Should teachers accept end of term gifts from pupils?

Brandon
The tradition in some schools to give a gift to the class teacher and teaching assistant at the end of term to thank them has been around for a while but some schools try to discourage this practice or ban it completely. There are a variety of reasons that some schools are uncomfortable with this gift-giving with one reason being that it could be construed as a bribe. The thought that any teacher would treat a pupil in their class differently because of a gift is however ludicrous. Another reason that people who are against this idea give is that... Read More »

Will a tutor help my child to catch up academically?

Brandon
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 »

Is homework for Primary school children useful?

Brandon
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 »

Supporting reluctant writers in school

Brandon
Most children by the age of eight, when they are in key stage two, are able to read confidently for their age but some children struggle with writing. There may be a number of reasons for this reluctance to write perhaps the child has problems with their fine motor skills that make it physically difficult to write resulting in aching hands and wrists or they struggle for ideas, whatever the reason it is the teacher’s job to help and support these children so that they can become confident and willing writers. The stimulus that is provided to start off the... Read More »

Keeping children motivated during online learning.

Brandon
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 »