Teaching and the Role of Ofsted


Book Description

Ofsted has claimed on many occasions to be a force for improvement. This book, written by a former HMI and Ofsted inspector, tests this assertion by exploring how Ofsted has influenced the quality of teaching in English primary schools. Helena McVeigh draws on extensive practice as an inspector and consultant to chart the development of Ofsted and investigate its influence on primary teaching in England. Following a brief history of inspection and the genesis of Ofsted, she reflects on the role of Ofsted handbooks, annual reports, case studies and inspections in relation to teaching, and shows how their influence has changed over time. Interviews with HMIs, primary headteachers and teachers, and the author's own experience, inform an analysis of impact and relationships that is grounded in the work of Pierre Bourdieu and his concepts of misrecognition and symbolic violence. In pulling together all the evidence, the book offers a tension between the acknowledgement of a positive contribution made by Ofsted to teaching in English schools, and recognition of less productive impacts such as teacher stress and the "performativity" of teaching to perceived Ofsted expectations.




Responsive Teaching


Book Description

This essential guide helps teachers refine their approach to fundamental challenges in the classroom. Based on research from cognitive science and formative assessment, it ensures teachers can offer all students the support and challenge they need – and can do so sustainably. Written by an experienced teacher and teacher educator, the book balances evidence-informed principles and practical suggestions. It contains: A detailed exploration of six core problems that all teachers face in planning lessons, assessing learning and responding to students Effective practical strategies to address each of these problems across a range of subjects Useful examples of each strategy in practice and accounts from teachers already using these approaches Checklists to apply each principle successfully and advice tailored to teachers with specific responsibilities. This innovative book is a valuable resource for new and experienced teachers alike who wish to become more responsive teachers. It offers the evidence, practical strategies and supportive advice needed to make sustainable, worthwhile changes.




The Work of Ofsted


Book Description

work of Ofsted : Oral evidence, Wednesday 9 November 2005 and Monday 8 May 2006, Mr David Bell, Mrs Miriam Rosen, Mr Robert Green, Mr Maurice Smith and Ms Vanessa Howlinson, Mr Andrew White, Mr Dorian Bradley and Mr Jonathan Thompson




Cleverlands


Book Description

As a teacher in an inner-city school, Lucy Crehan was exasperated with ever-changing government policy claiming to be based on lessons from ‘top-performing’ education systems. She resolved to find out what was really going on in the classrooms of countries whose teenagers ranked top in the world in reading, maths and science. Cleverlands documents Crehan’s journey around the world, weaving together her experiences with research on policy, history, psychology and culture to offer extensive new insights into what we can learn from these countries.




The importance of teaching


Book Description

England's school system performs below its potential and can improve significantly. This white paper outlines action designed to: tackle the weaknesses in the system; strengthen the status of teachers and teaching; reinforce the standards set by the curriculum and qualifications; give schools back the freedom to determine their own development; make schools more accountable to parents, and help them to learn more quickly and systematically from good practice elsewhere; narrow the gap in attainment between rich and poor. The quality of teachers and teaching is the most important factor in determining how well children do. The Government will continue to raise the quality of new entrants to the profession, reform initial teacher training, develop a network of "teaching schools" to lead training and development, and reduce the bureaucratic burden on schools. Teachers will be given more powers to control bad behaviour. The National Curriculum will be reviewed, specifying a tighter model of knowledge of core subjects so that the Curriculum becomes a benchmark against which school can be judged. Schools will be given more freedom and autonomy, the Academies programme extended and parents will be able to set up "Free Schools" to meet parent demand. Accountability for pupil performance is critical, and much more information will be available to aid understanding of a school's performance. School improvement will be the responsibility of schools, not central government. Funding of schools needs to be fairer and more transparent, and there will be a Pupil Premium to target resources on the most deprived pupils.




Writing for Pleasure


Book Description

This book explores what writing for pleasure means, and how it can be realised as a much-needed pedagogy whose aim is to develop children, young people, and their teachers as extraordinary and life-long writers. The approach described is grounded in what global research has long been telling us are the most effective ways of teaching writing and contains a description of the authors’ own research project into what exceptional teachers of writing do that makes the difference. The authors describe ways of building communities of committed and successful writers who write with purpose, power, and pleasure, and they underline the importance of the affective aspects of writing teaching, including promoting in apprentice writers a sense of self-efficacy, agency, self-regulation, volition, motivation, and writer-identity. They define and discuss 14 research-informed principles which constitute a Writing for Pleasure pedagogy and show how they are applied by teachers in classroom practice. Case studies of outstanding teachers across the globe further illustrate what world-class writing teaching is. This ground-breaking text is essential reading for anyone who is concerned about the current status and nature of writing teaching in schools. The rich Writing for Pleasure pedagogy presented here is a radical new conception of what it means to teach young writers effectively today.




The role and performance of Ofsted


Book Description

Additional written evidence is contained in Vol. 3, available on the Committee's website at www.parliament.uk/education-committee




Motivated Teaching


Book Description

This book is for teachers and school leaders interested in understanding what motivation for learning is, how it works, and how to influence it in the classroom. From the author of Memorable Teaching, this latest instalment in the High Impact Teaching series stitches together the best available evidence from multiple fields -- including behavioural economics, evolutionary psychology and motivation science -- to create a concise, coherent and actionable framework that you can use to help your pupils care more about and put more effort into your lessons. POWER UP YOUR TEACHING Motivated Teaching will not only leave you with a greater legacy of impact, but will boost your influence in the classroom, and enable you to make more evidence-informed professional judgements about your practice. --- CONTENTS Part I: Foundations Why motivation? The mechanics of motivation The motivation for learning framework Part II: Drivers 1. Secure success 2. Run routines 3. Nudge norms 4. Build belonging 5. Boost buy-in PRAISE FOR THE HIGH IMPACT TEACHING SERIES "If you have a spare half-hour or so, you could read Memorable Teaching from cover to cover. I doubt you'll find an education book with more useful insights per minute of reading time." - Dylan Wiliam, Emeritus Professor of Educational Assessment, UCL "How to improve your teaching by planning better. Things that make teachers' lives simpler like that are few and far between." - Doug Lemov, Author of Teach Like a Champion"I can't remember when I have ever read a book that takes such complex ideas and communicates them with sophistication and simplicity." - Oliver Caviglioli, Founder and author of HOW2s "The book packs an awful lot of useful material into a short, easy to read format and as such is something that all teachers should add to their collections." - Josh Goodrich, Head of CPD at Oasis Southbank "A truly excellent book which sets out the science behind learning with remarkable clarity." - Mark Enser, Head of Geography at Heathfield Community College




Just Great Teaching


Book Description

'Bursting with fresh ideas, packed with practical tips, filled with wise words, this is an inspiring guide for all teachers.' Lee Elliot Major, Professor of Social Mobility, University of Exeter and co-author of What Works? 50 tried-and-tested practical ideas to help you tackle the top ten issues in your classroom. Ross Morrison McGill, bestselling author of Mark. Plan. Teach. and Teacher Toolkit, pinpoints the top ten key issues that schools in Great Britain are facing today, and provides strategies, ideas and techniques for how these issues can be tackled most effectively. We often talk about the challenges of teacher recruitment and retention, about new initiatives and political landscapes, but day in, day out, teachers and schools are delivering exceptional teaching and most of it is invisible. Ross uncovers, celebrates, and analyses best practice in teaching. Supported by case studies and research undertaken by Ross in ten primary and secondary schools across Britain, including a pupil referral unit and private, state and grammar schools, as well as explanations from influential educationalists as to why and how these ideas work, Ross explores the issues of marking and assessment, planning, teaching and learning, teacher wellbeing, student mental health, behaviour and exclusions, SEND, curriculum, research-led practice and CPD. With a foreword by Lord Jim Knight and contributions from Priya Lakhani, Andria Zafirakou, Mark Martin, Professor Andy Hargreaves and many more, this book inspires readers to open their eyes to how particular problems can be resolved and how other schools are already doing this effectively. It is packed with ideas and advice for all primary and secondary classroom teachers and school leaders keen to provide the best education they possibly can for our young people today.




An Introduction to Teaching


Book Description

The expectations of what it is to be a teacher are as high as ever. An Introduction to Teaching, which is the second edition of the well-established textbook Learning to Teach, provides a fully up-to-date introduction to the process and practice of teaching, and the personal and professional skills that successful teaching requires. This comprehensive update of the first edition is written in accordance with the Teacher Training Association and DfES guidelines, and provides in-depth coverage of all the modules included in the teacher training programme. Taking into account recent developments in policy and practice, contributors have incorporated new material covering teaching and classroom management, new approaches to planning, targeting effective learning, introduction to professional requirements and continuing professional development. The book also includes key chapters on the following: the National Curriculum children's learning the use of IT planning and preparation teaching and classroom management special educational needs working with parents.