Transitioning into Nursery or Primary School is a huge milestone for all Early Years children that can bring with it a whole host of feelings. Some children may be excited, they love the idea of playing with new toys and being ‘grown up’. Some children may feel nervous or worried, it’s a big change, an…
Read More
This year, I have once again had the privilege of leading an Open University Teacher Reading Group (OU TRG) with a dynamic group of around 15 practitioners. Our group this year was made up of teachers and librarians from nursery to secondary school. Our shared aim has been simple but powerful: to deepen our knowledge…
Read More
Discussions around curriculum design and enactment in 2025 are dominated by knowledge acquisition. Educators rightly want to ensure that both teaching programmes and pedagogical approaches support schemata development so that children learn and remember more. This is the case in all key stages, including the early years foundation stage. The statutory framework makes explicit what…
Read More
For many children, school is a place of learning, growth, and social connection. But for some, the thought of attending school can trigger intense emotional distress, leading to what is known as Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA). This isn’t about truancy or defiance; it’s a complex issue rooted in anxiety, fear, and other emotional challenges…
Read More
Join North Tyneside Music at North Tyneside Council’s Wallsend Festival on Saturday 5th July for performances throughout the day from some of North Tyneside’s best emerging musicians. In the Wallsend High Street stage, duo Wrong Boy will be joined by soloists Sam Idurobu, Billie Wharton and Helena Cameron, and others from North Tyneside Music’s Emerging…
Read More
Moving to Early Years? Have you just been told that you are moving from key stage one or two into early years? Or maybe you have a new colleague coming into the early years team? If you, or they are currently rocking, sweating and wondering ‘what have I done to deserve this?’ Well, they are…
Read More
Once a year, millions of Muslims from around the world pack their bags and leave behind their homes, families, and everyday comforts. They head to the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia, fulfilling one of the most important spiritual duties in Islam: the Hajj. But Hajj is far more than a religious requirement. It…
Read More
Parental engagement in schools is universally recognised as an important factor in a child’s educational journey. However, for parents with English as an Additional Language (EAL), navigating the education system and actively participating in their child’s schooling can be challenging. In this article, we explore the importance of parental engagement among EAL parents, the barriers…
Read More
In today’s data-driven educational environment, a crucial leadership element is often overlooked: empathy. This human-centred quality-the ability to listen, understand and share others’ feelings-creates the foundation for meaningful connections in our schools and settings. Research shows empathetic leadership delivers measurable benefits in innovation, staff commitment, and organisational inclusivity. As education systems face unprecedented challenges,…
Read More
At the end of 2023, I led a CPD session with a focus on reading fluency at the Linskill Centre. The session was well attended by both primary and secondary colleagues and I’ve also previously discussed the role of teaching fluency in this article. Now I’d like to share the journey we’ve been on with…
Read More