Year after the year, the same pressures attend exam revision. Each year teachers try the old favourites, alongside a few new revision strategies to keep our students interested. Happily, we now …
The Shape of Stories
Have you ever considered the shape of a story? Perhaps it is a tale that undulates and dips, before rising to a finish. Or it is a story that is …
What makes research evidence useful for teachers?
(This blog first appeared on the Huntington Research School blog – take a look HERE for more. You can also sign up to the monthly newsletter HERE.) January is …
How much should you write in English exams?
“This porridge is too hot!” she exclaimed. So, she tasted the porridge from the second bowl. “This porridge is too cold,” she said So, she tasted the last bowl of …
My Top 5 Blogs of 2017
And so 2018 approaches… It is that time when you get inundated with top 10s, most reads and internet awards from 2017. As I approach my fifth year of blogging, …
Top 10 Online Education Articles of 2017
As the year comes to the end, my envy at the legion of best book lists of the year drove home to me how little time I’ve devoted to reading …
Our Dirty Little Secret…Student Behaviour
We have all been there… You are being observed by a senior member of staff. Your hands are clammy as you grit your teeth through every minute of this crucial …
The Problem with Judging Teacher Performance
We don’t grade lessons anymore, right? That would be foolish, wouldn’t it. Back in 2013, Professor Rob Coe made a challenge to the teaching profession and OFSTED. He proved …
Regrets? I’ve had a few…
The only guarantee you get from the job of teaching is that you will learn and fail. The trick – well, doing a little more learning than failing, whilst trying …
GCSE English Language & Literature – Planning for Success
Every English teacher has a student like Natalie. Whether she is in year 7 or 11, she is a walking grade 9 waiting to happen. You can see it shine …