Collins Schools

Getting GCSE maths revision right!

Getting GCSE maths revision right!

The run up to GCSEs can be a very difficult time for Year 11 students. Often, they are still learning new material but are aware of the need to practice and consolidate earlier learning so they are ready...

3 min

Developing metacognitive skills with retrieval practice

Developing metacognitive skills with retrieval practice

One of the most challenging aspects of teaching is equipping students to be able to learn effectively on their own, outside of the classroom. This is particularly difficult when it comes to equipping students with the tools for effective...

5 min

Retrieval practice and spaced practice

Retrieval practice and spaced practice

During my first post, I outline some of the many benefits of retrieval practice and why it should be used regularly in lessons to enhance students’ learning. In this post, I am going to discuss the...

6 min

Global history broadens horizons

Global history broadens horizons

Laura Aitken-Burt, co-author of Knowing History second edition, explains the importance of teaching global history to your students, and how you can integrate this into your KS3 curriculum.  

5 min

Using Complete Revision and Practice as a GCSE course companion

Using Complete Revision and Practice as a GCSE course companion

Who is your worst critic? Well, for me, it is my daughter Annie. She is exactly the target audience for the Collins Complete Revision & Practice series; I was lucky to be commissioned to work on the series. Last...

5 min

How to develop brilliant reading at KS3

How to develop brilliant reading at KS3

Reading is in vogue at the moment – and rightly so! Several factors have raised the priority of reading in schools. The number of students reading at home has slowly dwindled as the number of distractions has dramatically increased....

6 min

Leaping across the writing gap: building resilience and independence at KS3

Leaping across the writing gap: building resilience and independence at KS3

The impact of the disrupted nature of the last few years is perhaps most felt on the continuity which is key to progression. It is surely harder than ever to get a sense of just what level students transition...

5 min

Thinking about Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee

Thinking about Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee

Queen Elizabeth II. Born Elizabeth Alexandria Mary Windsor on 21st April 1926, crowned Queen of England 6th February 1952. As of 2015, she became the longest reigning monarch in British History. Now – we celebrate her Platinum...

5 min

Setting your students up for equations success in GCSE Science

Setting your students up for equations success in GCSE Science

When I was a trainee teacher back in 2017, I was frustrated by how much my students were struggling with calculations. Really frustrated. Calculations were the easy part of physics, I thought. Of course, I now know...

5 min

How past voices can help to shape a more inclusive future

How past voices can help to shape a more inclusive future

The outpouring of compassion by the British public after the refugee crisis following the Russian invasion of the Ukraine has prompted some commentators to contrast responses to white European migrants, with migrants of colour, both now and in the...

6 min

The power of retrieval practice

The power of retrieval practice

During my first five years of teaching retrieval practice has been one of the key strategies that has had the greatest impact on my practice and, as a result, the students’ learning. There are so many benefits of retrieval...

5 min

Revision tips to help your students to prepare for GCSE exams

Revision tips to help your students to prepare for GCSE exams

Summer exams for students, and for teachers for that matter, are assessments that are worked towards for the whole of the school year. With such high stakes surrounding GCSE exams, students often feel a heightened amount of pressure in...

6 min