Chinese Lunar New Year 2026: Welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse
Chinese Lunar New Year 2026: Welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is one of the most joyful and important celebrations in China. It’s a time for family, tradition, and new beginnings. Unlike New Year’s Day on January 1st, the date follows the lunar calendar, which changes every year. In…
How my Early Years experience prepared me for fatherhood
Having worked in early years for over 12 years, I wanted to share the experience I have as being a man in childcare and how it prepared me for fatherhood. Men make up just 3% of the entire early years workforce in the UK. It can be isolating, lonely, and the profession seen as ‘female orientated’. However, I…
Ramadan: A Special Month for Muslims
Ramadan: A Special Month for Muslims Ramadan is one of the most important and sacred months in Islam. It commemorates the time when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). During this month, Muslims focus on worship, self-discipline, kindness, and gratitude. From dawn to sunset, Muslims fast by avoiding…
World Book Day 2026 – making it meaningful
World Book Day 2026 takes place on Thursday 5th March this year. It provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate books, authors, illustrators, and the love of reading with children and adults alike. Research tells us that reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of future success for a child – even above family circumstance,…
Safer Internet Day 2026
On Tuesday 10th February 2026, schools across the UK will once again come together to mark Safer Internet Day. Since 2004 this annual event has been a celebration of digital citizenship, online wellbeing, and a chance to encourage young people to shape a better online world. This year’s theme, “Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and…
Sensory Play: The Enchantment of Treasure Baskets
Ever wonder why on Christmas morning young children are more fascinated with the wrapping paper, packaging and cardboard boxes than the gift inside? That’s because these objects provide many opportunities for children to engage with their senses such as touch, smell, taste, sound, sight and bodily movement. The wrapping paper may make an interesting noise,…
Race Equality Week 2026
Celebrating Diversity and Unity: Race Equality Week In a world often divided by differences, celebrating unity in diversity is a beacon of hope and progress. Race Equality Week 2026 (2nd – 8th February) is a significant annual event that encapsulates this spirit by fostering understanding, challenging prejudices, and promoting inclusivity. This week serves as a…
North Tyneside Active Mile
The North Tyneside Active Mile has been in place for 9 years, originally it was part of the Daily Mile, a national initiative to promote basic exercise, through running on a daily basis one mile. However, the Active Mile grew out of the recognition that we are not all runners and that to be sustainable the activity…
North East Festival of Languages
3 months of free languages activity for schools! Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages 2026, is live with the biggest festival yet! Over the next three months, until 31 March 2026, schools across the North East of England will be able to access a vibrant mix of live and online FREE events, creative projects, and activities for ages 3-18. Register to create…
Closing the Literacy Gap: Phonics Interventions in Secondary Schools
Reading is the foundation of learning and success in school. Yet, many pupils enter secondary education without the skills they need. In 2024, 26% of Year 6 pupils in England did not meet the expected standard in reading, meaning over 170,000 children started secondary school unable to access the curriculum fully. Research shows that one third of pupils are…
When Was the Last Time You Wrote Something by Hand?
Think about it-when was the last time you picked up a pen or pencil and wrote on paper? Maybe it was a shopping list, a Christmas card, or a quick post-it reminder. For many of us, those moments are becoming rare. Personally, I confess: I do my shopping online and jot lists in my phone’s…
Inclusive Maths Classrooms
Inclusive mathematics classrooms are built on the belief that all pupils can succeed in maths when barriers to learning are anticipated and removed from the outset. Rather than relying on individual interventions as the first response, the most effective inclusion strategy is high quality, inclusive everyday teaching that benefits everyone – especially pupils who find learning hardest. Our Inclusive Maths Classrooms…