Workload is a huge concern for teachers. In many cases, teachers are doing work they know is not impacting their pupil. This is both frustrating and demotivating. In other cases, some school leaders are explicitly or implicitly signalling to teachers that in a profession like teaching, we must make personal sacrifices if we are to … Continue reading Workload: Insights from Evolutionary Theory
Education
Social Mobility – Purpose of Schools?
In the denouement of one of my favourite films, Ratatouille, restaurant food critic, Anton Ego poignantly states: "Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere." Anton Ego Given the right conditions, if someone has it in them, they can thrive to achieve great things. If that same person (or rat) … Continue reading Social Mobility – Purpose of Schools?
Evolution of my Pedagogy: Behaviour
One thing I've always been told and believe in to this day is that constantly finding ways to get better will ensure you see continuing success. This applies to teaching as much as any other aspect of life. Reflecting back to when I started teaching, I realise just how much my teaching style, classroom presence and eye … Continue reading Evolution of my Pedagogy: Behaviour
Don’t let politics colour educational evidence
Everyone involved in education wants pupils to succeed. It is likely that most will agree on definitions of success such as access to the best universities, a good base of knowledge across a range of subjects and skills such as speaking for an audience, for example. But the means to achieve these is subject to … Continue reading Don’t let politics colour educational evidence
Planning curriculum for linear GCSEs
The new GCSE specifications are arriving with waves of reform. New syllabus, new examination structure and timing, new grading system, new emphasis on skills, absence of coursework, different emphasis on practical skills and literacy... you'd be forgiven for complaining that there is too much change in one go, with little time to prepare. Ofqual are … Continue reading Planning curriculum for linear GCSEs
Welcome to Bunsen Blue!
I'm Pritesh Raichura, a science teacher in a London secondary comprehensive school. Teaching is an incredibly exciting profession. It is also incredibly challenging since 'learning' is very complicated to measure. As teachers, we have the opportunity to express our subject and pedagogical knowledge through our curriculum- and lesson-planning day in day out! Immediately, we can see the impact … Continue reading Welcome to Bunsen Blue!
Bunsen Blue 