curriculum change

New GCSE 2016 AQA Textbooks

Well – they’ve arrived! Collins Education proudly announce the arrival of new GCSE textbooks to support the 2016 AQA specifications.  OK – this might seem a little more gushing than the usual offerings in this column but you’ll have to forgive, albeit momentarily, a modicum of… Read More

Distant Places Matter a Lot

How do children form their ideas about other peoples and countries?  The answer is that they usually draw on a number of different sources. Parents, peers and the mass media will undoubtedly be important influences.  Pictures, videos and stories will feed their imagination.  Many are stimulated by their interest and… Read More

Science education and the importance of thinking long-term

Ed Walsh considers what the outcome of the general election will mean for science education and the importance of thinking long-term. Read More

10 ways to increase enthusiasm for reading in your classroom

Enthusiasm: Make sure everyone understands that reading enthusiasm – regularly choosing to read even when there’s no adult around – correlates strongly with academic success, even in maths (PISA; IoE et al). Enjoyment of reading improves children’s life-chances! Self-identification: Focus all colleagues on the job of generating enthusiasm for reading:… Read More

Ed Walsh: A-level Science Reform

Ed Walsh looks at a few key changes in the new A-level science curriculum. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments box or @freedomtoteach. Read More

Ed Walsh: Form and function of testing at KS3

In his October blog, Ed Walsh looks at the different approaches to testing for measuring progress at Key Stage 3. Read More

Ed Walsh on Science

Ed looks at the benefit of building positive experiences from the outset - food for thought for the new programmes of study for science. Read More

Ed Walsh: Taking a closer look at the 2014 GCSE Science results

Ed Walsh looks at the effect of the recent policy changes on the 2014 GCSE results for Science. Read More

New subject criteria for KS4 Science

Ed Walsh gives an initial overview of the new GCSE Science subject criteria. What are your opinions on the changes? Let us know on Twitter @freedomtoteach! Read More

Tackling transition

One of the more disturbing statistics to emerge from the recently published Language Trends survey was the fact that only 46% of the primary schools surveyed had had any contact with the language specialists in their local secondary schools and only 11% of the secondary schools in… Read More