Authors

Jill Silverthorne

Jill Silverthorne is headteacher at Bishop Stopford School

All articles by Jill Silverthorne
Why we test our future Year 7s on a Saturday
This secondary school gets new starters in for tests before they have finished primary – and it pays dividends, even if it does require some weekend working, explains the headteacher
Strategy
6 May 2025
Why we test our future Year 7s on a Saturday
Why niche CPD on learning outcomes is a real winner
Giving each teacher just one performance objective – an action research project – means staff can focus on interventions that drive attainment, explains this headteacher
Staff Management
26 March 2025
Teacher CPD: How performance objectives based on action research help everyone
Why we meet all Year 11 students ahead of GCSEs
A head explains why one-to-one sessions with students in the run-up to exams can help sharpen minds and boost outcomes, as its school’s Progress 8 scores show
Strategy
4 March 2025
GCSEs ahead: Why we meet all Year 11 students
How a ‘white envelope’ exercise focuses minds on exam results
A headteacher explains why a simple role-playing exercise using mock exam results can work wonders to help pupils – on all results tracks – to get the best outcomes possible
Tips & Techniques
26 February 2025
How a ‘White Envelope’ exercise focuses minds on exam results