Welcome to our Classroom Secrets blog!

Our brand-new times tables resources are launching onto the Classroom Secrets website this August, ready in time for the new school year. They will be asking pupils to ‘Reach for the Stars’ and aim high with their times tables recall.

Whether you are moving into a new classroom or simply just fancy a change, something that we always think about is how to lay out your classroom (and who sits next to who!). I’ve asked our teachers at Classroom Secrets and in our Facebook groups what works for them. Here’s some things to consider!

As educators, we all know the blank page can be utterly terrifying for children and this framework truly validates that feeling as it highlights just how challenging learning to write really is.

As we approach the end of the academic year, many primary school pupils are preparing to move into new year groups—and for some, into entirely new schools. For many children, this time brings a mix of emotions: excitement, nervousness, and sometimes, deep anxiety.

It’s nearly the end of the school year – that magical time of year when the regular timetable slowly erodes due to the pressures of Sports Day, transition sessions, leavers’ assemblies and the like, suddenly giving you and your class little pockets of free time here and there. However, if your go-to in these situations is Hangman, even the most eager child in your class might be a little bored of it after the third fifteen-minute session of it in the same week.

Do you remember what the capital of Mali is from our previous blog about retrieval practice?  There could be all sorts of factors that affected your ability to remember this knowledge – maybe it’s been a few days since you read that blog, or something major could have happened to you since then, or you have been busy with paperwork, or you simply haven’t had the chance to actively use that knowledge in context?

Up and down the country every morning and every evening battles are happening. Parents are counting down from three and wondering what they will actually do if they get to zero. Others are begging and pleading and some will be threatening to take toys away. All of this because of the dreaded tooth brush. Let’s face it most children are just not really fans of having their teeth brushed.

Since last September, we have really invested in research and finding out what will best support teachers and children in your class.   Our content specialists study the curriculum, education and subject research and speak to teachers just like you to develop new overviews and resources.

How exciting! Your child is due to start Reception in September. You may be experiencing quite a few emotions about this and that is completely normal.  To help you prepare...

These have been specially created as a new resource line for Years 1 to 6 to provide you with easy-to-use morning work all in one place, taking elements from our most popular resources and streamlining them all into one place to be as accessible as possible. Each week is a separate file, designed to be opened and used as daily morning work for that week.

For some children this might just be their favourite event of the year! For others, it’s just another day, playing with their friends but maybe with a bit more exercise than normal. And for some, Sports Day will be tough. Really tough. Let’s be honest, for a lot of teachers, this day is pretty tough too.

Are you familiar with retrieval practice? It’s been discussed in educational circles for the last few years, with consideration of how to use it within learning to improve outcomes for pupils. It’s cited in the Ofsted inspection framework overview of research as being “important practice for effective retention of knowledge” and inspectors may look for evidence of it during an inspection. It’s been the subject of many staff meetings in schools. But what is it, and how can you use it to help your pupils remember key learning?

The Department for Education (DfE) has recently published a new policy paper outlining expectations for how schools and teachers should approach the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education settings. The new guidance comes in the form a policy paper published here. This is an important step in clarifying how AI tools can be used responsibly and safely in schools.

Yes, that’s right, the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check is almost here, and right with a half term break just before it. Excellent! So, what’s on your mind the most? Are you thinking, what will the pass score be? Will my cohort be able to master the split digraphs? What more can I do for those children who are struggling to blend?

National Fieldwork Fortnight runs from the 3rd June to 15th June. If you knew that, gold star! If you didn’t, I think that’s ok. It’s summer term, SATs are done, report writing is done/in full-swing/looming and you’ve enough to think about.

There's been a lot of chatter, hasn't there? The interim findings of the new Curriculum and Assessment Review finally lands on our desks, hot off the digital presses, and those of us who've been around the educational block a few times sit up and wonder: what's changed? What have they found this time?

Our History specialist, Helen, has been working behind the scenes, researching and planning what will be in our new History scheme. She’s been reviewing the curriculum, reading about what OFSTED are looking for, and listening to what teachers want to see in their History lessons. I’m excited to learn more about what is coming.

Our Marketing Campaigns Manager, Claire, is keen to find out more so is having a chat with our Sustainability specialist, Hannah, to see what we can expect.

Some people love dressing up and others not so much! Here at Classroom Secrets, Claire asked the team what costumes they have created in the past that have been easy to create. Image: Stock Images

Many schools will be celebrating British Science week from 7th – 16th March. The theme this year is ‘Change and adapt’ which can cover so many areas of Science. Image: Stock Images

If you work in a school, or have school-aged children then it’s very likely that you are preparing in some form for World Book Day. World Book Day is celebrated on Thursday 6th March 2025. It is an event organised by the charity which aims to change lives through a love of books and reading. i809

Claire, our Marketing Campaigns Manager, is keen to find out more about Classroom Secrets' Geography resource line so is having a chat with our Geography specialist, Josh, to see what we can expect.

The Christmas season is here so school is even busier than normal. It might be challenging to teach some regular lessons over the next few weeks so we’ve suggested some of our favourite activities for the children to do. (Don’t worry they will still be learning but the children might not think it!)

Ah, mistakes. They’re messy, aren’t they? You trip up, stumble, and sometimes feel like you’re fumbling in the dark. But here’s the thing: mistakes can actually be gold dust for learning—if we know how to use them.