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Book: Connect the Dots by Tricia Taylor via @JohnCattEd

Review and ratings independently compiled by Colin Hill, Supported by John Catt Publishing

It is sometimes easy to forget how important positive relationships are within our schools. Ensuring that all our students feel supported, empowered and inspired to discover more about the world is at the heart of what most colleagues endeavour for each day, but other stuff gets in the way, and maintaining…

Book: Reframing Education by @MMurryay via @JohnCattEd

Those who have been working within the education system in England since the early 2010s will have experiences significant changes to what is expected from politicians, parents and school-leaders. The changes to the expected curriculum, assessments and approaches have been clear to see, and the challenges for educators continue to demand an increase in standards and performance with limited…

Book: In search of my alumni by @PhilCrompton3 via @JohnCattEd

With policy changes, curriculum changes and societal changes, it is often easy to under-estimate the impact such changes have on the most important group of people involved in the education system – students. 

In his book, Phil Crompton is challenged by two old school friends to question the impression the school system with England has left on a generation of people, embarking on a tour around…

Book: Why Teach? by @BenNewmark via @JohnCattEd

Review and ratings independently compiled by Colin Hill, Supported by John Catt Publishing

Possibly a philosophical question many teachers often ask – sometimes rhetorically – is “Why do I teach?”. The joy of working with inspiring young people. Being able to impart deep and meaningful knowledge about your favoured subject to young people who need to know this stuff for when they face the real…

Book: Learning with Leonardo by Ian Warwick & Ray Speakman via @JohnCattEd

From the outset, I want to be clear – Leonardo da Vinci, not Leonardo DiCaprio. But don’t despair, there is a still a lot Mr da Vinci has to offer in our modern world, with many of seven key concepts that drove his inventive thinking still helping to influence our creative thinking.

Ray Speakman and Ian Warwick, in their book, look closely at the seven key concepts that influenced da…

NEW Book review: Love to teach by @87History via @JohnCattEd now at

For a majority, the love and passion of teaching is a joy to behold. Kate Jones is one such teacher. Having met her before she ventured off to work in the Middle East, it was clear to see how she is always seeking for new and engaging ways to inspire her pupils who are firmly set at the heart of her career.

In her new book, Kate begins with the assertion that primary teachers choose their job…

Book: The Thinking School by Kulvarn Atwal (EdD) via @JohnCattEd

Kulvarm Atwal has been on a journey. A significant learning journey, focusing on teacher learning and the factors that impact on teacher engagement in professional learning activities. But, within his EdD (Educational Doctorate) research, he spotted an irony in schools – the very places that provide rich learning experiences for their students can fail to equally rich learning for the adults…

Book: The Nine Pillars of Great Schools by David Woods, Rachel Macfarlane & @damianmcbeath via @JohnCattEd

School Improvement!

Now, now, bear with me – I can hear those collective groans you know! Everyone in education should have just one shared goal, and that is to offer an education that inspires and gives individuals the tools in life to realise their true potential. That’s where school improvement fits in and, as educators, it’s critical to explore tweaks, changes and research that helps improve…