Improving Standards and
Effectiveness

In the second of his contributions about getting assessment right, Associate and author Jonathan Lear describes how he helps children get to grips with source analysis.

Ten-minute read

We used to encourage teachers to think of their classrooms as laboratories in which you could experiment with what worked to make it work even better. But what if we think of teachers not as scientists but as inventors? Ian Gilbert explores with the help of James Lovelock.

Seven-minute read

Remember when Growth Mindset was all the rage? We rescued five key points from Carol Dwecks's original research, Self Theories, which we feel can make a genuine difference in all classrooms.

Seven-minute read

Twenty years ago, Ian Gilbert was asked to write an article for SHA (now ASCL) and this is what he came up with? Which makes us ask, as we revisit it, what has changed?

Ten-minute read

Here are ten provocative questions Ian Gilbert has drawn from his best-selling book, The Working Class, that can form part of any school's discussion when it comes to 'closing that gap.

Five-minute read

Long-time Associate Will Ryan explores how it is that some of the best primary practice can be found in schools in some of our most challenging socio-economic areas - and what we can learn from them.

Seven-minute read

Highlights from an online conversation with EYFS guru Ruth Swailes on helping schools ensure the best possible start for all their children.

Ten-minute watch

We asked Jonathan Lear and Mark Creasy how to create resilient, independent learners in our primary classrooms. This is what they suggested.

50-minute watch

A guest blog from Rachel Tomlinson, the inspirational headteacher of Barrowford Primary School in Lancashire - a school without sanctions or rewards.

Five-minute read

Associate, author of The Monkey Proof Box and innovative primary teacher Jonathan Lear explains how his school came to terms with effective and inclusive assessment across the whole curriculum.

Ten-minute read

Independent Thinking founder Ian Gilbert was asked to write the foreword for Ginny Bootman's wonderful new book, Independent Thinking on Being a SENDCO. You can read his inspiring and surprising foreword here.

Independent Thinking Associate David Hodgson continues his brief exploration of neurodiversity, identifying four skills that will benefit all students

Ten-minute read