In England, a vertical equity model of inclusive schooling has been increasingly visible in both educational policy and school practices since the 2019 education reforms. Within this mixed model of provision, alongside and in complementarity to mainstream schooling, alternative provision (AP) and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)…

In this article, we analyse teacher professional development in five European countries (Italy, Germany, France, England and Finland), comparing their approaches to teacher professional learning and development (PLD). We performed this task using a general framework based on what several studies highlighted so far as key-features in educational…

The paper seeks to identify how teacher expertise is implicitly and explicitly conceptualised in current English education policy in respect of the professional development of teachers. We focus specifically on conceptualisations of expertise in the Early Career Framework (ECF), both in terms of the policy documentation produced by the Department…

The Improvising Teacher offers a radical reconceptualization of improvisation as a fundamental element of teacher expertise. Drawing on theories of improvisation and expertise alongside empirical research, the book argues that teacher expertise is fundamentally improvisatory. The book provides a theoretical model for teacher expertise that is…

In light of the recent trend of outsourcing Physical Education teaching, the aim of this study was to examine primary teachers' perspectives of primary Physical Education delivery. Fourteen in-service primary school teachers took part in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis led to the development of six themes. Findings were presented as…

This study seeks to increase our understanding of the views about teacher quality put forward by leaders and teachers of highly effective schools. The paper presents findings from a mixed-methods study: Drawing on data from interviews with leaders of highly effective schools in England, we identified eight characteristics of an outstanding…

This article examines the relationship between the professional learning of music teachers and their capacity and opportunity to act and engage agentically with the structures and discourses of music education. The authors begin by drawing on a range of education and music education scholarship to examine the concepts of teacher autonomy, teacher…

Increasing moves towards inclusive education have meant that children with learning difficulties are almost exclusively educated in mainstream schools. Based on prevalence estimates from a variety of sources, it is likely that up to 20% of the population of Australia lives with dyslexia of some severity. Thus, every teacher is highly likely to…

The purpose of this study was to extend an understanding of success experienced by leaders in teaching development units. Using a framework comprised of narratives of constraint, this qualitative study interviewed 38 academics in leadership roles from Finland, Australia, Sweden, Norway, the United States, Canada, Scotland, and England. Findings…

This paper examines how one higher education institute (HEI) in the Northwest of England has devised and developed an innovative Master of Arts (MA) in Education practice with a curriculum designed to meet the needs of newly and recently qualified teachers. The research considers that in the early stages of initial teacher education (ITE),…

This article addresses the issue of in-service teacher education, which has become a focus of international education policy attention in recent years. Professional learning (PL) is often envisioned by policymakers as a mechanism by which the professionalism of the teaching workforce can be remodelled and refreshed. It offers a means to enhance…

School systems across the world are working to make the classroom more inclusive for all children, regardless of their origin and capacities, so that they have equal opportunities for quality learning. It has become essential to integrate students with special needs into mainstream formal education and they are, increasingly, enrolled in regular…

The paper suggests ways to benefit student learning online by improving staff training. The paper challenges the assumption that classroom based pedagogy applies to online teaching, with alternative ways that resolve the stress and confusion during the pandemic in the move to permanent blended teaching in the coming year. The paper is the 'front…

This paper explores practitioner perspectives on effective inclusion within a school environment. Inclusion within school settings is more than children with a range of needs, including special educational needs (SEN) being taught together within a classroom. It is important that a school community recognises the uniqueness of each child and works…

This report examines the potential for school quality reviews to assess and promote a broader set of outcomes than are currently being measured in most districts and states. These outcomes include a deep understanding of content as well as the ability to use that knowledge to think critically to solve complex problems, communicate effectively,…