Reading
Disciplinary literacy: reading a challenging text in the classroom August, 2024
Flipping Batman August, 2021
Lost queens and dodos: some reflections on knowledge, comprehension and how we teach reading September, 2020
Reading as writers; writing as readers: an account of a Year 5/6 teaching sequence May, 2019
The power of exploratory writing December, 2019
Quick talk about texts August, 2019
Whole-class reading: a planning tool January, 2019
Fear of grammar and the grammar of fear July, 2018
Challenging responses: designing a successful teacher-led reading lesson June, 2018
Whole-class reading: another example lesson June, 2018
What does the poem do? A revision tool May 11, 2017
Whole-class reading: an example lesson and a menu of approaches August, 2017
Questions to ask pupils when reading, based on Michael Rosen’s ‘matrix’ of comments May 11, 2017
From page to screen and back again: teaching Shakespeare through film and film through Shakespeare August, 2017
Developing critical readers: preparing students for GCSE English Language reading papers April, 2017
Writing
The importance of ‘extended writing’ August, 2017
Re-thinking ‘success criteria’: a simple device to support pupils’ writing January, 2019
Googling for originality June, 2017
The power of exploratory writing December, 2019
Teaching & learning
Staying invested – what keeps pupils learning through a lesson October, 2024
‘Adaptive teaching’: what does it mean in practice? August, 2024
Modelling and how to plan for it August, 2024
Key learning questions – an introduction August, 2021
Some thoughts on ‘pace’ August, 2019
Making the investment July, 2017
Differentiation: pitching high, not making easy May, 2017
Asking real questions in the classroom June, 2017
Who is doing what in the classroom? A tool for planning and reflection May, 2017
Oracy
Ready to listen August, 2019
Teaching talk August, 2019
Quick talk about texts August, 2019
Mini-whiteboard jigsaws October, 2017
Asking real questions in the classroom June, 2017
Secondary literacy
Disciplinary literacy: reading a challenging text in the classroom August, 2024
Avoiding a ‘literacy dip’ in Year 7 August, 2017
Marking for ‘literacy’ – problems with ‘codes’ May, 2017
English as a subject
Lost queens and dodos: some reflections on knowledge, comprehension and how we teach reading September, 2020
‘In this school, English is about…’ July, 2017
Being ‘good at English’ July, 2017
From 1994: on coursework and exams June, 2017
Objectives and purpose in English April, 2017
Missing open book exams April, 2017
Developing critical readers: preparing students for GCSE English Language reading papers April, 2017
Feedback
Marking for ‘literacy’ – problems with ‘codes’ May, 2017
Memorable feedback: the power of spoken comments May, 2017
Folding feedback into learning May, 2017
Asking real questions in the classroom June, 2017
Miscellaneous
Exam readiness – a tool for reflecting on culture and practice December, 2023
Resuming the curriculum, September 2020 July, 2020
The primary English subject leader: overseer, monitor, director or trusted expert? July, 2018
James Durran 