School life

History teacher and research fellow Teni Gogo recommends resources for teaching African kingdoms and focuses on a 20th-century alternative to defeated African empires: Yaa Asantewaa, Kwame Nkrumah and the founding of the independent nation of Ghana.

In this article, experienced teacher and author Megan Mansworth offers her 10 tips on one of the more effective classroom management strategies: teaching to the top. 

As teachers, we know that vocabulary development is the foundation of learning. It is widely acknowledged that children with a broad vocabulary are more confident, experience greater wellbeing and achieve better academic results. 

In their recent report, Voicing Vocabulary, Voice 21 revealed that following a two-year research project, students in participating schools made accelerated progress in reading as a consequence of a targeted vocabulary focus. The report shows us the importance of providing children with opportunities to learn new words and to use them in speech and writing. 

Writing isn't always students' favourite activity. At one end of the scaffolding spectrum, a blank page can be very daunting, but at the other end, copying from a sentence builder doesn't require much creative input on the learners' part. To achieve a happy medium – and hopefully happy, motivated students – I've selected some activities that provide a medium level of support and include a collaborative or competitive element.

Your complete guide to Children's Mental Health Week 2025: Essential tips and resources for primary and secondary teachers.

Discover 25 engaging end-of-year activities for primary classrooms, from creating memory books and hosting award ceremonies to organising creative projects and outdoor adventures that make the final weeks of term both meaningful and enjoyable.

Discover our curated collection of 25 essential teaching books that will help you enhance your classroom practice, stay up-to-date and maintain your passion for teaching.

Discover 30 brilliant ways to make the most of your six-week summer holiday, from overseas adventures to mindful moments of relaxation!

Learn how to implement adaptive teaching in your classroom, understand its benefits and challenges and discover effective strategies to tailor your teaching to meet diverse student needs.

Discover the key differences between adaptive teaching and differentiation, and learn how to effectively integrate both strategies to meet the diverse needs of your students dynamically and inclusively.

Discover ten effective adaptive teaching strategies and practical examples on how to implement them in both primary and secondary classrooms, ensuring all students can achieve their full potential.

Learn effective behaviour management strategies to create a positive classroom environment, including proactive and reactive approaches, positive reinforcement, restorative practices and practical recommendations for schools.

Discover ten practical strategies for effective behaviour management in primary classrooms, from establishing clear rules to engaging parents and using restorative practices.

Learn how to implement and manage talk partners to develop student oracy skills in an inclusive environment where all learners can express thoughts confidently.

Discover effective strategies to create a positive classroom environment by mastering school rules, using rewards and sanctions wisely and securing student 'buy-in' for a cooperative and respectful atmosphere.