Many children have missed out on time in the classroom both last year and this year and continue to do so if they are required to isolate for any reason. Some parents are worried about this and the effect it has had on their children and want to help them to catch up and so parents are turning to private tutors to support their child’s learning at home. Although the financial commitment of hiring a private tutor is considerable and possibly out of the reach of most families some parents feel that it is necessary to ensure their child progresses... Read More »

There is much debate amongst academics about the benefit or not of homework for primary school aged children, but it has become commonplace in the majority of schools and the school homework provision is looked at by inspectors visiting the school. Many parents find that getting children to complete homework is quite stressful and struggle to find the time after school or at weekends when children may be engaged in other activities and hobbies but is it worthwhile and does it benefit pupils? The justification for setting homework for primary school pupils is mainly in giving them the opportunity to... Read More »

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 »