In this episode we discuss how we can improve the quality of teaching across the primary school, with practical advice and insights for school leaders.

We begin by discussing the role of the curriculum in improving teaching quality, including the importance of inclusion and oracy. We focus too on the importance of planning teaching and learning – both short-term action planning and longer-term planning.

Our panel also discusses effective approaches to teacher CPD, including coaching and mentoring and we consider why a people-focused, collegiate approach to the monitoring of teaching and learning is crucial – and what this can look like in practice.

 Finally, we discuss how we can hold teachers to account in positive and supporting ways and offer a few top tips.

In this episode we discuss how we can improve the quality of teaching across the primary school, with practical advice and insights for school leaders. We begin by discussing the role of the curriculum in improving teaching quality, including the importance of inclusion and oracy. We focus too on the importance of planning teaching and learning – both short-term action planning and longer-term planning. Our panel also discusses effective approaches to teacher CPD, including coaching and mentoring and we consider why a people-focused, collegiate approach to the monitoring of teaching and learning is crucial – and what this can look like in practice. Finally, we discuss how we can hold teachers to account in positive and supporting ways and offer a few top tips.

The Headteacher Update Podcast is dedicated to supporting best practice in the primary school – with practical advice, examples, discussion and tips for school leaders (and teachers) across the range of topics relevant to day-to-day primary school life. A new episode every half-term.

The Headteacher Update Podcast

Headteacher Update Podcast: How to improve teaching in your primary school

The Schools White Paper includes plans for an attendance target of more than 94%. In this episode, we talk best practice for reducing pupil absence and consider how primary schools might meet this ambitious goal.

We speak to two experienced school leaders about the initiatives that have worked in their primary schools to improve attendance as well as pitfalls to avoid.

We hear case studies of specific attendance interventions as well as about things that have not worked and the lessons learned.

We consider the attendance challenges schools continue to face post Covid-19 and issues such as term-time holidays and find out what our guests think of the White Paper’s proposed 94% target.

We talk about how we can engage with parents as well as considering how to address specific barriers to attendance such as mental health, SEND and poverty.

The Schools White Paper includes plans for an attendance target of more than 94%. In this episode, we talk best practice for reducing pupil absence and consider how primary schools might meet this ambitious goal.
We speak to two experienced school leaders about the initiatives that have worked in their primary schools to improve attendance as well as pitfalls to avoid.
We hear case studies of specific attendance interventions as well as about things that have not worked and the lessons learned.
We consider the attendance challenges schools continue to face post Covid-19 and issues such as term-time holidays and find out what our guests think of the White Paper&rsquo;s proposed 94% target.
We talk about how we can engage with parents as well as considering how to address specific barriers to attendance such as mental health, SEND and poverty.

In this episode, we talk best practice for reducing pupil absence and consider how primary schools might boost attendance.

Headteacher Update Podcast: Attendance: Working towards 94%

In this episode we ask two experienced school leaders one simple question – What makes a great headteacher? – and see where the conversation goes.

Our two guests enjoy a wide-ranging discussion about what a great headteacher looks like from the perspective of each of the key stakeholders in the school community – pupils, staff, parents and others.

The pupil lens: We talk kindness and honesty, but also the importance of holding children to high standards.

The staff lens: We talk trust, integrity, and leading by example.

The parent/carers lens: We talk being visible, communicating clearly, and listening well.

The governor lens: We talk respect and relationships.

We also consider Ofsted and how we can maintain our values as a great headteacher while also meeting inspectors' expectations.

Ultimately, we consider the characteristics, skills, traits and experiences that combine to make brilliant headteachers.

In this episode we ask two experienced school leaders one simple question – What makes a great headteacher? – and see where the conversation goes. Our two guests enjoy a wide-ranging discussion about what a great headteacher looks like from the perspective of each of the key stakeholders in the school community – pupils, staff, parents and others. The pupil lens: We talk kindness and honesty, but also the importance of holding children to high standards. The staff lens: We talk trust, integrity, and leading by example. The parent/carers lens: We talk being visible, communicating clearly, and listening well. The governor lens: We talk respect and relationships. We also consider Ofsted and how we can maintain our values as a great headteacher while also meeting inspectors' expectations. Ultimately, we consider the characteristics, skills, traits and experiences that combine to make brilliant headteachers.

Headteacher Update Podcast: What makes a great headteacher?

In the midst of a teacher retention crisis, this episode asks how primary schools can keep hold of their teaching staff, especially their early career teachers.

With more than 114,000 teachers having quit teaching for reasons other than retirement in the last three years, our expert panel discuss general principles for creating a school environment that encourages teachers to want to stay.

We talk about pay, equity of opportunity, creating belonging and psychological safety across our workforces, the vital role of CPD and support for career progression, and much more.

We ask what effective school leadership for retention looks like, including the support we must offer and how to build trust and those vital relationships.

We discuss strategies to address workload, a key driver of teacher retention, including flexible working, and how schools can help teachers to achieve a better work/life balance.

We focus in particular on strategies to support early career teachers, a third of whom are likely to quit after their first five years.

Ultimately, we ask how headteachers can make their school a place where teachers want to work and feel they belong.

In the midst of a teacher retention crisis, this episode asks how primary schools can keep hold of their teaching staff, especially their early career teachers. With more than 114,000 teachers having quit teaching for reasons other than retirement in the last three years, our expert panel discuss general principles for creating a school environment that encourages teachers to want to stay. We talk about pay, equity of opportunity, creating belonging and psychological safety across our workforces, the vital role of CPD and support for career progression, and much more. We ask what effective school leadership for retention looks like, including the support we must offer and how to build trust and those vital relationships. We discuss strategies to address workload, a key driver of teacher retention, including flexible working, and how schools can help teachers to achieve a better work/life balance. We focus in particular on strategies to support early career teachers, a third of whom are likely to quit after their first five years. Ultimately, we ask how headteachers can make their school a place where teachers want to work and feel they belong.

Headteacher Update Podcast: How to improve teaching in your primary school

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