Enriching experiences

Group school trips abroad are fine, but you can’t beat a good old-fashioned student exchange, says Ted Underwood

Staying on the right side of the law

Ensuring that your website is legal can be an education in its own right, says lawyer Nichola Jenkins

Questions of entitlement

Alice Reeve from law firm Veale Wasbrough Vizards looks at the implications for schools of a recent ruling on holiday pay

They do furnish a room

The digital revolution is all very well, but you can’t beat the physical presence of a book, says Hilary Moriarty

Foreign affairs

Maureen Lacey from Gabbitas Education offers advice to teachers who are thinking of applying for jobs overseas

The importance of character building

Berkhamsted School Principal Mark Steed discusses the role independent schools play in building the character of their pupils

Reaching the reluctant readers

Alex Maher has some ideas for schools seeking to foster a love of books and encourage children to read

There’s no escaping the performing arts

We should be integrating performing arts right across school life, says Darryl Nel from ACS Cobham International School

Looking beyond the school gates

Helen Jeys from Manchester High School for Girls asks how schools can prepare young people, not just for employment, but for adulthood

Designing for intelligent schools

The advance of technology hasn’t just changed learning, it’s also affected the way architects approach school design, says Jude Harris

Coding in the real world

BETT speaker profile: Kirsty Tonks, e-learning and teaching school director, Shireland Collegiate Academy

Girls’ school conference report

Louise Higson gives her perspective on the talks and discussions at this year’s Girls’ Schools Association heads’ conference

Why I love Project Based Learning

BETT 2015 speaker profile: Gail Abbitt, Technology Integration Specialist, St Julian’s School

BETT 2015: The ‘Digital Maturity Index’

Speaker profile: Gary Spracklen, Director of Digital Learning and Innovation will look at how to create a truly great learning environment

Guaranteeing religious freedom

Psychologist Dr Michael Hymans looks at ways in which schools can create safe learning environments for students from different faiths

How energy efficient are you?

Jonathan Valentine suggests five ways all schools can make dramatic reductions in their energy consumption

Insight from the experts, part 4

Choosing a catering consultant is not something to be undertaken lightly, says Sue Parfett, managing partner of The Brookwood Partnership

School’s in for summer

Stuart Higgins, principal of Saint Michael’s College, weighs up the pros and cons of running a summer school

Now boarding ...

Robin Fletcher reflects on his first few months as the new national director of the Boarding Schools’ Association

I am not a number

Don’t just look at a school’s exam results, get the broader picture, advises Graeme May, deputy head academic at Abingdon School

SORP points

What does the new charity SORP (statement of recommended practice) mean for schools? asks Helen Elliott

Explained: shared parental leave

Lawyer Simon Bevan explains how shared parental leave and changes to other family-related leave may affect schools

The play’s the thing

As the school nativity play season draws near, Hilary Moriarty reminds us why we shouldn’t underestimate the value of drama in schools

Dealing with exam stress

Anxiety and exam stress are taking their toll on the wellbeing of year 11 students, says Helen Jeys from Manchester High School for Girls

Teachers under pressure

Keren Prior has some advice on how headteachers can tackle HR issues and make their own lives easier

Girls mean business

Encouraging girls to develop the entrepreneurial spirit is vital, argues Rachel Kerr from the Girls' School Association

Using the power of natural curiosity

Christopher Lloyd explains why connecting the dots of the past presents the most exhilarating way for young people to learn

Making to participate

Effective digital participation can only come when you understand how the technologies you are using are made, says Dan Sutch

Should schools be doing more?

Paul Evans, Managing Director of Redstor asks, should schools be doing more to prevent cyber bullying and internet trolling?

Classroom connectivity

Natalie Duffield, CEO of intechnologyWiFi, discusses how we can solve the connectivity problem in schools

Enhancing the digital classroom

Dave Saltmarsh, educational evangelist at JAMF Software, on how mobile device management tools foster unique learning experiences

Why remembering matters

Leigh Picciano Moss, a history teacher at Leicester Grammar Junior, explains why her school has gone the extra mile to commemorate WWI

Augmented Learning

Poppy Gibson shares a range of easy-to-create examples of Augmented Reality that could be used with your students

The art of good teaching

Bede's Headmaster Dr Richard Maloney responds to last week’s Sutton Trust Report, 'What Makes Great Teaching?'

A Deputy’s delight… and dismay

Simon Smith, Deputy Head (academic) at Haileybury School, responds to today’s Sutton Trust Report, What makes great teaching?

Insight from the experts part 3

With the world of school catering undergoing so many changes, maybe now is the time to bring in an outside caterer, says Sue Parfett

Land of opportunity

Schools can now look to their own land assets as a means of raising much-needed capital, writes Willy Browne-Swinburne

Learning to work

Thierry Collet looks at the impact of 3D technology on education and how it's changing perceptions and the business of teaching

Classroom design aids student learning

A recent study shows that a student’s learning experience can be affected by classroom design by as much as a quarter in one academic year

Buying power

Jerry Brand, MD of Caternet, looks at how schools can benefit from the latest developments in purchasing technology

Protect and survive

Andrew Gallie reviews recent developments in data protection law and how they impact on independent schools

Finding the right dynamic

Is dynamism really the most important quality to look for when appointing a headteacher? asks Hilary Moriarty

Hitting the wrong note

Talent shows and funding cuts have undermined meaningful music education in the state sector, says principal Sue Freestone

Attention, please!

Boosting concentration levels in class has nothing to do with novelty fads, says headmaster Ben Evans

Happy staff, happy pupils

Tom Caston, housemaster at Ardingly College, believes that teachers need the same level of pastoral care as pupils

Brain power

Are teenagers more prone to take risks because their brains are wired differently? asks deputy head Helen Jeys

The gender agenda

It's different for girls: Rebecca Tear, headmistress of Badminton School, Bristol, argues the case for single-sex education

Duke of York backs edtech

Rebecca Paddick took a trip to Buckingham Palace for the TeenTech Awards ceremony, and also got a royal take on the future of edtech

What’s trending in edtech? Part 3

In the final instalment, Martin McKay discusses the flipped classroom and why the UK is plummeting down the PISA rankings

What’s trending in edtech? Part 2

Martin McKay, CEO of Texthelp, looks at plummeting hardware costs and why UK schools will be slow to benefit

What’s trending in edtech?

Martin McKay discusses the top seven worldwide trends in edtech coming soon to a school, college or university near you...

Creating menus students want to eat

Mark Stower, Director of Food & Service at Harrison Catering Services, on how to make nutritious menus appeal to students

Peer pressure, pester power, performance

Do you know which devices to buy for your school? Simon Harbridge, CEO of Stone Group, shares some advice

Because I’m ‘appy

Justin Smith, CEO and founder of the Educational App Store, selects the top five educational apps for primary schools

FOTE 2014

The movers and shakers in education technology met on 3 October to discuss its future in Senate House at the University of London

Total immersion

Could intensive English-language summer schools offer any lessons to independent schools looking to integrate international students?

Insight from the experts, Part 2

With new allergen regulations imminent, Brookwood’s Sue Parfett explains their meaning for school caterers, and asks: 'What is lupin seed?'

Prevention is better than cure

When devising their marketing strategies, schools need to think carefully about the legal ramifications, advises Paula Williams

Only connect?

Making connections is all important, but so too is knowing exactly when to make them, says Hilary Moriarty

It’s not just for mums!

Want to encourage more men to join your school’s parent teacher association? Geeta Parekh has some advice

International all the way

The benefits of a global education are huge says Professor Christina Slade, Vice-Chancellor at Bath Spa University

Creative space for discerning students

Ben Berry, founder of The StudyBed Company, discusses innovative design solutions to maximise space and comfort for students

Finnish lessons

Despite advances in technology, inspirational teachers remain the key to providing a first-class education, writes Angela Drew

Moving on up

A child’s transition from primary to secondary school needn’t be a time of anxiety and trepidation, writes Helen Jeys

Running start

Baroness Campbell of Loughborough argues for the crucial importance of quality early-years physical education in building a love for sport

Abroad approach

Integrating overseas students into UK school life can be a challenge. Ted Underwood has some solutions

Binge drinking: the challenges

CharlieB offers some advice around the controversial issue of binge drinking in independent schools

I’ll vouch for that

Gift cards and vouchers can be a great way to motivate and reward your hard-working staff, as Andrew Johnson explains

Supply and demand

Lawyer Oliver Pool looks at the issues schools should bear in mind when negotiating and running contracts with suppliers

Go, Voyager

Hilary Moriarty welcomes changes to boarding school culture which mean that parent/child separation is no longer as definitive as it once was

Insight from the experts

Food for thought from Sue Parfett, 2014 Food Service Catey winner and Managing Partner of education caterers The Brookwood Partnership

Hard truth to swallow

Jon Valentine, CEO of Impero Software, explains why tablet computers could be harming kids’ employment prospects

Fringe benefits

Peter Bird outlines the risks and rewards of performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world’s largest arts event

An IT phenomenon

Toby Skerritt, Head of Consultancy Services, Foundation IT, explains all about Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

Stand out from the crowd

Engaging with your stakeholders and ensuring you are the first choice for parents and students is rapidly becoming key to a successful school

Could you be a Digital Leader?

Digital leaders at your school: empowering pupils and promoting potential. Poppy Gibson explains all

Home and away

Toby Belfield explains how his school continues to run smoothly while he is recruiting students abroad

Bac to the future

Some UK universities are recognising the value of the International Baccalaureate Diploma with revised entry requirements for IB students

The growth of STEM

Dr John Newton, Head of Taunton School in Somerset, argues for the increasing importance of STEM subjects

Reading between the lines

Rhythm for Reading uses rhythm-based activities to enhance children’s reading skills. Natalie Demain discusses the programme’s impact

The dangers of asbestos in schools

Recent reflection over a worrying case sees Craig Evans of UKATA offer his advice to schools on avoiding the damaging effects of asbestos

The art of buying food

Knowledge is power when it comes to smart purchasing of school food, says Graeme White, purchasing manager at Harrison Catering Services

The vexed generation

Sophie Harrison explores the personal altruism, social anxieties and political antipathy of “Generation Next”, in light of a new survey

Spreading le word

Tonbridge School student Liam Porritt explains the pitfalls and pleasures of writing and publishing a French revision guide

Summer blues

John Claughton, Chief Master of King Edward’s School, Birmingham, warns against the marginalising of summer sports

Rogue mail

Email security has a way to go to catch up with other forms of online protection, says Simon Freeman, CEO of Fresh Skies

Easing the strain for dyslexics

David Imrie, SENCO at Ashcraig School in Glasgow, offers eight useful tips for helping dyslexic students with learning and revision

Best policy

Don’t make insurance exciting – avoid costly mistakes at renewal, advises Martin Linaker of Oval Insurance Broking

The importance of data protection

If a school gets its data protection policies wrong the consequences can be unpleasant and reputationally damaging, says Andrew Gallie

Jane! Charles! Welcome back!

Hilary Moriarty, national director of the BSA, welcomes Michael Gove’s proposed changes to the English literature syllabus

Inspiring career advice

Can the independent sector support state schools to deliver more effective careers guidance? asks Virginia Isaac from Inspiring Futures

Passing on the message

Badminton School is taking a pioneering approach to encouraging more girls to study science, says physics teacher David Williams

Educating Berkshire

EDQ Managing Editor Hannah Oakman reports from the recent Sunday Times Festival of Education, held at a sunny Wellington College

On cloud nine

Online cloud-based shopping malls for schools could help educators save time and money when it comes to purchasing digital content

Safety first

Legal advice: changes and main points of interest in the Government’s ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’

Education, education, education. . .

Hilary Moriarty reflects on the perils of allowing grades to have become overwhelmingly important in schools

If at first you don’t succeed …

When educating girls, encouraging perseverance is essential, says Helen Jeys, Deputy Headmistress at Manchester High

Crisis? What crisis?

Charlie Vavasour from Quantum Public Relations believes schools can do more to prepare for the worst before it happens

Don’t judge a book by its cover

Keir McDonald MBE, MD of Educare, on how poor body image can affect young people’s ability to function in school

Does your finance system fit your school?

Julie Booth, head of SIMS Independent, explains why flexibility is vital when choosing the right financial management system for your school

A question of degree

Advising students on which universities to apply to is one of the most rewarding aspects of a head of sixth form’s job

Get your head down!

Getting enough sleep in the run-up to exams is just as critical as revision. James Righetti explains why

All change

Independent schools need to ensure they don’t fall foul of the new regulations governing the payment of school fees

Supply and demand

Supply teachers often find it difficult to know how best to manage their financial affairs. Ben Dunn has some advice on tax compliance

International protection

Overseas projects can be risky, but schools can manage them successfully if they adopt the right approach, says Doug Locke

Born great?

The people we choose to be our heroes may not always be the ideal role models we think they are, says Hilary Moriarty

Showing true grit

Helen Jeys believes that building resilience and perseverance are as important for girls as getting good exam results

Finding a common language

Sally Wells, managing director of Thomas Education, explains why psychometric assessments are a valuable tool for schools

The psychology of revision

Established revision habits may be of comfort, but they can do more harm than good, argues Murray Morrison

Phreaking - don’t be a victim

What is phreaking? And what precautions can your school take to protect themselves from falling victim to it?

Don’t get lost in translation

EFL teachers are often undervalued, but they can play a vital role in the life of any independent school. Ted Underwood explains why

Don’t get your fingers burnt

Schools, universities and colleges which are approached with offers of a free biomass boiler are being warned to exercise caution

All in the timing

A balanced revision study timetable helps school students continue to enjoy good times as well as secure good grades, writes James Righetti

Access all areas

Tracey Eldridge-Hinmers on schools’ requirements to have an accessibility plan to ensure the needs of pupils with disabilities are met

Because it’s worth it …

A good education costs more than ever and independent schools need to show that they offer value for money, says Hilary Moriarty

Crossing the gender divide

More girls need to be encouraged to study science subjects, says Helen Jeys, deputy headmistress at Manchester High School for Girls

What has your child learned at school?

Julie Booth, Head of independent schools at SIMS Independent, discusses what constitutes a good education

Good sports

John Claughton, Chief Master of King Edward’s School, Birmingham, reflects on the important roles sport has to play in education

Enhance learning with tablet tech

Rebecca Paddick reports from the first School Leaders Summit panel discussion at the Education Show 2014

Education Show opens in Birmingham

Rebecca Paddick arrives at the NEC in Birmingham with a plan to head straight to the new edtech area

Managing an online environment

Jonathan Valentine, MD at e-safety software specialist Impero, discusses how schools can properly manage their online environments

Take cover

Chris Coomber explains why the traditional approach to buy insurance doesn’t fit the needs of the education sector

Don’t tempt me!

Pupils preparing for exams should treat social media as a useful revision aid rather than a time-wasting distraction, says James Righetti

Managing allegations

Independent schools have seen a rise in historic abuse claims since Operation Yewtree. Tabitha Cave looks at how schools can best respond

Ladies Day at the Boys’ Club

Tamara Pearson, Junior School deputy head at Burgess Hill School for Girls, on one of the downsides of co-educational schools

The BYOD Club

Being England's oldest Catholic school doesn't stop St Edmund’s College from being forward thinking, as headmaster, Paulo Durán explains

Now you’re talking

Does learning foreign languages matter anymore, now that the whole world wants to speak English? Hilary Moriarty says "yes"

The art of failure

Should we teach girls how to fail? Absolutely, argues Helen Jeys, deputy headmistress at Manchester High School for Girls

What a waste

Pete Bramhall explains why now is a good time for schools to review their waste disposal and recycling systems

10 great sites and apps for schools

Holly Seddon (pictured) and Laura Celada from Quibly share 10 of the best and most popular apps and websites for secondary school pupils

Cashless students

Chris Lyons, Managing Director at Systopia, discusses the benefits of cashless payment for student hospitality

This year’s Bett: the best yet

Rebecca Paddick took a trip to the ExCel London, where this year's Bett show celebrated it's 30th anniversary

Flipped learning: From cynic to believer

Penny Humm, a physics teacher at Bellerbys College Cambridge, puts flipped learning to the test

Tech trends at BETT 2014

Casio's Gemma Platt looks at the technology trends at BETT 2014, and explains how to make the most of your school's budget

God bless the bursar!

One of the central players in the commercial success of any independent school is its bursar, argues Tom Robinson

Time to review your pay policy?

Changes in the maintained sector could lead to more and more independent schools introducing performance-related pay

A guide to the new computing curriculum

From using computers to understanding how they work, Rebecca Paddick explains all about this year’s computing curriculum change

Character counts

Julie Booth, head of SIMS Independent, on how schools can inspire children to improve their character, as well as their exam results

Managing change

Neil Mason, director of studies at Taunton School, describes his role – and how it’s changed in the last 10 years

The ties that bind us

Whether your child loves it or hates it, school uniform can bring a sense of allegiance and be a source of pride, says Hilary Moriarty

Praise be!

Should girls be encouraged to celebrate their achievements openly? Deputy head at Manchester High School for Girls, Helen Jeys, thinks so

A proper examination

The introduction of exam-centric GCSEs presents teachers and pupils with an opportunity, writes James Righetti of Elevate Education

Sporting strength at Surrey Sports Park

Jack-William Cantwell travelled to Surrey Sports Park to review today's Hammer Strength Clinic in a world-class sporting venue

Fitness for life

Jack-William Cantwell heads off to the Surrey Sports Park for the Life Fitness event

Awarding the green supreme

M42 here we come. Getting ready to make tracks to Derby for the annual Green Gown Awards.

Virtual is reality

Joseph Mathewson explains how Virtual Learning Environments have been improved in response to changing educational needs

Vetting slips

Anyone working in a school, from head teacher to outsourced cleaner, must be scrupulously vetted. James Bennett outlines best practice

Food for thought

Hartley Jenkinson explores some of the issues a school needs to consider when buying in catering from an outside contractor

Hitting the right note

Caroline Crabbe, General Manager at Jo Jingles, believes that music and movement are absolutely central to every child’s education

Making a meal of it

School food has changed beyond recognition. And that’s something which benefits everyone, says Hilary Moriarty

Engaging with science

Frank Thompson, Principal of Kilgraston School, believes that good science teaching should develop curiosity and an ethical stance

It’s different for girls

How do we give girls confidence in the tricky teenage years? Louise Simpson, head teacher at Bromley High School, has some ideas

Making assessment more reliable

Despite great technological developments, there are few examples of technology being used to change how we educate and assess students

Cracking the code

Most children are confident in accessing and using a computer; but today’s digitally led nation calls for something far more developed

Volumetric’s class act

Volumetric construction is becoming the preferred method of delivering school buildings, explains Bertrand Quenot, MD at Elliott

Malvern’s MIS hits the mark

Antony Clark, headmaster of Malvern College, on the importance of having the right management information system

Reap the rewards of renting

With the demand for school places growing, Bertrand Quenot, MD at Elliott, on the benefits of rentable classrooms

It’s a fair copy

Brian Pinner, a consultant with Expense Reduction Analysts, offers advice on sorting a school's photocopying requirements

Pupil biometrics - the new regime

Biometric recognition is all the rage. But make sure you’re up to speed with the latest legal provisions before using it in your school

Boldly going

Travel, they say, broadens the mind. Hilary Moriarty, National Director of the Boarding Schools' Association, is not so sure

Two visions: Apple vs. Microsoft

Microsoft and Apple use Misco 2013 to present very different visions of technology in educational technology.

BYOD at Misco Expo

HP IMC presentation at Misco 2013

Off to Misco

Introducing the MISCO Expo 2013

An implant helped me to hear - and teach

Stuart McNaughton, Lecturer at Westminster Business School, describes his unique journey from deafness to teaching