August | 2025 | Teaching it Real
1 post published by Mark Enser during August 2025| Teaching it Real
1 post published by Mark Enser during August 2025| Teaching it Real
How Do They Do It? Learning Lessons from Amazing Teachers, Leaders and Schools Every so often, Zoe and I find ourselves reflecting on just how extraordinary schools really are. Every day, hundreds …| Teaching it Real
Last week a female politician crying in the Commons hit the headlines. Commentary ranged from how positive it was, to how it showed weakness, including how women shouldn’t be in the position to lead as they are just too emotional (an oft used trope throughout history). This morning, I open up social media to see…| Teaching it Real
For a long time, I have used the familiar adage which is oft attributed to Mary Myatt of living it ‘not laminating it’. There is no point adorning the walls with mottos and phrases that are just glorified wallpaper. They need to mean something in practice. It is the same with policies. Having a behaviour…| Teaching it Real
Much of my adult identity was bound up in being a teacher. For over 20 years I had lived my life by bells and terms and assessment deadlines. Most of my friends were teachers (that is still the case), I married a teacher, and even my son’s partner went into teaching. Teaching was something that…| Teaching it Real
We all know that school improvement is a complex beast. There are conflicting ideas about what that might be the best approaches to teaching and behaviour, ideas about what pupils need and what the priorities should be, and we are always juggling many balls at the same time. Working in school improvement (and Ofsted) affords…| Teaching it Real
Did you know, that in parts of the world like those in east Africa’s Rift Valley, the high fluoride content in volcanic springs can soften the enamel on the teeth of those who drink it, allowing them to sharpen their teeth into points? Did you know that you can find marine fossils on the summits…| Teaching it Real
I had hoped to see out my life in education without having to write about artificial intelligence (AI). I guess it was never very likely. It would seem that AI is suddenly everywhere. Or if not actually everywhere, is being talked about as though it soon will be. It appears that our new government are…| Teaching it Real
Observations are a topic which provokes strong feelings in teachers. Many of us went through years of high stakes observation where a single lesson could be used to determine the future of your career trajectory, or impact upon the standing of your school in inspection. For many teachers, these arbitrary snapshots linger long and unwelcome…| Teaching it Real
I am aware that some of the things I am about to say are going to be considered controversial by some. That is why I want to begin by clarifying a few things. First, I believe that teachers are incredible and the work they do is amazing. They work exceptionally hard and will often go…| Teaching it Real
It seems like a million years ago that I was at school. I probably fall into the category of ‘old fogey’ now that it is 25 years since my last days in compulsory education. My ongoing experience of…| Teaching it Real
This meme became famous a few years ago in my circles. It is an amusing idea that takes to extremes some of the issues we have all encountered with instruction. Often we are given some very precise…| Teaching it Real
