Shifting Sands: Contemporary issues in primary schools (Practical Teaching)

Do you feel as if the ground beneath your feet is constantly shifting?

It’s not surprising if you do! Teachers today are faced with a range of complex, current issues that impact on teaching and learning as well as the need to understand and address a raft of new initiatives, directives and policy changes. All too often, policy is introduced and new agendas arise with little or no accompanying guidance.

This accessible book takes a highly practical focus, provides the required information in one place, unpicks key elements of legislation and policy, and suggests practical approaches and resources that could be used in the classroom to successfully address the issues. It will increase your confidence and help you get to grips with areas such as safeguarding, e-safety, radicalisation, sex and relationships education, gender and identity, prejudice-based bullying, the issues of disadvantaged children, and mental health and well-being.

Gary Pykitt has worked as a primary school teacher and a school governor. He is currently Vice Chair of a Multi Academy Trust and enjoys regular contact with primary schools to inform his practical understanding of the issues currently impacting upon the primary sector. He is also a senior lecturer in primary education at Birmingham City University, specialising in primary history and professional studies.