Articles
Holi-Festival of Colours
When and why is it celebrated? The festival of Holi is celebrated annually in March. It is the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It’s a two-day Hindu festival celebrated in India and other parts of the world. On the first day, people gather around a bonfire and celebrate good triumphing over…
Read MoreWonderful wordless works of art
Some of our most engaging books for younger children are those which have very few words or no words at all. The illustrators of these wordless books are incredibly skilled in spinning a narrative through an unfolding sequence of pictures so exquisite, so imaginative, so carefully considered and sequenced that readers are immediately captivated and…
Read MorePurim: Jewish Festival of Deliverance
Purim is a vibrant and joyous Jewish festival that commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people from the threat of extermination in ancient Persia. The story of Purim is recorded in the biblical Book of Esther, which recounts how Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai thwarted the wicked plans of Haman, the prime minister of…
Read MoreFIRST LEGO League – Gateshead and Grown-ups
This year we are bringing FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge to another new part of the North East. In the third in this three-part series, we meet our new partners, Aspire Technology Solutions, who are supporting our Gateshead event, as well as finding out what comes next for the teams that find success in the regional tournaments. I’ll…
Read MoreInternational Women’s Day and STEM Careers
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on the 8th of March as a focal point in the women’s rights movement. On this special day, we celebrate the contributions and achievements of women around the world. It is important to encourage young women into industries, such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics…
Read MoreLearning British Sign Language in schools
Learning sign language in schools offers many benefits encompassing communication, enhanced cognitive abilities, accessibility, empathy, inclusivity, and cultural identity. British Sign Language (BSL) was recognised in law as a language of Great Britain in the BSL Act (2022), and the new GCSE will be key to helping inclusivity within education. National BSL Day is celebrated on April 28th each year. Here…
Read MoreUnderstanding Ramadan: Supporting Muslim Students in Schools
As teachers, we are responsible for creating inclusive learning environments where all learners feel valued and supported. With the month of Ramadan approaching, it’s essential to understand its significance and how it may impact Muslim children and young learners in our schools. By being informed and proactive, we can ensure these learners receive the necessary…
Read MoreRamadan Around the World: A Month of Faith and Togetherness
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and a special time for Muslims worldwide. It is a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, bringing people together in faith and compassion. While the basic practices of Ramadan are the same everywhere, such as fasting from dawn to sunset, each culture adds its unique traditions. …
Read MoreFIRST LEGO League, taking on Teesside
In my first article in this series, I introduced FIRST® LEGO® League and our outstanding partnership with Sage. In this second part, we dive deeper into this year’s ‘Submerged’ theme and also meet the organisations that are helping us take FIRST LEGO League to a new audience on Teesside. Going under! This season, FIRST® LEGO® League teams…
Read MoreThe Benefits of Maintaining Your Home Language
In a world that’s becoming increasingly interconnected, it’s easy to feel that the language we speak at home may not be as “useful” or important as the dominant language in our community or workplace. But the benefits of maintaining proficiency in your home language reach far beyond mere communication. They touch upon identity, culture, cognitive growth,…
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