The Importance of Music Education in Primary Schools

The importance of music education in primary schools cannot be overstated. It plays a vital role in children’s development, bringing joy while shaping cognitive, emotional, and social skills. The UK’s National Plan for Music Education (NPME) emphasizes the need for every child to access high-quality music education from an early age, highlighting its essential role…

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Our Outstanding Teacher Training Programme

North Tyneside’s outstanding early years and primary teacher training programme is looking for the next generation of inspiring trainee teachers.     An outstanding provider with strong partnerships North Tyneside SCITT was established in 2004 and is judged as an outstanding provider by Ofsted. We are proud to be the only outstanding initial teacher training…

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Using poetry in teaching: A Tool for the Classroom

AI generated image. The background of the image is made up of fanciful images escaping from the pages of an open book in the foreground of the picture.

Poetry is a little like Marmite – you either love it or hate it! This may stem from your own experiences when you were younger, or perhaps it’s a genre you haven’t explored much. But poetry is more than just rhymes and verses; it is a powerful tool that can transform learning in the classroom.…

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Embracing Inclusivity: The School of Sanctuary Award

In a world often fraught with division and discord, the concept of sanctuary holds a profound significance. It evokes notions of safety, acceptance, and refuge. In educational settings, creating a sanctuary goes beyond mere physical structures; it encompasses fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and included. The School of Sanctuary Award finds…

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A Parent’s Guide to Keeping Your Children Safe Online

As children become more connected and tech-savvy, ensuring their safety online is a top priority for parents. However, with the ever-changing digital landscape, it can be overwhelming to keep up. This guide offers quick, practical tips and handy tools to help you keep your children safe online and navigate online safety confidently, whether it’s managing…

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Teaching reading fluency: a focused look

Three shelves full of books to promote reading fluency.

What is Reading Fluency? Reading fluency involves much more than just reading quickly. A common misconception among pupils—and sometimes adults—is that being a fluent reader means being a fast reader. However, fluency refers to the ability to read smoothly, accurately, and with expression. Fluent readers pay attention to punctuation, phrasing, and the structure of text,…

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Supporting Staff Through Perimenopause

A group of women with raised arms. Their fingers are touching. This is a positive, happy image.

Introduction Perimenopause is a transitional phase that typically * occurs in women between the ages of 40 and 50, leading up to menopause. During this time, those born with ovaries may experience a range of physical, emotional, and mental symptoms due to fluctuating hormone levels. Symptoms can include hot flushes, fatigue, mood swings, brain fog,…

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Celebrating World Mental Health 2024 in Schools

World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10th, is an important reminder of the significance of mental well-being in all sectors, including education. This year the theme is ‘It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace’ and provides a great opportunity to focus on the well-being of the adults working in school.…

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Mental health and well-being of new arrivals 

two children drawing on an easel side by side

What is mental health? Mental health is a state that enables children to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities to learn well, work well, and contribute to their community. It is heart-wrenching to consider the immense challenges and losses that many new arrivals have faced before reaching the UK. Mental health plays…

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What will the new ungraded inspection process be like? 

  Until one of our schools undergoes this new ungraded inspection process, we won’t know all the details. However, recent Ofsted webinars and our own school development training, led by an Ofsted inspector, have provided valuable insights. Ofsted aims to make ungraded inspections distinct from graded ones, presenting them more like monitoring visits. During webinars,…

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