LOG IN MEMBERSHIP CONSULTANCY AWARDS CONFERENCES BLOG LATEST TOPICS AUTHORS WEBINARS Search form Search The Optimus blog The blog that inspires leaders in the UK education sector SUBSCRIBE Olivia Dickinson 23 November 2021 Like a girl: Gender stereotypes in education What is the impact of gender stereotypes on the behaviours and beliefs of pupils and staff? Olivia Dickinson investigates. In your school or early years setting, what do you see that suggests how pupils and staff devalue things that are coded feminine? It is often deemed desirable for girls to like... Read more... Lucy Marcovitch 18 November 2021 Five ways to teach RSHE with confidence Guest blogger Lucy Marcovitch, writer, educator and series editor Discovery Education’s Health and Relationships programme shares her top five strategies for building confidence in teaching relationships, sex and health education. No matter how good a school’s RSHE provision might be, there is... Read more... Dr Karamat Iqbal 20 October 2021 Preparing young people for a multicultural world Where do you come from? Dr Karamat Iqbal explores what it means to live in a multicultural world and suggests resources to support teaching and further reflection. I have lived in the Midlands for 51 years, having been born in Kashmir. But I am used to being asked: ‘Where do you come from?' Visible... Read more... Liz Worthen 14 October 2021 What can we do about sexual harassment in schools? Liz Worthen shares her key takeaways from the Delivering Statutory RSE conference and signposts useful resources. Not surprisingly, one of the main topics for discussion on the part of both speakers and delegates at the Delivering Statutory RSE conference was sexual harassment. Of course, child-on-... Read more... Nicola Harvey 28 September 2021 The PERMA approach to staff wellbeing Education professionals are reporting high levels of work-related stress. Nicola Harvey explains how the PERMA approach can nurture a sense of wellbeing, fulfilment and purpose. After a well-deserved summer break, education professionals in England, have returned to the classroom. While everyone... Read more... Nicky Thompson 20 September 2021 Attracting and retaining career changers Career changers can bring a wealth of skills and experience to the teaching profession. Nicky Thompson explains how schools can support and encourage new teachers from another sector. Seven years ago I swapped the boardroom for the classroom when I retrained to be a technology teacher in a... Read more... Catherine O'Farrell 17 September 2021 Power in collaboration: Four tips for high-impact LSAs Learning support assistants (LSAs) provide valuable support to pupils with complex needs but their continuing professional development (CPD) is often overlooked. Catherine O’Farrell explains how teachers and other professionals can work with them to develop the skills they need. One of the most... Read more... Adele Bates 8 September 2021 How do you deal with behaviour? Been told you shouldn’t smile until Christmas? Adele Bates explores how you can work out how to do behaviour your own way. When talking about behaviour there is often an underlining assumption that there is one way that really works. It’s the booming voice of discipline creating compliance, where... Read more... Aldaine Wynter 23 August 2021 Setting up an anti-racist book and film club Aldaine Wynter explains how book and film clubs form an essential strand of staff professional development around anti-racism in his school. In my previous blog, Developing anti-racism strategy for schools and preparing for a cultural shift , I explored the impact that anti-racism strategies have... Read more... Elizabeth Holmes 11 August 2021 After Covid-19 – is there a catch in catching up? Elizabeth Holmes explores debates around catching up, funding, and the potential for education recovery. One thing that we can (probably) all agree on is that the picture of teaching and learning throughout the pandemic has been mixed at best. While some schools were able to switch between school... Read more... TOP TAGS SEND Mental health and wellbeing Staff wellbeing CPD Inclusive learning Teaching and learning SEND Code of Practice Professional development Ofsted Parents and carers Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to LinkedIn Share to Print More AddThis Share options By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Read moreI agreeI disagree