Just Great Teaching: Tackle the top ten issues in your classroom

by Ross Morrison McGill

In this groundbreaking book, Ross Morrison McGill, bestselling author of Mark. Plan. Teach. and Teacher Toolkit , pinpoints the top ten key issues that schools in Great Britain are facing today, and provides strategies, ideas and techniques for how these issues can be tackled most effectively. We often talk about the challenges of teacher recruitment and retention, about new initiatives and political landscapes, but day in, day out, teachers and schools are delivering exceptional teaching and most of it is invisible. Ross uncovers, celebrates, analyses and disseminates best practice in teaching. This is supported by case studies and research undertaken by Ross in ten primary and secondary schools across Great Britain, including a pupil referral unit and private, state and grammar schools, as well as explanations from influential educationalists as to why and how these ideas work. Ross explores the issues of marking and assessment, planning, teaching and learning, teacher wellbeing, student mental health, behaviour and exclusions, SEND, curriculum, research-led practice and CPD. This book inspires readers to open their eyes to how particular problems can be resolved and how other schools are already doing this effectively. It is a must-read for all primary and secondary classroom teachers and school leaders keen to provide the best education they possibly can for our young people today.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2019

Reviews

[Jenny Mcneillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was really interesting to listen to as an audiobook as someone just starting their career, i think others should listen to it but some of the comments are not aimed towards people like me, but should be read by policy makers and senior leadership so it felt a bit lost on me at times

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book covers a lot of ground; if compromising depth, the breadth of coverage, comes with plenty of practical, low-cost-high-impact suggestions, grounded in contemporary pedagogical research.
It's great, and I'll be listening another one or two times to catalogue specific things I want to try out or research further.

The tone is sympathetic to teachers, but doesn't shy from the responsibilities of everyone, individually and institutionally.

It has caused me to reflect on my career to-date: calling out some of the frankly embarrassing initiatives, but also helping me appreciate, perhaps for the first time, examples of better (in intention if not execution) initiatives I have been a perpetrator/victim of. I feel both proud of our profession and motivated to improve.

This book is honest, practical, well researched and highly recommended.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book for someone fairly new to teaching or leading, and is a good revision tool for those who have been at it a while. It’s very practical and there’s some good research. Nothing groundbreaking, though.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliantly written book that is easy to read. some good strategies for a student teacher like myself

[Joey B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Particularly interesting chapters on teacher wellbeing, student mental health and curriculum I thought.

[Anthony Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. A comprehensive look at education and teaching. I have lots to think about.

[Chris Parkinson-Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well presented, thought out and thorough book outlining some of the core challenges to teachers and schools. It also provides realistic strategies on how these can be overcome.