Information on the Victorians and the school system to compare to today with a writing prompt at the end. Key vocabulary and writing exemplar included, with some evidence sheets to supplement.

I used this to train staff in September 2021 to prepare for an OFSTED inspection. Our focus was on quality first teaching using the basic principles set out in Rosenshine’s little book. It comes with a quiz, incorporating elements of the taught material, for staff to try out.

Spaced learning involves presenting the unit initially to the kids. Give them all the info. Then take a ten minute break (we usually play with clay or draw something). Then give the cloze quiz. Then another 10 minute break. Finally, get the class to label the planets with post-it notes, sticking as many information labels as they can remember.

Concise, fun lessons which cover an artist’s work, a short discussion, skills practice and a short final piece. Can be easily extended if you want! With short explanatory videos to help teach.

These engaging, challenging debates fit into the new OFSTED framework, looking for emphasis on debate. Drawing upon reading, speaking and listening skills, these lessons have proven to be a huge hit with my Year 5 and 6 children!

Focusing on self-improvement related to PSHE, this lesson was a big hit among the children in year 6. It draws upon a philosophical story called the Devil’s Gambit, relating to addiction, which I’ve adapted into a tale about bad habits. Note on the resources are in the Powerpoint presentation .

Relating to cognitive behavioural approaches and art therapy ideas, I’ve been preparing some sessions for my children in upper KS2 for when they return to school. The focus is very much on metacognition and having the emotional vocabulary to describe feelings, but indirectly and through famous artworks and philosophical stories. This resource is lessons 1 and 2 of the series, where children reflect on themselves and ho others see them. I’d love to hear feedback as I produce more in the series!

Using theoretical ideas about free will and determinism, the children get to discuss the big stuff here, applying the free will/determinism concept to their own lives. A great fun lesson which the upper KS2 kids loved!

Challenging paragraphs for the children to read, which they then paraphrase into simpler language, retaining the important information.

8 different texts with main text and LA (lower ability) differentiated texts. These have been fantastic in boosting up my class' SATs reading scores. If this receives good reviews, many more will be uploaded!

Get the kids engaged with these Where's Wally writing starters, drawing on grammar objectives.

apartheid, racism, journey to jo'burg

One of the best trips of my school year, this! A booklet with specific directions to exhibits and clear questions to help the children access the artwork. The pack comes with a parent letter template (editable) and a safety/behaviour briefing presentation. Enjoy the trip!

To help your children create stories, they roll the dice and select the option that comes up. I did this with my class and they loved it! The funny thing is that when they roll an option they don’t want, they suddenly know what they want to write anyway, so win-win! :-)

A selection of debates, art and written tasks to keep them busy until the end of term.

Following the TES-recommended debate competition resource, this follows a similar, more structured format. A great speaking and listening tool which involves the whole class the whole way through!

Fantastic resource which gives the children a bit of theory before opening the floor to philosophical questions for debate. A fantastic time filler or, to be fully explored, a full lesson. Enjoy!

Covering all genres of writing under the new curriculum and using varied and engaging topics, this resource is a fantastic way to get your class accumulating written evidence towards summative and formative writing assessment in upper KS2 and lower KS3.

A fantastic spoken lesson leading into art and (potentially) written reflection after! First part of the lesson is a partner-talk then whole class discussion on the year: what has been the highlights? What has stood out? Scribe it all down then start the slideshow. Using images from the past such as cave painting, the Bayeux tapestry and Japanese woodblock art, the class discuss great works of art and historical artifacts before looking at the artwork of Keith Haring. Using his trademark style, the children then make their own large Bayeux tapestry posters depicting their year.

For year 5 or 6, this is a build your own city incorporates art, design, maths and literacy. Excellent for summer term for SATs finishers or for topic-related kick starts.