Blog
The Power of Silence in the classroom – 5 tips on when and how to use it
Silence is often used (or attempted to be used) as a behavioural tool in schools on the premise that it encourages concentration and therefore learning, but we have to be careful: silence is a strategy that, if used unwisely, can create compliance – a very different result to focused learning – as the empty page will demonstrate at the end of the lesson.
Behaviour and YOU: #4 Behaviour and being a female gay (maverick) teacher
Our 4th Conversation for the Behaviour and YOU! Project, PSHE Teacher @boospurgeon demonstrates the clear importance of role modelling through behaviour – her pupils’ comments are a treat! Also find out what she does with her little bell…
Pooky Ponders Podcast: Why do teenagers grunt (and how can we engage them in learning?)
What a joy to be able to unpick the difficulties and celebrations of teenagers with the brilliant Dr Pooky Knightsmith on her podcast: Pooky Ponders, and find ways that as educators we can better engage them in learning…
Dear Mister Williamson: an open letter – makes BBC news
On 5th May 2021, BBC Radio Sheffield featured the EdWellColl Open Letter to Gavin Williamson urging him to put relationships and community ahead of academic catch up… find out how you can help.
Pandemic permissions: let’s keep talking about mental health and wellbeing
Last month I was asked by Optimus Education to write on what the pandemic has given us in schools.
From my work directly with pupils, supporting teachers and school leaders, there’s a clear answer: permission to talk about mental wellbeing.
3 Top tips to improve Emotional Wellbeing in your School
Last month I had a huge response from my community (thanks Inspiring Educators!) to my poll asking where you need support in schools right now; there was a clear winner – Emotional Wellbeing.
Top tip: pastoral care to academic progress for Pupil Premium (and others)
When looking to support and improve the learning outcomes of any of our pupils it can be overwhelming. In this week’s vloggy-blog post I share the one element that will shift any strategy on pastoral care to actual academic progress.
#TinyVoiceTalks -Interview with Toria Bono
How do we include all of our pupils – the ones from minority groups, the ones with disadvantages to learning even before they step into your classroom? This interview meanders through many topics ultimately bringing us back to how we ensure our education system is inclusive for all of our pupils.
Behaviour and YOU: #3 Behaviour & Parents of children with complex needs
You’re supporting challenging behaviour at school…
…and at home you have your own children with complex needs…
– what are the challenges?
– how does this make you better at your job?
TAM’s Journey – An Adventure – Emotional Wellbeing and Behaviour
TAM’s Journey – An Adventure, is a trilogy of books journey that I am thoroughly pleased to be recommending as a useful resource for schools supporting wellbeing and behaviour in Early Years and Primary.
What to do when a pupil swears at you
A kid has just sworn at you. What do you do?! It all depends on the context of the swearing, the school and the young person…I welcome you to the Independent Thinking’s CPD Jukebox with answers to these questions and more.
How to support staff who are adopting
In the second guest blog from Alexandra @babytismoffire she guides us through how schools and education leaders can support staff who are going through the adoption process.
A magical tool to improve behaviour (with no extra planning needed!)
YES it is possible; transform your behaviour with this magical tool that requires no extra planning or marking…
Behaviour, books and broken legs
One of my favourite interviews, a podcast full of practical conversations and strategies about supporting behavioural needs across schools…and a confession…
Window of Tolerance
In this vlog I introduce the Window of Tolerance – and how to use it as a tool for understanding, differentiating and adapting lessons to meet the needs of our pupils with Behaviour needs and SEMH.
What’s happened to that new RSHE Curriculum?
In this blog post, I discuss being a panel guest on the Sec Ed Podcast alongside Lucy Emmerson and Michelle O’Niell. You can listen to the Podcast here.
Behaviour in lockdown and beyond…
Photo by Taylor Young on UnsplashLast month I got deep into conversation with Alix Robertson from The Centre for Education and Youth, a think and action tank on their podcast The Youth and Education Podcast. In this conversation we explore: The impact of the pandemic...
“Miss, are you a lesbian?” Big Gay Adventures in Education
In this post I share my thoughts and resources around LGBT+ History Month and my contribution to the new Big Gay Adventures in Education.
