Smartphones change children in ways that aren’t immediately obvious. Slowly, over time, their characters change. And it’s not for the better. My latest blog details my pastoral experiences with smartphones in school. bunsenblue.com/2025/09/04/w...

Smartphones change children in ways that aren’t immediately obvious. Slowly, over time, their characters change. And it’s not for the better. My latest blog details my pastoral experiences with smartphones in school. bunsenblue.com/2025/09/04/w...

*Diagnostic overshadowing* can thwart inclusive teaching. What's useful for teachers to know: ↓

Surely, it is more effective to train teachers in proven methods that produce capable readers than training them to use adaptive teaching techniques. One produces independence for children, the other dependence. 2/

“The longer a teacher talks for, the more likely it is the number of pupils paying attention decreases.” Great blog on strategies to ensure students pay attention during the lessons explanation. Well worth a read. Thanks @priteshraichura.bsky.social bunsenblue.wordpress.com/2025/02/08/c...

Extraordinary blogs with lots of excellent ideas.

I genuinely believe teaching is the best profession! We are responsible for shaping characters of our pupils as much as we think hard about how to improve their attainment. How stimulating & what a privilege. My article with @joshpd.bsky.social below 👇🏼 #EduSky schoolsweek.co.uk/we-need-a-be...

Here's my interview with science teacher extraordinaire, @priteshraichura.bsky.social in which we discuss the what, when and why of his teaching methods. open.spotify.com/episode/68kn...

With vaccination under attack worth reading this, which I think is the most understated powerful thing Roald Dahl ever wrote.

How would you answer the question: "Why do children misbehave?" Reply below with "Because they..." 👇

🗣️ Teaching is challenging, but rewarding. Seeing students grow and succeed is unparalleled. Check out @joshpd.bsky.social and @priteshraichura.bsky.social on the demands & rewards of teaching in @schoolsweek.bsky.social. And why not watch Pritesh in action⁉️: steplab.co/film

3 and a half years ago, a small group of 11 teachers set up Ark Soane Academy. We are now recruiting for our FIFTH year as a school. Where has the time gone?! 🧵

Thank you to everyone who came to our second Ark Soane History conference yesterday. It was such a joy to see so many history teacher colleagues together. As always, I’m proudest of our pupils who were so keen to help and talk about history. What a lovely day. #Soane25

This is a really interesting blog. Often our questioning focuses on ‘check for understanding’ rather than ‘check for attention’. I’ve started using ‘choral response’ and ‘I say you say’ much more in my teaching and it’s really effective. 👏

*New post!* Choral response & 'I Say You Say' are two techniques I use with high frequency during my explanations. Although they seem simple, there is a lot of thinking behind them. bunsenblue.wordpress.com/2025/02/08/c...

Schools Week have devised a quiz! Higher or Lower! Can you spot which statement in the Ofsted framework is for the higher grade?! schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-quiz-...

Steplab's new film "Teaching Unpacked" is gold. You should watch it. steplab.co/watch

IT’S HERE! I am a massive believer in the power of concrete examples. This 4-part documentary shows lessons & unpacks the thinking behind them. Huge thanks to @pepsmccrea.bsky.social, the team at Steplab, Postcode films & of course colleagues & pupils for their involvement. 🙌🏼

On Praise from @priteshraichura.bsky.social : "You need to praise even the smallest of behaviours. This doesn't signal low expectations, this signals what you want to see more of. Every little detail matters, it signals effort. steplab.co/watch/great-... (19:30 onwards) #BestOf #UKTeaching 🍎🎓

"Great Teaching Unpacked" steplab.co/watch - I am LOVING this brilliant new resource - HIGHLY recommend for all those leading T&L. Great set of 4 videos from @steplab.bsky.social & @pepsmccrea.bsky.social. I've just watched Episode 1 - Harnessing Attention with the fab @priteshraichura.bsky.social

IT’S HERE! I am a massive believer in the power of concrete examples. This 4-part documentary shows lessons & unpacks the thinking behind them. Huge thanks to @pepsmccrea.bsky.social, the team at Steplab, Postcode films & of course colleagues & pupils for their involvement. 🙌🏼

Heads down, hands up. Don't use whiteboards to answer MCQs on screen, but students put head on the desk and open their hands when I call out the answer. Avoids students just copying off other's MWB. Totally stolen from @priteshraichura.bsky.social

MUST WATCH - All-Hands-Up Cold Call Thanks @priteshraichura.bsky.social I'm a fan of this and your work generally. Fantastic stuff! youtu.be/8j4wjUzzZMc?...

*NEW post* Becoming Better People. Do your pupils become more polite, more hard working & more responsible each year they progress through school? bunsenblue.wordpress.com/2024/12/23/b...

On average, teachers at Ark Soane Academy observed 40+ lessons & were given feedback on 40+ lessons since September! This truly low stakes, high frequency feedback culture is key to rapid staff development. Want to join us? We're recruiting across subjects! arksoane.org/jobs/vacancies

Huge role at Ark advertised here. Come join us as Head of Assessment. arkcareersweb.eploy.net/vacancies/34...

Visiting Ark Soane today was a delight! The students brimming with ambition and scholarship & such warmth & positivity. When a student says their favourite part is "the teachers," you know it’s special! Huge thanks to Matt and team for your time! #ArkSoaneAcadem @priteshraichura.bsky.social

Two of the biggest myths about direct instruction: 1. Pupils are passive while the teacher talks endlessly. 2. The teacher tells pupils everything so pupils don’t think for themselves. These are completely wrong. 🧵 1/

NEW POST Leader says "please do x" Staff then don't do x It's not because they are lazy, incompetent or deliberately undermining. So why is it? achemicalorthodoxy.co.uk/2024/10/30/y...

What are the factors contributing to the dramatic rise in number of pupils with statements / EHCPs in recent years?

What are the factors contributing to the dramatic rise in number of pupils with statements / EHCPs in recent years?

I have a report out today with The Sutton Trust looking back at the huge array of reforms over the past few decades and asking if they've made a difference. What's got better, what's got worse, and what are the challenges for the new government? www.suttontrust.com/our-research...

Watching a video of a classroom where the teacher is doing retrieval practice & so many students dying to engage. My colleague Jen: "Investing in knowledge is fun; kids LIKE knowing things."

Was blown away by @mrptse.bsky.social ’s curricular thinking. Our kids are so lucky to have him as our English HoD! #rED24

Another inspiring talk. I have used "when I say go and not before" and "3,2,1....go" since I last heard Pritesh talk, and what a simple but effective thing it has been!

I wrote about it here! Thanks for interest! mrtseenglish.wordpress.com/2021/11/13/c...

Totally agree. @priteshraichura.bsky.social was so inspiring. His superb modelling demonstrated how 100% attention by 100% of pupils 100% of the time is possible.

OMG this was brilliant. Thanks Pritesh. I am a better teacher and leader now than I was an hour ago!

Absolutely engaging talk by @priteshraichura.bsky.social at #rEd24 on getting and keeping 100% attention. Packed full of strategies that are going to be so useful to implement at this time of year!

Great session from @priteshraichura.bsky.social at #rED24 on getting 100% attention. "There's always a vacuum when creating a classroom culture. Either the teacher fills the vacuum or the pupils do."

Packed room for #rED24 talk on 💯 attention @priteshraichura.bsky.social

Blown away by @priteshraichura.bsky.social at #REd24 today talking about expectations he sets in his classroom. Often I feel like I can't be like teachers I admire because the key advantage they have is that they are very experienced. Pritesh spoke about very simple strategies anyone can achieve.

Can’t wait for @mrptse.bsky.social ’s session today at #rED24. I’m lucky enough to see his English curriculum brought to life every day & I am always in awe.

Very excited to speak at #rED24 today at 11:25 (Session 3) in the Dining Hall. My session is full of practical tips you can use from Monday to secure 100% attention in lessons. There will be videos of me using the strategies in my own classroom as a concrete model.

Today’s INSET involved only new staff. We did tonnes of role play practising fundamental routines (321 SLANT, instruction sandwiches, entry, exit); questioning strategies (I say, you say, choral response & turn & talk); & delivering (de)merits with emotional range. Established feedback culture too!

I managed to squeeze in during a previous #rED. Genuinely in awe - if what Pritesh presented is the regular diet for his students (spoiler alert: it is) then most of us in the game can learn a thing or four.

At #rED24, I’ll be talking about oracies not oracy and how to prevent COVID24 (Counterproductive Oracy Violation of Intelligent Decisions.)

Wondering if you should spend 40 minutes of your time at #Red24 learning about the importance of handwriting? I’ll quickly take you through the following: What the research says about handwriting vs other methods of transcription for learning. Why handwriting quality matters in assessment. 1/

Thrilled to be speaking at #rED24 about practical strategies for getting 100% attention in lessons. The session is for teachers, school leaders & anyone interested in practical take-aways to improve culture. Session 3, Dining Hall. See you there!