The Optimus blog

The blog that inspires leaders in the UK education sector

The Optimus blog

The blog that inspires leaders in the UK education sector

Pupil safety and pastoral care

Luke Ramsden

Clearing the haze: Combatting vaping in schools

Teen vaping has become an unwelcome phenomenon in schools. Luke Ramsden addresses this burgeoning concern, the insidious marketing that permeates young people’s minds and explores how to mitigate the risks of vaping. Vaping is a growing health concern in schools up and down the country. With more...
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Zarina Connolly

Helping pupils detox from social media influencers

In an era dominated by social media influencers and digital distractions, educators face the daunting task of guiding students through the complexities of online content. Zarina Connolly delves into the challenges posed by influential content creators and their impact on students' mental health,...
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Sarah Grant

Tackling bullying, extremism and radicalisation in schools

Bullying, extremism and radicalisation should have no place in the educational landscape, yet unfortunately, these issues pervade schools. Optimus is launching a new self-study course to equip school staff to proactively address these problems and create safer and more inclusive learning...
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Sarah Hopp

What’s the sense in a sensory room?

People often underestimate the importance of sensory rooms for creating an inclusive environment, as they can serve as crucial spaces for individuals to reset their minds and bodies, helping them deal with feelings of overwhelm and panic. Dr Sarah Hopp explores the value of these spaces as part of...
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Mel Greenwood

Using a relationships-first approach in the classroom

Prioritising strong relationships with pupils creates happy and eager learners, argues Mel Greenwood. She explains how to build and nurture connections with pupils. One of my favourite things to do is share a book with a class of eager listeners. Great literature really does provide an ‘ in' for...
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Candice West

Overcoming three barriers to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion

Finding ways to defeat EDI obstacles can be challenging. Candice West offers tips to locate where unconscious bias, privilege and lack of representation may cause problems. Go straight to Unconscious bias Lack of representation Privilege Educators are passionate about teaching and want young people...
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Richard Palmer

Assessing PSHE: problems and solutions

How can you show your PSHE curriculum meets the needs of pupils? Richard Palmer considers five challenges with the assessment of PSHE and how to overcome them. Go straight to What are the main challenges The way forward The power of the NWH approach What form of evidence do we need Schools must...
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John Dabell

Making schools 'ibasho'

Do your pupils feel at home in your school? John Dabell explains why schools should be places of ‘ibasho.’ In Japanese, the word ‘ibasho’ means a place where you can feel like being yourself, a place where you feel a sense of belonging and purpose resulting from the social relationships associated...
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Angela Milliken-Tull

Seven ways to lead and develop a PSHE curriculum

How can you give PSHE and personal development a platform in your setting? Angela Milliken-Tull provides seven tips to develop your PSHE programme and overcome negative stereotypes. Look on any social media platform, and you will see countless apps and gurus extolling the benefits of a dazzling...
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Richard Palmer

LGBTQ+ education: what’s too little and what’s too much?

‘Make PSHE education as inclusive and balanced as possible.’ In the second of two parts, Richard Palmer explains how to take a non-siloed approach to PSHE. We start part two of this blog on LGBTQ+ education by asking the question – too little or too much? As a child who was educated in the 1970s...
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