We often praise speed - quick finishers, fast readers, rapid problem solvers - but what if we started focusing on strategy instead? The best thinking isn’t about going faster, but going ‘better’. This starts with helping children develop time management as a skill, rather than a race. Time can feel abstract for many children. Without the right tools, they may rush through tasks, peak halfway or feel overwhelmed before they even begin.

Homework is a word that can trigger sighs from children but, more often, from parents. One question we are often asked is: How much should I actually be helping with this?

The answer isn’t black and white. Some parents end up doing most of the homework themselves. Others, determined to promote independence, never get involved at all, assuming their child needs to figure it out themselves. Both extremes can miss the mark.

In a world where ChatGPT can write poems in seconds and AI can paint portraits, many parents are asking us: Where does that leave human creativity, especially for our children?

Whether your child is in primary school just beginning to explore their imagination or in secondary school navigating more complex creative tasks, the question remains the same: how do we help them develop their unique voice in a world where technology can do so much?

The end-of-year school report can feel like a moment of truth, opening it with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. While these reports can offer valuable insight into your child’s progress, they often need a little decoding. Here’s how to read between the lines and what to do if you’re feeling concerned.

Have you ever said something like, “My child’s creative, so they’re not really into maths!”, or “My child’s got a scientific brain, languages just aren’t their thing…”?

If so, you’re not alone. It’s a narrative I hear all the time and one I think we should start challenging.

We all want our children to feel confident. But there’s a difference between confidence that’s earned and confidence that’s inflated. While well-meaning praise might offer a temporary boost, true self-belief comes from something far more powerful: proven competence.

Creativity has always had its place in learning, but it’s becoming a core skill being assessed in students. It’s now a formal part of some Year 7 Entrance Exams and it’s catching parents off guard. Schools are introducing tasks that test imaginative thinking, clear communication and original problem-solving. These new tasks aren’t just about writing stories. They ask children to think on their feet, use language purposefully and respond to unusual prompts in thoughtful, original ways.

The move from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2 can feel like a big jump. Suddenly, children are expected to work more independently, think more critically and manage larger amounts of information. This doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Here are five practical ways to ease the transition and help your child feel confident as they step into KS2…

Finding it difficult to encourage your child to read? You’re not alone and it’s certainly not a reflection of your efforts. Reading habits are deeply personal. Developing them takes time, flexibility and a little creativity. Here are some practical ways to make the process easier, more enjoyable and far less of a struggle…

We all want to help our children grow into confident, expressive communicators. But when it comes to vocabulary-building, it’s easy to fall into old traps and tired techniques. Let’s bust a few myths…