We talk a lot about how teachers get better at teaching, but don’t think enough about how teachers can get worse at teaching.

Hello – it’s been a few years since I wrote about the teaching of whole class reading, and I figured I would do it again, as it’s generally the thing I am asked about the most – plus in…

It’s been a long day. I’ve been in and out of lessons throughout with a range of staff. I’ve grabbed a minute here or there for individualised feedback and did a working break and…

There's something magical about a silent classroom. Students are focused, heads are down, pens are busily scratching away. Participation Ratio is high, and you can almost feel the learning in the room...

Warning: Parts of this blog are going to feel like an advertisement for my consultancy work and books. This is unavoidable as I have written this for those who ask me about the issues relating to read...

If you are not familiar with KWL grids, let me explain. They are an assessment tool of three stages. What the learner already Knows (K), what the learner Wants to know (W) and then finally what the le...

At its core, assessment seeks to evaluate the extent to which learners have understood and can apply the material they have been taught; it is a diagnostic process aimed at uncovering both the knowled...

First day as a Year 7 form tutor. "I want you all to be the kind of people who have integrity. I say, you say: "Integrity!" "Integrity!" the 11 year olds all shout back, with enthusiasm. What do I mea...

Let's indulge in two thought experiments. Scenario 1. Imagine you have no data about a class you start to teach in September. You have no knowledge about their prior attainment and no knowledge about ...