Investigating young children’s learning through a schema lens: How can schema theory inform practice in an Early Years class in a special school?

Antonio Griffiths-Murru and Christine ParkerMay 2021

ANTONIO GRIFFITHS-MURRU, KINGSLEY SPECIAL ACADEMY, UK CHRISTINE PARKER, PEN GREEN TEACHING SCHOOL ALLIANCE, UK This is a reflection part-way through our resea...

Formative assessment and effective feedback0 Comments9 min read

Reimagining the ‘characteristics of effective teaching and learning’ as a framework for feedback in the Early Years

Verity DowningMay 2021

VERITY DOWNING, INDEPENDENT ACADEMIC, UK The purpose of the ‘characteristics of effective teaching and learning’ (CETL) section of Early Years Foundation Stage...

Formative assessment and effective feedback0 Comments12 min read

‘We’re going to be the persons that tell stories’: An exploration of how digital technologies can enhance children’s learning in the Early Years

Cathy GunningMay 2019

Getting the balance right: Using technologies in Early Years This case study is about how five nursery schools in our teaching school alliance worked together ...

Supporting achievement and progress0 Comments6 min read

Learning conversations: Teacher researchers evaluating dialogic strategies in early years settings

PETE BOYDSeptember 2018

This article is based on an original research article published in the International Journal of Early Years Education (Boyd, 2014a). The full article can be fou...

Planning, lessons and learning0 Comments12 min read

Exploring learning dispositions as a means of enhancing the transition from early years to primary school

Karen McNerneySeptember 2018

In the summer of 2010, I spent three weeks in a kindergarten in New Zealand as part of the research for my doctoral thesis. I was there to gain an insight into ...

Planning, lessons and learning0 Comments6 min read

Cognitive skills for active learning in the early years

Sara BakerMay 2018

There is a lot of talk about active learning in the early years, as well as a host of related pedagogical approaches: experiencebased learning, child-led learni...

Learning to learnOpen AccessOpen Access Early Years Articles1 Comment12 min read

Foundations for learning: Guided play for Early Years maths education

Rebecca Merkley and Daniel AnsariFebruary 2018

Numeracy skills measured at age five, prior to the start of primary school, are strong predictors of later academic achievement in both reading and maths (Dunca...

Mind, mindset and learningOpen AccessOpen Access Early Years Articles1 Comment11 min read

Fostering Leaders in the Early Years: The urgent need for problem-focused leadership development through a social leadership lens

Polly Crowther and Mona SakrSeptember 2021

Polly Crowther, Co-Founder, Early Insights; Evidence Leader in Education, East London Research School, UK Mona Sakr, Senior Lecturer, Early Childhood, Middlese...

Professional development for leadership0 Comments12 min read

Staying connected: The informal learning of primary teachers during the COVID-19 lockdown to meet the challenges of emergency remote learning

John Parkin and Sara SpearSeptember 2021

JOHN PARKIN, SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CARE, ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY, UK SARA SPEAR, SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY, UK This paper prese...

Collaboration, networks and sector-wide approaches0 Comments10 min read

Creating the engine room for professional learning: Explaining a research-based model

Rachel LofthouseSeptember 2021

Teachers as learners Teachers are also learners. They learn through their engagement with a knowledge base, through their immersion in practice contexts and th...

Collaboration, networks and sector-wide approaches0 Comments10 min read

Developing David Kolb’s experiential learning cycle

Zoe EnserSeptember 2021

Zoe Enser, English Advisor, The Education People, UK During the first 12 years of my teaching, I became very disconnected from my own development – at least, d...

Teacher expertise and whole-school professional development0 Comments6 min read

What support and development will mentors need to deliver the Early Career Framework optimally?

Katie JumpSeptember 2021

Katie Jump, Author and Lecturer, Fareham & Gosport SCITT, UK The comprehensive review of initial teacher training and the introduction of the early career ...

Supporting early career teachers0 Comments13 min read

Assessment beyond levels in the Early Years

Julian GrenierMay 2021

Julian Grenier, Headteacher, Sheringham Nursery School and Children’s Centre Director, East London Research School, UK Practitioners working with children in t...

Assessment principles and purpose0 Comments15 min read

Assessment and initial teacher education in Wales at a time of change: Adapting and learning

David James, Alex Morgan, Emmajane Milton, Anna Bryant, Jennie Clement, Judith Kneen and Gary BeauchampMay 2021

David James, Alex Morgan and Emmajane Milton, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, UK Anna Bryant, Jennie Clement, Judith Kneen and Gary Beauchamp, Ca...

Assessment, practice and curriculum0 Comments10 min read

Designing a professional learning community: Sustaining teachers of maths

Gaynor Bahan and Chris DaleFebruary 2021

GAYNOR BAHAN AND CHRIS DALE, PROJECT COORDINATION TEAM, MATHS HUB LLME COMMUNITIES PROJECT, NCETM, UK This article explores the role of professional learning c...

Career progression and organisational structures0 Comments9 min read

Enabling students as young as seven years old to be socially active – is there really a long term impact?

Peter Davison and Caroline VernonNovember 2020

Liam Edgeley, Student at Furness College Peter Davison, Senior Leader, Victoria Academy Caroline Vernon, Senior Leader, Victoria Academy This case study cons...

Pupil leadership and pupil voice0 Comments9 min read

The stronger the bonds, the greater the chances of success: Actioning on research to address the gender-based achievement gap in the Early Years

Verity DowningSeptember 2020

Verity Downing, Master of Education (MEd Open), Independent Academic, UK The importance of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) cannot be underestimated. Th...

Strategies to support learning0 Comments9 min read

Releasing students from the cognitive straitjacket of visual-auditory-kinaesthetic learning styles

Lewis BakerSeptember 2020

Lewis A Baker, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, UK Learning styles pervade common nomenclature in schools and are found in m...

Engaging with research and using evidence0 Comments12 min read

Creating an environment to support effective learning strategies for early career teachers

Lisa VannSeptember 2020

Lisa Vann, Teaching and Learning Associate, Transform Trust, UK How do we encourage our early career teachers to engage purposefully with research and in at a ...

Teacher training and professional development0 Comments13 min read

Professionally acceptable workload: Learning to act differently towards effective change

Julie Greer and Caroline DalyMay 2020

The Department for Education (DfE) has taken steps over recent years to emphasise the importance of addressing excessive teacher workload, in order to reduce th...

Teacher recruitment, retention and workload0 Comments11 min read