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What sets Welsh education apart from the rest of the UK? Join us as Lizzie speaks with Geoff Cresswell, a Welsh teacher, headteacher and inspector, about  what makes education in Wales distinctive.They discuss the Curriculum for Wales, changes in teaching and assessment, and the opportunities and challenges facing Welsh schools today. They also explore what it means to teach as a Christian in Wale

WEEK COMMENCING 12TH JULY“Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.”Psalm 112:1–2 (NIV)1. Give thanks for God’s faithfulness and pray for Christians facing challengesAfter a seven-year legal battle, Rev. Dr Bernard Randall has reached a settlement with Trent

Abortion is a sensitive and often controversial topic, but it is one that schools are expected to address as part of the Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum. In this episode of The ACT Podcast, Catherine and Carolyn from the Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform explore how Christian teachers can approach this challenging subject with wisdom, compassion, and faithfulness to their con

Gareth Crispin from Premier NexGen thinks that Get Ready to Go and It’s Your Move equip families to talk honestly, prepare practically, and pray together as children start or move schoolsAlthough written primarily for parents, this helpful review of Scripture Union resources also offers valuable insights and practical ideas that teachers and other school staff will find useful.Starting school for

ACT Prayer PointsWeek Commencing 28 June“The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”Psalm 121:5–8 (NIV)“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Join us on the ACT podcast as Grant Wootton shares his decade-long experience teaching in rural Thailand. Explore his motivations, challenges faced in the classroom, and the unique opportunities to impact young lives for the sake of the gospel. This episode will be a fascinating listen for those curious about state funded education overseas and anyone interested in cross-cultural education!  Liste

Catch up on our latest Leadership Network Event featuring Joe Lowther from KICK. Reflect on the impact of values in shaping educational landscapes. We delve into integrating biblical values into school cultures and strategic leadership. Discover ways to align mission, vision, and values to foster thriving school communities. Ideal for educators, administrators, and leaders committed to lasting cha

ACT PRAYER POINTSWeek Beginning 14th JuneSocial Media Ban for Under-16sBible verse:“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6, NIV)Give thanks and pray for wisdomGive thanks for a renewed focus on protecting children and reconsidering the impact of social media, whatever one’s view of a ban.Pray for wisdom for government, schools, and families as ne

ACT Prayer PointsWeek Commencing 7th June"Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life..." (Proverbs 13:13–15, NIV)Let's pray about the use of Artificial Intelligence in EducationAI and SEND SupportUpdated government guidance allows schools to use AI to help draft support plans and resources for pupils with S

Join us on the latest episode of the ACT podcast for our Friday news update! Curious about education's current challenges and opportunities? Join Lizzie and Jo as we dive into crucial topics affecting education – from the NEU's potential strike action to the latest Policy Exchange report "Still Asleep At The Wheel." We also share valuable information on upcoming events such as our South Central Me

Readers become what they readOpinion piece by ACT member, Savvas CostiThese are silly times“That’s Mike Teavee! He’s the television fiend!” A striking introduction as the big day arrives and Mike is one of five fortunate children with a golden ticket, securing a rare opportunity to explore Mr Wonka’s wonderous chocolate factory.[1] Of course, Roald Dahl is keen to offer teaching points through all

The main teaching unions seem to be becoming increasingly progressive in outlook, which can leave Christian teachers feeling at odds with elements of their stance. But can Christians help influence union culture from within? In our latest podcast episode, we speak with a teacher who has sought to do exactly that. He reflects on the challenges and opportunities of union membership, why he is a unio

WEEK COMMENCING 26th APRIL“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number…’”— Genesis 1:28 (NIV)“How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?”— Hebrews 2:2–3 (NIV)Falling rolls and school provisionPray for schools already experiencing falling pupil numbers, that they would be sustained and not face closure.Ask for wisdom for government and policymakers as they res

Why has reading lost its spark among young people, and how can Christian stories jumpstart their love for literature? In our latest podcast episode, Lizzie chats with Janet Wilson of Dernier Publishing about this pressing issue. From the power of engaging narratives to the impact on spiritual and educational levels, this episode covers it all.Links:The coupon code for a 10% discount off the Primar

How do Scottish educators navigate the balance between personal faith and professional responsibilities under the Curriculum for Excellence? Our latest ACT podcast episode features a conversation with Megan Patterson and Lynn Macmillan of CVE Scotland. Learn about the evolving educational landscape in Scotland, and how Christian teachers are making a difference in Scottish schools. A must-listen f

How should Christian teachers approach the topic of creation and evolution? Is it possible to teach the scientific curriculum with integrity while also acknowledging a Christian perspective?In this latest episode of the ACT Podcast, primary teacher Matthew Pickhaver—now with the Biblical Creation Trust—joins us to explore these questions. Together, we discuss how teachers can handle these conversa

A Christian Perspective on Multicultural ClassroomsGuidance issued recently to schools by councils across the north of England sent social media into freefall last week. The document, Sharing the Journey, advised teachers not to ask pupils to draw figures such as Jesus or Muhammad in lessons, and in some cases even to avoid drawing the human form. The news was seized upon- perhaps predictably- by

In this episode pf the ACT podcast, Lizzie Harewood speaks with Ed Robbins, CEO of Fresh Start in Education, about the growing need for alternative provision for pupils unable to remain in mainstream education due to SEND, exclusion, the impact of traumatic events and mental health issues. Fresh Start provides one-to-one outreach tutoring, often beginning at home, to help re-engage young people an

ACT Prayer PointsWeek Commencing 1st March“A father to the fatherless… God sets the lonely in families.” (Psalm 68:4–6 NIV)1. SEND “Experts at Hand” ServiceThe government is calling for experienced SEND professionals to return to classrooms under the new £1.8bn “experts at hand” initiative, with a promise to prioritise direct intervention over paperwork.Please pray:That experienced SEND staff woul

In 'What's News' this week,  Jo and Lizzie unpack two major government publications this week: the SEND White Paper and the updated Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance which incorporates detail on how to support gender questioning children.Here's a link to the article on gender questioning childrenAnd do join us to pray on Monday evening: Book here to receive the Teams code.Listen