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Articles

Welcome to articles from the Education North Tyneside team.

Here our team of passionate educators and experts come together to provide you with a diverse range of articles, covering everything from events, innovative teaching and leadership methods to practical advice for educators.

Whatever your role, you’ll find valuable resources and thought-provoking content designed to empower and elevate education in North Tyneside and beyond.

 

Dive in and discover what’s shaping the future of learning today!

Eyes on the Horizon – Headteacher conference 2026

By Catherine Worton

Friday 6th March will see the return of our Education North Tyneside Headteacher conference. An exciting day for Headteachers, deputy headteachers, assistant headteachers and colleagues who aspire to these roles. This year’s theme is called ‘Eyes on the Horizon’, as we look ahead to the future of Education.   “Schools and trusts stand at a…

Starting from Zero: Teaching English to Absolute Beginner EAL Learners

By Rashda Salamat

Teaching English to EAL learners who are absolute beginners requires a carefully sequenced approach that acknowledges their linguistic starting point, cultural background, and cognitive load. Unlike learners with partial proficiency, absolute beginners rely heavily on teacher scaffolding, visual support, and predictable routines. This article critically examines the challenges involved, evaluates effective pedagogical strategies, and outlines the essential content…

The National Year of Reading 2026

By Eve Morton

The National Year of Reading: why it matters and how schools can get involved In 2026, schools across the UK will be invited to take part in the National Year of Reading. This is part of a coordinated effort, led by the National Literacy Trust, to reignite reading for pleasure, strengthen literacy outcomes, and reconnect…

PESSPA Trail and Challenge

By Rob Smith

PE, School Sport and Physical Activity (PESSPA) is at the heart of school life, it affects physical and mental health as well as behaviour, attainment, resilience, and a range of personal and social skills. Our team offers support, guidance, and advice to enhance the delivery of PESSPA. One of the most popular activities we run…

Guru Gobind Singh Ji-The Tenth Sikh Guru and His Timeless Legacy

By Shallu Duggal

As one of the world’s principle religions, Sikhism can be covered throughout Key Stages 1, 2 or 3. in this article, we take a look at one of the religion’s most important figures, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-1708) stands as one of the most influential spiritual leaders in Sikh history. His…

Adaptive teaching: same lesson, different learners

By Eve Morton

Adaptive teaching is no longer a ‘nice to have’: it is essential for schools striving to meet the diverse needs of learners in today’s classrooms. The recently published Ofsted tool kits, have inclusion as a golden thread running through aspects of school life. With increasing recognition of the importance of inclusion, differentiation, and responsive pedagogy, teachers…

New Year, New Classroom: Five Top Tips for an easy transition back to school

By Jess Hannant

We’re all guilty of having high expectations for a new year. ‘New year, new me’ floods our eyes and ears in every possible way throughout January. It often gives us hope for what we can achieve in the future, psyching us up for big changes, both personally and professionally.   But what if we harnessed this idea and used it to our advantage within the classroom? January…

Making effective pedagogical choices to impact learning – the role of modelling and questioning

By Eve Morton

What Does High-Quality Teaching Look Like Today? What does high-quality teaching look like in your school? Do staff have the knowledge and expertise to ensure that pupils know more and learn more? High-quality teaching remains the most powerful lever for improving pupil outcomes. Much research tells us:     ‘High-quality teaching benefits all pupils and can…

The joys of joint working; sharing specialisms to meet need in schools

By Megan Maddison

Over the course of the autumn term, Education North Tyneside’s Language and Communication Specialist Teaching Team and the Educational Psychology Service have had the privilege of working together. They jointly devised and delivered a targeted programme of training aimed at strengthening both teacher and support staff knowledge and confidence in planning and adapting approaches within their individual settings to…

Hanukkah: Finding Light, Joy, and Connection in the Festival of Lights

By Diane Embley

As winter settles in and the nights grow long, Hanukkah arrives like a gentle glow, eight days of warmth, celebration, and a reminder that even the smallest spark can brighten the darkest season. Whether you grew up celebrating or are discovering the holiday for the first time, Hanukkah offers something beautifully universal: a story of…

Festive Computing Activities for the Classroom

By Claire Graham

So, Christmas is coming and what better way to bring a bit of holiday spirit than to add a bit of sparkle to your computing lessons. Here are three festive activities that not only bring the fun but also enhance their computing skills.   1. Create a Festive Animation There are many ways to create…

The Importance of Christmas: The origins of our traditions

By Zuzana Puente

Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays worldwide. More than 2 billion people in over 160 countries around the world celebrate Christmas, which is rich with spiritual, cultural, and social significance. As the popular Christmas song by Andy Williams suggests, it’s the most wonderful time of the year for many of us. In…