This week’s TES magazine is a rich cornucopia of stories, insight, features and best practice. As always, more than half the words are written by you, the professionals. The highlight, among many others, is Sinéad Gaffney’s paean to the unheralded skills of primary teaching. Herself a teacher, Sinéad argues against the growing clamour for increased subject specialism among among primary teachers, and calls for it to be celebrated as a specialism in its own terms.

There’s also an interview with former Lib Dem schools minister David Laws, surely one of the most thoughtful politicians to have covered the education patch in recent years, and an insight into the risks of the academies programme.

As if that wasn’t enough we have fascinating comment article from education writer Melissa Benn on why we need to SLOW DOWN our approach to pedagogy.

That’s not to forget our guide to using space exploration in your science teaching from the multi-talented Kevin Fong, this year’s Royal Institution Christmas lecturer, plus some top tips on how to be the best Santa ever to cross the threshold of a primary classroom. Yes, you read that right.

This is just a tiny taster of all the news, views and insight you’ve come to expect from TES magazine. I hope you enjoy reading this week’s edition as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together.

Find the 11 December edition of TES in all good newsagents. Alternatively, read the digital edition of TES on your tablet or phone or by downloading the TES Reader app for Android or iOS