How To Create A Strong Effective Team Of Teachers

How To Create A Strong Effective Team Of Teachers 1

The Power of Teamwork in Schools If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a school leader based in the U.K., trying to navigate the choppy waters of the school environment. Being a school leader in 2024 is no easy feat. With the constantly changing education priorities and policies, the diverse student needs, and the increasing … Read more

4 Benefits of Kinetic Sand for Autistic Children

4 Benefits of Kinetic Sand for Autistic Children 2

What is Kinetic Sand? Kinetic Sand is a sensory toy that feels strangely satisfying. It is 98% regular sand mixed with 2% silicone oil. That tiny bit of oil makes it soft and stretchy. It flows through your fingers like a thick liquid. But when you squeeze it, it holds its shape perfectly. It never … Read more

The Importance of Accessibility for Teachers: Legal, Professional, and Personal Benefits

The Importance of Accessibility for Teachers: Legal, Professional, and Personal Benefits 3

Why is learning about accessibility important for teachers? We are all teachers of SEN and understanding accessibility is a core part of that. Learning about accessibility is essential for teachers because it helps them provide equitable and inclusive education for all students, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Accessibility means ensuring that everyone can access, … Read more

15 Simple Ways to Ignite Curiosity in Your Classroom

15 Simple Ways to Ignite Curiosity in Your Classroom 4

Igniting Curiosity in Your Classroom Learning is powered by curiosity. When students are genuinely curious, they dive deeper and retain more. Curiosity, the relentless desire to explore, discover, and understand new things, is an innate force that accompanies us from the earliest stages of life till the end. In the realm of early childhood education, … Read more

9 Ideas for Outdoor Maths Lessons

9 Ideas for Outdoor Maths Lessons 5

Outdoor Maths Lessons and Activities Taking maths lessons, and indeed any lessons outdoors can breathe new life into the subject, making it engaging and interactive for students. By bringing math concepts into the real world, students can see the practical applications and relevance of what they are learning. Here are some creative ideas for outdoor … Read more

Hybrid Learning for Inclusive Education in Indonesia

Hybrid Learning for Inclusive Education in Indonesia 6

Research on Hybrid Learning for Inclusive Education in Indonesia When I was researching our last article on Hybrid learning one of the few studies I could find was from Jakarta. Titled “Analysis of Hybrid Learning for Students with Learning Disabilities in Primary Schools Providing Inclusive Education” this research delves into the experiences of teachers navigating … Read more

Effective Hybrid Learning Models for SEN Pupils

Effective Hybrid Learning Models for SEN Pupils

Developing Effective Hybrid Learning Models for Special Needs Pupils Hybrid schooling, combining online and in-person learning, has sparked several theories and discussions regarding its implementation for special needs pupils. The hybrid education model, involving alternating students between online and in-person classes started during the pandemic. Remote or Hybrid education is starting to become an option … Read more

Kolb’s Learning Cycle: A Comprehensive Exploration

Kolb's Learning Cycle: A Comprehensive Exploration

What is Kolb’s Learning Cycle and how can this inform effective classroom practice? David Kolb’s Learning Cycle is a comprehensive framework that provides insights into how individuals learn and can inform effective classroom practice. Developed by David Kolb in his Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) in 1984, this learning cycle emphasizes the importance of direct experience … Read more

14 Brilliant Indoor & Outdoor Group Games for Children

14 Brilliant Indoor & Outdoor Group Games for Children 7

Engaging toddlers in group games is not only fun, but it also promotes social interaction, cooperation, and physical activity. Introducing toddlers to indoor and outdoor games is a wonderful way for the children to experience genuine joy in learning. These games encourage children to develop essential skills while having loads of fun. Below, you will … Read more

Strategies for Hiring the Best SEND Teachers: Professional Solutions, and Inclusive Interviews

Strategies for Hiring the Best SEND Teachers: Professional Solutions, and Inclusive Interviews 8

How to Hire the Best Teachers Possible for SEND Students It’s high time for the UK to revitalise SEND education. In 2023, England’s local government ombudsman received over 60% more complaints over special needs education compared to the previous year, many of which highlighted the huge deficits of councils’ SEND budgets amid lengthy delays in issuing Education, … Read more

10 Tips for Reducing Cognitive Load/Demand for Pupils

10 Tips for Reducing Cognitive Load/Demand for Pupils 9

Tips for Designing Educational Activities To Reduce Processing/Cognitive Load As an experienced special needs teacher in the United Kingdom, I have learned that it is crucial to design activities that meet the specific cognitive load and processing requirements of my students. There have been discussions about autistic energy and Spoon Theory. This seems to relate … Read more

How to Apply Cognitive Science Principles with SEN Pupils

How to Apply Cognitive Science Principles with SEN Pupils 10

Introduction to Cognitive Science and SEN Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of how the mind works, drawing on insights from psychology, neuroscience, education, and other fields. It investigates the mental processes and structures that underlie human cognition, such as memory, perception, attention, reasoning, problem-solving, and language. By understanding how the mind works, cognitive science … Read more

Inclusive Drama Activities For SEN

Inclusive Drama Activities For SEN 11

Inclusive drama activities are those that involve and engage students with special educational needs (SEN) in creative and collaborative ways. Some we have included 8 examples of inclusive drama activities for SEN pupils (UK) and a link to a free sample of 101 Drama Games Book which will give you 20 more. Adapting a Drama … Read more

How Gen Z Teachers Are Transforming the Education System

How Gen Z Teachers Are Transforming the Education System 12

Who is Generation Z & How are they Influencing Education? Generation Z, or Gen Z for short, is the generation born between 1997 and 2012. They are the youngest and most diverse cohort in the workforce. All generations have different values, expectations, and preferences than older generations. These ECTs and young teachers grew up with … Read more

Unlocking the Benefits of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme

Unlocking the Benefits of the Teachers' Pension Scheme 13

Teachers’ Pension Scheme: Strategies for a Comfortable Retirement As I approach the age where I have to accept I am as close to retirement as I am to the start of my career, I need to start thinking about my pension more seriously. I was also worried by the findings of this news report of … Read more

Painting With Balls Activities for Preschoolers

Painting With Balls Activities for Preschoolers 14

Painting with Balls: An Engaging EYFS Art Activity Looking for a creative art project that also builds a variety of skills for kids? Ball art activities for preschoolers an innovative, hands-on activity children love. By providing balls of different sizes and textures, kids can create unique painted designs while developing motor, sensory, and cognitive skills. … Read more

Learn, Unlearn, Relearn: Teacher Professional Development

Learn, Unlearn, Relearn: Teacher Professional Development 15

What is Learn, Unlearn, Relearn? Learn, Unlearn, Relearn is a critical process for teacher professional development that allows teachers to stay up-to-date on the latest research and best practices, and to adapt their teaching to the changing needs of their students. Why is it important for teachers to engage in Learn, Unlearn, Relearn? The education … Read more

100 Ways Cardboard Boxes Can Be Used For Play

100 Ways Cardboard Boxes Can Be Used For Play 16

Using Cardboard Boxes in Pretend Play & Learning Cardboard boxes are one of the easiest play resources to acquire for free. As the Founder and Lead Researcher of the Inclusiveteach Project, one of my core focus areas is studying how we can empower creativity and development in children. Pretend play has long been recognised by … Read more

The Importance of High Expectations for Pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The Importance of High Expectations for Pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) 17

What Research Says About High Expectations and SEN Special Educational Needs (SEN) is a term that encompasses a wide range of learning difficulties, disabilities, and conditions that make it harder for children to learn than most children of the same age. These needs can be broad, ranging from physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, emotional and behavioural … Read more

17 Teaching Methodologies To Up-Level Your Teaching

17 Teaching Methodologies To Up-Level Your Teaching 18

Choosing an Appropriate Teaching Method for the Outcome you Want. There are a wide variety of teaching methodologies utilised in classrooms today. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages based on the learning objectives, subject matter, and needs of students. Selecting the right methodology requires careful consideration of how each strategy engages learners, the … Read more