Sample Articles

Unlocked this week

• 2019 Ofsted inspection framework: what it means for your school
  Ofsted is changing: you've read the headlines, now find out what to do about it. Assess your curriculum's 'intent, implementation and impact' with our prompts, learn what to expect during 'on-site preparation time', and know how inspectors will judge behaviour in your school. 
• School improvement plan: template and checklist
  Download our resources to support you with your school improvement planning, including a template school improvement plan (SIP) and a checklist to help you evaluate your SIP. You'll also find out how you can monitor its implementation.
• Your guide to headteacher interviews: headteacher interview questions
  Read tips on how to prepare for your headship interview, and get an idea of the kinds of tasks you'll be asked to do. Download our list of sample headteacher interview questions for an insight into what you'll be asked and how your answers will be evaluated.

• Curriculum intent: examples
  Some schools use a 'curriculum intent' to set out the rationale for their curriculum design. We link to examples from primary and secondary schools.

Policy bank

• Behaviour policy: model and examples
  We have created a model behaviour policy. Approved by Forbes Solicitors, this model document is designed for you to adapt to suit your school’s context. All of our model documents take account of relevant requirements and good practice. They are easy to adapt, will save you time and help you keep your school compliant.

• SEN policy and information report: model
  Download our model SEN policy and information report, to save yourself some time and help make sure you're compliant.
• ICT and internet acceptable use policies
  In this article, we provide guidance on what to include in your ICT and internet policy. We also include example policies for school staff and pupils. 

Pupils and parents

• SEND Code of Practice: a summary
  Read our summary of the SEND Code of Practice to make sure you're meeting your legal duties and putting the child at the heart of your SEND provision. Check the rules on EHC plans, the responsibilities of mainstream schools, and the local offer.

• SEN provision mapping
  Make sure you're keeping track of the costing and effectiveness of your interventions for students with special educational needs (SEN). Download our template provision map and template intervention evaluation tool. You can also read expert guidance on reviewing your provision map.

• Boosting pupils' self-esteem
  This article looks at guidance on promoting pupils' mental health and wellbeing, and ideas and resources you can use in school. We also link to advice on helping parents boost their child's confidence and supporting pupils to improve their own self-esteem.

• Using individual education plans (IEPs)
  This article contains advice on whether IEPs are still fit for purpose and looks at what terminology schools and LAs are using for school-based SEN support plans.

• Lockdown procedures: letters to parents
  This article contains a template letter created with one of our education experts, and provides tips on writing your own letter. We also look at examples of such letters from primary and secondary schools..

Administration and finance

• Generating income and raising funds
  This article sets out ways to generate extra money using a school's existing resources, and links to further information on these approaches. You will also find case studies from 2 schools about successful income generation.

• GDPR: seeking consent for processing personal data
  Use our process to help you work out whether you need to seek consent for processing personal data under the GDPR. If you do, use our template consent forms that cover the most likely situations where you'll need to seek consent or use our checklist to ensure your own forms meet the new rules.

• How to manage a procurement process
  A well-planned procurement process can help you achieve value for money and comply with EU procurement law. Read on for advice on planning the process, writing a specification and managing a contract.

• Marketing your school effectively
  How can schools market themselves to prospective pupils and parents? We refer to a range of advice on marketing a school, covering factors such as developing a strategy, using internet-based marketing and securing media coverage. You will also find a case study from a teaching school.

• Letting school premises: guidance
  What should schools consider when letting their premises? We relay guidance on what to think about when planning to hire out school premises or facilities, including considerations around conditions of hire, safeguarding, security, and insurance.

Curriculum and learning

• KS1 and KS2 'pupil-speak' assessment statements
  Use and adapt examples of pupil-speak assessment statements for Key Stage (KS) 1 and 2, and read advice from our expert on using 'I can' statements with the National Curriculum.

• Promoting British values in the curriculum
  How can we promote British values through our curriculum? Two of our associate education experts explain how schools can incorporate British values into the curriculum, and the limitations to doing so. We also include a downloadable template to record how your school promotes British values.

• Assessment approach: age-related expectations
  How does an assessment system based on age-related expectations work? Get to grips with the key principles, and find out how 3 primary schools and a secondary school use the age-related expectations assessment approach.

• 'Mastery' standard activities for Key Stage 1
  Are there 'mastery' activities for English and mathematics? In this article, we relay advice from two of our associate education experts on activities for pupils who are at 'mastery' standard in Key Stage 1. We also look at how one school teaches mastery in maths and reading.

School improvement and inspection 

• Making a school 'outstanding': examples of strategies
  Have a look at advice from 2 of our associate experts on what makes a school 'outstanding' and how you can get there. You can also learn about the strategies one school used to move from special measures to ‘outstanding’ in the space of 3 years.

• Departmental and subject action plan template
  Download our departmental and subject action plan template to help you plan and evaluate improvements in your department or subject. You’ll also find out what to consider when developing and embedding your plan.

• Tips for writing your school self-evaluation form (SEF)
  Use our prompts when writing your self-evaluation form (SEF) to help you evaluate your school’s provision. You'll also find tips to support you in ensuring your SEF is an effective tool for your school's development.

Staff and recruitment

• Staffing ratios for trips and visits
  You should determine staffing ratios for school trips based on an assessment of risk, and you must follow your LA's guidance where this exists. Here's what you need to weigh up, including extra needs you must meet for pupils in the EYFS.

• Observing EYFS teaching: what to look for
  Understand what you should look for when observing teaching in the EYFS with guidance on what effective teaching looks like, and examples of prompts to help you when carrying out lesson observations.

• Pupil progress objectives for teachers: advice
  How should we set appraisal targets relating to pupil progress? We relay advice on setting objectives relating to pupil progress. We also looks at union opposition to basing teacher appraisal targets on pupil progress.