The Power of Positive Intervention: Discover Confidence and Motivation
Reading time: 2 minutesPositive intervention in schools is a powerful tool for enhancing...
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Learning
Alternative provisions – how to make them positive
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Alternative provisions are highly important within the education system. What should APs now look like and what should be implemented?
An alternative provision effectively provides students education who cannot make it into mainstream education for whatever reason. APs can be situated in a variety of locations and can also be online. According to statistics:
“It is estimated that there are at least 32,083 pupils educated across at least 761 alternative provision settings in England.”
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5 ways to improve poor attendance rates
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Recent attendance rates within schools have been very poor due to several factors. What can be done to improve levels and how can certain students be supported?
According to the recent Schools White Paper published in March that discussed attendance rates:
“children who had no absence during the two years of GCSE study were almost twice as likely to achieve five or more than those who missed 10-15% of lessons.”
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My End Point Assessment with EDLounge
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I started my Business Admin Level 3 apprenticeship with EDLounge in October 2020. After nearly 18 months of my apprenticeship, I can now say that I have completed my apprenticeship with a PASS grade!
When conducting my End Point Assessment, I have received enormous support from the tutors at EDLounge. I felt confident I would pass as my tutor has gone through every stage of my Gateway and EPA in great detail. They ensured I understood what will be asked from me and answered any questions or worries I had at the time. The staff at EDLounge always made it clear that I can always contact them if I was struggling with my apprenticeship.
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Big class sizes – can EdTech help?
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Recent increases in class sizes have contributed to complications for students’ academic progression. What can be done to help both students and teachers, and can EdTech assist?
A recent article by The Guardian highlighted 9 in 10 teachers said that “bigger classes were harming pupils’ progress”. According to a poll of more than 3,000 teachers by the NASUWT teachers’ union:
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My Junior Content Producer Apprenticeship with EDLounge
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I am doing a Level 3 Junior Content Producer apprenticeship with EDLounge and I am working with EDClass, their sister company that takes on apprentices. I have been here since 15th February 2022 so not very long, but it will take me 18 months to complete my apprenticeship.
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My Business Admin Apprenticeship with EDlounge
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I have recently completed my level 3 Business Admin apprenticeship with EDLounge. I started working for EDClass in October 2020 and I have been here for just over a year. On average it takes 12 to 18 months to complete this apprenticeship, and I am extremely happy with how it was conducted and I am over the moon that I now have a qualification in Business Admin!
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My Team Leader & Supervisor Apprenticeship with EDlounge
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My name is Amelia and I completed my Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor apprenticeship with EDLounge in January 2022. I started my apprenticeship in October 2020, therefore I was doing the apprenticeship for 16 months. I decided to start this apprenticeship as I wanted to upskill and become the manager of the School Account Managers team. It had been nearly 2 years since I completed my Business Administrator apprenticeship and I felt it was about time I started another.
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My Team Leader apprenticeship with EDLounge
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My name is Archie Dickens and I am currently on a Level 3 Team Leader and Supervisor apprenticeship with EDLounge. I started this apprenticeship with EDLounge on the 4th of May 2021. I have a maximum of 18 months to complete the apprenticeship and I am making good progress towards my end point assessment.
I first started working for EDClass in 2017 when I took the decision to drop out of the sixth form as I realised that it wasn’t for me. I was never the most academic person within the school and I thought that getting myself into the world of work would be the best route to take.
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New education white paper – will it be met?
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The recent release of the ‘Opportunity for all’ schools white paper has raised some queries and its benefits. Let’s discuss.
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My Software Tester Apprenticeship with EDLounge
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The apprenticeship is done through EDLounge and work is done through EDClass. I had officially started the apprenticeship on the 31st of January though I have been with EDClass for a short period before, as the company very kindly offered a trial to ensure this position was the right one for me. I am expected to complete the apprenticeship within the next two years.
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My Digital Marketing Apprenticeship with EDLounge
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I am doing a Level 3 Digital Marketing apprenticeship with EDLounge, working for EDClass. I started my apprenticeship on the 2nd November 2020 and have been doing it for around 16 months now.
On average it takes between 12-18 months to complete an apprenticeship so I am now coming towards the end, preparing to submit my EPA (end point assessment) which will be the final part of my apprenticeship.
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5 tips to reduce teacher workload
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Teacher workload has increased dramatically because of the pandemic. How can workloads be reduced and can EdTech play a helping hand?
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Exam topics 2022 released – How will they go?
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With the release of this summer’s exam topics swiftly upon us, are you and your students fully prepared for them? Here’s some advice for you and your students, who may be absent, and what to expect this summer.
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5 tips for students home learning
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Students home learning has increased due to the pandemic how can students make the most of a difficult situation? Here’s 5 tips.
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Why alternative provision can help SEND learners
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Students with special educational needs deserve an equal chance at education and alternative provision can be a viable option for them.
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Importance of Attendance for Education
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Attending school is crucial if students are to progress with their studies. Covid has hampered student’s education, but alternative provision can help.
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Why Online Education Can Help Mental Health
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Mental health issues may have increased in young people during the pandemic but online learning can help. How can online education benefit students’ lives?
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How can Online Learning be Beneficial?
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Schools in the UK have reopened and face-to-face teaching is returning to normal. Following lessons learnt from lockdown, online learning can now work effectively in a combination with mainstream education.
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5 ways alternative provision can help your pupils
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Alternative provision can provide multiple ways to support students, if they are struggling, and help them achieve their educational goals.
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Why safeguarding in summer holidays needs priority
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Safeguarding students during the summer holidays is crucial and online learning can effectively help when delivered properly.
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Why online learning can help parents home-educating
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Online learning has the potential to help parents with their children’s educational recovery following an increase in the number of students home-educating.
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Educational Games can provide great benefits
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Educational games have the potential to help a child develop their learning skills.
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Online Education and Summer Schools’ potential to retain lost knowledge for students
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Online education and the recent proposed summer schools have the potential to help retain lost knowledge.
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Ofsted reveals impact of school closures
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School closures severely impacted most children with their learning, Ofsted has revealed.
The report findings showed that some children have gone significantly back with their social skills, while others have lost their “stamina” for reading.
Schools were closed to most students in March. This blog post explains.
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Hardest hit pupils can now enrol for catch-up tuition
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The National Tutoring Programme for catch-up tuition begins in England next week.
The scheme is aimed at disadvantaged pupils that the Government says were hardest hit when schools closed.
“This is about levelling up those opportunities,” said Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson. How does it work? This blog post explains.
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What is your current attendance?
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What is your current attendance?
There has been a rise in the number of schools whose attendance rate has been affected by coronavirus.
The latest figures show pupils isolating in 46% of secondary schools and 16% of primary schools.
Overall attendance has worsened from 90% to 89%. What are your attendance figures? Let us know in the comments below.
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Coronavirus catch up premium – update
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This summer, the Government announced a catch-up premium fund to help students catch up.
According to the Department for Education: “Those from the most vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds will be among those hardest hit. The aggregate impact of lost time in education will be substantial, and the scale of the challenge.”
Updates involving the payment of this fund was confirmed this week. This blog post takes a look at these updates.
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Number of schools not fully open quadruples in a week
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The number of schools not fully open due to Covid-19 incidents has quadrupled in a week according to official figures.
The leader of the National Association of Head Teachers has said that the attendance figures should “ring alarm bells” for the Government.
Last week warnings were made that schools would “grind to a halt” unless testing improves. This blog post explains the latest.
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How can you continue to teach if a second lockdown hits?
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The Government has announced new rules to prevent the spread of coronavirus this week – and a second lockdown has not been ruled out.
The guidance for schools remain unchanged but schools should have a contingency plan in place if remote learning needs to be introduced.
This blog post talks you through the rule changes, the latest guidance and how your school should prepare for a second lockdown.
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Heads: schools will grind to halt unless covid testing improves
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Headteachers have warned that education will “grind to a halt” unless covid testing improves.
Thousands of school leaders have written to the Government warning of “partial rolling closures” of schools and disruption to pupils’ catch up studies because of serious staff shortages.
The delays in covid testing are “severely hampering” schools, according to a network of over 5,000 heads. This blog post takes a look at the crisis in schools.
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Catch-up sessions for holiday
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Parents can be fined for taking children on holiday during term time without the school’s permission because children miss valuable learning. For students who are absent, catch-up lessons for holiday learning time are vital to get them back on track.
The UK Government states:
You have to get permission from the headteacher if you want to take your child out of school during term time. And you can only do this if:
- You make an application to the headteacher in advance (as a parent the child normally lives with)
- There are exceptional circumstances
Being prepared for exams
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School exams are to return in 2021 – the Education Secretary in Scotland, John Swinney, has said.
There was significant changes to original grading in the results of 2020 GCSEs and A-Levels, after exams this summer had been cancelled.
Mr Swinney was speaking at the National Parent Forum of Scotland. This blog post is about being prepared for exams.
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One-to-one support to small classroom delivery
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One-to-one support to small classroom delivery to support your students who need to catch up the most.
The new school year is back underway, with a strong focus on student catch-up and teaching specific smaller groups (“bubbles”) in order maintain social distancing.
This presents an opportunity to teach young people a more learning tailored to their needs. This blog post explains how this can be done.
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Rural delivery to students
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Students in rural education deserve the same great opportunities as students in denser city centres and urban areas.
An article in The Atlantic calls a “divergence in fortunes” around higher education “coincided with another divergence – between growing cities and struggling rural regions.” This coincided with the rise of computers, which made certain people in the economy more productive and desirable than others. Whereas, prior to 1980, the supply of workers was a larger. In short, the rise of computers left a portion of the economy behind.
At EDClass we believe in education for all. This blog post takes a look at the support available to rural groups.
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Offering a Continuous Curriculum delivery
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The last thing that teachers want to see this year is another interrupted school year.
Having a continuous curriculum in place ensures that learning doesn’t stop in the event of a local lockdown or school closure.
This blog post is all you need to know about offering a continuous curriculum delivery.
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Safeguarding learners with mental health issues
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Today is Suicide Prevention Day – and this year more than most, mental health has taken centre stage.
Safeguarding learners during lockdown has been a challenge – and now schools have reopened experts are predicting a surge in cases, which some teachers are finding overwhelming.
This blog post explains the challenges faced and the solutions available to safeguard mental health students.
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Catch-up for low-level numeracy and literacy
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Catch-up learning is the order of the day – with students three months behind on learning, and some students have fallen up to 12 months behind where they should be.
Literacy and numeracy are essential skills for everyday life in adulthood – this means it is critical that these skills are taught as a matter of urgency.
But how can catch-up learning be supported in core subjects? This blog post explains.
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Having a positive alternative provision where students are learning
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A positive alternative provision provides students with meaningful learning activities with meaningful learning activities which improves self esteem, engagement and subsequently quality of life and their relationship with those around them.
A positive alternative provision backs EDClass’ ethos of education for all. By providing a one-to-one support with a person or through a system they like, they are more likely to engage in education, learn and develop.
This blog post takes a look at the benefits of having a positive alternative provision where students are learning.
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Knowing how far your students are behind
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Knowing how far your students are behind is essential – as you look to install the most appropriate catch up for students.
Unless catch-up lessons are effective, researchers predict a 3% loss in future annual earnings for pupils caught up in the pandemic.
This blog post explains how identify how far your students are behind and what to do about it.
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Catch up delivery and sessions for missed learning
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Catch up delivery is essential for your students, with teachers estimating that students are on average three months behind in their learning.
The findings by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) and the Nuffield Foundation has said that almost all teachers surveyed believe children are further behind where they expect them to be in their learning.
Teachers estimate that nearly half of all children (44%) will need intensive catch-up support, particularly children in the most deprive areas and from BAME backgrounds.
What should your plan be for catch up delivery? This blog post explains.
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Williamson determined 2021 exams will go ahead
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Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has said he is “deeply sorry” to school pupils who had grades downgraded as a result of this summer’s exam algorithm and has said he is “determined” exams will go ahead in 2021.
The Education Secretary was speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday – his first appearance in Parliament since the decision was made to award pupils with their predicted grades for this summer’s exams.
Find out what he had to say by reading the blog post below.
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Inclusive education: what can be done to make the system more inclusive
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Should GCSEs be changed to create a more inclusive education?
The flawed exam algorithm may have established a flaw in the goal of an inclusive education.
With pupils automatically disadvantaged based on where they are from, the system could be the strongest indicator yet that pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds have to work harder to achieve in the education system.
Experts have wade in on the debate about whether there need to be a revamp, including of the GCSE system, in order to make learning more inclusive.
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Personalised learning is focused study here to stay
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“Even I saw the massive value of active, inclusive and personalised learning,” says Hilary Moriarty a teacher who experienced e-learning for the first time in 2020.
Personalised learning has a multitude of benefits for students – not only has it come to the aid of students in both retention and learning, but if done effectively they will also appreciate what they have learnt.
Virtual classrooms have become a buzzword in coronavirus times. If done effectively, it can provide a personalised learning touch too. With schools returning in September, we take a look at the elements of virtual learning here to stay.
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How does the return to school affect families still shielding?
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Pupils in the UK should return to schools full-time in August (in Scotland) and September (in England) – even if they have been shielding.
Advice from the Government states that “unless their GP or specialist healthcare provider advises otherwise, any children and young people who live with someone who has been shielding can also return to school.”
But what does this mean for families who are still shielding? This blog post explains.
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Why are functional skills important?
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Functional skills are important because they provide the skills, knowledge and understanding for young people and adults to progress in work, education and life.
It relates to transferring to learner’s ability to solve problems to real-life contexts. Functional skills are the fundamental English, Maths and ICT skills to aid their working and personal lives. People can study for these qualifications in practical ways.
This blog post explains what functional skills are and why they are important.
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Students in inclusion units: are you getting the most out of them?
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Are you getting the most out of students in inclusion units?
According to the Department for Education, over half of secondary schools use internal inclusion units.
An inclusion unit is a specific resource which ensures parity of opportunity for all by allowing teachers to teach, students to learn, and those learning with additional needs to be supported. According to the Welsh Government it should not be used as a sin bin, dumping ground or holding cell.
Inclusion units provide schools with an opportunity to address pupils’ individual needs. But are they effective in doing so? This blog post explains.
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School catch up: changes to literature and history curriculum
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A school catch up plan is in operation within many schools in the UK. Scotland have announced plans to get all pupils back to school over the next two weeks. In England, pupils will return full-time from September.
But the need to get children caught up on many essentials means changes to the curriculum in others.
Exam body, Ofqual, said they had “significant concern” about school’s abilities to cover all the subjects that form the basis of exam questions.
What could this mean for how education looks in 2020-21? This blog post explains.
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Schools to reopen in Scotland
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Nicola Sturgeon is expected to confirm today schools to reopen from August in Scotland.
UK schools closed to almost all pupils on 20 March. In England, schools have reopened for key year groups with a full return intended for September.
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Why is primary education important?
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Primary education fulfils the needs students due the first few years of school life.
It aims to ensure the development of children – in order to develop their social, cognitive, cultural, emotional and physical skills to the best of their abilities.
Primary education overall improves children’s awareness, opens opportunities and reduces inter-generational poverty. Ultimately access to higher standards of education has more of an impact on academic progress than other factors, including social/economic family background and gender.
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How adult learning helps students achieve their potential
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Adult learning refers to education, courses and training that is designed for adults. It can also be defined as the provision of instructed learning events for adults who usually act or who have acted in working life.
Adult education may be arranged with specific individuals in mind. Alternatively, it may be sourced by the adult directly.
This blog post explains the benefits of adult learning and how it can help students achieve their potential.
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Every pupil to benefit from Government school funding
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Every pupil can benefit from Government school funding – with schools set to receive a £4.8 billion boost in 2021 compared with 2019.
The school funding settlement is worth a total of £14.4 billion over three years – the biggest increase in a decade.
How will the funding work and how does it link to catch up premium? This blog post explains.
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What is visual learning? All you need to know
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Visual learning is one of three different types of learning styles. The visual learning style means that people need to see information to learn it. This can take the form of spatial awareness, photographic memory, colour/tone, brightness/contrast, and other visual information.
In a classroom environment these could take the form of overheads, the chalkboard, pictures, graphs, maps, and many other visual items to entice visual learners into knowledge.
But what are the strengths of visual learning and how should teaching styles adapt to this. Our latest blog post explains.
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Alternative provision while excluded: all you need to know
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Alternative provision while excluded is education and support which should be provided to children who are not able to attend school.
According to the Government: “Alternative provision is too often seen as a forgotten part of the education system, sidelined and stigmatised as somewhere only the very worst behaved pupils go. All pupils deserve high quality education, and while this is often the case, too many pupils are failed by the system and they are not receiving the education that they deserve.“
It is a legal requirement that alternative provision must be arranged for an excluded child from the sixth day of their exclusion from mainstream education (sixth day provision). But not every child in alternative provision has been excluded. This blog post is all you need to know about alternative provision while excluded.
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Transition to Year 7: Don’t let pupils fall behind
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The catch up process for students who have been missing from education is now underway – and focus must turn to pupils on the transition from Year 6 to Year 7.
The Telegraph has reported that “children in Year 7 might need to be retaught parts of the English and maths syllabus from their final year at primary school“.
Your tutoring is at the heart of producing a catch up programme which enables KS3 pupils reach their potential. But when should it start and what can be done to help? This blog post explains.
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What are the risks of permanent exclusion?
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The risks of permanent exclusion are far-reaching, as removing a student from the school-setting can have huge ramifications on the school.
But sometimes, the risk to the school and other pupils can far outweigh those risks.
But what is the process of permanent exclusion and what can be done to reduce the risks? This blog post explains.
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The creative shift towards online e-learning
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“A huge population is shifting towards a creative and innovative mode of education or learning: known as online e-learning” reports BM Magazine. “Gone are the days when the only mode of education for a student was to attend the physical classes and institutions.”
Electronic learning refers to the concept of attending classes and/or gaining knowledge over the internet. Software available enhances and complements the idea of the classroom via online means.
Irrespective of time zone or location via e-learning you still have access to your class.
But how does online e-learning benefit classes and why does a blended learning strategy improve both the pupil and the school? This blog post explains.
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How to reduce persistent absence – a quick guide
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Reducing persistent absence is an objective for almost all attendance officers.
Maintained schools must meet for 380 sessions or 190 days during any school year – and if schools are prevented from reaching this target they must find a way of holding extra sessions.
But what are the requirements for meeting attendance and what can be done to reduce persistent absence? This blog post explains.
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What is the definition of inclusive learning?
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The goal of most teachers is to create an inclusive learning in their classrooms that encourage active participation.
But inclusive learning extends far wider than just the classroom.
Inclusive learning provides a welcoming learning environment for all students regardless of their needs. How can you create an environment which adapts to specific needs? This blog post explains.
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Improving attendance: 5 top tips
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By improving attendance you can directly influence improved academic outcomes. Regular class attendance means students are provided with live teaching to both a whole classroom and can also receive tailored feedback.
The Ofsted framework judges schools in four areas: 1) Quality of education 2) Behaviour and attitudes 3) Personal development and 4) Leadership and management. Attendance is included in the Behaviour and attitudes judgement – so it is essential for schools to keep attendance high.
This blog post will explain how attendance is judged by Ofsted and 5 top tips for how attendance can be improved.
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Common barriers to learning and how to eradicate them
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A student’s ability and performance in education isn’t a simple issue of motivation. Barriers to learning are the barriers which stop students from achieving their goals.
Barriers to learning can be common or may be a one-off associated to individual students.
This blog post takes a look at common barriers to learning and how to overcome barriers to learning.
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Why distance learning is here to stay
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The culturally ingrained education models has been hugely disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic – with a huge shift made to distance learning.
Though at present, many university students are unhappy with the speed and quality of the changes, many experts believe that distance learning is here to stay.
But how is it likely to look and what will it mean for students, teachers and parents? This blog post explains.
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School catch up: everything you need to know
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Schools in England began a phased return to opening at the start of June, with reduced class sizes and social distancing in place.
Since the start of lockdown, schools had remained open to vulnerable children and children of key workers. The rest were asked to learn from home, often without access to a computer, with “no expectations on learning” and it has meant children have fallen 12 months behind.
Here you will find all you need to know about education catch up, the funds available and requirements on learning.
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5 benefits of eyes-on learning
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Eyes-on learning means you can gain the experience of classroom learning combined with the benefits of online learning – as well as being in a fully safeguarded environment.
Students can access a range of facilities once they have logged in to our online virtual portal and seats.
Eyes-on learning combines live teaching and support for your learning. A live stream ensures safeguarding and the learners can ask for assistance anytime.
But what are the five benefits of eyes-on learning?
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GCSEs: Students can sit exams if they don’t like results
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Students can sit exams this autumn, should they disagree with predicted GCSEs in 2020.
Schools will determine an expected grade for pupils using a number of metrics.
If students feel they can do better than the result prescribed, they will though have an option to sit an exam. But how will this work in practice? This blog post explains.
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Why virtual classrooms benefit schools and providers long-term
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Virtual classrooms are the new normal in higher education.
Many degrees are now being offered as fully online or via blended learning. In secondary schools blended learning looks set to be used into next year in parts of the UK.
Given the seemingly unstoppable growth of the virtual classroom, we take a look at the long-term benefit for both the school and students.
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Target cohorts with tailored learning
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The plan to get children caught up quickly following school closures this Spring is now underway – and tailored learning should be at it’s heart.
The Government announced a £1 billion fund in June to catch up pupils who could have fallen up to 12 months behind.
By producing a tailored learning platform you can improve engagement and results for your students. Apply this across a cohort and you achieve results for all. But what is tailored learning and how can it improve outcomes for students?
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Make sure your students are re-engaged
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Students have not been engaging with education during lockdown, so schools have a responsibility to make sure students are re-engaged.
The NFER found that a third of pupils are currently engaged with education. 90% of teachers have said that their pupils are doing less than they would normally produce.
The reasons for the lack of engagement are varied. However, schools have a responsibility to provide an education which is engaging for their pupils whether they are inside school or learning from home. This blog post can help.
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Manage your 2021 GCSEs
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Schools are returning full-time in September – and your priority should be those students with their GCSEs coming up who are now behind on their learning.
The return to secondary school has been led by Year 10 students, with pressure on them to get caught up quickly.
How should you go about getting students caught up and preparing them for their GCSEs?
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What are the four ways of learning?
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It can be a challenge for teachers to quickly identify the ways of learning in which their pupils work best.
Teachers often compare how best to educate their pupils. But there are four ways of learning which each child will fall under.
The four types of learning are visual, auditory, kinetic and logical.
What do these mean and how can it impact how you teach your learners? This blog post explains.
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Government announces pupil catch up plans
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The Government has issued a £1 billion fund in order to help children in England catch up on lost education.
Two funds have been announced: one for disadvantaged pupils and one for all pupil groups.
Estimations are that pupils have been left 12 months behind following the coronavirus pandemic. So the catch up plans have been welcomed, but what do they mean for students?
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Your present Year 10s are your number one priority
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Secondary schools in England are now open and the focus has turned to present Year 10s.
Exams may not be taking place this year, but next year’s Year 11 cohort may not be so fortunate. Therefore pressure is on Year 10s to get caught up quickly.
This blog post takes a look at the effects of the educational gap on GCSE students and what can be done to help students catch up.
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Report: Most pupils are not returning schoolwork
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Only 42% of pupils returned their last piece of schoolwork, according to the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER).
Most teachers have said that pupils are doing less work than they expect. One in five children have completed no schoolwork during lockdown.
Why should schools be concerned? This blog post investigates.
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Blended learning could become the new normal
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Blended learning is set to become the new normal for education in the UK, according to the leader of teachers’ union.
It is expected that pupils will have to take it in turn using classrooms. In schools, pupils will have to be situated two metres apart. Those outside school will all be expected to participated in remote learning.
But what would blended learning entail and could it become a permanent fixture in education?
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The EDLounge team is here to help with school reopening
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Today was school reopening day as some pupils in ‘critical year groups‘ returned to the classroom.
‘Early years students’ were deemed most critical and resume education from today. Some secondary school pupils will also return to the classroom during June as the threat of coronavirus declines.
EDLounge also chose today to return staff to their headquarters following a time working from home. This means we are well equipped to help you with your transition back to school life.
Here is an update from a busy day in education.
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How should the Government be supporting SEND students?
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There are concerns about the impact that the coronavirus pandemic is having on children with SEND (Special Educational Needs).
Currently schools remain open for children deemed as ‘vulnerable’. However many schools had temporarily closed because they were unable to support children in need.
A particular concern is the support for students with dyslexia and dyspraxia. A BBC report in 2019 found that 80% of students with dyslexia were already being missed by schools, therefore will the support available further penalise these students who still not expected to attend?
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Ofsted declares “no expectation on learning”
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Ofsted has told a panel of MP’s that there is “no expectation on learning” during the coronavirus pandemic.
In the latest Education Select Committee dialog, Amanda Spielman echoed comments made by the Education Minister last week that safeguarding vulnerable children was priority.
She also said she was concerned for the future of children “without motivations”.
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20 unbelievable science facts that will shock you
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Science is in the news every single day. From NHS stories, to issues with fracking, climate change, discoveries, nature and the solar system it is something which is unavoidable.
Science has benefits from helping us improve of way of life, our quality of life and helping others. It’s importance means it is compulsory from primary schools up to GCSE. To become a doctor it takes up to 14 years of training to become specialised.
In this unprecedented times, science is never out of the spotlight. And whether it’s chemistry, biology or physics you’re interested in – these unbelievable science facts will blow your mind.
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Education Minister: Vulnerable children are ‘priority’
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The Education Minister has hit back at claims more can be done to ensure vulnerable children receive an education.
It is widely reported in the media that only a minority of vulnerable children expected to still attend school during lockdown have been doing so. Further concern has been raised that children required to do home-learning may have vulnerabilities which have not been considered.
At a Government briefing on Sunday, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson showed appreciation to staff who had kept schools and nurseries open over the Easter holidays to protect vulnerable children. He also pledged laptops and tablets, as well as additional funding to charities, to help ensure children can receive an online education as well as have greater safeguarding means in their own homes.
On Wednesday, the Education Minister was called to explain decisions and guidance to other MPs via an online Education Select Committee Meeting. Here is what Vicky Ford, had to say.
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What the Government is doing to help disadvantaged students during lockdown
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Disadvantaged students are being offered free laptops and tablets to help with their studies.
This was one of the announcements by Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson in his speech at 10 Downing Street on Sunday.
Schools have been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Children of key workers and vulnerable students are still required to attend. But should this move have come sooner? And what will it mean for disadvantaged pupils?
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Ensure your coronavirus provisions are meeting the law
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The Education (School Day and School Year)(England) Regulations 1999 place a duty on schools to provide a minimum of 380 sessions (or 190 full days) ‘at a school’.
In these exceptional times, the Education Act 1996 is pertinent: local authorities have a duty to provide suitable education.
This section relates to ‘exceptional provision of education’. This usually relates to pupil illness or exclusion, but as schools close and most students work from home, it has a particular meaning in these coronavirus times.
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Williamson: milestones promise schools will return to normal
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Today is primary school offer day – a key indication that schools plan on soon returning to normal.
Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, said the offer day is going ahead “because it is important to mark ‘milestones amid the Covid-19 outbreak.”
Earlier this week, EDLounge reported that Williamson would prefer lifting of lockdown restrictions sooner rather than later. But what do his comments today mean for education resuming?
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Opinion: coronavirus could make vulnerable pupils worse off
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The coronavirus crisis could have damaging implications on the most vulnerable pupils in society, according to insight.
One London teacher explained “many of our students now bear extra responsibilities, from taking care of younger siblings to helping maintain the household and are less focused on their education. Their learning suffers from he added pressure, none of which is under their control”.
But concerns for vulnerable pupils could be far wider. Early indications suggest certain pupils are feeling ‘alone’ and intimidated by family members. Here is what we now how the coronavirus crisis is affecting some of the UK’s most at risk pupils.
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World Health Day: Stay on top of KS3 and GCSE Science
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7 April is World Health Day. The day celebrates the work of nurses, midwives, world leaders are more in their endeavours. Perhaps it is a timely day given the circumstances we are currently faced with.
How health can be positively and adversely affected by our actions. Many of these are explained to us throughout KS3 science and biology lessons.
But what is World Health Day and how can KS3 and KS4 science help us understand our health?
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Live classroom: don’t get caught out again
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Some pupils may think they have it by not going into school and instead being dependent on online education. But complacency must be avoided – and that’s where the live classroom comes in.
The benefit of the live classroom means that students can receive bespoke lessons to enable them to achieve their goals. Live classrooms ensure you don’t get caught out again.
What are the benefits of live classroom and how can they help to ensure pupils remain on target with their education?
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The debate: when will schools reopen?
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When will schools reopen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Schools have now been closed for two full weeks. However there hasn’t been a Government-led approach to education in the interim, with schools largely being left to their own devices to allocate teaching methods.
It has led to some parents struggling to fill the day for their child while others have trouble balancing their own homeworking.
In stems the questions, how long will this period last for and what can be done to help?
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World Storytelling Day: how to embrace reading during school closures
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Today (20 March) is World Storytelling Day celebrated around the world. With school closures coming into effect on Friday, children can embrace reading to prevent feeling bored over the period.
www.workingmums.co.uk have said: “Planning activities for kids at home is a way to break up the day. It might include time for some chores, a daily walk, reading time and board games.”
But how should you go about embracing reading?
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UK schools to close on Friday
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The Government has announced plans for UK schools to close on Friday. However, some will stay open to protect the most vulnerable pupils.
The move reverses a decision made on 12 March to keep schools open which had attracted some criticism. Scotland and Wales made the decision to close earlier on Wednesday, with England following suit later in the day.
But prompt the decision for UK schools to close, and what does it mean for summer exams?
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Learning and revising using a virtual classroom
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Nearly 300 million children are currently missing classes as a result of Covid-19 coronavirus. As of last week, 22 countries on three continents have closed schools, which has triggered the United Nations to warn, “the global scale and speed of the current educational disruption is unparalleled.”
The epidemic has shaken industries around the world. Schools thrown into home-school has hit industries the hardest that rely on students in schools and parents in work.
Virtual classrooms can help to ease the social unrest that is likely to be caused by the crisis. But what are these problems and what is the solution? Here is all you need to know about how other countries have approached learning and revising as a result of coronavirus – and the use of a virtual classroom.
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Continue your learning while at home
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Learning at home may become the new norm as the coronavirus closes schools around the world.
290 million pupils are facing weeks at home. Widespread closures are already in place in Italy, China and Japan – and the UK could soon follow suit.
Further, hundreds of schools were closed last November due to flooding. A large number of homes were flooded as a result of heavy downpour last month too. But what should your school do with students’ education in these circumstances and how practical is online learning?
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World Book Day: Prepare for GCSE English exams on EDLounge
Reading time: 4 minutes
Today (5 March) is World Book Day with many schools dressing children in fancy dress to celebrate the occasion.
Literacy critics have warned that in primary schools and some secondary schools, the day has become less about reading and more about dressing up.
800 libraries have closed down since 2010, so is it time we changed the focus back to reading? And what books are studied by students up to GCSE?
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Coronavirus: what the Government’s update means for schools
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The government has updated its advice on schools for when the coronavirus hits the UK more significantly.
Last week we informed you that a number of UK schools had closed on a precautionary measure after coronavirus cases were identified locally. We also reported that schools are seen as a social hub of the community, and can therefore be prime location for the epidemic to spread.
Today, the UK government – along with the parliaments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – have announced a coronavirus action plan, to detail how the country will deal with the virus.
But what does the plan entail and how will it affect schools?
Safeguarding: how to ensure your child is safeguarded at home
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According to the government’s ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children‘ white paper: nothing is more important than children’s welfare.
The system is designed to respond to the needs and interests of children and families, and how they work needs to run in partnership with other interested parties.
Schools play an essential role in protecting children from abuse, and with regular contact with young people they are in a strong position to identify signs of abuse and neglect. But with events such as severe flood and coronavirus affecting the country, increasingly schools are turning to home learning to ensure children still receive an education.
But how can the school ensure pupils are still safeguarded whilst off-site?
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Coronavirus in schools: everything you need to know
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The coronavirus is dominating news headlines around the world. In China alone more than 2,600 people have died, more than 30 countries have reported cases and cities in northern Italy are now in lockdown, as the crisis hit Europe this week.
As a result, Britain is finalising contingency plans. As well as warning Britons against travelling to certain places, ministers have also announced plans to test 600 people per week.
But should the education sector be preparing and adapting? What has happened already in UK schools and around the world?
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When is the best time to revise?
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To revise is a crucial skill in preparing for exams. As end of year exams edge clearly, revision will form a crucial part of your strategy of best performing for an exam.
But when is the best time to revise? Is it during the day? Is it during the night?
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Children’s commissioner speaks of concern over school isolation use
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The children’s commissioner, Anne Longfield OBE, has issued concern over the use of school isolation booths, according to the Guardian.
Ms Longfield described “horror stories” as she visited isolation units in schools throughout the UK.
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Competition: win a free arcade machine when you order EDArcade
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EDArcade is exhibiting at the BETT Show on 22-25 January.
Ahead of the show we can reveal a new competition: we are giving one lucky winner the chance to win a free arcade machine when they order EDArcade before or during the show.
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Empowering staff to introduce new teaching methods
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Innovation in the classroom should begin with teachers, yet are they truly empowered to take control and introduce new methods and techniques into their teaching?
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5 simple strategies…for using technology as an aid to learning
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Schools, just like every other sector of society, are using more technology than ever before.
In 2015, official government statistics found that schools in the UK spend more than £900m on educational technology each year.
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How trying and failing can teach students to overcome problems
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Over time there have been more than few vocal commentators who relish an opportunity to criticise the ways in which students are seemingly wrapped in cotton wool. In some environments, children are not taught about failing and every attempt to achieve is considered a success.
Yet amongst all the hyperbole and media bias, there’s an important question at the centre of it all – do they have a point? And more importantly, should we allow our children to try and fail?
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A brief guide to different learning styles
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The average classroom is home to wonderfully diverse students – each with their own personality, abilities, strengths and weaknesses. Students have a variety of learning styles that influence how effectively they can understand and analyse the topic at hand.
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Using social media as an aid to learning
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Modern students spend a lot of time online. In particular, they spend a lot of time on social media. For some teachers, this can be frustrating, hindering their attempts to persuade pupils to engage with homework and content beyond the classroom.
Here are a few ideas you could use to get social media working for you and your class.
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What can Primary Schools do to cope with a lack of MFL Teachers?
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The BBC recently stated that teacher shortages in the UK were getting worse. If this is the case, how can primary schools cope with this?
More specifically, how can primary schools cope with the lack of MFL teachers?
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Exam results – are they an accurate measure of achievement?
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The subject of whether or not exam results are an accurate measure of achievement is one that has found itself in the headlines quite frequently over the past couple of years.
There are many voices on either side of the debate – all seemingly promoting logical yet diametrically opposing views. So, do exam results matter and are they an indicator of ability?
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How can you help prepare students for university life?
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For many students, university life can be an experience that is both exciting and terrifying, as many young people find themselves completely unprepared for this new step in their education, both in terms of the learning style and the way of life.
Often, going to university is the first time that students have lived away from home, and the lack of parental oversight can be both liberating and a shock to the system.
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Should Mandarin become the default modern foreign language?
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Mandarin is already taught at a number of schools as an optional modern foreign language. Over 13% of state-funded schools and 46% of independent schools offer Mandarin as an MFL option for their pupils (Language Trends Survey).
In primary schools, Mandarin is often taught as an extra-curricular activity (such as an after school or lunchtime club), in secondary schools and colleges it is taught to GCSE/GCE level.
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How diet can affect learning and memory
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You have more than likely heard that there is a correlation between the diet of a child (and even an adult) and their ability to learn as well as retain information. In fact, it is this very correlation, along with the rise in childhood obesity, that led to many school lunches being completely revamped and made that much healthier for children.
Since then, there have been many positive effects observed – such as better concentration and improved learning abilities. But how can diet affect learning and memory, and which foods are best to eat?
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Will handwriting ever become obsolete?
Reading time: 2 minutes
You may have heard the news. Apparently handwriting is soon to become obsolete.
However, for those of us who are dedicated to the idea of writing being indispensable, comfort can be taken in the fact that the death of writing (and reading) was discussed as early as 1987 and then promptly rejected by commentators.
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How to engage a kinaesthetic learner
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If you have a kinaesthetic learner in your class, gaining a solid understanding of their learning styles can be the difference between a motivated, engaged child, and a completely disinterested pupil. The latter can leave you with nothing short of a battle of wills between them and you – which isn’t helpful for anyone.
By crafting your lesson plans to allow your students to play to their learning strengths, you can establish a productive learning environment within which they can flourish.
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Independent learning – encourage your students to be less reliant on directed learning
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Independent learning is more than just a teaching buzz term. It is an approach to teaching that can set a pupil up with critical life skills – preparing them for the world of higher education or work.
However, there is still some confusion about this topic, with various sources of information overcomplicating different approaches to independent learning.
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How music can help with learning and studying
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It’s common knowledge that music has amazing effects on the brain, such as altering our mood, improving our speech and even enhancing our quality of life.
Yet it’s only been recently that studies have delved into the potential effects of music on our ability to learn and study.
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How to teach visual learners
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There is a popular theory known as the VARK theory, which describes the main ways of learning. The four letters stand for: Visual, Aural, Read/write, and Kinaesthetic sensory.
If your child is a visual learner, this will be evident in the fact that he or she becomes frustrated when they do not have any visual learning aids available. This is because they are more able to grasp concepts when visual learning materials are used.
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How to use colour in your learning
Reading time: 2 minutes
Everyone is looking for a way to improve their learning – especially when it comes to remembering and recalling information. There are so many ways you can do this, with flash cards, memory games, even with friends.
However, one of the most effective ways of learning and recalling new information is with the use of colour. If you haven’t tried it yet, you should definitely give it a go.
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5 Simple Ways to Manage Coursework
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Coursework can be one of the most stressful parts of your education. You have a strict deadline, and a lot of work to do within that period of time. As a result, many students end up feeling stressed and overwhelmed by the workload.
Feeling overwhelmed often leads to procrastination and a lack of enthusiasm for your work. However, it does not have to be that way.
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Positives and Drawbacks of Active Learning
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We might think of active learning as an approach to instruction in which students engage the material they study through reading, writing, talking, listening, and reflecting. Active learning stands in contrast to “standard” modes of instruction in which teachers do most of the talking and students are passive. (University of Minnesota)
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Social Learning
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Social learning is a big trend within education. For any students using Twitter, Pinterest or Facebook as part of projects and research work, they are already participating in this area of teaching.
Many teachers may be unaware of the underpinning basics of what social learning is and how it can best be utilised in lesson time.
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5 Simple Strategies…for Active Learning
Reading time: 3 minutes
Active Learning has been defined in a number of different ways, varying from specialism to specialism. It has been related to several well-known educational theories and is based on research.
So what is it?
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The Flipped Classroom
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The flipped classroom is becoming an increasingly popular teaching method which has developed alongside the use of digital technology as a tool for learning. It is creating a new direction and role change for teachers as they are swapping their position at the front of the classroom to one with a more collaborative and cooperative contributory edge.
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Blended Learning
Reading time: 3 minutes
“By 2019, 50% of all high school courses will be delivered online” forecasts American writer of Disrupting Class book Clayton Christensen.
His prediction refers to schooling in the USA, but could the UK education system follow suit?
Online learning is a fundamental cornerstone to the model of blended learning; one which is growing at speed for those in the lifelong learning as they combine busy lifestyles with a return to study and one which is bound to factor in secondary and primary curriculums to a greater degree as schools embrace modern technology as educational tools.
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Advice for parents
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Advice for parents has been issued today from the NAHT and the charity Family Action through their joint campaign Ready to Learn Every Day.
The information leaflet will be distributed through the NAHT members’ schools and is thought to reach “85 per cent of primary schools and almost half of secondaries” (The Telegraph, Feb 2014).
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