The ‘Hinge’ Question
Greg Gilbey, Director of Learning at Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School, shares how a drama lesson hinge question helped shift student thinking. His approach offers a practical model for using hinge questions to deepen understanding across subjects.
Read now >>
Empowering teachers and students: The impact of Embedding Formative Assessment
Discover how Catcote Academy's innovative use of the Embedding Formative Assessment (EFA) programme transformed teaching practices and significantly improved student outcomes. This case study highlights the power of collaborative teacher development and adaptive assessment techniques in a supportive environment, making a lasting impact on students with diverse needs.
Read now >>
Embedding formative assessment and IRIS – more than cake bribery!
As we hurtle towards the finish line of our two-year Embedding Formative Assessment (EFA) journey, it felt like a good time to step back and reflect upon what has been a truly transformational process in terms of how we effectively use formative assessment in our classrooms and the passionate and reflective staff and student conversations around teaching and learning happening regularly at Erdington Academy.
Read now >>
Empowering mentors and student teachers: Coaching, CPD and reflective practice in action
This blog demonstrates the value of coaching and reflection not only for student teachers but also for mentors. By fostering growth through structured CPD and collaborative practice, these initiatives highlight how empowering educators at all levels can create lasting improvement in teaching and learning.
Read now >>
How to enable schools to be family friendly employers
There was a time when teaching was the best job to do as a working parent. Some people who don't work in schools or are not married to teachers still view it as a job that fits around the family. You get the holidays, of course. Except you don't.
Read now >>
Making learning accessible for every child: Using Assistive Technologies to rewrite the inclusion playbook
I look around the education landscape with sadness and concern as the word “inclusion” has been diluted, misappropriated, and sometimes airbrushed out of everyday professional parlance.
Read now >>
Moving learners forward with successful feedback through the Embedding Formative Assessment (EFA) programme
After 33 years of teaching, following many different trains of thought, always amending my approach and trying earnestly to keep myself ahead of the game, I have found myself curiously captivated by what really is good feedback?
Read now >>
Changing the Conversation
In the face of underlying issues that extend far beyond the school gates it’s easy to feel powerless, helpless. But, even amidst the everyday demands of teaching and school life, there are powerful (and empowering) things we can do. And one of the most powerful is to change the conversation – a conversation about the way we relate to young people, a conversation rooted in listening, support and boundaries.
Read now >>
Embedding Formative Assessment: not just a box-ticking exercise but something long-term and meaningful for all
I can confidently say that Embedding Formative Assessment (EFA) programme has completely changed our school for the better. This is evident not only in improvements in attainment, but in the powerful insights our teachers have about how this programme reshaped their work.
Read now >>
SEND – The direction of travel
There is a crackle of ‘expectation’ or ‘frustration’ around where this government will take SEND provision in England, following increasing media reports of children who are unable to find placements in schools they want to go to, funding for the level of support they require, or schools who ‘do not meet the needs’ of specific children.
Read now >>
