Monthly Archives: November 2014

Interventions AKA Helping Students

Posted on November 29, 2014 by classteaching

At our INSET day on Friday, Andy Tharby and I spoke about interventions.  We wanted to clarify what we understood by the term intervention.  The most important point we wanted to stress was that interventions are not an add on – it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in CPD Events, General Teaching | 4 Comments

Walking Talking Exams

Posted on November 27, 2014 by classteaching

The 15 Minute Forum tonight was led by science teacher, Jody Chan.  The idea of ‘Walking Talking Exams’ (WTE) came from a PiXL meeting, attended by my Deputy Head colleague, Jane Squires.  Their approach to it is described in this article from … Continue reading →

Posted in 15 Minute Forums | Tagged | 9 Comments

The BEST revision guide for students

Posted on November 23, 2014 by classteaching

Two weeks ago, the 15 minute forum was led by our Director of English, Kate Bloomfield.  Kate wanted to share something very significant with staff – she had found the best revision guide ever for our students! Like most Subject … Continue reading →

Posted in 15 Minute Forums | 10 Comments

Unpicking Pupil Premium

Posted on November 20, 2014 by classteaching

The 15 Minute Forum tonight was led by Kate Blight and Chloe Gardner.  The session started by unpicking some of the issues associated with Pupil Premium.  An extract from a BBC news article, highlighted some of the views that contribute … Continue reading →

Posted in 15 Minute Forums | Tagged | 2 Comments

Beware the Golden Future

Posted on November 16, 2014 by classteaching

According to TV programmes I watched as a boy in the 1970s, we should all now be getting around in hover cars, like the ones to the left.  In fact, this was due to be commonplace by the year 2000, … Continue reading →

Posted in General Teaching | 8 Comments

Bright Spots: 14th November 2014

Posted on November 14, 2014 by classteaching

Andy Tharby and I walked around the school today to look for some bright spots.  We found plenty: In science Carole Burden had previously marked some student work on reflection – the students had very specific improvement comments written in … Continue reading →

Posted in Bright Spots | 4 Comments

Mindset: The things we say

Posted on November 9, 2014 by classteaching

  I’ve written before (lots!) about growth mindset and why I think it’s important.  I think we need to be careful though.  If it’s really going to make a difference, we need to think very deeply about what it really … Continue reading →

Posted in General Teaching | Tagged | 18 Comments

What Makes Great Teaching? – The Sutton Trust

Posted on November 1, 2014 by classteaching

The Sutton Trust, working with Professor Robert Coe and others from Durham University, published a report yesterday, looking at what makes great teaching.  The full report can be downloaded here – it’s well worth a read. To make life easier for … Continue reading →

Posted in General Teaching | 10 Comments