Self Created Learning
We need to move beyond the idea that an education is something that is provided for us, and toward the idea that an education is something that we create for ourselves. It is time, in other words, that we change …
Reflections of a leader
Reflections on leadership, teaching, learning, assessment and the wider education of young people
When to Abandon Lessons Plans
The 7a to Hillsborough The first lesson of a new scheme of work. A shiny new Year 7 Scheme of Work and new topic, Narrative Poetry. We had organised a few students transfers and it was on with the work. …
Microsoft – Innovative Education Forum
The week I travelled to Manchester to the attend the Microsoft Innovative Education Forum (IEF). In spite of the long journey and poor driving conditions, I highly recommend you bookmark next years event in your diary. Let me explain why. …
Low Profile for a Good Reason
For the past few day I have kept a relatively low blog profile. Posting here and there or post left in draft format but for a good reason, my wife gave birth of our second child, Freya, last Wednesday. I …
Content Control
Content control or filtering of the internet in schools remains a hot topic of debate within schools. Not just for LEA administrators, school leaders and Network Managers but believe me, for the students. Frustrated by the disparity of home and …
FreeRice 2.0
Moving to the English Department this academic year I was looking for a range of English learning activities, spelling tools and edugames to provide transition activities at the start or end of the lesson. This ‘need’ brought me back to …
Parental Engagement is More than Data
Reading Government papers on parental engagement this afternoon, I am frustrated by the frequent omission of students in, what appears to be a superficial, data driven process. Schools post information, parents/guardians receive information, possibly converse, and that constitutes parental engagement? Finally, a post written …
11b3 English
This afternoon I ‘taught ‘my first English lesson with 11b3. It is a small group, with a broad ability range. When time permits, I am going to openly share my teaching and learning experiences with this group. In doing so …