Administrator

Should parents read bedtime stories?

This is the first instalment of a 3-part series on the importance of reading to children. “A book is a dream that you hold in your hand.” – Neil Gaiman If you’re ever unfortunate enough to find yourself in a meeting with me towards the end of the day, you’ll no doubt clock me clock-watching.Continue reading “Should parents read bedtime stories?”

The habits of a great teacher

Your initial teacher training year is a bit like learning to drive: throughout your training you have a constant critic at your side offering advice (or possibly a staffroom full of them), and you are encouraged to endlessly reflect, adjust and – by so doing – secure incremental improvements. You might literally be in theContinue reading “The habits of a great teacher”

What makes a great leader?

I wrote a 2-part article for SecEd magazine about what makes a great teacher – you can read it here and here. I said that great teachers are relentless in their pursuit of excellence and that their language with students is infused with this sense of urgency and drive. They need not argue about expected standardsContinue reading “What makes a great leader?”

What makes a great teacher? (Part Two)

In part one, I said that great teachers tend to be relentless in their pursuit of excellence and, as such, their language is infused with a sense of urgency and drive. Great teachers also have the ability to explain complex concepts in ways that make sense. Great teachers ask good questions and give really goodContinue reading “What makes a great teacher? (Part Two)”

What makes a great teacher? (Part One)

In his book, The Talent Code, Daniel Coyle says: “Master coaches aren’t like heads of state. They aren’t like captains who steer us across the unmarked sea, or preachers on a pulpit, ringing out the good news.” Instead, their personality is “more like that of a farmer than a president or preacher: they are down-to-earthContinue reading “What makes a great teacher? (Part One)”

The conspiracy of success

I don’t believe in conspiracy theories but Abraham Lincoln and John F Kennedy have always made my spine tingle. After all, they have an awful lot in common… Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846; John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946. Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860; John F KennedyContinue reading “The conspiracy of success”

The magic of myelin

The loft in my house is heavily insulated with a yellow material made of glass fibre. Every time I open the hatch to retrieve a suitcase or box of toys, I’m showered with thick strands of the stuff. Not only do I look ridiculous in a frizzy yellow wig, but – because glass fibre isContinue reading “The magic of myelin”

The octagon of excellence

The most effective way to raise student attainment, according to Ron Berger in his book An Ethic of Excellence, is to create a culture in which every child strives to create his or her very best work every day and has a stake in the collective success or failure of his or her class. I’veContinue reading “The octagon of excellence”

The science of learning

Learning is a complex cognitive process which, broadly speaking, occurs in four stages: Let’s take a look at each of these four stages in turn… 1, Attention Samuel Johnson said that “the true art of memory is the art of attention”. If we are to be effective as teachers we should think carefully about howContinue reading “The science of learning”

Developing a growth mindset in the classroom

This article first appeared in Sec Ed magazine in April 2014. To read the original, click here. As a kid I wanted to become a cliché when I grew up so I bought a guitar and grew my hair. I successfully learnt all the chords but struggled to combine them in a meaningful wayContinue reading “Developing a growth mindset in the classroom”