Blog

As we head towards the start of the new school year, we have time to reflect on the last few months of teaching through lockdown, both at school and from home. As a profession, we have learnt so much from this highly unusual experience and now we have had the time to consider how this will impact our practice in the future. Vicky Duggan, author of our 11+ English resources and Director of Studies and Head of English at The Granville School, shares the lessons she's learned during lockdown.

The Oxford English Dictionary definition of revision is to reread work done previously to improve one’s knowledge of a subject, typically to prepare for an examination. In Louise Martine’s book Study Skills: Building the study skills needed for 11+ and pre-tests, she looks at how you can help your children revise more effectively by looking at how they learn.

All children have been disadvantaged during these past few months. They have all had to deal with a very different learning environment at home rather than at school. It is important to recognise that a lot of what they may have missed can be remedied on their return. However, like home learning and home schooling, there are ways children can catch up during the summer break for their long-awaited return in September.

Why is 14th July celebrated by the French, and has been ever since 1880, as the national holiday - la Fête nationale - a 'day off' for everyone? Nigel Pearce, author of our French Common Entrance textbooks, tells us more about this national day.

It used to be unthinkable, a teacher working from home. And yet, for the past 3 months, that’s exactly what most of us have had to adapt to. It’s taken creativity, patience and persistence, but we’ve done it. Our whole profession has adapted to a new digital way of preparing and delivering high quality teaching. Every school has faced its own challenges and had its own parameters to work within. Vicky Duggan, Director of Studies and Head of English at The Granville School, shares a small glimpse of how it has looked at her school.