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

Lesson planning

Joanna Feast

Where do you stand on the back-to-school spectrum? 

Going back to school evokes a spectrum of emotions. Joanna Feast offers some essential tips for a successful academic year ahead. Perhaps you're excited about the prospect of shiny new stationery, a new class or timetable, getting to know different people, new routines and settings. Maybe you're...
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Olivia Coombe

Five fantastic outdoor activity ideas

Outdoor play is vital in a child's development and offers many opportunities which could not be granted indoors. Olivia Coombe explores five activities, and the skills children will develop through these. Playing outdoors presents an excellent opportunity for children to utilize natural materials...
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John Dabell

Maverick teachers wanted

Teaching is made up of all types and that's a good thing. We need diversity and difference. But do we have enough adventurers and mavericks? Just what type of teacher are you? There are some teachers who do things differently and can be trusted to ruffle feathers. These teachers I like. The pupils...
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John Dabell

Teachers can make their mark with written feedback

Effective feedback lies at the heart of the learning process. John Dabell explains why written feedback should be no exception. Marking has been demonised. It has been hijacked by the marking martyrs who rage against the machine. They hate marking and pour scorn on it at every available opportunity...
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Torsten Payne

A lesson to challenge every pupil

Finding opportunities to stretch in the classroom shouldn't be a challenge. Here are three ingredients of a lesson that will get all pupils, including the more able, thinking. According to Ofsted , the best teaching ‘engages and includes all pupils, with work that is challenging enough and that...
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Alex Masters

Teachers: you have every right to be boring

The recent news that an English teacher has been struck off, partly owing to the fact her lessons were deemed ‘boring’ by her pupils, has left me incensed. I don’t wish to comment on this personal case – especially owing to the fact there were various factors leading to her dismissal – but the fact...
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Owen Carter

Eight principles of effective teaching

Eight ideas from cognitive psychology that you should think about putting into your teaching. Lists of effective teaching are ten a penny – some useful, some not so much. There are some great ones: Tom Sherrington has put together a really useful (and practical) set of principles , Shaun Allison...
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Sarah Gaffney

Don't have any water buffalos? Get outside and get inspired anyway!

As we ease into the coming winter months the weather is due to get colder and many of us (myself included!) will be drawn to staying indoors and keeping warm and dry. But we shouldn't dismiss the many unique experiences which can be gained from exploring the outdoor environment, particularly for...
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