somewhat
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The emphasis of school trips is now on risk-aversion, with priority being placed on experience and adventure. But schools should remember that the threat of litigation has not diminished, warns Susie Roome
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Upholding a school's uniform policy can be difficult legally, in terms of religion and race discrimination of pupils. Richard Gold looks at some example cases, in order to explain the relevant legislation
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Timely fee payments at independent schools can be achieved through a clear fee policy and a watertight contract, but if this fails you may need to go to court. Maggie Moodie explains
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This secondary assembly takes a SEAL perspective and concentrates on forgiveness, using the life and career of Abraham Lincoln as an example of someone who was prepared to restore broken relationships. It encourages students to reflect on how they could restore such relationships themselves
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This e-bulletin discusses LAs having the power to intervene in situations where schools are causing concern, often following an Ofsted inspection
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Author: Caroline Stagg, Anthony Thomas, Peter Smith and Chris Warn
Need help with planning and executing school trips? The Off the Premises Handbook will help you to run well-planned, efficiently managed, interesting and safe events away from school, that will have a lasting impact on your students
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This citizenship assembly explains the concept of Fairtrade, setting it in the context of what we mean by “fairness” in our dealings with other people.
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Are your pupils thinking? Lynn Cousins looks at practical ways headteachers can encourage thinking skills in the classroom
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Manga is a Japanese style of print cartoon or graphic novel. Angela Youngman looks at how Manga novels might be used to inspire children in school towards an interest in literature
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How do you organise a smooth handover? Having just left headship after 11 years, Suzanne O'Connell discusses why she did it and offers advice to others doing the same
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Roger Smith considers ways to make the role of headteacher more straightforward, and says the best way to achieve this is without additional involvement
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A new school year offers a number of opportunities for headteachers. David White gives tips on how to take advantage, and keep things manageable
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In this assembly Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider the health of their hearts, focussing on the British Heart Foundation’s Go Red for Heart campaign
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This SEAL primary assembly looks at the culture of giving rewards and awards and examines the feelings involved, including jealousy - using the Academy Awards as a discussion point
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Schools need to be redesigned with a focus on relationships in order to raise achievement, says policy adviser Charles Leadbeater
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Employment Law in Schools - Updated Guidance and New Legal Obligations
Date: Thu 21st May 2009
Michael Segal summarises a case of alleged sexual abuse within a family, and the difficulty involved in a related welfare hearing
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What powers do teachers actually have when it comes to disruptive pupils at school? Dai Durbridge discusses with reference to the use of force and confiscation
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What can and should schools do when they learn about cases of self-flagellation, as part of religious ceremonies like Ashura in the Shi'a Muslim community?
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20,000 girls may be at risk of female genital mutilation in the UK. The charity Forward urges schools to watch out for the signs
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Clarity of leadership themes is an ambition we should strive for in our schools – in this case, with reference to CPD. Here Jane Golightly looks at two themes to start the discussion - the big picture within the school and outward-looking CPD for multi-agency working
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Safeguarding boys from their own underachievement
Date: Thu 4th June 2009
This SEAL assembly for primary schools aims to educate primary school children on Alzheimers and memory loss in older generations, and encourages them to sympathise with, rather than laugh at, the difficulties it presents them with
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Gill O'Donnell explores more external funding opportunities that school bursars can source in order to spice up their science curriculum
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What can schools in the UK learn about fundraising from their American counterparts? US-based education writer Michael Aguilar looks at how a school in Georgia has used fundraising as a key tool to enhance educational opportunities for the next generation of students
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School business managers can use their influence and expertise to ensure effective CPD and professionalisation of support staff. Nina Siddle describes the role she recently played in reviewing her school's policies
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Team work and the importance of successful school staff team building are the subject of this ezine for primary school leaders by Jane Golightly
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This secondary assembly looks at the negative effects of hatred with reference to the Holocaust Memorial Day, Tuesday 27th January, the theme of which was, “Stand up to hatred!”
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Early years staff perfomance can be reviewed in a simple but effective way as part of an overall quality improvement process
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The Joint Committee on Human Rights has called on the government to adopt a Bill of Rights that goes beyond the existing legislation. Kate Mills looks at the proposals that relate to education
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The Personalisation by Pieces (PbyP) system, a personalised learning scheme to give learners control over their own progression, is being used by forty schools around the UK. Its designer, former deputy head Dan Buckley, shares some of its achievements
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Raising standards and improving pupil progress are at the heart of every school's work, and the renewed Secondary Frameworks are aimed at helping headteachers and their staff and schools do just that, says Clive Bus, National Strategies National Director, Secondary
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It is important for headteachers to challenge what they feel is an unfair representation of their school, says Anne Clarke
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Richard Bird reflects on the way the current government has tackled education, and imagines a world with no Ofsted or National Curriculum
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How can strong teachers become even better? Headteacher Peter Kent and deputy head Annabel Kay describe the staff support triad system they put in place to help staff learn from and support each other
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Chris Fenton enthuses about the possibilities of reintegrating the curriculum, and making it more creative and relevant to children
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Introducing an excellence leader to their school leadership team can give a headteacher peace of mind, whilst reassuring other staff that school improvement is being led by someone in touch with the classroom
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Building links between a child's school and home is an excellent way to approach their behaviour and emotional literacy, says Virginia Robinson
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In terms of the child's welfare, cases related to adoption and birth parents can be complicated legally; especially when the father is unknown. Michael Segal explores a related case
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The DCSF claim their safety and play strategies make children safer than ever in primary schools. But has this increase in health and safety come at the cost of life experience and fun? Suzanne O'Connell investigates
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A school environment of confidence and respect can raise achievement and emotional literacy. Hazel Pulley, headteacher of Caldecote Community Primary School in Leicester, discusses how she did this in an amalgamated school
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Schools can have a major role to play to protect children from domestic violence such as 'honour'-based violence and forced marriage. Jenni Whitehead looks at a report by the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee
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Underachievement and unfulfilled potential in schools is a problem that can spiral out of control for some students. Roger Smith encourages school leadership teams to be more aware of these children
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Beryl Burkitt describes how her school's multi-professional team (MPT) enables joined-up working and aims to support learners
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