Secondary

A Level Science Skills

AS & A Level science skills by remote learning

Many students find science skills to be challenging in the usual school lab setting, but learning remotely can make this challenge seem greater. Getting students to do past practical papers (or parts of these) can be valuable, but this approach alone will not be sufficient for students to develop a… Read More
Scene from A Christmas Carol

Revision ideas for ‘A Christmas Carol’

“You recollect the way?” inquired the Spirit. “Remember it!” cried Scrooge with fervour; “I could walk it blindfold.” “Strange to have forgotten it for so many years!” observed the Ghost. “Let us go on.” They walked along the road, Scrooge recognising every gate, and post, and tree…… Read More
woman thinking with lightbulb above her head

Why it’s time to Reimagine Key Stage 3 English

Jo Heathcote is a teacher, coach, former AQA principal examiner for GCSE English/English Language, and author of  multiple Collins English resources, including the new Reimagine Key Stage 3 English. In this article, Jo explores why it’s time to re-think KS3 English and how you can use her nine knowledge-rich… Read More
Kids at school

Anti-bullying: is it enough?

As we approach another Anti-Bullying Week, I question whether anti-bullying is still the most appropriate phrase. 2020 has been the most challenging of years, and school-based bullying has been going on since schooling itself began, but it seems curious that we persist in describing what we don’t want, rather… Read More
Secondary school pupils and the attainment-inclusion axis

Education beyond the pandemic

Time for a rebalancing of the attainment-inclusion axis at the heart of our schooling system? Lessons From Lockdown author Tony Breslin argues that a rebalancing of our education system in favour of inclusion-focused strategies is necessary if we are to enable children and young people to develop the self-confidence, resilience… Read More
Secondary school teacher and pupils in lesson

Capturing the lessons of lockdown

Why professional reflection and educational research are as important as curriculum catch-up Tony Breslin, the author of an important new book on schooling during lockdown, argues that we need a major longitudinal research study if we are to understand the long-term impact of the pandemic on students and teachers, and… Read More

Connecting with unseen poetry

Any examination is a contained and isolating space, the examinee on their own, having to rely on themselves to navigate their way and manage their time. The unseen poetry section is often considered the place containing the highest degree of challenge because of the unfamiliarity of the poem(s) presented. And… Read More