Welcome to our sample subject page. To whet your appetite, and give you an idea of what we do, this page includes articles and information from several different subjects. Imagine how useful it would be if this page was dedicated entirely to your subject – subscribe here and it will be!
What’s Hot
Ofsted’s Deep Dives: maths
ADDED APRIL 2021
We explore Ofsted’s subject deep dive and include sample questions for subject leaders.
Remote learning: science
ADDED JAN 2021
We explore possible options for remote science learning where bubbles and individuals are self-isolating.
Diversity and decolonisation in the English curriculum
UPDATED OCT 2020
While calls for a more diverse curriculum are not new, events this year have brought the issue back sharply into focus. We explore ways to make a meaningful, lasting change to our English curricula, embedding diversity across the curriculum.
Return to school: keeping geography alive
ADDED AUG 2020
With a new academic year on the horizon, we explore keeping geography firmly on the timetable and adapting the curriculum and geographical experiences to embrace the ‘new normal’.
Language Trends 2020
ADDED JULY 2020
We summarise the findings and recommendations from the Language Trends 2020 report, and highlight what they mean for primary language teaching.
In the news
DFE: Teaching Music in Schools Guidance
The DfE has published a model music curriculum for Key Stages 1&2. Subject Leaders will publish a summary of the guidance in due course.
Arts Council England: Creativity Exchange
Arts Council England has launched Creativity Exchange – a “new online community to encourage teaching for creativity across the curriculum.” It facilitates the sharing of ideas, articles and resources. You can sign up here.
Book prize short and longlists
Shortlists for the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway book prizes have been published as have the longlist for the Jhalak Prize.
Sheffield Hallam University: research on physical activity, mood, confidence and schoolwork
Research from Sheffield Hallam University suggests “Physically active children report improvements in their schoolwork, behaviour and mental health.”
Education Endowment Fund: Improving Literacy in KS1 update
The Education Endowment Fund has updated its Improving Literacy in Key Stage 1 guidance to “take account of the latest research – including a number of relevant EEF-funded evaluations of high-potential programmes – and also to offer teacher-led exemplifications of how its eight recommendations can be put into practice”.
In the Diary
April
2nd April is International Children’s Book Day
5th–12th April is International Dark Sky Week
7th April is World Health Day
9th April is Mary Jackson’s birthday (1921-2005)
15th April is World Art Day
15th April is Benjamin Zephaniah’s birthday (1958-present)
18th April is International Day for Monuments and Sites
23rd April is Spanish Language Day
23rd April is International Girls in ICT Day
30th April 1963 marks the start of the Bristol Bus Boycott
27th April is Darcy Bussell’s birthday (1969-present)
28th April is Walter Daniel John Tull’s birthday (1888-1918)
30th April is International Jazz Day
May
May is National Share a Story Month
3-9th May is Sun Awareness Week
5th May is World Portuguese Language Day
7th May is Michael Rosen’s birthday (1946-present)
7th May is Johannes Brahms birthday (1833-1897)
10th-16th May is Mental Health Awareness Week
17th-21st May is Walk to School Week
18th May is Margot Fonteyn’s birthday (1919-1991)
20th May is World Metrology Day
20th May is World Bee Day
21st May is Henri Rousseau’s birthday (1844-1910)
21st May is World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
21st May is Mary Anning’s birthday (1799-1847)
June
June is Gypsy Roma and Traveller History Month
4th-16th June is National Bike Week
7th June is Damien Hirst’s birthday (1965-present)
8th June is World Oceans Day
12th June is Anne Frank’s birthday (1929-1945)
14th-20th June is Refugee Week (including World Refugee Day on the 20th)
14th-20th June is Nutrition and Hydration Week
17th June is Venus Williams’ birthday (1980-present)
21st June is Fête de la Musique
21st June is World Music Day/Make Music Day
23rd June is Alan Turing’s birthday (1912-1954)
23rd June is International Women in Engineering Day
Funding and Competitions
Farmvention (when farming meets invention) STEM competition is open for entries from children aged 5 – 14. This year’s challenge focuses on the “problems that climate change creates for British farmers and how they are fighting it to become Climate Superheroes”. Winners receive £1000 for STEM or Outdoor Learning equipment for their school. Entries close on 31st May 2021.
The 2021 Raspberry Pi Competition is “challenging 8- to 18-year-olds to design technology to help create a positive future for everyone as we come out of an unprecedented period of uncertainty.” First round entries close at midnight on Friday 30 April 2021.
Funding is available from the Nineveh Trust to promote understanding of the countryside and the environment. Previous grants have been awarded to schools for the development of outdoor classrooms and gardens.
The BlueSpark Foundation offers grants of up to £5000 for projects that support the education and development of children and young people. One of its categories is promoting creativity. Guidance on how to apply can be found here.
The Institute of Mathematics education grant scheme welcomes applications from primary schools, but explains that ‘the activities described should involve collaboration with a secondary school, FE college or HEI.’ Applications close on 30th November 2021.
CPD
AccessArt runs a number of distance learning courses. They cost between £15 and £25, and can be started at any time.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and TES has a remote learning free course on sustainability, aimed at primary teachers.
The London Connected Learning Centre is running a range of remote CPD courses for primary computing teachers.
Schools History runs online CPD for Key Stage 2 History.
PowerLanguages run online teacher language training courses for French and Spanish. These are aimed at teachers with little or no language skills.
Creative Education runs Outstanding Learning in the Primary D&T Curriculum on various dates across the academic year. The course runs from 10:00-16:00, with tickets costing £269+VAT
The CLPE has developed a series of webinars to support literacy in the classroom. Find out about upcoming events here.
