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We have been anticipating the introduction of the Reception Baseline Assessment for years. With full implementation finally coming last term, has it lived up to expectations? Suzanne O'Connell speaks to schools and reflects on the choppy past and uncertain future of the controversial test

Ofsted's inspection schedule is back in full swing but there have been accusations that inspectors are not taking account of the pandemic hardships that schools have faced. Suzanne O'Connell caught up with executive headteacher Joe Roberts following a recent Ofsted

A report into the pandemic experiences of primary schools offers some stern and direct messages which the government should heed if we are to truly Build Back Better. Suzanne O'Connell reports

Greenmount Primary School was one of the first schools to be visited under Ofsted's new Education Inspection Framework. Headteacher David Griffith speaks with Suzanne O'Connell and shares his experiences of the Section 8 inspection before offering his advice to other schools

We are finding out more about the impact of poor air quality on our children, especially in urban areas. But what can schools do to protect their pupils and to raise awareness? Suzanne O'Connell reports

It has been quite a year for assessment. With a backdrop of parent protests, leaks and anxiety over changing standards, the SATs have been particularly chaotic. On top of this, the long planned introduction of the Reception Baseline was suddenly axed after ministers admitted it couldn't work. Suzanne O'Connell looks at how schools have handled this assessment chaos

With today's educational climate focusing on literacy and numeracy, PE can sometimes be left behind. Not so at Birchwood Primary School. Suzanne O'Connell finds out how deputy headteacher Melanie Alexander and her team have made PE and sports a priority

Bold or premature? Ofsted's small-scale report into the Reception curriculum has alarmed many with its dismissal of softer skills and focus on quick starts and rapid progress. Suzanne O'Connell reports

Most schools are clear about those signs of abuse and neglect that should lead to a referral. But what about those subtle first warning signs that something needs further investigation? NICE has released draft guidance to help professionals working with children recognise them.

The campaign has been long and difficult, but at last those determined to see the introduction of statutory relationships and sex education have been rewarded. What can primary headteachers expect now as the discussions and consultations set in? Suzanne O'Connell reports

Headteachers have described the new Ofsted inspection regime as ‘brutal’. Unsurprisingly, the chief inspector disagrees. Suzanne O'Connell looks for the truth behind the impact of the EIF so far

Teachers in England and Wales are subject to the duty to report FGM. What does this mean in practical terms and how should you advise and train staff to ensure compliance? Suzanne O'Connell recaps the duty

Headteachers are very much aware of the need to protect pupils and staff. However, navigating the guidance and legal obligations can be difficult. Suzanne O'Connell looks at new online advice to help those responsible for policy and practice

The importance of careers education and breaking down gender stereotypes at primary age is increasingly recognised. After the publication of a new report, Suzanne O'Connell looks at some best practice examples

Could it be the calm after the storm? 2016 was not an easy year for assessment co-ordinators and their schools. Now Justine Greening offers reassurance that 2017 will be better. But will it? Suzanne O'Connell reports

The 2016 SATs might be behind us, but headteachers are still angry about what the majority see as having been a testing fiasco. With a new school year beginning, heads reflect and speculate about what should happen in 2017

With more schools becoming their own admission authorities there are increasing concerns about the complexity and exclusivity that the new system is creating – with one report suggesting that more than 1,500 primaries are now highly socially selective. Suzanne O'Connell looks at the evidence

Thames View Infants Academy is in the top three per cent of schools for attainment but is located in the most deprived ward of the sixth most deprived authority in the country. Suzanne O'Connell finds out how inclusion is at the heart of what they do and the secrets to their success

We are finding out more about the impact of poor air quality on our children, especially in urban areas. But what can schools do to protect their pupils and to raise awareness? Suzanne O'Connell reports

Spotting potential child sexual exploitation is a key part of safeguarding work. Suzanne O'Connell provides a summary of what CSE refers to, how you and your staff might identify it, and what positive actions a primary school can take

A positive home-school relationship is an important part of helping your new pupils to settle in. The ethos and practice you establish now will be what your parents will come to expect. Suzanne O'Connell identifies some ways of getting these partnerships off to a good start in the new school year

Differences in vocabulary acquisition might be particularly noticeable at age 5, but it doesn't stop there. Teachers report that the word gap is increasing across primary education and into secondary. Suzanne O'Connell reports

Local Safeguarding Children Boards may be on their way out but schools will still be on the frontline when it comes to child protection. Suzanne O'Connell outlines the major changes and implications for schools of the new Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance

Schools are expected to follow up every absence, and yet there are thousands of children who have nobody checking up on them at all. The issue of children missing education is difficult to tackle, so what can be done to protect the vulnerable? Suzanne O'Connell reports

Since its introduction in 2011, the Pupil Premium has become a key priority for schools. Last term one of the most in-depth reports to date on its use was published. Suzanne O'Connell summarises the main findings, all of which have clear practical implications for schools

The start of a new school year and the beginning of a new headship is always challenging – certainly if you are charged with pulling your school out of special measures. Suzanne O'Connell speaks to Jonathan Brookes about his experience last year and seeks advice for those facing similar situations

When the new computing curriculum was introduced there was concern about the capacity of primary schools to deliver it. Suzanne O'Connell speaks to two schools, both possessing Naace's ICT Mark, about how they prepare their pupils to be IT literate in the 21st century

Statistics suggest that there are far more young carers in our primary schools than we might imagine. A new law is aiming to help better identify and support our young carers. Suzanne O'Connell explains

Inspiration is a key priority for Wilmslow Grange Community Primary when it comes to writing. Suzanne O'Connell finds out more

Behaviour tsar Tom Bennett's guidance contains some strong messages about behaviour in our schools. It also promotes a hard line. Suzanne O'Connell considers its main messages and how they apply to primary schools

We all know that teachers work well beyond their designated hours, but just how can heads help to adjust the work/life balance for their staff? Drawing on the government's Workload Survey and expert working groups, Suzanne O'Connell poses 30 self-evaluation questions for schools

Most schools are clear about those signs of abuse and neglect that should lead to a referral. But what about the first warning signs that something needs further investigation? NICE has released draft guidance to help schools and other services know what these are. Suzanne O'Connell takes a look

Government research suggests that the PE and Sport Premium funding is having a positive impact on primary school sports provision. Suzanne O'Connell finds out how some schools have been using the money

New government advice highlights the route to CAMHS – but schools portray CAMHS as a service in crisis. What can we do to help pupils struggling with their mental health? Suzanne O'Connell reports

Schools are on the front-line when it comes to safeguarding our children. With government guidance currently being overhauled after the Children and Social Work Act, Suzanne O'Connell looks at what schools should be aware of

It can be difficult for primary schools to maintain their commitment to teaching modern foreign languages. Suzanne O'Connell looks at the challenges for schools and some ideas for enlivening approaches to language learning

By the time the children at Eastfield Primary Academy leave Reception they are well prepared for year 1. However, the children enter the nursery school below their expected level of development. So, how does the school achieve this level of progress? Suzanne O'Connell found out

In the drive for outcomes, the contribution that outdoor learning can make is sometimes neglected. Suzanne O'Connell talks to headteacher Ruth Dean about how it's become a foundation of their school

You won't have missed the publication of the latest education White Paper, Education Excellence Everywhere. It sets the seal on what's been rolled out over the past six years and what's in store for the coming five. Suzanne O'Connell outlines 10 of its strongest themes

Most schools are clear about those signs of abuse and neglect that should lead to a referral. But what about those subtle first warning signs that something needs further investigation? NICE has released draft guidance to help schools and others know what these are. Suzanne O'Connell takes a look

Making good use of the PE and Sport Premium is a key challenge for England's primary schools – especially as it looks like the funding will be around for some years yet. Suzanne O'Connell looks at new research into the best practices that are emerging

Following the riots in 2011, the issue of disaffected and troublesome young people made the headlines. The Troubled Families programme was heralded as a solution. With its continued expansion, do we know how successful this programme has actually been? Suzanne O'Connell reports

The DfE's Commission on Assessment without Levels makes it clear – levels needed to go. However, replacing them isn't proving to be easy. Suzanne O'Connell looks at the messages from the report and the difficulties schools are facing

We have seen it on paper, but what does the new CIF – the Common Inspection Framework – mean in practice? Suzanne O'Connell speaks to Steve Barrand about his experiences of an Ofsted inspection in September 2015

This edition's front page article focuses on the headlines from Ofsted's new Common Inspection Framework. Here, Suzanne O'Connell takes a more in-depth look at what primary school leaders should be aware of about the changes

The government has thrown its backing behind character education, with a national awards and financial grants. Suzanne O'Connell looks at how schools might embrace and prioritise this agenda in the year ahead

Social media has brought a completely new way of communicating into our schools. It has also brought a risk of us sharing too much. Suzanne O'Connell seeks some expert advice for school leaders

Baseline Assessment can begin from September. Six accredited providers have been named and schools encouraged to make their decisions. But, as Suzanne O'Connell found out, there is still much opposition

Sex and relationships education has always sparked debate and it featured in the run-up to the General Election. Suzanne O'Connell asks where schools stand on this sometimes-contentious, yet increasingly essential subject – and also looks at what constitutes good SRE

In the second part of series on the new national curriculum, Suzanne O'Connell looks at the programmes of study for art, music and design technology. With September 2014 fast approaching, how should schools prepare?