Collins Schools

Books Like Us

Books Like Us

Why shouldn’t the reincarnated children of Zeus be transported to fight against their timeless serpent foe outside Greggs in Doncaster town centre? All children deserve to see the different aspects of their lives reflected in the books that...

3 min

Navigating cultural capital in primary music

Navigating cultural capital in primary music

Most schools in England are aware of the concept of ‘cultural capital’, defined by Ofsted as ‘the essential knowledge pupils need to be educated citizens, introducing them to the best that has been thought and said’. Taking our pupils...

4 min

Taking a whole-school approach to wellbeing

Taking a whole-school approach to wellbeing

Wellbeing is more than just mental health. It encompasses physical wellness, a sense of belonging, social inclusion and basic needs such as food, safety and shelter. If we consider this broader sense of wellbeing it becomes clear we must...

5 min

Nate Holder’s journey to Listen and Celebrate

Nate Holder’s journey to Listen and Celebrate

I’m really excited about Listen & Celebrate, a new book I’ve co-written with Helen MacGregor and published with Collins Music. It’s designed for KS1 and KS2 teachers interested in introducing pupils to music created around the world...

3 min

Demystifying the primary music curriculum

Demystifying the primary music curriculum

There’s a lot going on in music education right now! For primary non-specialist teachers keeping up with all the reports, acronyms and edu-jargon can seem like an overwhelming task. In this blog, we will unpick some of the latest...

5 min

Planning and implementing an effective primary science curriculum

Planning and implementing an effective primary science curriculum

And so another school year begins, one which we all hope will be much more settled that than the last. There have been so many challenges to face. Teachers have worked incredibly hard to ensure that children’s learning has continued...

5 min

How to smooth the transition from Year 6 to 7 maths

How to smooth the transition from Year 6 to 7 maths

It’s never easy for students to move from Year 6 to Year 7.  For the vast majority, they move from being the biggest fish in a little pond to small fry in what feels like an ocean! 

4 min

Applying Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation in Writing

Applying Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation in Writing

Teaching vocabulary, grammar and punctuation for better performance in the VGP key stage tests is important for league tables and inspections, but, for many children, it does little to improve spoken and written language.

4 min

Chris Callaghan – From reluctant reader to published author

Chris Callaghan – From reluctant reader to published author

A few years ago, when I became a published author, I was thrust into a world of writers, readers and of generally charming people who love books.

4 min

Shinoy and The Chaos Crew – The new Big Cat series for reluctant readers

Shinoy and The Chaos Crew – The new Big Cat series for reluctant readers

Reluctant readers are a small group of children who can read but choose not to. Meeting their needs can be extremely challenging, but now Big Cat has a series of books to help this special group...

5 min

Supporting reluctant readers

Supporting reluctant readers

Reluctant readers are a small but significant group of children who do not yet read for pleasure. They are children who can read, but instead avoid or choose not to read. While not exclusively boys, many are, and finding...

5 min

Anti-bullying: is it enough?

Anti-bullying: is it enough?

As we approach another Anti-Bullying Week, I question whether anti-bullying is still the most appropriate phrase. 2020 has been the most challenging of years, and school-based bullying has been going on since schooling...

4 min