The Historical Lens

There are so many potential topics to choose from when designing a history curriculum that it becomes intimidating for many heads of department. What do we do? How do we do it? What are we missing? What if we don’t cover x, y or z? The most important thing we can do, is take a

Curriculum self-assessment

Purpose The purpose of this blog is to allow for history departments to review their curriculum in a way that strengthens the experience of staff and students whilst also preparing staff for future subject reviews/Ofsted inspections. This is based on current research and the current framework and will enable those who reflect upon it/complete it

Responding to Ofqual as a history department

“Now, it has to be said that all of this is subject to consultation and review but if you gauge the general reaction to this news I feel like the history changes will probably go ahead which begs the question – what module do we drop?”

The art of questioning

Questioning is probably also the tool in our pedagogical belt, that stands out the most to spectators from the profession.

Top 10 Tips for leading a successful department

Be on it. You need to know the strengths and weaknesses of your department like the back of your hand.

Enjoy the silence – An argument for silent corridors

However, within a month it was clear that it improved learning and safety within the school to the extent that the student parliament said in their half-termly feedback, that they approved, as did I.

10 Tips to build positive classroom relationships

At the centre if every good classroom is a teacher who is skilled at building relationships with the children they teach. It isn’t just important it is absolutely essential. If you can’t build relationships with students, and there are different ways of doing this, they will simply not perform as well for you. Strong relationships

Whole school behaviour policy

If every school in the country had excellent behaviour then how much better would the jobs of thousands of teachers be? We got into the profession to teach, not referee! Some places I have been in it feels like you spend 90% of time challenging behaviour and only 10% actually teaching (probably about the equivalent

Data 2.0 – Using it for CPD

” As a head of department, it’s the kind of information I need to see in order to see where there are gaps in my curriculum and teaching.”

Data – Asking the right questions

“I think that when used correctly, data can be one of the most important and useful sources for improving departments and classroom teaching as long as we ask the right questions.”