EdBlogs

Welcome to EdBlogs, where you'll find education insights, analysis and stories from the frontline. If you've got a story to tell, send it over to ed@edcentral.uk and if we think it's relevant to our network we'll publish it :-)

Four circles makes an essay

Theresa Sainsbury

Teacher tips Featured

A word after a word after a word is power, stated the famous author, Margaret Attwood. But that's easy for her to say when she makes a living out of writing. How does an ordinary teenager string a story together if words and writing aren't their thin...

The science of sleep and why it should be every new teacher's priority

EdCentral Team

Expert Insights Featured

We all know the stereotype of the coffee-guzzling, yawn-suppressing teacher – but that image has its roots in the very real stress that teacher's early starts and long hours can put on your body. So how can you look after yourself as you adjust ...

A guide to evidence based practice: what it is, key reads and why it matters

EdCentral Team

Expert Insights Research Matters

I recently joined and met with School and University Research Enquiry (SURE), a research group which has connected several schools in Glasgow with the University of Strathclyde to exchange knowledge and conduct new research. The aim is to promote a m...

Internal promotions into school leadership: how to lead those who used to be your colleagues

Jill Berry

Expert Insights Teacher tips Featured

Every professional who is new to leadership – or takes up a new leadership role – needs to consider how they develop relationships with those they lead. The same is true if you are promoted internally. There are many benefits and potential drawbacks ...

Five top tips to help headteachers and governors work effectively together

Kate Hodge

Expert Insights Teacher tips

School governance has changed in recent years. Gone are the days of light-touch oversight with a good dose of jolliness; governing boards are now expected to be more business-like rigorous, ensuring that the school fulfils their duty ...

How can school leaders look after their wellbeing?

Jill Berry

Expert Insights

When you have a leadership position within a school, at any level, there are two aspects of wellbeing that need your attention: your own, and that of those you lead. The two are related: if you do not safeguard your own wellbeing, you are less likely...

Could coaching your teaching teams do more harm than good? It depends on what kind of manager you are…

Dr Gary Jones

Expert Insights Research Matters

There is very little correlation between the time a manager spends coaching an employee and their performance, according to new research. In fact, it's been suggested that some very hands-on managers actually do more harm than good. These surpr...

Do academy chief executives need to be education experts?

Dr Gary Jones

Expert Insights Research Matters

Research shows that in a number of settings – such as hospitals and universities – there is a correlation between the 'expert knowledge' of the leader and organisational performance. In their 2015 paper, A Theory Exploring How Expert Leaders Influenc...

Joining a multi-academy trust: a governor’s view

Guest Teacher

Expert Insights

My school is an outstanding secondary located in London and was one of the first schools to convert to academy status – and we have recently joined a multi-academy trust (MAT). As a governing board, we were quite aware of what is happening nationally...

A beginner’s guide to Jo Boaler

EdCentral Team

Beginners' guides

Where does she work? Jo Boaler is currently a professor of mathematics education at Stanford University, and faculty director of YouCubed, a provider of new and innovative techniques and resources for the teaching of maths. She completed her PhD...

Teacher textbooks are failing trainees. They peddle debunked ideas rather than evidence-based learning strategies.

Patrick Watson

Research Matters

Common sense suggests, scientific research tells you, and Pisa proves it; what makes the biggest difference to student outcomes is the teacher in front of the class. That means if you really want to improve the school system, you need to focus on teacher training and professional development. Teachers need the core knowledge to plan, deve...

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A beginner’s guide to Doctor Gary Jones

EdCentral Team

Beginners' guides

Best known for: Jones is an advocate of evidence-based educational leadership and management. His blog, Evidence Based Educational Leadership, explores how educators can use research more in their practice, and the pedagogical implications in doing so. In 2016 he published an online handbook for teachers and school leaders on the best uses of evide...

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leadership Doctor Gary Jones evidence-based practice expert insights

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Sex and relationship education

Patrick Watson

Bite Size Policy

To kick off our new bite-size series covering education policy, we start with Sex and Relationship Education (SRE). This is a timely topic in light of a new bid to force the government to make personal, social and health education (PSHE) compulsory in schools. What is SRE? Sex and relationship education (SRE) is aimed at helping and supporting youn...

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policy education research CPD

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Being a teaching assistant has made me feel more alive than ever – and even more determined to become a teacher

Guest Teacher

Expert Insights Tales from the frontline

"Frankly, I question your sanity going into teaching," a former boss said, in response to my request for a reference for my part-time PGCE application. I can't say I blame him. On my first day as teaching assistant (TA) at a local primary school (a job I have taken to complement my PGCE and bring in a little cash) I encountered two news reports abo...

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expert insights