Schools and pre-schools Books
John Catt Educational Ltd Talk for Teaching: Rethinking Professional
Book SynopsisPaul Garvey uses his experience as a teacher, inspector and a National Strategies consultant to advise educators and schools on how his Talk For Teaching method can help them take control of their Professional Development - without it increasing costs or taking up valuable lesson time. Educators learn how 'Talk for Teaching' can be applied, by utilising experiences from all members of your teaching staff from TAs to heads. All play a vital role in the improvement of the teaching quality throughout the school, whilst improving morale as well. Full of experiences from teachers, headteachers and inspectors, as well as Garvey's own personal experiences, this is not a book to be missed for anyone looking to journey towards teaching excellence. Talk for Teaching clearly works. This is what Ofsted said about the result of putting Talk for Teaching at the heart of a school's programme for improving the quality of teaching. The quote is taken from Barnsole Primary's Ofsted report in April 2016: "Together with the deputy headteacher, the headteacher has led the 'Talk for Teaching' programme that has been an instrumental part of transforming the quality of teaching over time. The high-quality teaching in this school now leads to outstanding outcomes for pupils. The school has used this professional development programme to involve leaders, teachers, teaching assistants, governors and other members of the school staff in observing teaching together. They have detailed conversations about the effectiveness of what is seen and how it can be improved. Staff discuss the quality of teaching regularly and freely share ideas about what works well with colleagues."Trade Review"Talk for Teaching is a gift to anyone working within education today. A brilliant idea, a very simple,yet amazingly powerful tool, with which to improve teaching and learning within all educational establishments. Warmly and humorously written, with plenty of engaging and helpful anecdotes." Mike Fairclough, head, West Rise Junior, TES school of the year 2015
£17.24
John Catt Educational Ltd Learning Without Labels: Improving Outcomes for
Book SynopsisIf we are to improve outcomes, one of the things we need to do is move away from the notion of 'labelling' children and their families. Rather, we need to focus on the needs of such pupils, never forgetting their greatest need is relentlessly high expectations and great teaching. As fragmentation of LAs continues, the need for authoritative, evidence-based guidance and signposting has grown. This book does not provide an exhaustive list of all the challenges that might arise, but it has a good go. Including chapters by Simon Knight; Loic Menzies; Bernard Trafford; Jarlath O'Brien; Mary Myatt; David Bartram; David Weston – and many others.
£18.35
John Catt Educational Ltd Taking Control: How to Prepare Your School for
Book SynopsisOfsted don't allow their inspectors to offer advice to schools. But as a former inspector, Paul Garvey is able to use his experience to help headteachers prepare for inspections in order to help every school gain the grade it feels it deserves. His book is full of invaluable insights, gathered from years of experience in inspecting thousands of different schools. He takes readers step-by-step through what schools need to be doing (and not doing!) in advance to prepare, and then walks readers through the inspection process from both the school's and inspector's point of view. Paul refers regularly to Ofsted's School Inspection Handbook in order to link his advice to the grading criteria. And finally, he guides readers on writing their self-evaluation form. This book is a must have for any senior leadership team with an inspection due.
£14.50
John Catt Educational Ltd Much Promise: Successful Schools in England
Book SynopsisBarnaby Lenon, a former schoolmaster and headmaster who is chair of the Independent Schools Council, takes an in-depth look at the elements that make up a successful school. He examines leading and latest research on school leadership and management; looks at how teachers, pupils, parents and governors can achieve results; and puts the spotlight on subjects, exam systems and social mobility. For his research, he visited a number of schools that are achieving outstanding results: John Perryn Primary School, Acton; Tollgate Primary School, Newham; King Solomon Academy, Marylebone; Burlington Danes Academy, Hammersmith; West London Free School, Hammersmith; Michaela Community School, Wembley; St Mary Magdalene Academy, Islington; Dixons Kings Academy, Bradford; Tauheedul Boys' School, Blackburn; London Academy of Excellence, Newham; and Brighton College. His analysis of their innovations and achievements provides an insight into some of England's most successful schools.Trade ReviewHigher standards, school autonomy, exams that stretch, getting the basics right - all the education reforms we have undertaken in recent years have been based not on ideology but simply on what works. That is what Barnaby Lenon explores in this fascinating assessment of all that is good (and bad) in education today. A must-read for teachers, parents, policy makers and anyone interested in making sure that all children are able to reach their potential. -- David Cameron * former Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party *
£16.00
John Catt Educational Ltd The Power of Character: Lessons from the
Book SynopsisIn this personal, thought-provoking and timely book, Dr Andrew Reay offers a clarion call to parents, educators and business leaders who are seeking to unlock the true potential of our next generation - their character - and ensure they really do flourish as human beings. For too long, government initiatives have turned our schools into cost-centred and target-driven organisations. The Power of Character offers the tools by which we can buck the trends of this old, outdated system, introducing new ideas to the classroom and new structures to the schooling system that can revolutionise the way we prepare our children for their future: a mandate for Education 2.0. Distilling vast amounts of scientific information into engrossing narratives, Reay's Six Elements of Character are translated through the work of behavioural scientists in the fields of human motivation, decision making, optimism, grit and mind-set to show how a new wave of educators are using these tools of science to peel back the mysteries of our very character.At its heart, this book challenges the reader to evaluate how we raise and educate our children, how we run our schools, how we lead our businesses and how we construct our social networks for the betterment of themselves and everyone around them.Trade Review"A fascinating book - thought provoking and stimulating," David Laws, Schools Minister, 2012-2015 "Passionately argued, superbly researched, and filled with real stories, The Power of Character will permanently change how we see what Martin Luther King once described as the true goal of education - and how you see this within yourself - the content of our very own character and the mandate for an Education 2.0". Sir Iain Hall "After a brutal and honest commentary on education in Britain over recent years, Dr Andrew Reay offers an alternative vision for the future with a step by step guide as to how we might achieve this. A rallying call to bring autonomy back to teachers and heads and bring an end to a 'quick fix' culture. An alternative to the obsessive focus on tests, intelligence and rankings, this book is challenging and thought provoking; exciting and inspiring in both its delivery and ideas." Tim Perris - Founder and Director of 'Imagine for Schools' "A very readable and wide-ranging account of how a school has synthesised research evidence around motivation with historical and contemporary socio-cultural influences, in pursuit of a broad education for its students - intelligence with character. Part biography, part historical review, part survey of evidence, part polemic and part a how-to guide for ambitious schools, this book will inform, entertain, stimulate, inspire, and occasionally exasperate in equal measure." Dr Barry J Hymer, Emeritus Professor of Psychology in Education, University of Cumbria
£16.00
John Catt Educational Ltd Supporting Muslim Students: A Quick Reference
Book SynopsisThe purpose of the Pocket Guide is to equip teachers, trainers and lecturers with the fundamental knowledge and understanding to provide enhanced affective and cognitive support for their Muslim students – as well as providing all students with an additional reference for seeking clarification on issues of our/their time. Its principal day-to-day functions are as a quick reference guide which is pocketable (produced in A5 format) with information which is accessible and user-friendly.Trade ReviewThis pocket-guide, openly and objectively, surveys the wounds suffered nationally and internationally over the last century, within and outside the Muslim community, encouraging a tenderness with each other's hurts, as well as an honouring of each other as cherished children of God. -- Rt Rev'd David Wilbourne * Assistant Bishop of Llandaff and Director of Ministry *
£12.34
John Catt Educational Ltd Stopping Bad Things Happening to Good Schools -
Book SynopsisThis unique book has been written to save schools and their leaders from going belly-up. While no book can anticipate every possible horror situation, Mike Waters' book provides anyone who wants their school to steer clear of shocking events the guidance to do just that. But since such things can happen anyway, it is also about preparing and responding to them if they do occur. Think a school-harming won't happen to you or your school? They are happening more and more and often to the best schools and school leaders. Think your crisis management procedures will see you through? Don't bank on it. Many of the events that rock schools don't start off as obvious crises. They may start off as something seemingly minor and containable - a routine parental complaint, perhaps, or a stupid action by a member. Then things spiral out of control. That's the world that many school leaders find themselves in today. And if you want painful, first-hand evidence for this, you have only to read the school leaders' own accounts of their harrowing experiences provided in the book.Because Dr Waters' book draws directly on his experiences of working with schools rocked by crises they never saw coming, it is filled with practical wisdom. But it is also blessedly short. It's a book for busy people who want to save themselves stress and turmoil. If that's you, then read it before it's too late.
£14.50
Unicorn Publishing Group Elstree 175: Celebrating 175 Years of Elstree
Book SynopsisElstree School celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2023 and to commemorate the anniversary new book Elstree 175 tells iconic story of the school from 1848 to today, celebrating every aspect of such a famous academic institution. This revised history gives a lively account of the extraordinary Sanderson family who ran it for 100 years, the other teachers who made it special as well as celebrating some of its distinguished old boys and alumni. Elstree School was a feeder for Harrow School, and in its early days, had a strong intellectual background with figures such as Joseph Conrad and John Galsworthy who were frequent visitors to the school. The book explains the ethos of study, Christian faith, high sporting achievement and good manners that have long given the school its special quality, and brings the story right up to the present day.
£999.99
John Catt Educational Ltd What The Academy Taught Us: Improving Schools
Book SynopsisEarly in the 2000s, a high-school principal in Minnesota, Dr. Bob Perdaems, faced a complex challenge. The demographics of his school were shifting, political tensions in the surrounding communities were rising, and, thanks to the No Child Left Behind Act's new testing and accountability requirements, his school's performance was soon to be scrutinized more intensely and more publicly than ever before. While he had several visions of how his school could continuously improve through these realities, however, he had no additional budget to bring his ideas to life.Undaunted, Dr. Bob set to creating school improvements the best way he knew how--and that, of course, he could afford: he prioritized his school's areas for growth, found teachers who would lend minds and hands, and gathered them to look at the blueprints. What the Academy Taught Us is a book about the collaborative school-improvement culture Dr. Bob created in his Minnesota high school: the principles that initiated it, the collective effort that kept it running, and the lasting effects it had on its teachers and students. The book also brilliantly explores how bottom-up approaches like Dr. Bob's fare in the current era, which seeks to transform schools through more top-down and 'disruptive' means. Ultimately, What the Academy Taught Us offers today's educators a way forward. While largely viewing the difficult work of school improvement through the prism of a single school, it presents abundant recommendations about how schools everywhere can build effective and continuous improvement from the bottom up.Trade ReviewThis is a fascinating case study of school improvement that runs counter to much received wisdom. As a school leader, how can you improve standards, inspire pupils, integrate research and policy and build a committed team around you? 'What the Academy Taught Us'' offers some answers that are grounded in the reality of school life. Anyone who enjoyed 'Education is Upside Down' will love reading about the school and classroom experiences which inspired it. --Daisy Christodoulou, Director of Education at No More Marking, author of Making Good Progress & Seven Myths about Education You won't find any silver bullets in this honest and uplifting book from acclaimed educator Eric Kalenze. The kind of bottom-up school improvement of which he writes is hard work and comes with no guarantees of success. But that's why educators and policymakers alike should reach it carefully; it points to a version of education reform that might actually stick. --Michael J. Petrilli, President, Thomas B. Fordham Institute Eric Kalenze continues to eschew technocratic top-down approaches to improving education in favor of focusing on what matters most - the human interaction between teachers and students. This is his story, and it will inspire you. --Benjamin Riley, Founder of Deans for ImpactThis is a fascinating case study of school improvement that runs counter to much received wisdom. As a school leader, how can you improve standards, inspire pupils, integrate research and policy and build a committed team around you? 'What the Academy Taught Us'' offers some answers that are grounded in the reality of school life. Anyone who enjoyed 'Education is Upside Down' will love reading about the school and classroom experiences which inspired it. --Daisy Christodoulou, Director of Education at No More Marking, author of Making Good Progress & Seven Myths about Education You won't find any silver bullets in this honest and uplifting book from acclaimed educator Eric Kalenze. The kind of bottom-up school improvement of which he writes is hard work and comes with no guarantees of success. But that's why educators and policymakers alike should reach it carefully; it points to a version of education reform that might actually stick. --Michael J. Petrilli, President, Thomas B. Fordham Institute Eric Kalenze continues to eschew technocratic top-down approaches to improving education in favor of focusing on what matters most - the human interaction between teachers and students. This is his story, and it will inspire you. --Benjamin Riley, Founder of Deans for Impact
£12.50
John Catt Educational Ltd Education Exposed: Leading a school in a time of
Book SynopsisThe ultimate guide to understanding how a school can be led, managed and run, written by an author with extensive experience, and drawing heavily on research around knowledge-based curricula.Cleary and honestly stating the challenges of leading a school, Samuel Strickland focuses on approaches to the curriculum, teaching and learning, teacher workload, behavior, staff morale, leadership and Ofsted.
£13.50
RedDoor Press What Page Sir?: The Joy of Text in a Secondary
Book Synopsis'If Mr Pickering had done his job well and taught me the right syllabus, maybe I would have studied English at university. He didn't and now I'm a full time drummer who loves Pride and Prejudice. I guess it worked out in the end' - Femi Koleoso, drummer (Gorillaz and The Ezra Collective) 'An infallible guide to the pleasures and pitfalls of teaching the strange canon of texts selected for this annual trial by ordeal. Sharp critical insights combine with hilarious anecdotes... Highly recommended' - Professor David Duff, Queen Mary University of London What Page, Sir? records the hilarious and sometimes painful experience of an English teacher as he struggles through some very familiar literary texts with some very unenthusiastic teenagers. Alongside the comedy that a teacher could really live without, is a fresh and irreverent look at the stalwarts of the school curriculum. Featuring An Inspector Calls, Lord of the Flies, Of Mice and Men, plus the obvious works by Jane Austen, Dickens and Shakespeare texts that seem to have been the staple for secondary schools forever, and, in some cases, remain a drag for everyone involved. But beneath the buffoonery in the classroom, this book makes a more serious point about the education we are serving up for our children and whether it's finally time for change.
£8.99
John Catt Educational Ltd Teacher CPD: International Trends, opportunities
Book SynopsisResearch has found that carefully designed professional development opportunities with a focus on pupil outcomes can have a significant impact on student achievement. But how can we ensure that every teacher is able to access high-quality and impactful professional development to benefit them, their pupils and wider society?With articles from international experts including Rob Coe, Becky Allen, David Berliner, Carol Campbell, James Ko and more, accompanied by case studies from a wide range of settings, this report seeks to encourage reflection and support educators everywhere in answering this critical question.
£19.95
John Catt Educational Ltd Curriculum Exposed: The curriculum is God, so
Book SynopsisCurriculum Exposed follows on from Samuel Strickland’s first book, Education Exposed. It is a pacy, punchy and forthright critique of how to drive the curriculum within a school and how the curriculum should be used as a vehicle for change and social justice. The book is simply and neatly laid out, with each chapter identifying common curricular misconceptions, posing lots of key questions to consider and offering multiple practical ideas that you can take away. Every chapter ends with five key highlights for you to carefully consider. It offers a neat interplay of theory, research, Samuel’s expertise and experience coupled with a practical and real-world approach. The first section of the book champions the importance of knowledge, the issue with skills, why the teacher should be the expert, underpinning theories with practical suggestions regarding how to plan the curriculum as a whole. The second section of the book will take you through a series of curriculum tools and teaching approaches that will assist you to think about how you implement the curriculum. The final section of the book champions the notion that the teacher is the expert, focusing on the importance of subject knowledge and coaching and explains how to monitor the curriculum carefully. Curriculum Exposed is relevant for anyone working in a school, irrespective of their position or role. It is designed to be an accessible, versatile and quick read. Equally, it can be used as a ‘dip-in and dip-out guide’ to the curriculum. Multiple practical approaches and strategies are offered as key take-away points.
£14.45
John Catt Educational Ltd Journey to Outstanding (Second Edition): How to
Book SynopsisMost schools become good, but very few become outstanding. Why is that? Because the journey to good and the journey to outstanding are qualitatively different. Getting to good is about compliance, systems and making sure a demanding list of actions are done every day - it's no small feat. Getting to outstanding is about creating a high-performing culture, something most leaders are not adequately trained to do, and it's the reason most schools struggle to break the glass ceiling of good. Every school can be outstanding. This book will show you what is really holding your school back and the three culture strategies you need to put in place to create a genuinely outstanding school. A school which delivers excellent education is holistic, has great results and prepares your students for their next steps whilst being a joy to work in. Sonia Gill has an impressive track record in supporting headteachers to create genuinely outstanding schools without focusing on the Ofsted framework; the schools she supports are far more likely to achieve 'outstanding' than those that don't.
£16.00
John Catt Educational Ltd Collins et al's Cognitive Apprenticeship in
Book SynopsisIn 1991 Allan Collins, John Seely Brown and Ann Holum published 'Cognitive Apprenticeship: Making Thinking Visible'. Nearly a quarter of a century later John Tomsett encountered their paper and since then, it has influenced his teaching immeasurably. Collins et al. believed that 'domain (subject) knowledge … provides insufficient clues for many students about how to actually go about solving problems and carrying out tasks in a domain'. They believed that you had to make expert subject thinking visible to students. Consequently, Tomsett developed a number of techniques which made his expert subject thinking visible to his students, to great effect. Beyond his own practice, the principles behind Collins et al’s paper have been woven throughout Huntington School in York, where Tomsett is headteacher, a research school whose teachers are committed to developing evidence-informed classroom practice. In this book, a number of Huntington School teachers discuss, in a series of brief essays, what they consider to be the expert thought processes specific to their individual subject domains. They explain in detail how they use cognitive apprenticeship techniques 'in action' to make their disciplinary thinking visible and help their students learn those same expert thought processes. This book is a priceless contribution to the current debate about the curriculum and how it is taught in our schools.
£15.37
John Catt Educational Ltd Addressing Educational Disadvantage in Schools
Book SynopsisThe genesis for this book, and the strategy within it, is a longstanding commitment from Essex County Council to improve the life chances and life choices of disadvantaged pupils being educated in Essex.The purpose of the book is to set out a strategic, evidence-informed approach with pupils, families, teachers, leaders, system leaders and wider agencies which puts learners first. This approach is rooted in best practice. It centres on improving the day to day learning experiences of disadvantaged pupils, leading to better long term choice and opportunity. Unity Research School and Essex County Council hope it will support efforts to address the impact of socio-economic disadvantage on learning in schools and colleges nationally.
£17.24
John Catt Educational Ltd Pupil Book Study: An evidence-informed guide to
Book SynopsisPupil Book Study is a window into the ‘lived experience’ of pupils, as opposed to just the observed experience. It is also a mirror in which to reflect professional practice and identify what helps learning, and what hinders it by outlining clear and coherent structures in which to talk with pupils and look at their books. Pupil Book Study gives headteachers, senior and middle leaders a systematic toolkit to evaluate the impact of the curriculum through studying teaching and learning. Infused with cognitive science research and evidence-informed practice, it offers schools the architecture for excellence; helping remove the risk of making assumptions. Pupil Book Study is a guide for schools that offers 7 specific and fully exemplified areas to focus quality assurance systems. The keystone between teaching, learning and the curriculum, Pupil Book Study offers schools the tools to explain why things are as they are and presents solutions to the areas that limit or hinder progress. Schools report that Pupil Book Study has been some of the most powerful and impactful work they have ever undertaken, resulting in positive change. In November 2020, Pupil Book Study was shared with the Deputy Director, Senior HMI and Policy makers at Ofsted.
£19.00
John Catt Educational Ltd Teaching WalkThrus 2: Five-step guides to
Book SynopsisIn the groundbreaking and best-selling Teaching WalkThrus Volume 1, Tom Sherrington and Oliver Caviglioli produced a brilliantly concise and accessible repository to 50 essential teaching techniques. In this follow-up second volume, Tom and Oliver team up with 10 experienced educators to present 50 brand new WalkThrus, covering all the key areas of teaching: behaviour and relationships; curriculum planning; explaining and modelling; questioning and feedback; practice and retrieval; and Mode B teaching.Alex Quigley, Martin Robinson, Claire Stoneman, Bennie Kara, Zoe Enser, Mark Enser, John Tomsett, Simon Breakspear, Bronwyn Ryie Jones and Oliver Lovell bring a huge wealth of expertise as they help to further expand and elaborate this essential teaching manual.As always, each technique is concisely explained and beautifully illustrated in five short steps, to make sense of complex ideas and support student learning.
£17.24
John Catt Educational Ltd Letter to My NQT Self
Book SynopsisTo all the wonderful early career teachers in our sector…You have entered a career in which you are paid to transform the lives of the most incredible children. What a privilege! You are so determined to make a difference and the education sector is full of inspiring colleagues who will guide and support you along the way. Every school has them. Every school needs them. In this book we introduce you to some of them. Written by the Academy Transformation Trust family and friends, this book is a collection of letters by teachers to their ‘NQT self.’ In their letters, teachers recount tales of successes and challenges in their first year of teaching, offering practical tips to support you to thrive in your early years of teaching.We hope you enjoy the book as much as we enjoyed writing it. Enjoy embarking on a journey of lifelong learning whilst serving the learning of others. From the Academy Transformation Trust family and friends.Contributors: Abby Bayford, Alicia Rickards, Amy Bills, Amy Staniforth, Andy Smith, Asha Kailey, Ben Manley, Cat Rushton, Charlotte Tuck, Craig Battrick, David Hicks, Debbie Clinton, Dr Kulvarn Atwal, Evo Hannan, Emma Turner, Freddie Hughes, Haider Abbas, Jon Burrows, Jorge Pashler, Laura Bradley, Lizzie Poole, Lucy Dawes, Lucy Wharton, Luke Taylor, Mary Myatt, Neil Harding, Neil Smith, Nicola Powling, Phillipa Harris, Roma Dhameja, Sarah Lee, Sharifah Lee, Shuaib Khan, Stephanie Badham, Tanya Kempson, Tom Reynolds, Zoe Enser.
£17.24
John Catt Educational Ltd The Metacognition Handbook: A Practical Guide for
Book SynopsisMetacognition is one of the most highly effective but under-used teaching strategies in all of education. Over-complicated by some, over-simplified by others and misunderstood by many, this area of theory and practice is in need of a fresh look. The Metacognition Handbook provides a clear, practical guide for teachers and school leaders to embed metacognition into classroom practice and school culture to enhance student outcomes. Looking at classroom pedagogy, teacher CPD, transition, and more, The Metacognition Handbook argues a case for evidence informed application of simple but effective ways to boost student independence, self-regulation, self-efficacy and motivation.
£19.11
John Catt Educational Ltd Retrieval Practice: Resource Guide: Ideas &
Book SynopsisAs part of the successful and popular Retrieval Practice collection by Kate Jones, this practical resource guide is the go-to guide for a wide range of retrieval practice tasks that teachers can use in their classrooms. There are over fifty evidence-informed and creative, tried and tested, classroom resources and strategies to support retrieval practice. These include starter tasks, tasks to support literacy and revision as well as a range of recommended online quizzing tools. For each resource, there is an explanation with top tips and visuals for easy implementation. All of the resources provided aim to be low effort, high impact. Low effort for the teacher in terms of workload but high impact on student learning. Regardless of the subject or age range taught there are plenty of takeaways for every teacher – a handy retrieval resource guide for every teacher and every classroom.
£11.63
John Catt Educational Ltd The Goldilocks Map: A classroom teacher's quest
Book SynopsisIn the last 20 years, the cognitive sciences have revealed fresh, surprising, and useful insights into how and why our students learn. Teachers can now draw on psychology and neuroscience research to supplement, reconsider, even overturn our traditions and training.To use this research most wisely, teachers must find our way to an elusive Goldilocks Zone.Instead of resisting all research-based guidance, we should be ready to take it to heart – even when it challenges both our training and conventional wisdom. Instead of accepting all research-based guidance, we should be ready to reject it emphatically – especially the hyped-up edu-fads that exaggerate and misinterpret psychology findings.How can we get this Goldilocks balance “just right”? This book offers a specific, practical quest map to discover just such a balance. By critically examining the source, the research, and ourselves, teachers can develop the skills necessary to be effective research skeptics.Written by a teacher with 18 years in the classroom – and 13 years studying neuroscience and psychology – The Goldilocks Map transforms brain research from a daunting monologue into an approachable, exciting, and lively conversation.
£19.11
John Catt Educational Ltd The Sweet Spot: Explaining and modelling with
Book SynopsisIn The Sweet Spot, Michael Chiles explores the art of teacher explanation and modelling in teaching students what they need to know. Delving into the research, Michael sets out the reasons why the art of telling and showing students underpin effective teaching and learning. Armed with research-based evidence, Michael looks at a range of efficient and effective strategies teachers can use in their own classrooms to expertly explain and model their subject. In the final part of the book, Michael is joined by teachers across the broad range of subjects in the primary and secondary phases to share how they teach one difficult concept within their own subject.
£17.24
John Catt Educational Ltd The Lone SENDCO: Questions and answers for the
Book SynopsisThe SENDCO role can feel quite isolating. SENDCOs know more than anyone in their setting about SEND, so who do they go to when they need support? Especially when new to the role, who do you turn to when tackling a problem or looking for inspiration? The Lone SENDCO answers over 300 questions that SENDCOs grapple with, whether experienced or new: How should outcomes be worded? Do I get longer to respond if I receive a consultation in the holidays? How shall I structure my inclusion department? How do I assess SEND for a child with EAL? How should I be working with my school’s Careers Officer? How do I motivate disengaged learners? What do Ofsted look for in an inspection?Split helpfully into easily-workable sections, this reference book can be picked up and dipped into, whatever the priority. Whether it’s organising an annual review for the first time, taking your partnership with parents to the next level or linking your work in SEND to cognitive science, The Lone SENDCO tackles the questions you have and the answers you need.Sections include: EHCPs and annual reviews, working with parents/carers, statutory compliance and legislation, strategic thinking as a SENDCO, identification and assessment of SEND, supporting transition for pupils, working with pupils, Ofsted developing my knowledge as a SENDCO, funding for SEND, teaching and learning, exam access arrangements, understanding data, tracking progress, managing a SEND register, understanding the SENDCO role, challenging decisions around placement and provision, CPD as a SENDCO, SEND as a whole-school issue, working with TAs, working with external partners, provision mapping, interventions, troubleshooting and a guide to types of need.
£19.11
John Catt Educational Ltd The Path of The Mindful Teacher: How to choose
Book SynopsisIn The Path of the Mindful Teacher, Danielle A. Nuhfer introduces educators to a process that will help them positively manage stress, find work-life balance, lessen symptoms of burnout, and increase classroom job satisfaction. Teachers walking this path will be able to determine their own needs and the needs of their students, so they can successfully and sustainably do one of the most important jobs in the world: teaching the future of our planet.Drawing on Danielle’s experience as a teacher, mindfulness practitioner, and teacher wellness coach, The Path of the Mindful Teacher will:• Explain the basics of mindfulness and how it can inform teaching practice.• Illustrate a simple step-by-step path that will help teachers choose calm over chaos and serenity over stress.• Provide ways to integrate mindfulness practice into the classroom and beyond.• Offer mindfulness activities that can be adapted to an individual teacher’s needs.• Present tools to balance the ever-changing landscape of teaching.Trade ReviewShould be required reading for every first-year teacher. This book will help great teachers stay in the profession. -- Jethro Jones
£16.00
John Catt Educational Ltd Irresistible Learning: Embedding a culture of
Book SynopsisThis book will strengthen your research practice and help build a culture of research across your school. Whether you are a class teacher or school leader, you will be guided to use the power of research to strengthen practice in yourself and others. The author offers a practical guide on how to engage in meaningful research that will have a deep and lasting impact on you and your organisation. You will be taken on a journey through a Research Cycle that will build your confidence and purpose as a researcher; deepening professional relationships and improving outcomes for all. You will then be introduced to a range of systems that construct a culture of research in your school, building a climate where the voice of every member of staff is deeply valued and has the potential to influence the strategic development of the organisation. If you are interested in research in schools, this book is for you.
£19.11
John Catt Educational Ltd My Secret #EdTech Diary: Looking at Educational
Book SynopsisWith 30+ years’ experience developing and using EdTech products, distilled down into an easy-to-read format, My Secret EdTech Diary aims to get you thinking about the past, present and future role of educational technology and how it influences and shapes our education system. My Secret EdTech Diary reflects on the history of EdTech, lessons learned pre and post-Covid, best practice suggestions, how to select the right solutions and the questions you need to consider before pursuing your digital ambitions. With unique insights from an Educators’ and Vendors’ perspective, advice for budding EduPreneurs, guidance for schools considering how to co-produce technology solutions with vendors and how to make the right choices, Al aims to shine a light on Educational Technology through the widest possible lens.With links to research, insights from trusted peers, quick ready-reckoner checklists, questions you need to be asking, alongside voices aligned from the sector, this book aims to get you up to speed and thinking big picture EdTech.Trade ReviewAl is a shining light of the EdTech world. He is a fantastic advocate of EdTech collaboration between school leaders, education systems and the EdTech industry. Al champions and creates opportunities for teachers, school leaders and EdTech suppliers to work-together constructively to share knowledge and best-practice. -- Caroline Wright * Director General, British Educational Suppliers Association *
£16.00
John Catt Educational Ltd A Pedagogy of Purpose: Classical Wisdom for the
Book SynopsisA Pedagogy of Purpose offers a completely fresh take on key problems in the education system. Gary Keogh argues that the education system has lost its way; it has become mechanistic, vapid, driven by an obsession with dubious measurements and led by a very narrow understanding of what it means to succeed. It has lost its sense of purpose. Using many real classroom examples, Keogh provides a new way forward, demonstrating how insights from classical philosophy can have a positive influence on crucial issues in education like student behaviour, assessment, attendance, the quality of teaching and learning, and perhaps most importantly, the mental health of students and teachers.
£16.00
John Catt Educational Ltd Capstone: Inquiry & Action at School
Book SynopsisCapstone: Inquiry & Action at School addresses the what, why, and how of capstone education.Capstone programs are modern rituals that give meaning back to "schooling” and create transformative relationships between students and teachers. Capstone programs energize schools and can point the way for institutional change.Written by teachers for teachers, Capstone contains ready-to-implement materials derived from decades of experience in the classroom. The authors share authentic narratives of failure and success to encourage teachers who are engaged in the risks and rewards of deep learning.Capstone is implementable. Capstone offers concrete tips and templates for teachers. Capstone collects in one place all the resources a teacher needs to build a program from the ground up.Capstone is compelling. Written by teachers, Capstone communicates through a shared experience of the classroom. Capstone offers support for teachers who are committed to authentic student learning.Capstone is connected. Capstone shares emerging practices being developed by current capstone educators and informed by the collected wisdom of the National Capstone Consortium.
£17.00
John Catt Educational Ltd Shimamura's MARGE Model of Learning in Action
Book SynopsisShimamura’s MARGE model, described as a ‘Whole-Brain Learning Approach for Students and Teachers’, builds links between the areas of neuroscience, cognitive science and the practice of classroom teachers. Through discussing key ideas within the learning process – Motivate, Attend, Relate, Generate and Evaluate – Shimamura’s MARGE is a valuable lens through which we can discuss learning.This book aims to bring the MARGE model to life through the use of case studies written by practising teachers, and examples taken from classrooms across a range of phases. Through taking each of the principles of MARGE in turn, this practical guide helps all teachers better understand how they can develop their practice and improve the impact they have with the students they teach.
£15.37
John Catt Educational Ltd Organise Ideas: Thinking by Hand, Extending the
Book SynopsisThe central purpose of this book is to help teachers organise ideas through the use of graphic organisers. Over 35 such word-diagrams are: organised into a system to help select the right tool for the job; described for rapid understanding of their strengths; and explained for step-by-step construction.Over 50 teachers each have a double-page spread in which they reveal how they use them in their teaching — across the full age range and span of subjects. A further section of the book demonstrates how to use these word-diagrams most effectively by partnering them with other teaching strategies, such as retrieval practice, writing, speaking and listening, teacher explanations, advance organisers, scaffolding, remote learning and more.The pages are illustrated to the same quality and quantity in Oliver’s previous book, Dual Coding with Teachers, its natural companion. A must-have textbook for every teacher that transcends contemporary ideological allegiances and fads.
£19.00
John Catt Educational Ltd The Teaching Delusion 2: Teaching Strikes Back
Book SynopsisWhisper it quietly: a lot of time is being wasted in a lot of schools. Actually, why are we whispering? What we should really be doing is calling this out – loudly! The job of schools is too important for us to keeping quiet. Schools are in the ‘transforming lives’ business. There is no time to waste! In The Teaching Delusion: Why Teaching In Our Schools Isn’t Good Enough (And How We Can Make It Better), Bruce Robertson explored ‘delusions’ that are holding our schools back. In this sequel, The Teaching Delusion 2: Teaching Strikes Back, he digs deeper into three areas: curriculum, pedagogy and leadership. In doing so, he tackles the issue of time-wasting head-on. By calling out specific delusions in each area, Robertson suggests strategies for dismantling these and offers a clear roadmap forward. Backed by a depth of research and a breadth of experience, The Teaching Delusion 2: Teaching Strikes Back will give teachers and school leaders the supportive shake-up they need, helping them to abandon practices that aren’t making the difference they should be, and to focus on the things that will really make the biggest difference to students in our schools.
£19.11
John Catt Educational Ltd The Teaching Delusion 3: Power Up Your Pedagogy
Book SynopsisHands up if you’ve ever been given lesson observation feedback that you didn’t understand, didn’t agree with, or just thought was plain rubbish. If your hand is in the air, you’re in good company! When it comes to teachers receiving high-quality feedback that helps them improve their teaching, we have a serious issue in our schools. Teachers want to improve their teaching. They embrace any opportunity to learn. They want other professionals to watch them teach and to get into conversations about developing their practice. What they don’t want is to be criticised, patronised, sent down blind alleys, or left utterly confused. Those who’ve been giving feedback telling teachers to ‘differentiate more’, ‘talk less’, or ‘let students lead their own learning’ have a lot to answer for. The Teaching Delusion 3: Power Up Your Pedagogy has been written to address the issue of teachers receiving poor feedback in our schools. As a self-improvement and coaching resource, it is essential reading for all teachers and school leaders. Through a detailed exploration of 12 key elements of pedagogy, author Bruce Robertson sets out a clear, researched-informed guide to improving pedagogy in every classroom, across every school. By highlighting key features of effective practice and a broad range of techniques teachers can focus on developing, this practical guidebook will be valued by professionals in all sectors, regardless of experience. The Teaching Delusion 3: Power Up Your Pedagogy completes The Teaching Delusion trilogy with a bang!
£19.11
John Catt Educational Ltd Huh: Curriculum conversations between subject and
Book SynopsisSchools need to have purchase on the curriculum: why they teach the subjects beyond preparation for examinations, what they are intending to achieve with the curriculum, how well it is planned and enacted in classrooms and how they know whether it’s doing what it’s supposed to. Fundamental to this understanding are the conversations between subject leaders and their line managers. However, there is sometimes a mismatch between the subject specialisms of senior leaders and those they line manage. If I don’t know the terrain and the importance of a particular subject, how can I talk intelligently with colleagues who are specialists? This book sets out to offer some tentative answers to these questions. Each of the national curriculum subjects is discussed with a subject leader and provides an insight into what they view as the importance of the subject, how they go about ensuring that knowledge, understanding and skills are developed over time, how they talk about the quality of the schemes in their departments and what they would welcome from senior leaders by way of support. We have chosen this way of opening up the potentially difficult terrain of expertise on one side and relative lack of expertise on the other, by providing these case studies. They are suggested as prompts rather than the last word. Informed debate is, after all, the fuel of curriculum development. And why Huh? Well, 'Huh?' may be John's first response when he walks into a Year 8 German class but, in fact, we chose 'Huh' as the title of our book as he is the Egyptian god of endlessness. As Claire Hill so eloquently comments in her chapter, “Curriculum development is an ongoing process; it’s not going to be finished, ever.” And we believe that 'Huh' captures a healthy and expansive way of considering curriculum conversations.
£19.11
John Catt Educational Ltd Teach to the Top: Aiming High for Every Learner
Book SynopsisTeach to the Top is a research-informed guide to aspirational teaching, focusing on how embedding higher-level knowledge in the classroom empowers students to succeed and to enjoy learning. Questioning existing orthodoxies around ability, Teach to the Top sets out a vision for an education system in which pupils of all attainment levels are enabled to make fantastic progress by being exposed to sophisticated concepts, and afforded opportunities to think deeply and grapple with stimulating ideas. Making a convincing case for the centrality of subject knowledge, the book also shows how affording teachers the professional autonomy to participate in continual development of their own knowledge benefits both teachers and students. As well as engaging critically with a wealth of educational research, Teach to the Top outlines a plethora of research-informed strategies for teaching to the top. Topics include embedding advanced knowledge in curriculum planning, approaches to challenging classroom talk, the fundamental importance of increasing learners’ confidence, the dangers of differentiation and grade-focused feedback, and the value of an adaptable approach to planning. Both thoughtful and practical, Teach to the Top develops a persuasive justification for the entitlement of every child to higher-level knowledge, alongside providing teachers with a range of practical suggestions and questions for reflection to enable the application of this philosophy to their own classrooms.
£19.11
John Catt Educational Ltd From Camouflage to Classroom: What my Army career
Book SynopsisOn George Vlachonikolis' 25th birthday, he was holding an SA80 assault rifle. Inside his webbing pouches were 150 rounds of ammunition, two HE grenades, two smoke grenades, a small survival kit, 20 Marlboro Lights, and a medikit that included two sticks of morphine and two tourniquets. Strapped to the left-hand side of his Osprey body armour, within easy reach, was his bayonet. George was in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. On George’s 37th birthday, he was wearing a striped cotton twill shirt and well-ironed beige chinos. A thin fabric lanyard carried his ID badge proudly. In front of him was a class of secondary school students, who were settling down and getting ready for their next lesson. George was in a school in the UK. From Camouflage to Classroom is about everything George learned with the Army in Afghanistan and has brought to his classroom teaching today. By reflecting on the most intense and thought-provoking experiences of his life, George aims to explore the role of the classroom teacher from an original perspective: one based on military principles and practice. This book takes a direct, human and very honest look at the challenges faced by classroom teachers today and offers some military-inspired solutions.
£12.00
John Catt Educational Ltd The Excludables: From mainstream classroom to
Book SynopsisWhen it comes to 'The Excludables', it is time to shake up the debate.Students who are excluded from school, and society, are at a higher risk of being incarcerated. They are more likely to have mental health difficulties, special educational needs, live in poverty, have social care involvement and they disproportionately come from certain ethnic groups. This book pulls on all those threads using up to date research and establishes a deeper understanding of how and why these things affect school behaviours. The factors that lead to exclusion are complex, and this book meets that challenge head on, including the kinds of “crunchy bits” that are usually avoided at all costs, such as children who are high in callous-unemotional traits, and trauma-informed approaches in prison education.Written by an experienced educator and behaviour consultant, this book steps away from the worn-out discourse that surrounds behaviour in schools, and away from the notion that educators are the only relevant experts. Get ready to explore genetics, bias, epistemic trust, and the human stress-response system; all examined through the lens of the realities of behavioural challenge faced by educators every day.This is a read that will confront everyone in some way.
£19.11
John Catt Educational Ltd From Story to Judgment: The Four Question Method
Book SynopsisThe Four Question Method identifies the questions that drive the thinking that real people do when they take the human world seriously. The authors, Jonathan Bassett and Gary Shiffman, have figured out how to describe and teach what it takes to answer those questions well. This inquiry method gives educators a way to integrate content 'coverage' – through storytelling! – with practice in thinking skills that are central to history and its affiliated academic disciplines, together called social studies. The Four Question Method helps teachers to plan more effectively and students to learn more effectively. It provides guidance for writing research essays. And it transfers: the skills our students practice will work for them when they encounter and make their own history.
£16.00
John Catt Educational Ltd The Digital Ecosystem: How to create a
Book SynopsisThe Digital Ecosystem will take you on a journey to develop your own sustainable digital strategy – one that is right for your school and yours alone, acknowledging that every school is different, just like every child. Covering all elements in order to blend your school's core values and ethos with the reality of today's digital world, this book will take you through building your digital governance, tightening up on your safeguarding in our changing digital world and supporting you to have the confidence to build on and develop your digital pedagogy and systems. With insights from schools globally into all areas of the digital ecosystem, the book intends to inspire and allow you to develop your own digital vision.
£16.00
John Catt Educational Ltd The Research-Informed Teaching Revolution - North
Book SynopsisWe know that educators and education systems at large face countless decisions every day. We also know that grounding educational decisions in research can improve the likelihood of desirable teaching and learning outcomes, as well as reduce the likelihood of unintended consequences. Research is just one among many types of evidence used in educational decision-making, however. So being “evidence informed” is as much about engaging with research evidence as it is engaging with practice-based evidence (e.g., professional judgment) and data-based evidence (e.g., school performance data). How can educators become evidence-informed? In our view, the best approach is to learn from examples from experts of how research can be integrated with these other types of evidence, and so regularly inform our own everyday practice. With that in mind, this practical handbook offers 16 illuminating chapters that provide a wealth of advice and perspectives on the subject written by North American educators who are striving to realize the idea of research-informed practice. Key themes – reflective practitioners, networks and collaboration, trust -emerge to help teachers formalize, prioritize and mobilize the use of research-evidence in schools.
£19.11
John Catt Educational Ltd The Next Big Thing in School Improvement
Book SynopsisThis is a book about educational fads, why they arise, and how we might learn to live with them.Those working in schools are subject to perpetual waves of novelty in the name of school improvement. And yet, in the long term very little actually changes. Big ideas come and go, leaving only faint clues as to their existence. The trouble is that the appealing stories that take hold will never solve the fundamental problems of modern schooling. The school system is too complex, too diverse, and too uncertain to be fixed by any Big Idea. Before too long, the Next Big Thing replaces the Last Big Thing.The Next Big Thing in School Improvement brings together the unique perspectives of a policy analyst, a headteacher, and a classroom teacher, to explain why it is that the school system often resists our attempts to improve it. Drawing on the recent history of English education policy, a variety of disciplinary traditions, and the emerging field of complexity science, the authors present a new take on why the school system behaves in ways that defy our attempts to change it.This is a book about finding a better way to improve our schools. It is not the Next Big Thing, but it does explain why there will inevitably be one, and what to do when it arrives.
£19.11
John Catt Educational Ltd The Teaching Life: Professional Learning and
Book SynopsisBeing a teacher is far from easy. Being the best teacher you can be is even tougher. There are two really important things that every teacher needs to get right so that they feel fulfilled and challenged in what they do. Firstly, they need to continually develop their craft through effective professional learning. Secondly, they need to map out a career path that has progression as its defining feature. There are very few people who manage to do both things well. Education doesn’t stand still, so being a good teacher means being in a constant state of evolution. How do we achieve this? Covering the latest developments in professional learning, Kate Jones and Robin Macpherson explore the massive changes that the global pandemic has brought, seeing it as a paradigm shift with manifest opportunities. The corollary to this is career progression, which is really about making the right professional choices. Are you a one school person for your whole time in teaching? Do you change location or role? Do you harbour leadership ambitions? And crucially, how do you finish your career on a high? Working out what you want to achieve in your teaching life is a core focus of the book, and is addressed through a range of interviews, case studies, and challenge questions. It is not about telling you what to do but prompting you to reflect on what you do.The Teaching Life is for anyone who wants to make the most of their time in education, for their students and for themselves.
£16.00
John Catt Educational Ltd The Caring Teacher: How to make a positive
Book SynopsisWhether you’re new to the profession or an experienced practitioner, teaching can be the most rewarding career imaginable but it has never been more demanding. This book is filled with practical advice relating to pastoral care and classroom management, with a firm focus on building effective relationships. If you’re wondering how to get the most impact from school reports and parents evenings, struggling with prickly home-school relationships or simply want to bring the best out of those around you, this book will guide you towards the most practical solutions. It provides invaluable insights to guide you through your teaching journey and to help make your classroom a place where both you and your students enjoy being.Trade ReviewGosh – why didn’t you write this 56 years ago? So many great tips, so many amusing anecdotes and some do’s-and-don’ts that would have really helped me in those first 5 years at Normanton Secondary Modern. Thank you so much – the two days of reading this essential guide for those entering the profession or seeking further support just flew by! -- Ros Wilson * Author and Education Consultant *
£16.00
John Catt Educational Ltd Leadership: Being, Knowing, Doing
Book SynopsisIn an increasingly frenetic world too many leaders have lost sight of the simple yet profound wisdom associated with practical action, otherwise known as phronesis. Phronesis is an ancient Greek word associated with good judgement and good character. At its core, it is about the ability to discern how best to act. Practical wisdom involves acting thoughtfully and virtuously and encouraging others to do the same. Stephen Tierney describes virtue, thought and action – which coalesce in effective leadership – as the Way of Being, Way of Knowing and Way of Doing. Each of the three Ways consist of a number of elements termed the Basics. The Ways of Being: Purpose & Introspection The Ways of Knowing: Specialism & Strategy The Ways of Doing: Implementation, Networking, Guardianship & Expertise Structuring the book around these eight Basics, readers will be challenged and supported to explore each of the Basics from a theoretical perspective and then provided with real world examples of how they were applied by Stephen in his own career in educational leadership. In writing Leadership: Being, Knowing, Doing, Stephen seeks to help leaders explore their own capabilities and potential. Leadership can be learnt. The three Ways with their constituent Basics represent a mirror to help leaders reflect upon and improve their practice. In turn, current leaders are called upon to accept the responsibility to grow the leaders of the future.
£19.11
John Catt Educational Ltd The Revision Revolution: How to build a culture
Book SynopsisHave you ever wondered why your students don’t revise? Or why they revise ineffectively? Often, they simply don’t know how. This is where The Revision Revolution comes in. What if, instead of just telling students to revise, we taught them explicit study skills from Year 7? What if we made revision enjoyable, even irresistible? The aim is not just to help students pass exams, but to embed their learning and help them grow into knowledgeable and informed young adults. In this book, Helen Howell and Ross Morrison McGill guide you step by step through how to start and sustain a revision revolution in your school, building a culture of effective study that flows through all aspects of school life.
£19.11
John Catt Educational Ltd The Early Career Framework: Origins, outcomes and
Book SynopsisTeacher quality is widely reputed to be the key determinant of educational success for students. Teachers at the beginning of their career need support and guidance in providing a sustained, high quality experience for their learners. The role of continuing professional development (CPD) is crucial in honing and refining the knowledge, understanding and skills of teachers. Effective CPD can also provide teachers with the self-efficacy needed, particularly when they start teaching, to stay in the profession. With teacher shortages reported across the globe, and up to one third of teachers in England leaving the profession by their fifth year in teaching, CPD is an attractive solution to retain teachers.The Department for Education have established a mandatory CPD framework for all early career teachers (ECTs) teaching in schools in England – The Early Career Framework (ECF). Tanya Ovenden-Hope (Editor) brings together insights from those most closely connected to the ECF; the training providers, school leaders and academics involved in understanding the efficacy of professional development and learning in schools. Ovenden-Hope offers an historical record of the ECF, showing where it came from, what it offers now for schools and early career teachers (ECTs) and the challenges and opportunities for development in the future.
£19.11
John Catt Educational Ltd Successful Science Teaching: Improving
Book SynopsisTeachers simply do not have the time to do any more work. Yet the pressure to improve results is ever-upwards. The emphasis in this book is not on doing anything extra, but on doing all the everyday things that science teachers do – planning lessons, marking work and exams, providing feedback, and getting students involved in discussions, or self and peer-assessment – in a slightly different way. The book is full of simple, practical, formative assessment techniques and strategies, based on real classroom practices, repeated across the range of ages and abilities at secondary levels, in a variety of schools, that have been repeatedly shown to significantly improve examination results, and student involvement in lessons. Whether you are just about to embark on a career as a science teacher, or you have been one for many years, there is bound to be something here.Trade ReviewPaul Spenceley is one of the most gifted and passionate teachers I have ever had the privilege to work with. In particular, he has deep expertise on both the practicalities of implementing formative assessment in classrooms, and how to support teachers in developing their practice. -- Dylan Wiliam
£16.00
John Catt Educational Ltd Must do better: How to improve the image of
Book SynopsisWe have a serious problem with the image of teaching in this country. In the eyes of many, teaching is not truly a profession akin to other professions. In the popular imagination, it is not on a par with medicine, law or accountancy, engineering, architecture or business. It is not held in the same esteem as careers which are of equivalent importance to society. Must do better challenges this damaging and pernicious status quo. It examines the origins of our problem with teaching, it shines a light on the exciting reality of teaching in the 21st century, and it charts a new course for the image of the modern teaching profession. The book is written to be easily read by the general reader, because ultimately it is with the general reader – the parent, the employer, the politician – that lies the power to effect the change that society needs. We can and we must change the image of teaching for the better.Trade ReviewAs the authors of this uplifting book say: “Let the fightback begin”. For too many years, it’s been a tiresome cliché to say that the teaching profession needs higher status. Now here’s a call-to-arms explaining why it matters so much – and, most importantly, how to achieve it. Stand by for practical, achievable inspiration. -- Geoff Barton * General Secretary, Association of School & College Leaders *
£19.11
