Teaching and Learning - Teaching Expertise

How can teachers help their most able mathematicians? Lynne McClure, consultant for the Mathematical Association discusses the problems and offers some solutions. read more

My holy grail as a G&T coordinator is a curriculum that is integrated within the school but seen by students as discrete and special. It should widen the students’ horizons, inspire and excite them whilst contributing to my leadership desire to increase the A/A* grade.

Dr Steve Rayner (School of Education, University of Birmingham) explores recent criticisms of the use of learning styles in education, arguing that they are, when used in well-considered ways, an essential feature of personalised learning. read more

The final report from the Rose review of the teaching of early reading* has recommended that: ‘notwithstanding the uncertainties of research, there is much convincing evidence to show from the practice observed that, as generally understood, “synthetic” phonics is the form of systematic phonic work that offers the vast majority of beginners the best route to becoming skilled readers. read more

As the Rose review of the teaching of early reading continues, primary SENCOs will be interested in the latest research findings contributing to the debate on the merits of synthetic phonics teaching

Learning mentors come from all walks of life. They offer the chance for a positive role model and individual attention to many young people, who otherwise would not have that opportunity. Kathy Salter and Rhonda Twidle, drawing on their own experience as mentors, describe how the role has developed in recent years, and how it can complement the support provided by SEN specialists. read more

Based on his keynote address to the 2006 PSHE and citizenship conference, Dr Christopher Williams discusses the importance of change. read more

The title of this book combines two of the biggest ‘buzz terms’ emerging in the field of mainstream education during the last decade. Each resonates with a distinctive snap, crackle and pop when referred to by academics, school practitioners and parent groups. read more

A group of health experts has warned that the recent attention given to improving the quality of school meals has overshadowed moves to get children to drink more

For the teacher wishing to develop pupils' thinking skills, there are many books, models and approaches to choose from, each with its own philosophies and strengths, writes Andy Bowman read more

Delegates on Lynne Copp's training courses often ask, 'How can we realistically stop the long hours culture in teaching, and should we?' Here Lynne suggests ways to redress the work-life balance

Pilot schemes designed to examine the practical questions of building on phonics teaching are already present in primary schools and early years settings, while SENCOs will be especially interested in reported benefits of intensive one-to-one individual support in this area read more

Since September 2005, as part of the new framework for inspection for children's services, schools are expected to demonstrate how they are contributing to the five national outcomes for children stipulated by Every Child Matters and the Children Act 2004

Many statistics point to the potential risks and disadvantages of being a boy, but how can we help them fulfil their potential? Maggie Dent investigates read more

An activity played in a circle, as a kind of visual Chinese Whispers; and an appreciation / observation activity read more

Philippa Bogle desribes how skilled one-on-one facilitation can lead to personal empowerment and transformation within your school read more

Julie Bennett explains how to develop a climate of safe learning in your classroom

Solution focused education is a methodology which provides a positive and pragmatic framework for managing behaviour, write Kerstin Mahlberg, Maud Sjoblom read more

Education consultant and author Brin Best uses findings from education research to help improve your teaching skills read more

If you are disorganised your colleagues will think you're less effective, even if you aren't. Unfair but true. Prioritised lists and well-planned lessons disperse the illusion of chaos, but what else can you do? read more

Since 2001, when in the words of our Head Teacher, Patrick Hazlewood, we were to '...throw out the National Curriculum...', our school has focussed on discovering how we might best serve our students in order to make them independent, adaptable and confident learners able to meet the demands of the 21st century. read more

Among all students' behaviour, gaze aversion is the one least understood, often highly annoying and most often receives a completely wrong response from teachers and parents alike, writes Barbara Prashnig read more

This article examines the role of the learning mentor and how they can be deployed in the school for the benefit of the whole learning community. David Morley reports read more

AL has become something of a catch-all phrase these days, synonymous with brain-based or mind-friendly learning. Susan Norman goes beyond the buzz-word to bring you the facts read more

David Leat reflects on the contribution of cognitive acceleration through science education (CASE) and the way in which initiatives such as this can contribute to thinking communities

With around 95% of state schools no longer offering Latin, access is the critical issue for survival of the subject. Will Griffiths, director of the Cambridge School Classics Project (CSCP), looks at a DfES initiative to address this and highlights the competitive advantage that offering Latin can give schools. read more

What would you do if faced with a child having an asthma attack? Jo Viner Smith, BAppSc, lays out a quick guide for teachers as explained in SportEX Health magazine

Latin is a highly valued part of the curriculum at Benton Park School. Principal Anne Clarke explains why. read more

Research carried out earlier this year to assess the use of data in schools highlights its importance in many areas, including facilitating more effective allocation of staff and resources and monitoring the effectiveness of initiatives and strategies. read more

Win it or lose it within the first three minutes, by Nicola Fahey read more

This article explores the pros and cons to a number of different classroom seating patterns

Every child has enormous potential for learning and is capable of progress. If this is not happening, it is most probably because we, the childrens' teachers, have not yet found the right keys to their hearts and minds, writes Eva Hoffman

Gillian Burn was first introduced to Mind Mapping over 20 years ago while learning to be a midwife. "A very astute tutor introduced me to the concepts of Mind Mapping and I continued to create Mind Maps of my whole midwifery course. Once in my exam, I found I was able to 'see' my Mind Maps in my minds eye to answer the exam questions – they help even when delivering babies!" read more

Schools are being more effective at using data to improve teaching and learning (T&L), but many are being held back by lack of time to update and analyse the data. read more

Are you truly providing every opportunity you can to allow your most able students to thrive, while also not disadvantaging others? Michele Paule outlines action you can take to ensure you identify these students and then are able to shape the best provision for them. read more

All current research on student achievement challenges the traditionally held mythology that the bright will always do well in whatever circumstances and that 'borderline' pupils fare better at the top of secondary modern schools rather than 'struggling' in grammar schools – a view entrenched in the attitudes of able students at The Thomas Aveling, a high school.

Teachers are failing to make effective use of computers in the classroom — the verdict of recent research on school ICT use has revealed the poor impact that the £1bn ICT investment from the Government has had so far. read more

Schools do not need to make massive improvements to school buildings to bring about improvements in learning – simple, inexpensive changes can make all the difference, according to Design Council research. read more

Curriculum managers constantly need to be looking for new and more effective approaches to improving teaching and learning (T&L) in their school. This website aims to help you do just that by giving you access to a range of curriculum projects aimed at pioneering new ways to manage and deliver teaching and learning. read more

Research reveals the positive impact vocational courses are having on students - in terms of their achievement, their confidence in their ability, their attitudes towards school and towards carrying on with their education

Penelope A Beard presents a piece of action research on PE with results that extend to other subjects. Her work also demonstrates how a piece of well constructed action research can shine a light on practice and form the basis for further professional thinking. read more

Schools are failing to adequately provide for students' emotional health and wellbeing. A lot of this is down to ignorance, the findings of a new report from Ofsted reveal - only half of all schools were even aware of Government guidelines on how to meet the needs of the one in 10 pupils who have mental health difficulties

Students enjoy school and are pleased with the education they receive — a welcome message for curriculum managers, and one that flies in the face of common opinion. read more

Amid the usual cries of the dumbing down of standards, schools were praised for another increase in this year's overall exam results.

At GCSE level, a rise in achievement in the basics of English and maths was picked out for particular praise — these subjects are the ‘bedrock’ of every student’s education, said Schools Minister Jacqui Smith.

As you begin a new school year, fresh and rejuvenated from the summer break, many of you will be looking for new and inspiring ways to achieve more creative teaching and learning throughout your school. If you've not heard of Creative Partnerships, then now would be a good time to find out more. read more

Students from St Clere’s School, Essex, travel to the US for an Advanced Space Academy course every year. G&T Update talked to the trip’s organiser, G&T coordinator Ken Lewis. read more

One of the hardest jobs in teaching is to differentiate materials and teaching among pupils of differing abilities in the same class. So is grouping by ability right for your school and for your most able pupils? Jane West examines the pros and cons. read more

Critical thinking, communication, politics, philosophy, environmental awareness, economics. read more

G&T coordinator Samantha Wilkinson of King's Wood School, Essex, explains how she has developed a PE programme for gifted and talented students

Model mapping (or 'mind mapping') is a learning tool for pupils of all ages and abilities, as Oliver Caviglioli, co-author of MapWise and former PE teacher, explains read more