I have been seeing some amazing transition plans and ideas on various social networking platforms. I am really excited to see some of the fantastic activities that are happening and being created. They have all started to make me think though, do we need to think about going back to basics a little more? Don't … Continue reading Finding the best way to lead by example. →

I suppose this is an odd comparison to make, but what if I put it this way: Are we (emotionally) stretching our children too much? We have asked every child in the country to completely change the way they are allowed to work and play. Not going to school, or if they are it is … Continue reading Are our children like elastic bands? →

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com This post is through the eyes of a child and I am providing no answers. They are all situations that I have encountered through comprehensive research with children in both primary or secondary settings. I have changed some of the language, and added a Covid spin on a few, but … Continue reading FAQ’s of the disadvantaged through transition. →

You may have seen my previous post; ‘When do we expect children to be at their best?’ This post will cover some of what was mentioned there but with a Covid-19 ‘spin’. I am so passionate about how, for want of a better word, useless, baseline tests are I am going to outline my reasons … Continue reading Don’t fall into the baseline trap! →

As we start to think about going 'back to school' after the Easter break I have been doing a lot of soul searching and thinking about how our way of life, living, working and learning have changed dramatically. Through this thought process I have realised that in a small way, this is how the children … Continue reading How long did we have to prepare? Should this change how we work with year 6/7 in the future? →

How is the transitional period going? We have had a full week now, although due to whole household isolation changes some are on week 2 of home learning! I am hearing lots of heartwarming stories of families pulling together and children responding really well. Lets not get complacent though, I have head as many horror … Continue reading One down ? to go! →

Today has been a strange day, it was a day where, without any real preparation almost every child in the country has transitioned from school to home learning. How many of us can say that we as adults were ready for this, let alone the children. What are we doing to get them ready for … Continue reading Every child has transitioned today! →

Photo by Alex Smith on Pexels.com I have been struggling for days now, how can I possibly put into words what it must be like for the year 6 children who are leaving school this afternoon, quite possibly for the last time as a primary pupil. I am heartbroken for them! Whilst many of them … Continue reading Do not let the children be the ‘lost’ year group. →

Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com Tough question right! Although in hindsight maybe not. Surely we expect our children to be at their best just before a test/exam. Right at the end of some intense intervention. Boosters, before school classes, after school lessons, extra homework task, the list goes on. This obviously helps the children … Continue reading When do we expect children to be at their best? →

Hands up - how many of you who are secondary teachers knew that March 1st (2nd this year) is the day that children, families and schools find out about which schools the year 6 children are offered? Some of you may have seen that my good friend Ellie Grout (https://groutysguide.co.uk/) and I have started the … Continue reading Offer Day – Part 3 for Secondary Schools →