The start of the new year is a great time for a fresh start. Why not use this time to shake up your classroom practice and breathe some new life into your lessons?

HISP Teaching School Hub’s Programmes Lead Kerry Somers tells us her advice for improving your teaching so you can start the year off strongly…

Reset your class routines and expectations

After the holidays, it's crucial to re-establish and tighten your classroom rules, routines, and expectations. The middle of the year is a prime time for routines to slip. 

Kerry said: "Unlike at the beginning of the year, when students are tentatively learning their boundaries, routines can easily slip as the year progresses and comfortable relationships have been built. Maintaining consistency through the structure and familiarity of routines, as well as clearly communicating expectations, fosters a safe environment that supports pupils in displaying good learning behaviours.”

Think purpose and audience

To prepare pupils for the real world, it's vital for us to see how their learning connects to everyday life. As adults, how frustrating is it to complete a meaningless, pointless task that seems to have little impact or relevance? We shouldn't do the same to our pupils. 

Kerry said: “It's essential to consider the audience and purpose of learning, ensuring pupils are intrinsically motivated and engaged. For example, when learning about the Vikings a Year 5 class were shown the Lego sets built to reflect that period of history. Using the knowledge learned across the term to determine what was historically accurate, what might need omitting, what they might change and what they would add to the set.”

“They then designed, drew and annotated their own sets which were sent to Lego. All children were able to access the task. All were motivated - and excited - to send their new designs to Lego and the learning of the class was easy to assess.“

Share and learn from good practice

Gone are the days when good teaching practices were confined to the classroom. In this age of connected technology, we can now easily share and learn from the wealth of expertise of other practising teachers on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram and X. Why not tap into these networking opportunities and also access current, relevant educational research to inform your teaching? 

To find CPD that’s relevant to you, Kerry recommends the app 'TeacherTapp’. She said: “The app makes it quick and easy to access relevant CPD, and there are numerous educational podcasts available, like the engaging "You're Dead to Me!" by Greg Jenner, to support your ongoing learning.”

If you’re looking to improve your teaching practice, visit the HISP Teaching School Hub here to explore its full range of courses and CPD opportunities.