Changing teaching – Post Covid-19
Changing behaviours and routines after lockdown Covid-19 will change our behaviours and our routines across every aspect of school life. After having conversations with several teachers in recent weeks I’ve […]
Working from home – retrieval practice
Retrieval practice ideas This is an easy edit for your institution resource. Simple ideas which learners who are working from home over the coming weeks can use to help them […]
#Assessment – Big questions
“Hands up if you…” Nutshell Allow learners to put up their hands to answer a question. Sometimes this method does have a use! How to do this This is a […]
#Assessment – Colour cards
An easy way to snapshot whole class progress and understanding.
#Assessment – www/EBI
A quick and easy assessment idea you can make use of in any lesson. Nutshell: Have learners reflect on what has gone well and what they would have improved their […]
Book shelf: Making Good Progress? The future of Assessment for Learning
This is a fascinating read, I'd recommend every teacher to read it but most certainly middle and more senior leaders!
Questioning to assess learning
Questioning to support assessment I was asked this question on twitter recently: How can one use questioning and feedback to contribute to the assessment process? @tips4teachingUK — Aqsalogic (@aqsalogic) February […]
Would you record yourself to aid reflection?
Would you record yourself teaching to help you reflect? Do you have a mobile device with you in class? (iPad, chrome book, phone) If you do have one, have you […]
Using a computer room
Booking a Computer room might seem like the answer to the end of your stressful week but as with all things in teaching, if you fail to plan you plan […]
How to successfully reflect on your teaching
Reflecting on your own practice is not always easy. When you’ve had a bad day, for example, the last thing you want to do is reflect and think ‘Where did […]
Documenting your standards
NQT/ITT programmes vary from institution to institution. Keeping on top of your standards evidence remains a worry for many NQTs and Trainees. For reference check out the Government NQT standards […]
Podcast 5: Youth work, the missing piece of the whole child puzzle?
This is a really personal episode for me, I interview my brother who is a Youth Worker for a charity in the North East of England.
4 Safeguarding tips
Safeguarding is a critical part of what we do as teachers. It is the responsibility of every member of staff in school to report safeguarding concerns (teacher or not). Safeguarding […]
4 ways to develop your subject knowledge this year
Here are 4 tips to help you develop your subject knowledge this year...
Giving praise
As teachers we can spend a lot of our time dealing with behaviour that falls short of our expectations, and we can actually fall out of the habit of giving […]
4 Ideas to help you make more of Subject Specific Vocabulary
Using subject specific vocabulary often is key...
Sticky note assessment tools
4 assessment tips that make use of sticky notes 1. The sticky starter Give each student a sticky note as they walk into your room; on the board have the […]
Get Coding – book review
“Code your own website, app and game and develop real coding skills in this fun guide to coding for beginners” Get Coding – from Walker Books This is firstly a […]
Ada Lovelace Day (October 9th)
Do you know who Ada Lovelace is? Did you know she was instrumental in the invention of the modern computer? Did you know she was a close friend and collaborator with Charles Babbage?
1 quick way to start a lesson with a challenge
An easy to deliver challenge for the start of any lesson. All you need are two different coloured sticky notes and a ppt slide. As students enter your room hand […]
4 steps to help you innovate this year
It is always a pleasure to be invited to write for Innovate My School. My latest feature focuses on how to develop the mindset of an innovator and how to […]
Podcast 4: The Wider Arts Picture
In this episode of Teacher Talk Laura and Paul talk with Drew, a new Assistant Head Teacher with responsibility for the Arts ‘big picture’. Listen and subscribe now via your […]
Getting September Ready: Stretch and challenge Slips
Stretch and Challenge is right at the top of my ‘must tackle’ list this year! With that in mind I created these little Stretch and Challenge slips! I’m a bit […]
Podcast 3: Arts in Education
Arts in Education In this Episode Paul and Laura talk about the Arts in Education and in particular what Laura as a Lead Practitioner for Art does to promote the […]
Podcast 2: Questioning ideas tested
In episode 2 of the tips4teaching podcast I reflect on my questioning technique during a drive home. The podcast becomes Teacher Talk and introduces our new co-host Laura in episode […]
Podcast 1: Reflecting on practice
In this first episode of the new tips4teaching Podcast (which gets an overhaul at episode three with the introduction of awesome co-host Laura!) I reflect on my practice, in particular […]
tips4teaching PODCAST
Last summer I started a Podcast. Don’t worry if you missed it, it didn’t last long. The busiest year of teaching got in the way! However like a phoenix from […]
4 Stretch & Challenge ideas tested
Welcome to my latest 1/2 termly post! This time a quick run down of 4 stretch and challenge activities I tested last term in my classrooms. That’s in my Yr7 […]
4 Assessment ideas I tested last term
Assessing on the go! The marking pile adds up quickly so any way to reduce that pile in my office at the end of a long day was worth […]
Speaking at Ark Academies #Teach2017
Talk about teaching I was recently invited for the second time to speak about this wonderful profession at the Ark Academies Teach2017 conference (this time in Birmingham) The staging for […]
Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is hugely important, it’s not a fad, it’s how you build resilient learners! I’m witnessing the benefit of students having developed a growth mindset and its enabling me to teach much more challenging computing lessons than I had originally thought I would!
Wellbeing – TeachMeet Hatfield
Wellbeing is a topic so very close to my heart, the more I talk to teachers around the UK the more I’m hearing horror stories about treatment of staff by […]
An easy AFL ‘win’…
Peer Assessment, an easy AFL ‘win’ in any classroom! When you’re starting out in teaching ‘AFL’ seems to be a huge aspect of the job, so full of options and […]
Stretch and challenge
I like to keep things simple, if something is simple and effective don’t over complicated it! Bloom’s to stretch and challenge. This image is designed to be used in CPD, […]
Feedback most common…
One of the most shared tips of mine is printing on sticky notes to help you get ahead of the feedback train! Let me say this though: THIS SHOULD NEVER […]
Sharing knowledge
Know it? Share it! One of my favourite ways to assess students understanding of a topic I’ve taught is to ask them to share their new knowledge/skill with a new […]
teachershop.co.uk
Welcome to the online shop with one goal: Get high impact, low cost resources into the hands of every teacher teaching in the UK! Since I designed the teaching resources […]
New term challenges
A new term is on the horizon, what’s your challenges? For me there is a very busy two 1/2 terms ahead, coursework and exam prep being at the forefront of […]
Hands up AFL
Another new video tip Hands up & then some…part of a new series designed to support assessment for learning in the classroom. From dead simple tips to the more interesting ideas that […]
AFL tips
New video tips for 2017 …Part of a new series designed to support assessment for learning in the classroom. From dead simple tips to the more interesting ideas that take […]
4 AFL practices
Showing assessment and progress over time on a coursework course. I teach the CiDA ICT course, the learners have to create a number of digital products. One could be tempted […]
Teach, Reflect, Doodle is on the list!
Last week @Teachertoolkit published a fabulous post sharing his reading list for 2017 (you can read the post here) all those books on education he’s selected and put to one […]
My first Book
A long time ago in a classroom now far far away from where I’m sitting now… Boy: “Miss, I want to be a writer when I grow up” Miss: (failing […]
Inspection ready (Middle Leaders)
Middle Leader unsure if you are fully prepared for an inspection? Preparing for an inspection isn’t easy, there’s a lot to pull together and plan. Everyone knows inspections require late […]
Differentiation
Differentiation and scaffolding These two are the closest relations in a teacher mind, so close that they’re the most often confused terms. Differentiation (to me) is providing stretch and challenge to […]
Millions of ideas ready to be clicked
Every teacher needs their arsenal of places to go for inspiration, from colleagues to books. One absolutely fantastic source of ideas is Pinterest! It’s an international site with ideas and tips […]
Marking
I’m on a mission this year to make marking across my faculty the best in school! Want to join me? Marking I want teachers across my faculty to mark in […]
Department meetings
New to a school? New to a Department or Faculty? Everyone is new at some point, don’t worry about it! Six years ago I was new in a Department, two […]
Appraisal Tips
Have you set some professional target this year? Have you started the appraisal process yet? Here are 2 top tips for your appraisal so you walk into your meeting […]
Teach, Reflect, Doodle
What’s inside the doodle book for teachers.. The book This is ‘the’ doodle book for teachers – I designed it to act both as an inspiration for improving classroom practice […]
Teach, Reflect, Doodle pt1
September saw the release of Teach, Reflect, Doodle My 1st book for teachers has finally been published! Teach, Reflect, Doodle! (Available here ) It’s been over two years now since I […]
Teach Secondary Magazine product feature
Really short post to point teachers towards the recent feature in Teach Secondary magazine which discusses the rationale behind the design of my class room resources. Did I mention my […]
8 Ofsted tips
This post explores similar areas for improvement identified in Ofsted reports from schools across the country at various levels of grading.
Teaching and Learning tips Magazine
I've helped put together this teaching and learning tips magazine. And in the spirit of sharing good practice a free copy can be downloaded here
Diary update
I've been asked to present at the upcoming Bloomsbury TeachMeetBooks FREE event - info on how you can sign up to attend here ...
Introducing colour coded AFL to your school
I've created this 'quick start' guide for anyone who wants to try and implement a colour coded assessment methodology in their department, faculty or whole school. Download for free.
#NQTAdvice CPD session
Reflecting on term one plus - FREE ppt used in NQT CPD session.
Relax, take stock, rethink…
It’s the holiday season! What are your plans? I’ll be spending the entire holiday with my family, they help me recharge my batteries, gain perspective and inspire new ideas. […]
New Marking Policy 2016
Rationale behind new marking policy explained and FREE downloads for you to use if you want to create a similar time saving marking and feedback policy.
Hour of Code 2015
FREE resource to accompany Hr of CODE activities in December (great if you're in an IT room before Xmas)
Planning a successful week
This post shares how I plan (on a Sunday) for the week ahead, and a FREE download of the resource I created to help me.
A calming space
This post covers how colouring might help calm some frustrated learners...
Life beyond levels
A simple start to assessing without levels - and directions to further reading and support online.
Intervention – be SMART
This post suggests a SMARTer way to approach intervention activities in your lessons.
Progress is…
This post looks at two things: What is pupil progress? How do you evidence it in lessons and over time?
e-Safety Resource with levels
FREE assessment e-safety resource used with Yr7 at the start of the academic year.
Questioning – Murder
FREE resource designed to improve learners ability to question
C-tech ICT Unit 1 resources
FREE resources to support teaching CTECH ICT with 6th form
How to take better notes and make CPD more effective
FREE resource to help staff get more out of CPD sessions by taking better notes
Teacher feedback
FREE teacher feedback resource designed to match the resources already on sale.
Rockets and Lightbulbs – Stretch and Challenge
Some advice on stretch and challenge ...
ComicBook Club & Boys Reading
Iv'e started a comic book club... "read all about it"...
Coming soon…
Although #ValuableVocab is being updated on a regular basis I wanted to sign post my readers to some upcoming posts… Keep going – In light of the shocking ‘fall out’ […]
#ValuableVocab Day 10
#ValuableVocb Challenge your learners one word at a time – try using todays word in all your lessons today and see what impact it has! Join in the conversation on […]
#ValuableVocab Day 9
#ValuableVocb Challenge your learners one word at a time – try using todays word in all your lessons today and see what impact it has! Join in the conversation on […]
#ValuableVocab Day 8
#ValuableVocb Challenge your learners one word at a time – try using todays word in all your lessons today and see what impact it has! Join in the conversation on […]
#ValuableVocab Day 7
#ValuableVocb Challenge your learners one word at a time – try using todays word in all your lessons today and see what impact it has! Join in the conversation on […]
#ValuableVocab Day 6
#ValuableVocb Challenge your learners one word at a time – try using todays word in all your lessons today and see what impact it has! Join in the conversation on […]
#ValuableVocab Day 5
#ValuableVocb Challenge your learners one word at a time – try using todays word in all your lessons today and see what impact it has!
#ValuableVocab Day 4
#ValuableVocb Challenge your learners one word at a time – try using todays word in all your lessons today and see what impact it has!
#ValuableVocab Day 3
#ValuableVocb Challenge your learners one word at a time – try using todays word in all your lessons today and see what impact it has!
#ValuableVocab day 2
This post is designed to help you improve teaching and learning one word at a time! #ValuableVocab We know the vocabulary linked to Blooms Taxonomy is important, we know that, […]
#ValuableVocab Day one
This post is designed to help you improve teaching and learning one word at a time! #ValuableVocab We know the vocabulary linked to Blooms Taxonomy is important, we know that, […]
Quick video tips all in one place
Quick tips This is a post to link readers to my 30 second (occasionally longer) teaching tip videos on FaceBook. The page is growing with every video added and being positively received […]
Teacher T-Shirts…
I’ve put some designs together for fun t-shirts, depending on likes and requests I hope to make them available for summer time purchasing 🙂 —
NEW RESOURCE
Feedback and Reflection resource This resource is a template for you to print and create your own feedback and reflection slips to use in lessons. Print then on paper or […]
AFL – One way to use sticky notes…
Quick tip to make (some) AFL faster AFL doesn’t have to be about writing pages and page of feedback, sometimes for some comments you find you have to repeat often […]
AFL – tips for getting it done
It’s not rocket science, but (particularly) if you are a trainee, or NQT, just getting started with your assessments is a challenge. This 30second tip filled video is designed to […]
Challenge made easy
Add just 3 words to increase challenge A really easy start to increasing challenge in your lessons by just using 3 words more often. This 1st video gives you the […]
Peer Assessment Quick tip
Part of a new series of quick tips…. Peer Assessment and using vocabulary in class… View this video on YouTube & the FaceBook page where you can discuss Peer Assessment […]
FaceBook – Schemes of work discussion
Over on the new FaceBook page… I’m asking the question ‘what needs to be in a Scheme of Work?’. Schemes of Work or Learning Plans are vital tools; teachers and […]
Carry On Teachers…
Light entertainment It’s 1/2 term so we need to find some time to smile, relax and as our students say ‘chill’. My methods of relaxation include cycling, reading, drawing, and […]
We’ve joined FaceBook
Always start a New Year with something new, and for me it’s joining FaceBook. I’ve been told FaceBook is a perfect place to more quickly share ideas and have more […]
Happy Christmas
Seasons Greetings As a Merry Christmas treat to some of my followers I’ve sent out some samples of my new Classroom Resources. Thank you to all of you who’ve […]
Response to Resources release
So SO rewarding to see such possitive responses to my teaching resources already! Huge thank you to everyone who’s ordered resources and planners and those that have shared their kind […]
Classroom Resources #6 Progress
The full set of resources will be onsite from YPO and Amazon before the end of the year, in time for you to purchase ready for the new term in January. Contact me via […]
Classroom Resources #2 Peer Assessment
The full set of resources will be onsite from YPO and Amazon before the end of the year, in time for you to purchase ready for the new term in January. Contact me via […]
Classroom Resources #1 Questions Sheets
The full set of resources will be onsite from YPO and Amazon before the end of the year, in time for you to purchase ready for the new term in January. CLICK TO ORDER […]
