So, you’re given a new class, or if a HoY an entire new year group. The teacher(s) who had them before you handover some data on the students’ behaviour over the past year. Inevitably, there are some students who have been challenging. Comments such as “disengaged”, “cause for concern” or “unmotivated” appear for certain pupils.…
Read MoreReturning to School
There are some kids who would not have picked up a book in half a year. There are some kids who would not have held a pen for six months. There are some kids who have had no art of drama for 180 days. Remember this, and more, as many of us return to school…
Read MoreChampioning the Educational Achievement of Black Boys
Recent protests against racial injustice have once again shone a spotlight upon disparities between different ethnic groups. Naturally, as an educator I found myself thinking about how issues of race play out in schools and what teachers and leaders can do to narrow such disparaties. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but as…
Read MoreTeaching in the Middle East
Top Seven things I’ve learned With it being the end of my first half term, I wanted to share my experience of teaching in an Arab nation. I’ve learned so much in 8 weeks of working alongside my colleagues and with the students. I’ve made some mistakes as well as achieved some successes. Those…
Read MoreReducing Cognitive Load
Recently I’ve become quite interested in the significance of cognitive load for learners and teachers. So what is cognitive load? In simple terms, ‘cognitive load refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory.’ (Wikipedia) All new learning requires use of our working memory, but unlike our long term…
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