Caroline talks to David Gregory, Head of Innovation at JTRS and LEGO Education expert, about the educational and creative benefits of using LEGO in the classroom. David offers his insider tips and advice for how to make the most of both traditional and innovative new LEGO resources and shares the impact that these are having with children, helping to engage reluctant learners and spark interest across the curriculum.
Blog and Podcast
Episode 38: Primary curriculum: three schools’ stories (part 1)
In the first of three special editions, Caroline talks to Mark Mitchell, Head of Primary at The Royal School Wolverhampton about his curriculum journey using Cornerstones. Mark gives his tips for designing and implementing a curriculum in a way that’s right for your school, and describes the impact that adopting a dynamic, knowledge-rich curriculum has had on staff and children. A great way to hear how other primary schools are ‘doing their curriculum’.
Episode 37: The transformative power of education: Hallam Festival of Education
We talk to organisers of this groundbreaking education festival about their aims to share great practice in how to improve education and raise aspirations for young people in South Yorkshire and beyond. Caroline talks to Sean Cavan and Sarah Williams from Sheffield Hallam University about what festival-goers will be able to enjoy and take away from Hallam EdFest, this June. Tickets are available now, so don’t miss out!
Episode 36: Debugging computing in the primary curriculum
Caroline talks to Richard Smith, ICT teacher trainer and consultant about all things computing, including curriculum coverage and terminology. Richard shares his top tips for cost-effective hardware, exciting new software, robotics and the training that’s available to make sure your school is ahead of the digital game.
The Curriculum magazine – edition four
The Curriculum magazine is free to all schools and is now available for you to read online. Edition four focuses on subjects and subject knowledge, with articles to get you up to speed with subject knowledge in art and design, music, geography and computing. Also includes free knowledge organisers to use in the classroom. Read… Read more
The real cost of curriculum design
While recently mooching around the Edu corridors of Twitter, I came across a thread discussing the costs associated with purchasing a primary curriculum. I would typically steer away from such conversations because views on costs can be very subjective. What one school thinks is worth the investment, another can deem too expensive. Of course, this… Read more
Episode 35: What’s the real cost of curriculum design?
With the current shift in focus from Ofsted, many primary schools are looking at how to refresh or redesign their curriculum. But what work does it entail and how much does it cost in real terms? Mel and Caroline talk from their experience of designing and implementing curricula, discussing the DIY option versus buying in a curriculum package. Essential listening for primary schools.
Episode 34: My curriculum conversation with Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman
This September sees the launch of Ofsted’s new inspection framework. So, what changes will schools notice and what will inspectors be looking for? We decided to cut through the myths and speculation and ask Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, herself about the shift in emphasis towards looking at the quality of curriculum in England’s schools. An essential listen for anyone in primary education.
What’s new – February 2019
Hello Last month we saw a record number of schools re-subscribing to The Hub. ‘Excellent service’, a ‘brilliant range of resources’ and ‘regular updates’ are just some of the reasons schools continue to subscribe. Take a look at the information below to make sure you are making the best of your Cornerstones licence this… Read more