Rupert Knight
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Counting Collections: the importance of manipulating objects in early number learning
February 20, 2023
In this blog post Catherine Gripton explores the importance of ‘hands on’ experiences for early number learning and ‘Counting Collections’ as a systematic approach to provide them. Learning to count is complex, requiring regular practice over time Learning to count to 20 takes children approximately four years (primarily between the ages of 2 and 6). …
Practice makes perfect
January 9, 2023
In a guest post this month, Jane Morris from the University of Cumbria, reflects on the possible implications for teachers using some insights from cognitive research and neuroscience, linking them to past posts in this series. The ITT Core Content Framework defines two types of content that need to be delivered to comply with the …
Paving the path to happiness: supporting children’s mental health in the primary classroom
December 5, 2022
As teachers, we are all very aware of the rapidly increasing rate of mental health difficulties in children and adolescents within our schools. In this blog, Flo Nattrass, Mental Health Lead at Burbage Junior School in Leicestershire shares strategies for responding to this challenge. Flo also has an MSc in child and adolescent mental health. …
Playing with possibilities at the Nottingham Playhouse
October 25, 2022
On Thursday 11th October, Aisling Walters (Secondary English PGCE course lead at NTU) and Helen Victoria Smith (Primary PGCE Course Leader at UoN) joined some PGCE students and tutors to spend a fun-filled two hours at the Nottingham Playhouse. This marked the first in a series of enrichment events taking place across the city for …
Oracy in the classroom: making space for authentic voices
September 26, 2022
In this post, Rupert Knight reflects on recent visits to classrooms to observe practice in oracy (or the skilled use of spoken language) and considers how we can ensure that learning through talk involves authentic pupil voices. The importance of oracy In a previous blog in this series, I outlined some features of oracy, particularly …
Making History Count in the Primary Classroom: digging deeper into Ofsted’s primary history review.
July 22, 2022
Over the last year, Ofsted has published research reviews into a range of different subjects, designed to collate the most current and most helpful research. In the second of our University of Nottingham Primary Education Network meetings for 2022, Victoria Crooks led a session with a group of school leaders and tutors from the Primary …
Supporting learners with dyscalculia and maths difficulties in the primary classroom
June 22, 2022
In this blog, Natalie Kerslake from Windmill LEAD Academy in Nottingham explores how she first became interested in supporting children with dyscalculia and maths difficulties, before discussing how they can be supported in the primary classroom. I recently had the pleasure of visiting the University of Nottingham, to deliver sessions to the Primary PGCE and …
Have we dropped the ball? Promoting PE in the primary curriculum.
May 22, 2022
In this blog, Esther Fulton reflects on the place of PE in the primary curriculum and suggests how its status might be raised. PE expectations As the Teachers’ Standards state, teachers need to have a secure knowledge of curriculum areas and manage classes effectively both in classrooms and around the school. PE is one of …
The Power of an Immersive Curriculum
April 20, 2022
In this post, Thomas Dransfield, Class Teacher and Key Stage Leader at Bramcote Hills Primary School in Nottingham shares some examples of creating immersive environments across the curriculum. Our SPARK Curriculum In recent years, the curriculum has taken precedence amongst educational stakeholders, and rightly so, for it is the quality of a school’s curriculum which …
Under the Microscope: a closer look at Ofsted’s science research review
March 9, 2022
Over the last year, Ofsted has published research reviews into a range of different subjects, designed to collate the most current and most helpful research. In the first of our University of Nottingham Primary Education Network meetings for 2022, our colleague Jo Hancock led a session with a group of school leaders and tutors from …
