Primary

The former national schools commissioner explains why fewer primary schools have joined multi-academy trusts – and how they need to be convinced, not compelled, to make the move

Key stage 2 assessments include a teacher-assessed level for writing – but how well does the system work for moderating the marking? Grainne Hallahan takes a closer look

A recent trial into popular phonics programmes raises some questions about how we balance competing priorities in research, says Megan Dixon

Encouraging teachers to conduct their own research studies has a much bigger impact on their professional development than giving them appraisals, argues Nicky Pear

Exclusive: Increase is ‘further evidence of a Sats system beset with problems this year’, says union leader

The CEO of the largest primary-only MAT reflects on recent key stage 1 and phonics results – and discusses what needs to be done to address the challenges they have revealed

This year’s key stage 1 assessment results show that the needs of the most disadvantaged children have been forgotten by policymakers, says Megan Dixon – and it’s time for a fresh start

A huge trove of data from the DfE offers numerous insights into how the pandemic hit primary pupils’ learning at key stage 1. We outline the key trends you need to know – and what they may mean for your cohorts

When her class reported feelings of anxiety and nervousness after lockdown, Gemma Redpath introduced a visual timetable to guide them through the day – here, she explains how it works

The proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in the phonics screening check in Year 1 fell to 75 per cent this year – in the first such check since before Covid

Just four in 10 disadvantaged pupils reached the expected standard in writing in the first KS1 tests since 2019, new DfE figures show

First minister and education secretary among those to condemn racist tweets directed at Glasgow primary school