Education
Making The Most Of The Summer Holidays
The summer holidays are a well-deserved break, for both teachers and students. An intense year of studying and tests should be rewarded by winding down and taking time out. Although relaxing is necessary, being productive during this time is important and will prevent boredom and summer learning loss. Why not take the six-week break to…
Read MoreIs This The One Thing Every Teacher Should Now
British educationalist Dylan Wiliam, says that Cognitive Load Theory “ . . . is the single most important thing for teachers to know”. Is it? What is Cognitive Load Theory? Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) was developed by John Sweller, an educational psychologist, and refers to the total amount of information that the short term, or…
Read More8 Back To School Tips Every Parent Needs To Know
With just one week left of the summer holiday, the new academic year is soon upon us. It is my second favourite time of year (nothing beats Christmas!) as it heralds the dawn of so many beginnings, especially for children and their parents. Amongst the excitement of new stationery and freshly polished shoes there is…
Read MoreSix Strategies to Create a Growth Mindset School
Psychologist, Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset theory describes the belief that intelligence can be developed through perseverance and effort. In contrast, a fixed mindset focuses on the belief that intelligence or ability is set and cannot be changed. Dweck claims whichever mindset children have has huge implications on how they approach learning, how they perceive, overcome…
Read MoreHow To Spend Pupil Premium Funding Effectively
The Sutton Trust’s annual survey recently revealed that a third of senior leaders used pupil premium funding to plug gaps in their school’s budget. With schools under increasing financial pressure this is not surprising. However, Pupil Premium funding with thought and planning can make a huge difference to the lives of disadvantaged children. In this…
Read MoreAre Effort Grades Harming Our Children?
Gill Robin’s Suggests There Are Two Models Of Teaching Gill Robin’s book, “Praise, Motivation and the Child,” suggests there are two models of teaching. Robin’s argues that Behaviourism creates extrinsic motivators, while constructivism leads to intrinsic motivators. Whilst I don’t believe it is quite as simple as that, nor do I believe the two are…
Read MoreHow Parents Can Survive Exams
Parents can find exams just as stressful as their child. Often parents want to support their child but don’t know how. Demand for our parent and child workshops has been overwhelming more so, than any other year. Here are our top tips for parents: 1. Be Realistic Encourage your child to follow a realistic review…
Read MoreWhat Makes Successful Schools Successful?
The government commissioned the NFER to research good practice in raising attainment of disadvantaged students. They specifically looked at features of schools that successfully narrowed the gap and compared them to schools that weren’t doing as well. It is a fascinating report but like it’s title, it is long and not sexy. It is tough…
Read MoreHow Can We Stop Students Procrastinating And Start Working?
Procrastination. We have all been culprits of this from time to time. I have certainly been guilty of putting off cleaning out the loft, until suddenly it became the most important job in the world when I had to write an important bid with a tight deadline! I joke as if procrastination is trivial, but…
Read More25 Things We Have Learnt Over 25 Years of Working With Schools
We are celebrating 25 years of working with and supporting schools. From humble beginnings to a proud, family – run, international organisation, here are 25 things we have learnt! Education is fluid, an ever changing and exciting industry. It is certainly never boring. 25 years on our learning techniques are still vital. No matter how…
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