Education Feed page 3
What Makes a Good Friend?
Supporting positive mental health in primary school (without keeping score). Friendship plays a big part in children’s wellbeing. When pupils feel they belong, they tend to feel safer, calmer and more confident. When friendships are tricky, you may see more worry, tears, anger, or children who withdraw. The good news is that friendship skills can be taught,and using shared language … What Makes a Good Friend?
13 February 2026
How do you assess without turning it into a tick-box exercise?
Assessment doesn’t need to be a tick-box system. The most effective approach is to use simple checks for understanding and a small number of meaningful outcomes, so teachers can see what pupils have learned and what needs revisiting, without creating extra workload. Practical ways to keep assessment meaningful (and manageable) Use low-stakes checks regularly: Quick … How do you assess without turning it into a tick-box exercise?
11 February 2026
How do you build retrieval practice into a thematic curriculum?
Retrieval practice in a thematic curriculum works best when it’s planned into the teaching sequence: quick, frequent recall of key knowledge and vocabulary, plus deliberate “link-back” moments that help pupils connect new learning to what they’ve already learned. Practical ways to do it (without adding loads of workload) Daily/regular “Do Now” retrieval (3–5 minutes): Quick … How do you build retrieval practice into a thematic curriculum?
11 February 2026
How do you adapt themes for your local area?
You adapt themes for your local area by keeping the core teaching sequence the same (so progression and coverage stay intact), while swapping in local examples, experiences and resources that make the learning feel real for your pupils. Practical ways to contextualise a theme Local geography: use local maps, landmarks, rivers/coastlines, land use, and settlement … How do you adapt themes for your local area?
11 February 2026
How do themes work across year groups?
In Learning Means the World, themes provide a coherent learning journey across the school. Each year group explores the theme through age-appropriate knowledge, vocabulary and outcomes, so pupils revisit big ideas over time while expectations deepen year on year. How it works in practice Progression is planned, not accidental: themes are sequenced so learning builds … How do themes work across year groups?
11 February 2026
How do teachers plan weekly lessons using Learning Means the World?
Teachers plan weekly lessons in Learning Means the World by following the teaching sequence within the theme. They check where they are in the theme’s progression, read the next steps in the plan, review the linked resources, then make any adaptations needed for their pupils and context. Weekly planning in 4 steps Check the Teaching … How do teachers plan weekly lessons using Learning Means the World?
11 February 2026
How do we ensure progression and coverage across EYFS to Year 6?
You ensure progression and coverage across EYFS–Y6 by making sure three things are in place: a clear long-term plan, a sequenced progression model, and simple checks that it’s being taught as intended. 1. Start with a whole-school long-term plan Map out themes/units by year group across the year. Make sure every subject has protected space … How do we ensure progression and coverage across EYFS to Year 6?
11 February 2026
What curriculum documentation do we actually need for Ofsted?
Under the Education Inspection Framework for use from November 2025, the key principle is still don’t create paperwork for Ofsted. Inspectors shouldn’t be asking for documents that exist purely for inspection — they want to understand your curriculum through paperwork you normally use in school. What curriculum documentation you actually need (practical minimum) Think “small … What curriculum documentation do we actually need for Ofsted?
11 February 2026
How does a school show curriculum intent, implementation and impact with a bought-in curriculum?
A school can show strong curriculum intent, implementation and impact with a bought-in curriculum by being clear on two things: Why you chose it and what you want pupils to learn (Intent) How you deliver it consistently and check it’s working (Implementation and Impact) A bought-in curriculum gives you a solid structure, but Ofsted (and … How does a school show curriculum intent, implementation and impact with a bought-in curriculum?
11 February 2026
How long does it take to implement a new curriculum?
Most schools take around 3 to 6 months to fully implement a new curriculum in a confident, consistent way across the whole school. That timeframe usually includes: Leaders getting clarity on the curriculum intent, structure and progression. Curriculum mapping (so it fits your school context and priorities). Staff training and familiarisation. Teachers beginning implementation, then … How long does it take to implement a new curriculum?
11 February 2026
What training is included with Learning Means the World?
Learning Means the World includes training and implementation support to help your staff understand the approach and roll it out consistently across the school. Typically, this training/support helps with: Getting started confidently (what the curriculum is, how it’s structured, and how to use the resources) Whole-school consistency (so year groups aren’t interpreting the curriculum in … What training is included with Learning Means the World?
11 February 2026
Can we trial Learning Means the World before committing?
Yes, you can explore Learning Means the World before making a long-term commitment. Most schools do this by: Seeing the curriculum in action (a walkthrough/demo so you can understand how the themes work and what teaching looks like in practice) Reviewing sample materials so leaders and teachers can check the quality, coverage and usability before … Can we trial Learning Means the World before committing?
11 February 2026
Is Learning Means the World suitable for mixed-age classes?
Yes, Learning Means the World is suitable for mixed-age classes. The themes give the whole class a shared context for learning, while planning supports different expectations for different ages, so teachers can teach together and still meet the needs of each year group. Practical tips for making mixed-age teaching work well Start with a shared … Is Learning Means the World suitable for mixed-age classes?
11 February 2026
Is Learning Means the World suitable for small primary schools?
Yes. Learning Means the World is suitable for small primary schools, and it’s been proven to transform learning in many small school settings over the years! Small schools often find it particularly helpful because: Planning is already done, so teachers (and teaching heads) aren’t building units from scratch on top of everything else. It supports … Is Learning Means the World suitable for small primary schools?
11 February 2026
How much planning time does a ready-made curriculum save teachers?
A ready-made curriculum can save teachers a significant amount of planning time each week, because the core thinking is already done: the long-term plan, the unit structure, the sequence of learning, and the teaching resources which are essential to the successful implementation. A real example (the kind of shift schools often describe): A teacher who … How much planning time does a ready-made curriculum save teachers?
11 February 2026
What does a whole-school primary curriculum package include?
A whole-school primary curriculum package is designed to give you a complete, coherent curriculum offer for the entire school (not just a set of individual lesson plans). It should include everything leaders and teachers need to plan, teach, and evidence learning from Early Years through to Year 6. In a whole-school package, you’d expect: A … What does a whole-school primary curriculum package include?
11 February 2026
Is Learning Means the World aligned to the National Curriculum?
Yes! Learning Means the World is aligned to the English National Curriculum (and designed so schools can also adapt it to their own context, including British international schools and international schools who align their offer to the English National Curriculum). In practice, that means: The curriculum is mapped to statutory expectations, so leaders can see … Is Learning Means the World aligned to the National Curriculum?
11 February 2026
What’s included in Learning Means the World?
Learning Means the World includes everything a primary school needs to teach a coherent, creative curriculum across Early Years to Year 6, without having to build units from scratch. Typically, schools get: 80+ fully planned and resourced theme units (ready to teach) organised to support whole-school consistency and progression. Whole-school curriculum mapping support so leaders … What’s included in Learning Means the World?
11 February 2026
What is Learning Means the World Curriculum?
Learning Means the World (LMTW) is Dimensions Curriculum’s ready-to-teach, whole-school primary curriculum for Early Years through to Year 6. It provides a complete set of creative, child-centred thematic units with the planning and resources already done, so schools can implement a coherent curriculum without teachers having to build everything from scratch. It’s designed as a … What is Learning Means the World Curriculum?
11 February 2026
Beyond Words: Communication, Oracy and Curriculum Quality in Primary Schools
Why talk matters in a forward-thinking curriculum (and why Ofsted cares) When we think about communication in primary schools, reading and writing often take centre stage. They’re rightly prioritised within the National Curriculum. In 2026, though,communication is bigger than what just ends up on a page. Children learn through talk. They make sense of new ideas by saying them out loud, trying out vocabulary, listening to others, and reshaping their thinking. That’s why … Beyond Words: Communication, Oracy and Curriculum Quality in Primary Schools
4 February 2026
Graduation Programme
The Graduation Programme is the culminating unit of the Learning Means the World curriculum. It is designed to allow pupils to independently demonstrate everything they’ve learned about the 4Cs — Communication, Conflict, Conservation and Culture — while also preparing them for the transition from primary to secondary school. Across Preparation Week, Challenge Week, and a final Graduation Assembly, pupils choose four challenges (one per C), plan … Graduation Programme
24 November 2025
Jiffy Science
Jiffy Science is a series of lessons based around the ‘working scientifically’ statutory requirements fromthe National Curriculum. The aim is not to teach new knowledge from the programme of study, but to use what the pupils already know to conduct investigations, carry out experiments and consolidate their learning.The pupils will be introduced to the character … Jiffy Science
24 November 2025
The Pendle Witches
“True Crime? The Pendle Witches” is a history-based theme that develops skills in selecting, organising and understanding relevant historical information through an investigative approach. Pupils will learn about the importance of good evidence when investigating a historical event and use their skills in reading, interpreting and discussing evidence to put forward a verdict based on what we know … The Pendle Witches
24 November 2025
Jiffy Science
Jiffy Science is a series of lessons based around the ‘working scientifically’ statutory requirements fromthe National Curriculum. The aim is not to teach new knowledge from the programme of study, but to use what the pupils already know to conduct investigations, carry out experiments and consolidate their learning. The pupils will be introduced to the … Jiffy Science
24 November 2025
Scoill Phurt Le Moirrey
Woodford Halse School
Beeston Primary School
Warton St. Paul’s CE School
St Andrew’s School