Blog: Teacher Talk

Monday 10 February 2025 TeacherTalk: Writing at a Primary Level Literacy lies at the very heart of every school and indeed curriculum. Multidisciplinary literacy is our aim as educators, where every teacher ensures that each student is equipped with the necessary skills to empower them to be proficient, confident and eloquent in: speaking; reading; writing and listening, across every subject. Research shows that literacy skills are a key factor in later life outcomes (EEF; Secondary Literacy Evidence Reviews: 2019) and crucially, the responsibility of every teacher. Here we look at writing strategies at a Primary Level.

Monday 11 November 2024 Teacher Talk: Improving Vocabulary - Practical Strategies You've read our first blog by Charmain Hull on Vocabulary: The Gap and Knowledge and here, in our second blog, she explores practical strategies to improving vocabulary. A crucial topic for all schools, students and teachers because, as the EEF note, vocabulary is pertinent to school but also, life (EEF: 2018).

Monday 30 September 2024 Teacher Talk: Peer Interactions in a Post-Pandamic Classrooms The past few years and remote learning have had both positive and challenging impacts upon education. Whilst the advancements in technology for learning has revolutionised some schools, the need for social interaction, especially for students, has become ever more important. Here, we ask ourselves, what is the impact of this now? And is peer interaction really that important to our students?

Friday 13 September 2024 TeacherTalk: New Beginnings Whether you’re an established teacher or beginning your teaching journey, the start of a new term and especially new year, brings with it challenges, opportunities and probably a pinch of the unknown. No matter how established you are, everyone experiences feelings of anxiety, excitement and anticipation as you start a new year; role; school or meet your students and classes for the first time. So, how do you ensure you make the most of this opportunity and fresh start? - Just take a look at our key areas for consideration.

Monday 2 September 2024 TeacherTalk: The Impact of Technology for Enrichment Impactful learning extends beyond the classroom, reaching into the hinterland of enrichment opportunities that ignite students’ curiosity and passion for learning. Enabling students to problem solve, think critically and add meaning to their learning. Here, Simon James, CLT's Technology for Learning Lead explores the impact of Technology for enrichment.

Monday 24 June 2024 TeacherTalk: Dyslexia - The Undetected Troubles You may think that Dyslexia needs no introduction. Most teachers seem to believe they have a good grasp on dyslexia, its impact on learning and how to support students with dyslexia in the classroom. However, it is estimated that over 10% of the population are dyslexic. How many of the children in each school are actually diagnosed? How many are not yet recognised? How many are struggling with difficulties that they are compensating for or masking? This blog explores The undetected troubles” of children with dyslexia.

Sunday 16 June 2024 Seamless Shifts: Transition - Part Two Making a concerted effort to seamlessly transition pupils from KS2 in primary school to KS3 in secondary school is crucial for their academic and personal development. Whilst it certainly has its logistical challenges, this transition can be facilitated through a series of coordinated efforts - Read more to find out how!

Friday 17 May 2024 Teacher Talk: Seamless Shifts: The Significance of Key Stage 2 to 3 Transition Transitioning from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3 is a pivotal milestone in a pupil's educational journey. Recent research underscores the critical importance of ensuring a high-quality transition during this period of change. This is the first of three blogs where we explore why transition matters and consider the findings of recent studies which highlight the significance of effective Key Stage 2 to 3 transition programs.

Sunday 10 March 2024 TeacherTalk: Memory & Retention for Effective Revision With student exams and mocks, it’s clear that effective revision strategies are crucial in ensuring memory is retained - but what does ‘effective’ look like and how does this link to memory research?

Monday 26 February 2024 TeacherTalk:A Behaviour Curriculum -Part 2 - Systems, Teaching and Tracking Welcome back to our second edition of #TeacherTalk on Behaviour in schools. Last time, we explored a Behaviour Curriculum, questioning: if it is a definable construct? Can it be taught, led and effectively driven? What does a good behaviour curriculum look like? And how can you ensure your school has an effective behaviour strategy and system in place?

Monday 5 February 2024 TeacherTalk: A Behaviour Curriculum: Myth or Reality? Behaviour in schools - is it a definable construct? Can it be taught, led and effectively driven? What does a good behaviour curriculum look like? And how can you ensure your school has an effective behaviour strategy and system in place? This blog explores all of these pertinent questions from research across two years and almost a hundred schools by Tom Bellwood, in partnership with the Department for Education and CLT.

Friday 12 January 2024 TeacherTalk: ECTs - Strategies to Success You’ve joined the greatest profession possible, making an impact on a daily basis to children who will grow up to be our future. How do you ensure you stay on top of your game, whilst also looking after yourself? Here’s part 2 of ECTs with all the top tips and strategies to aid you in becoming your very best teacher self!

Monday 4 December 2023 TeacherTalk:Why Teach? If you are considering a career change or have a passion for creating a legacy, then consider teaching. As a teacher, I’d argue that no other profession gives you a greater sense of purpose, achievement and impact upon so many incredible individuals. From the sea of wonderful faces to working with passionate, remarkable colleagues - you really can’t imagine the difference you will make on a daily basis.

Monday 13 November 2023 TeacherTalk: ECTs - Part 1 So, you’ve taken the leap and are embarking on your new professional journey as a teacher; Either in your first or second year as an Early Career Teacher. Firstly, well done! You’ve decided to join what I believe is the most rewarding, fulfilling and motivating career sector where you will never be bored by the brilliance (and at times, challenge) of your students. Secondly, it’s important you know what your entitlements are and that you get the right support throughout these two years. This is why we are here to provide you with some top tips and key information to help you progress, learn and develop in these early stages.

Sunday 29 October 2023 Teacher Talk: Wellbeing - Getting it right as individuals and leaders As we start a new term or equally, hit refresh upon a new period, what better time than this to think about wellbeing. From crumbling concrete to post pandemic progress, teaching and education is, as always, full of ever challenging changes.

Monday 2 October 2023 Teacher Talk: The impact of a positive school culture on school improvement and student attainment Culture and ethos is undoubtedly a determining element of school improvement and experience for teachers and students alike. Leaders in education, The DfE/OFSTED, all agree on its importance within the education system. The expectation for a school to have a clear, developed and well embedded culture and ethos, is increasing rapidly. So, what does an effective school culture look like

Friday 21 July 2023 Teacher Talk: The Divisive Role of AI in Education: Debating its impact on the Future of Learning You can't discuss anything educational without the mention of the newly rising Artificial Intelligence! Is it a gift, rising to reduce our workload or a monstrous intrusion, here to take over Take a read of our latest blog to find out more.

Sunday 25 June 2023 Teacher Talk: Why Attendance Matters! Attendance post-pandemic has been the described by Dame Rachel de Souza, Childrens’ Commissioner, as the ‘biggest problem’ facing education’. Here we discuss the research and strategies to support attendance within education

Friday 16 June 2023 Teacher Talk: Promoting Sustainability in Schools The importance of sustainability in schools cannot be understated. As educators, we have a responsibility to instil in our students an understanding of environmental issues and equip them with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact

Monday 5 June 2023 TeacherTalk: The Power of Music We’ve all been there - sat in a mundane waiting room as the opening notes begin to play of an all familiar melody, catapulting us into a memory, a feeling, a mood. Music provokes emotions, inspires movement and evokes our very senses- But in a world where musical education is becoming less frequent, ask yourself - is music important in education Does it aid our students like more so-called ‘academic’ topics do How and why should students study it

Friday 12 May 2023 Vocabulary: The Gap and Knowledge Literacy is a skill that connects all subjects and their curriculums but one particular thing that makes each subject unique is the vocabulary that is required. Within all of our curriculums, vocabulary is nestled in like a well planted seed and almost all educators would agree that vocabulary, and subject specific terminology, are an important part of our curriculums. Vocabulary can be termed as the linchpin to academic success, without it, students would not be able to articulate their knowledge accurately or fluently.

Friday 5 May 2023 Teacher Talk: Adaptive Teaching in Maths Adaptive teaching is essential in maths as it allows all learners to meet expectations. It involves effective planning and adjustments to teaching and learning throughout the lesson and is centred around the idea that teachers have high expectations for every pupil. Students learn at different rates and require different levels of support from their teachers, so teachers need to understand the varying levels of need and any barriers to learning.

Friday 21 April 2023 Teacher Talk: Science - Leading the Curriculum Changes In February, 2023, OFSTED produced their subject specific reports considering academic research within each discipline from numerous studies and leading experts. Their science paper, ‘Finding the optimum: the science subject report’ highlighted the importance of science for all, within education. Where they stated that: ‘[Science]fundamentally shaped every aspect of our world. Science drives innovation, creating new knowledge to help us solve current and future problems. All young people are entitled to a high-quality science education, to the curiosity it engenders and the understanding and the opportunity it brings.’

Friday 24 March 2023 Teacher Talk: History, Crafting a Curriculum What students are taught within our classrooms has the ability to open minds, influence and create powerful opinions. It can be provocative, positive but also, the potential for possible detrimental impact upon them. Henry Cross and Samir Richards from CHSB explore their journey to an effectively crafted curriculum.

Thursday 23 February 2023 Teacher Talk: Adaptive Teaching There has been much discussion in education recently around adaptive teaching and how this differs from differentiation. The Early Careers Framework states that this is ‘adapting teaching in a responsive way, including by providing targeted support to pupils who are struggling’ (ECF, 2019). Kirsten Mould, in the EEF blog ‘Assess, adjust, adapt – what does adaptive teaching mean to you?’ defines adaptive teacher as ‘adapting planning prior to the lesson and adjusting practice during the lesson’ (2021).

Monday 20 February 2023 Teacher Talk: Oracy Oracy might literally be one of the most talked about topics in education right now - is it just another phase or does it make a difference Here we discuss the research and impact Oracy can have upon your students, classroom and school.

Sunday 15 January 2023 Teacher Talk: Reading Simply put, reading has the ability to create, elevate and is fundamental to student academic and future success - What's more, research, both past and current, shows this to be the case.

Tuesday 15 November 2022 Teacher Talk: Autism in Mainstream Education According to research, 1 in 59 students within our classrooms are diagnosed with Autism (Waterford: 2022). So what is autism and how can we, in the educational sector, support our students? Have a read to find out the latest research, practice and advice from experts within the sector.

Tuesday 15 November 2022 Teacher Talk: EAL Over the past two decades, the number of students who use EAL in our schools has doubled to over 1.6 million; creating a rich, diverse and multifaceted culture (The Bell Foundation: 2022). What is EAL and how can we, in the educational sector, support our students? Here we explore all the pertinent questions, research and practice.