My science teacher is telling tales
November 20, 2023
In this post, Jane Morris, from the University of Cumbria considers the potential contribution of a storytelling approach to science teaching. Doris Stickley’s thoughtful book “Water Bugs and Dragonflies” tells the story of a small colony of water bugs living happily below the surface of a quiet pond. Every so often one of them climbs up …
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 …
Harnessing the power of story to promote mathematical learning
December 16, 2021
In this blog post, which was originally published on the 27th Nov, 2020 on ‘Ponderings on maths education’, Catherine Gripton and Helen J Williams explore how to harness the power of story to support mathematical learning. How might picture and story books enhance the mathematical experience we offer young children? All children are entitled to …
Learning to be a subject advocate
October 13, 2021
In this blog post Anna Baker and Rachael Trott, supported by Catherine Gripton, reflect upon their experiences on the ‘Primary School Direct with Mathematics’ programme, summarising what supports beginning teachers to become advocates for a subject alongside developing their practice in the full range of primary subjects. Learning to teach Teaching is complex and learning …
Spatial thinking: the missing piece in mathematics education?
July 1, 2021
In this blog post Catherine Gripton explores the potential of spatial thinking for supporting children’s success in mathematics, starting from the early years of primary school. Spatial thinking improves mathematics learning International rankings for education, such as TIMMS and PISA, compare countries by the performance of children and young people on mathematics tests. These are …
Children reading in lockdown
June 21, 2021
In 2020, the National Literacy’s Trust’s (NLT) research revealed how UK children’s reading practices (age 8-18) changed during the first lockdown (from March 2020). Prior to the lockdown, the Trust’s Annual Literacy Survey had sadly revealed a 15-year low in children’s enjoyment of reading. However, the 2020 survey showed that children read and enjoyed reading …
