Sep 9, 2020 | Leadership, Professional development, Science, Secondary, Updates
A big shout-out for all heads of science in schools who will be grappling with leading a practical, content-heavy subject within the current restrictions. Wherever you are in the world, don’t be disheartened! Here are my tips for staying on top of things this term:1. Look after yourself2. Look after your team3. Keep an eye on the guidance and use resources (e.g. CLEAPSS in the UK) to support4. Adjust your teaching plans to focus on what needs expert live explanation5. Gauge gaps in student understanding and support/stretch...
Aug 31, 2020 | Leadership, Partnerships, Professional development, Updates
This blog first appeared on the website of the Independent Schools Council on 28 August 2020: https://www.isc.co.uk/media-enquiries/isc-blogs/spotlight-on-partnerships-in-a-time-of-coronavirus/ Christina Astin, head of partnerships at The King’s School in Canterbury and founder-chair of the Schools Together Group, offers support for partnerships coordinators ahead of the return to school. What are school partnerships going to look like this term? Most partnership projects necessitate students and staff coming together from different schools;...
Jul 27, 2020 | Leadership, Professional development, Secondary, Updates
It’s been the biggest shake-up in education. Ever. And this time it hasn’t come from Ofsted, the government, from your multi-academy trust or senior leadership team, but from a tiny virus. It has posed the biggest challenge to the teaching profession of all time, and we are all in it together. Change is always difficult. It’s tempting to focus on the negatives – aren’t we always rather good at that? – and to pick apart our differences of approach – rather good at that too – but just look at how far we’ve come...
Oct 25, 2019 | Professional development, Secondary, Updates, Young Scientists Journal
Earlier this month I was invited to speak at a conference of Nordic international schools who meet regularly for information exchange and professional development. It was refreshing to learn from others at this conference and to have an opportunity to share my ideas about science education, particularly through the workshops I led on teaching numeracy skills in science, and on Young Scientists Journal. Meeting teachers and educational leaders from across the Nordic and Baltic countries was very enriching; it’s always great to meet...
