Navigating professionalism in further education: Challenges and opportunities for educators

TOMMI CHARLISH, SPORTS DEPARTMENT, WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE, UK Introduction The landscape of further education (FE) presents unique challenges for educators as they navigate the complexities of professionalism in their field. This article examines the multifaceted issues surrounding professionalism in FE settings, drawing on recent research and first-hand experiences. This piece aims not only to shed light […]

Formative assessment: Checking pupil understanding and providing effective feedback

The content within this compact guide has been adapted from content originally produced for our online courses and for MyCollege, including content by Tom Sherrington and Sara Stafford. What is a compact guide? Our compact guides are designed to provide an introduction to a specific topic or theme. The content within each guide includes an […]

Engaging with research: Searching for, reading and appraising research literature

Lots of multi-coloured books on a bookshelf

The content within this compact guide has been adapted from content originally produced for MyCollege by Gary Jones and Deborah Netolicky. What is a compact guide? Our compact guides are designed to provide an introduction to a specific topic or theme. The content within each guide includes an overview of core concepts related to the […]

Closing the SEND gap through targeted interventions: Findings from the MetaSENse study

By Jo Van Herwegen, Professor of Developmental Psychology and Education, UCL’s Institute of Education Recent evidence shows that students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) have lower educational outcomes compared to their peers and that this gap continues to increase (Tuckett et al., 2021). Although previous reviews have addressed how these students can benefit […]

How QTLS accreditation enhances evidence-informed practice in further education

STEPHANIE MARSHALL-WHITLEY, TRURO AND PENWITH COLLEGE, UK; MSC STUDENT, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, UK Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status (QTLS) validates teachers’ expertise in further education (FE) settings across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and accreditation is available to those working in various institutions, including adult education centres and private training providers (ETF, 2020). As […]

Developing authentic confidence about further education teaching

KATE SIDA-NICHOLLS, GROUP DIRECTOR OF TEACHER DEVELOPMENT, PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND RESEARCH, EASTERN EDUCATION GROUP, UK Teachers in further education (FE) have to embrace the role of being dual professionals because, in addition to mastering pedagogy, they also need to keep up their industry knowledge and expertise throughout their teaching careers. Teachers in FE enter teaching with […]

From the editor

Professor Bill Lucas, Director, Centre for Real-World Learning, University of Winchester, UK; Co-founder, Rethinking Assessment, UK Since 1918, success at school in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has been largely judged by means of high-stakes, standardised examinations at the end of secondary education, with the School Certificate for 16-year-olds and the Higher School Certificate two […]

Can retrieval practice improve student performance within an A-level psychology classroom?

LYDIA MARSH, CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM CENTRE; MA STUDENT, LIVERPOOL HOPE UNIVERSITY, UK Introduction As with other A-level subjects, psychology students require learning strategies that help them to both remember and effectively apply large volumes of complex course content to unseen questions, as their learning is ultimately evaluated by their […]

Dialogic discourse for formative assessment and feedback in A-Level English

VICTORIA ADDIS, DERBY MOOR ACADEMY, UK Classroom talk encompasses a range of interactions that take place within a learning environment, from ‘procedural’ (Nystrand and Gamoran, 1991) and ‘monologic’ (Wells and Arauz, 2006; Gutiérrez, 2008) acts of recitation that centre around closed questioning and recall, to the deeper interactions that we understand as forming part of […]

Become a Chartered College of Teaching Research Champion

Become a Chartered College of Teaching Research Champion   Overview Are you passionate about advancing education through evidence-informed practices? Elevate your impact by becoming a Chartered College of Teaching Research Champion. This crucial role positions you as a liaison between the Chartered College of Teaching and your school, fostering a culture of evidence-informed practice and […]

Teaching Philosophy Statements: What are they and how do I write one?

Lewis A Baker, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, UK Introduction The purpose of this article is to justify the engagement in developing a teaching philosophy statement and to scaffold the writing process. For those already familiar with such documents, this article will argue for the value of revisiting a teaching philosophy […]

Developing metacognition and higher-order thinking in A-level studies

DEBBIE BOGARD, CITY AND ISLINGTON SIXTH FORM COLLEGE, UK  ALEX MELVILLE, LEYTON SIXTH FORM COLLEGE, UK  NEELAM PATEL, ST MARY MAGDALENE ACADEMY, UK Why metacognition in A-level study? A-levels are simultaneously intellectually demanding, given the range of higher-order skills involved, and extremely challenging, given the vast amount of content that needs to be covered. Our […]

The evaluation of information by sixth-formers: A study in decision-making processes

Introduction The evaluation of information is a key skill associated with modern independent learning. Indeed, it is fundamental to Callison’s (2014, p. 23) principle, distilled from the literature, that ‘analysis skills must dominate student use of the internet’, in particular. Even in the age when most information materials took paper form, source appraisal was invariably […]

Saving lives in schools

Joanna Johnson, Associate Trainer (Grassroots Suicide Prevention), ASIST Trainer (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills), Papyrus Volunteer (Prevention of Suicide in Young People), and  Head of Department and Psychology Teacher, Monmouth School for Girls, UK If you were asked what the leading cause of death was in young people, what would you say? Drugs or Alcohol? Car […]

Supporting students with exam anxiety: In conversation with Natasha Devon

Join us for a timely discussion on how best to support students through exam season using tried and tested evidence-based tips and strategies, with mental health expert, Natasha Devon MBE. Natasha Devon MBE is a writer, presenter & activist. She tours schools and events throughout the world, delivering talks and conducting research on mental health, […]