Blog
Our Schools Blog brings you the latest insights and developments from the education industry. As well as expert analysis and advice, you’ll also find product demos and developments from our team. From the latest recruitment trends to staff training and retention, here you’ll find a range of useful information to help make your job easier.

Why staff surveys are a win for improving wellbeing
Your staff may seem to be weathering the storms of recent times, but how can you be sure? We look at the enormous value of regular, anonymous feedback.

Raising awareness of child-on-child abuse
Recent concerns about widespread sexual violence and harassment among children highlight the urgent need for schools to adopt a zero-tolerance policy and a supportive approach. Two-thirds of girls and young women have experienced sexual harassment in school, underscoring the importance of addressing and preventing such behaviour to ensure a safe environment for all students.

Child Protection vs Safeguarding: What is the difference?
How do we define child protection and 51ºÚÁÏ; and what is the difference between the two? We take a closer look at each label and what educators need to do to fulfil both responsibilities.

What does an SEN file look like?
There are two uses of the phrase SEN file.
The first refers to the file that contains all a child’s information about their SEN and provisions in place. The second is the file kept by a SENCO ready for an OFSTED (or other) visit.
The first refers to the file that contains all a child’s information about their SEN and provisions in place. The second is the file kept by a SENCO ready for an OFSTED (or other) visit.

SEN Money

Links between Provision Map and Class Charts
The main linking of information that we see is between Provision Maps and Class Charts for sharing the behaviour, wellbeing and SEN information.

Interventions (or Provisions)
Back when I started provision mapping (which feels like a century ago) I had a lovely collection of sticky sheets with the relevant information that would get duly moved around a board in my office as required.

5 Steps to Effective Interventions
The term ‘intervention’ is often used to describe a short-term, focused teaching programme with specific intended outcomes aimed at individuals or small groups of pupils with particular needs. Interventions are provided in addition to high quality teaching in the classroom and are likely to be an essential part of the additional provision you offer pupils with SEND. There are a number of structured intervention programmes available that aim to support and develop pupils’ key skills. Some can make a real difference to pupil outcomes, others can be costly, time-consuming and not as effective, so it is important to consider decisions carefully when making strategic choices. Try following these 5 steps to ensure effective intervention planning:

Safer recruitment: Learning the lessons from serious case reviews
Using the examples of serious cases from recent history and exploring what measures can be put in place when recruiting to avoid these issues happening again.

Safer recruitment and the SCR
Learn more about safe recruitment and single central records. We explore what they are, why and how to use them.

Working together to safeguard children: A summary
Find out more about the Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 policy, more commonly known as Working Together.

Buying timetable software - 7 things to consider
Transform your school operations with smarter timetabling.

6 ways Class Charts can transform your school
Explore how our all-in-one, simple to use classroom engagement and management tool can benefit your school.

What is professional curiosity
The 2022 version of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance uses the term ‘professional curiosity’ when it comes to 51ºÚÁÏ. In this blog, we examine what professional curiosity is and why it is important for the 51ºÚÁÏ culture within your organisation.