Opinion

New survey data shows divergences in the experiences of schools according to deprivation and some important convergences about what needs to change, writes Gemma Moss One of the more remarkable side effects of the Covid 19 crisis has been the clear light it has shone on child poverty in the UK. Perhaps at last we […]

Alison Peacock welcomes reforms that show respect for teacher expertise in their content and the way they was arrived at The experiences of learning across the Foundation Stage are truly formative. The child who encounters a Reception Class experience where learning feels irresistible is given the very best start in school. That’s why I am […]

Getting children back in school doesn’t have to mean a rush into the classroom and access to outdoor play and learning should be an entitlement, not a privilege, write Marguerite Hunter Blair and Anita Grant The mental and physical health benefits of outdoor play and the effectiveness of outdoor learning approaches are well known. They […]

A developed co-curricular should be an entitlement in every school. A few rule changes could make an extra into a game changer, writes Benjamin Cox There is a risk that the academic and social consequences of Covid could leave permanent scars on a generation of children. Those who start life with least have the most […]

Good feedback can be a powerful way to help teachers to become (even) more effective, writes Rob Coe We know effective feedback is incredibly powerful for students’ learning (Hattie and Timperley, 2007) and supporting task performance much more generally (Kluger and DeNisi, 1996; London, 2003). This is as true for teachers as for students. But […]

Lockdown has reaffirmed that the arts are vital for every pupil’s wellbeing and engagement, says Jo Barber Lockdown highlights the powerful and crucial role the arts play in fulfilling the human need for creativity. The appetite for content created by galleries, arts organisations, broadcasters and schools during this period is a powerful demonstration of the […]

Flexibility around the implementation of relationships and sex education does not mean it has been delayed. So you best be prepared, says Lucy Emmerson The second national Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Day, takes place this year at a pivotal moment. There are just ten weeks before RSE becomes a statutory subject for all pupils […]

Amid confusing and contradictory government announcements, Vic Goddard opens his lockdown diary to reveal sleepless nights and a need for assertiveness. Thank goodness some students are back!

Teacher Tapp data finds the “Big Thaw” is leaving many children out in the cold In early March, a Big Freeze settled over schools across the world. Unesco estimates that by April, 91 per cent of schools in the world were closed. But by early June, a third had reopened their doors. England’s schools are […]