Alex

Getting worse at teaching We talk a lot about how teachers get better at teaching, but don’t think enough about how teachers can get worse at teaching.

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We talk a lot about getting better at teaching, but perhaps we don't talk enough about getting worse at teaching.

open.substack.com/pub/adamboxe...

If you're free for an hour on Monday morning, do come along. And, if you're not, please consider making a donation anyway.

I attended last year and it was well worth it: will make a donation as it's a very worthy cause.

*FREE WRITING WEBINAR RECORDING*

At Stanley Road, we have developed an approach to writing that we believe aligns with many elements included in the DfE's Writing Framework.

If you'd like to watch a webinar on this, complete the form at this link...
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Congratulations!

Great idea! I’m keeping much of my current class going up to Y5 & likely to have some spare time so will try this I think.

Great! Looks like such a smooth system with real impact. I’m trying to juggle something similar at primary: if those who need Phonics interventions miss out on whole-class reading lessons with age-related texts due to timetabling, they’re missing out on a lot.

Amazing stuff. Did the children who needed intensive Phonics interventions also read the novels (/have the novels read to them)?

I *really* struggle to understand any school that doesn’t aim to complete with the top/prioritise attainment. Isn’t that what we’re all here for? Isn’t the most progressive thing you can do be to raise outcomes & life chances…?

99% of teacher Facebook seems to be about Alma! Do you overall find it enjoyable being a moderator? It’s on my long term career wish list at the moment

I first watched it when I was in year 3 but year 2 would be fine I think. I'd start with 'Rose' or 'The Eleventh Hour'.

parents haven't expressed confusion though, I imagine because it ties directly to the teacher.

I think you'd dislike my school then! Teachers have a bird name that sticks with them. I was 'Wren class' when I taught Year 2, I'm now 'Wren class' as I teach Year 4, and will still be 'Wren class' next year! (At least it means I can keep my wren merch I suppose)

This is going to be very useful, thank you!

Yeah, I agree. Same problem could be applied to the curriculum I think. As (primary) English lead, it’s awfully tempting to write a bunch of fancy documents to create an English utopia, but I know they’d gather dust without proper action.

Easy to end up stuck. No, or poor, codified policy? People do whatever and hard to give ‘reasonable’ feedback. Detailed policy? Potentially just gathering dust with no impact. I think you need solid policy with *a lot* of (well-delivered) CPD in-person.

I think @jonhutchinson.bsky.social has mentioned before that he had an interview lesson, a coaching conversation, then did the lesson again with the parallel class. I think that's a fantastic idea along with the ones you've mentioned.

I would march on Whitehall

Genuinely

Yep. I've been reading 'Progressively Worse' by Robert Peal lately - I am *not* going back to all that.

I’m very jealous - what an opportunity! Hope this sort of programme is still around in (quite) a few years.

I *think* last time you tweeted along the lines of: amazing NYC teaching approaches, but curriculum is behind (e.g. focused on transferable skills or finding 'main idea') - if so, do you still see that?

Whole Class Reading 2025 Hello – it’s been a few years since I wrote about the teaching of whole class reading, and I figured I would do it again, as it’s generally the thing I am asked about the most – plus in…

Hello - I wrote a new blog about the teaching of whole class reading, which I haven't in a while. It's over 9000 words so quite a read, but I hope the comprehensive nature of it comes across as helpful, rather than patronising. Anyway - hope it's useful!

mrboothy6.wordpress.com/2025/01/03/w...

Yes - it's not uncommon overall to find out suddenly there's a visitor or a craft or 'national X day', so everything else has to go away (yet all curriculum still needs to be covered!)... with very very minimal notice.

Canonical blog, this one. Every time I read it I'm struck anew.

You’ve said =/= they’ve heard It’s been a long day. I’ve been in and out of lessons throughout with a range of staff. I’ve grabbed a minute here or there for individualised feedback and did a working break and…

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Leader says "please do x"
Staff then don't do x

It's not because they are lazy, incompetent or deliberately undermining. So why is it?

achemicalorthodoxy.co.uk/2024/10/30/y...

Yeah... there's a massive benefit for me as Y4 teacher and English lead in knowing *exactly* what the children were taught in Year 3, for example.

Watching a video of a classroom where the teacher is doing retrieval practice & so many students dying to engage. My colleague Jen: "Investing in knowledge is fun; kids LIKE knowing things."

Golden Silence There's something magical about a silent classroom. Students are focused, heads are down, pens are busily scratching away. Participation Ratio is high, and you can almost feel the learning in the room...

Your Sunday read: Golden Silence

achemicalorthodoxy.co.uk/2021/11/07/g...

Just pre-ordered your new book! Whole-class guided reading has come a longgg way at my school in the past 12 months, and I really can't wait to get my hands on your book to take it to the next level.

How I Try to Help Schools to Teach Reading More Effectively Warning: Parts of this blog are going to feel like an advertisement for my consultancy work and books. This is unavoidable as I have written this for those who ask me about the issues relating to read...

I sometimes get asked about the common issues I see across primary schools and the kind of support I offer as a result. This brief blog explains this stuff.

This is my first new blog on Blue Sky so reposts much appreciated.

primarycolour.home.blog/2024/09/08/h...