BLOGS & ARTICLES  

It’s that time of year again, (I’m sure every year goes quicker) when parents of 3 and 4 years old try to decide on a school choice for their little one. There is so much to consider before selecting a school for your child – the beginning of the educational journey and their first steps on the path of life. From catchment areas to key stages, league tables to local education authorities (LEA), there is much to get your head around. We, the TickHub team, have put together a

Over the last month children have been walking through Reception classroom doors on their first day at school. What do we expect them to already know, understand and be able to do? Child ready for his first day at school Perhaps we expect them to separate confidently from their parent, listen during whole-class teaching, use a reasonable range of vocabulary, recognise some numbers, hold a pencil, manage their belongings and begin to follow classroom routines. But what happens

When we talk about education, it is easy to become focused on what happens within our own schools, our own communities and our own national system. Yet sometimes, looking beyond our borders gives us the opportunity to step back and ask a much bigger question: What really makes an education system successful? Is it the grades on the paper? The life experiences? The wellbeing, resilience and confidence? Or perhaps there is not a definitive answer. I have a personal connection t

Sport has long been recognised as a powerful tool for improving physical health, but for teenage girls, its impact goes far deeper. Inclusive sporting environments play a critical role in shaping wellbeing, mental health, confidence, and lifelong fitness habits. Yet despite these benefits, a significant number of girls disengage from sport during adolescence. Understanding why—and addressing it through inclusion—is essential. Youth Sports Trust - girls in sport The Drop-Off P

“No parent should have to send their child to school worried that a life-threatening allergic reaction won’t be handled swiftly.” Olivia Bailey, Minister for Early Education Benedict Blythe Food allergies affect thousands of children and adults across the UK and for many, exposure to even tiny amounts of an allergen can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. What was once considered relatively uncommon has become an increasingly significant public health

I had the opportunity to listen to Shadow Education Minister Laura Trott speak at the Policy Exchange this week about business, skills, and apprenticeships. The discussion centered around an important question: how do we ensure that young people leave education ready for employment? The Focus on Post-16 Education The conversation focused heavily on post-16 education, apprenticeships, lifelong learning, and the skills needed to succeed in the workplace. These are undoubtedly i

Today the UK Government announced its plans to strengthen restrictions on social media use for children and young people under the age of 16. The proposal has sparked intense debate among parents, teachers, politicians, technology companies and of course, young people themselves. Supporters argue that social media is exposing children to harmful content, damaging mental health, and increasing the risk of exploitation. Critics believe that a ban may be difficult to enforce and

“I don’t know what I’m doing.” “I feel like a fake.” “Any moment now, someone’s going to catch me out.” Feeling Imposter Syndrome in the work place. For many educators and school leaders, these thoughts are far more common than we are happy to admit. Behind successful lessons, leadership responsibilities and professional achievements, countless teachers quietly battle feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. This experience is widely known as imposter syndrome — the persistent

Over the last decade, concerns surrounding children’s mental health in the UK have increased dramatically, with the most significant rise occurring after 2017 and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2017, around one in nine children aged 6–16 in England were identified as having a probable mental health disorder, but by 2023 this figure had risen to one in five children. This represents an increase of approximately 75% in just six years. NHS data also shows a sharp rise in the n

Inclusion in education is often discussed in terms of access and wellbeing —ensuring that every child can attend school, participate fully in lessons and that they feel valued and they have a sense of belonging. Ofsted's inclusion framework explains that schools must demonstrate how they are addressing the needs of disadvantaged and SEND students. The Ofsted framework focuses on ensuring strong inclusion practices are in place, linking to the inclusion audit, which outlines h

As school places are allocated and parents find out where their children will be heading in September it's a time filled with excitement and trepidation for children and adults alike. It's also important, that as parents and educators, we reflect on what school readiness really looks like for children. Child playing happily in school. At a time when school readiness seems to be a buzz word and the news reports that less children are school ready than ever before - what doe

You may be a teacher, or someone who works with children and young people in another capacity. You might recognise and remember children and young people, who you have worked with, who seem to struggle to engage with learning, no matter the approach you take. Or perhaps, you are a parent who has seen this challenge first-hand. We expect and ask children to self-regulate every day. Whether this is focusing on a task, sitting still, managing emotions, making better choices. But

Mother’s Day was celebrated yesterday and as I sat quietly with a cup of tea chatting to a friend after brunch with my son and shopping with my daughter, I started to reflect on the African Proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” and I thought about what that means and how very true it is! Later, in the day, as I sat quietly with all of my children - now teenagers (or nearly) - I thought about how lucky I am to have a village of people who have both guided and support