News
Online safety: Do we focus too much on the dark side of the web?
May 05 2016
What’s the first thing you think about when someone mentions online and children?
Usually it’s a negative with visions of a dark shadowy world full of cyberbullies and predators. I’ve battled against the dark side since 1998 when, as an outraged teacher, I sought to get involved with cleaning up the web. I’m sure you have similar concerns.
Early years teachers will help light up young brains
April 14 2016
Lighting up Young Brains has a wonderful resonance. It is the title of the recent Save the Children report and sums up so aptly what we are aiming to achieve with our children in the early years.
Nurseries, childminders, nursery schools and pre-schools aren’t just providing safe places while parents are at work.
They aren’t just giving young children opportunities to develop independence and mix with and share people and resources with other young children.
Planet 50-50: Women’s leadership in politics and beyond
April 11 2016
Best Practice Network joined Womankind Worldwide supporters and activists at the Houses of Parliament to celebrate International Woman’s Day and to look ahead and #PledgeForParity, for equal gender representation – Planet 50-50.
A key learning tool on display was Suffragette Roulette, where scenarios from both developed and developing countries highlighted the struggle faced by all women who want to have their say, as well as the work Womankind Worldwide are doing to support, guide and facilitate opportunities. Have a go online and let us know how you get on. If you would like Suffragette Roulette to visit your school, please email Rosey Ellum.
What should a learning platform do for your organisation?
April 04 2016
I remember doing my NPQH way back in 2003, the joy of being with like-minded professionals eager to develop, the thrill of learning new ways of doing things and the anxiety of that final assessment! The trouble was I only met with these folks either on the face-to-face days or the occasional meeting with my study group.
What kept me going was the ability to use the discussion networks on the then National College virtual learning environment so I could get some feedback on my own thoughts from colleagues and get some solutions for the issues I faced.
Let’s build on TAs' commitment to making a difference
March 22 2016
Teaching assistants are a major part of the schools workforce today, with around 240,000 working in England’s schools and 10 per cent of the education budget spent on employing them each year.
But there have for some time been concerns that TAs aren’t always used as effectively as they could and should be.
Time to make the big decision
March 16 2016
The government has sounded the starting gun on academy status for all schools, but don’t be tempted to rush to a decision, says Best Practice Network’s Jeff Hart.
Trusts: Mind how you grow
March 15 2016
Multi-Academy Trusts, or MATs, are now a familiar feature of the school landscape. By summer 2015 there were 846 across England, compared to under 400 in March 2011.
Retention: How to keep teachers teaching
March 03 2016
Research is showing that the numbers of teachers leaving full-time teaching and those considering leaving the profession are at an all-time high. This research highlights the vital problem of keeping teachers teaching, which is currently experienced within the industry especially by school leaders.
Get the most out of your Teaching Assistants
February 24 2016
Dean Boyce, programme leader for HLTA and Support Staff programmes, discusses where schools can turn for more guidance on the best use of TAs, in the absence of national standards.
New classic books initiative launched
February 15 2016
Penguin has published a new list of 100 books as part of a new Classics initiative. They will be offering secondary classroom sets of 30 copies of each of the titles for a total cost of £3,000. Simon Winder, Publishing Director, Penguin Classics said:
"We have chosen 100 books from the Penguin Classics series to continue our tradition of engaging the next generation - to surprise, provoke and delight young readers. The opportunity to work with schools to make these 100 books available to their students is a unique one and we are thrilled to be involved."