Teachers are having to face a steep learning curve at the present time as they try to get to grips with the technology necessary to enable them to communicate with their pupils, upload tasks for them to attempt and comment on work submitted. This may be alongside teaching critical workers children in the classroom and trying to maintain social distancing. Teachers are adept at motivating children in normal circumstances but how is this working in the current situation? Praise is a great motivator as many teachers know and so this is a strategy that teachers are using as they communicate... Read More »

As the use of mobile devices increases amongst children it is important that they are still given the chance to immerse themselves in real books and encouraged to read. In our primary schools, children are expected to reach a certain level of reading ability by the time they enter key stage two at the age of seven, but this is an enormous challenge for some children who may be reluctant to read not only books, but any printed material. Parents and teachers may need to look for ways to inspire and encourage reading for these children. Learning to read can... Read More »

Whichever sort of school you find yourself in as a teacher whether it be a large inner-city school with hundreds of pupils or a small rural school with possibly only forty pupils on roll one thing is certain the pupils in that school will have to undertake statutory testing at some point in the year. Whether you agree with the testing regime or not it is part of your role as a teacher to carry out these tests and submit the assessments to the government. In a small primary school, l there may only be a small number of children... Read More »

With many of the UK’s students still at home, more and more parents have had to turn their hand to home learning. This is not an easy task for any parent and especially if you are still trying to juggle work. Many schools are uploading work for children to complete on a daily basis. In primary schools especially, not all of this work is compulsory, but it is there as a guide for parents to use. Many people worry about how children are going to be affected by the lockdown and months of school they have missed. We certainly are... Read More »

Many parents are finding themselves thrust into the world of home schooling during the recent pandemic and although schools are endeavouring to provide work for and support students at this time the organisation of the tasks, resources and time management is falling on parents. It is impossible to replicate a school classroom in your own dining room or kitchen and there is no need to worry about trying to do so. Most young children are happy working on the floor or on a coffee table so unless they are writing and need to sit at a table to do neat... Read More »