Primary

Saturday

3rd Jan 2026

Phonics screening check: all you need to know
This mandatory test is used to determine Year 1 pupils’ phonics skills. Here’s what you need to know, including the 2026 check dates
Phonics cards

Monday

29th Dec 2025

What is the multiplication tables check?
All you need to know about the Year 4 times table check, including when it takes place and which questions are most likely to appear
Times table cards

Friday

19th Dec 2025

Sats scores are still below pre-Covid levels - is this the reason why?
While overall Sats scores have been creeping upwards, a significant – and growing – minority of children are deemed unable to sit the tests. Cerys Turner uncovers the reasons behind a widening gap in KS2 assessment
KS2 Sats: How many children are not taking the tests?
Exclusive

Wednesday

3rd Dec 2025

What the latest EAL pupil evidence means for schools
Diana Sutton from The Bell Foundation outlines some key insights from new research on pupils with English as an additional language
Flags of the world

Tuesday

25th Nov 2025

Why primary writing can’t be all about genre
It’s common to take a genre-driven approach to teaching writing at primary school, but this doesn’t work for all years, writes Katie Jenkins
Why primary writing can’t be all about genre

Thursday

20th Nov 2025

Year 4 pupils continue to improve in times tables check
Average attainment in the multiplication tables check has risen, and 37 per cent of pupils are now getting full marks
times tables

Tuesday

11th Nov 2025

How to build local history into your curriculum
With the DfE now encouraging schools to place greater emphasis on teaching local history, one leader in the South West explains how their trust is already taking a localised approach
Teaching local history: Pupils at some Learning Academy Partnership schools learn about Sir Francis Drake

Friday

7th Nov 2025

Why small schools need to think big
The chair of governors at one village primary says small schools under pressure can find strength from strategic thinking and looking outwards
Small primary schools need to think big, says one chair of governors

Tuesday

4th Nov 2025

How I taught empathy to primary pupils
A Year 2 lead at an international school in Bangkok outlines how she created a six-week programme to teach social and emotional skills to young learners
Empathic heads

Friday

24th Oct 2025

How to teach maths through continuous provision
Maths is a subject that lends itself to continuous provision, writes Katie Jenkins, who shares advice on how to meet curriculum objectives through play
Playing with maths

Tuesday

21st Oct 2025

The international school embracing mixed-age classes
The introduction of mixed-age classes has helped both teachers and pupils, say staff at this international school in Germany. Here, they explain how the approach works
Frankfurt Germany

Tuesday

14th Oct 2025

How metacognitive routines can boost reading comprehension
Year 5 teacher Aaron Regan explains how a series of metacognitive strategies has helped his class to get better at inference and articulating their ideas about texts
Child puzzled reading a book