jamieportman.com/blog

Using the ‘Explain Everything’ iPad App via Storify

Jamie Portman — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 16:15:32 +0000

Thought I’d try out ‘Storify’ to show how I’ve experimenting with the ‘Explain Everything’ iPad app for History GCSE revision videos. Reckon this approach could be especially useful to anyone analysing images and text for students in and out of class. [View the story "Using the 'Explain Everything' iPad App " on Storify]

Recovery from school fire & discoveries from the last 2 and a half years

Jamie Portman — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 09:30:56 +0000

The week before the Easter holidays was the last week in our temporary portacabin school. It seems appropriate on Easter Sunday 2012 to briefly reflect upon the last 2 and half years. After the devastating fire which destroyed the original Campmsount Technology College buildings in December 2009 we were based in public buildings and private [...]

Why are middle leaders so important to schools?

Jamie Portman — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:19:40 +0000

A couple of weeks ago a colleague/friend and I launched the introductory session for the NCSL course that we are facilitating called the ‘Middle Leaders Development Programme’. It primarily focuses on what it says on the tin, and I wanted the participants and their coaches to immediately focus on the key question: ‘Why are middle [...]

#Soldiers. Courage still needed.

Jamie Portman — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:38:30 +0000

This quote is particularly apt for those educators who intend to do what Margaret Mead highlights below. You know if this concerns you or not. #Soldiers Definition: Soldiers 3rd person singular present, plural of sol·dier. Noun: a person who serves in the army. Context: Striving to change the anachronistic educational system in the UK. Courage [...]

Unfortunately, 3 Essential Documents for School Leaders in 2012

Jamie Portman — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:45:15 +0000

The following 3 documents are of essential importance for school leaders in England and Wales for 2012. Unfortunately, many of them reinforce the accountability that school leaders have in the face of their employers – the Government. These documents must not dictate all developments in our schools despite the immense pressure that many of us [...]

Wanted: Work experience for Gove and OFSTED inspectors.

Jamie Portman — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:39:30 +0000

I love this article by Mick Waters. What impressed me the most was a very simple concept: “… if every Ofsted inspector as part of their contract had to teach for a continuous half-term every year, we’d see a better inspection system.” Waters goes on to talk about how inspectors would develop more humility when [...]

1% is better than nowt

Jamie Portman — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:25:44 +0000

I’ve created lots of resources in the past but the problem is forget about the vast majority of them. As a history teacher I rarely use textbooks because they are either text heavy, too complex or too simple. As result of this, I’ve spent copious amounts of time and energy creating stuff. Today I stumbled [...]

C-Magazine 4

Jamie Portman — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:14:14 +0000

Find below the 4th edition of ‘C Magazine’ – one way of sharing teaching and learning ideas at Campsmount Technology College. The purpose of it is defined below (aimed at colleagues from my school) ‘C’ is for communication, collaboration and community. ‘C magazine’ is about showcasing good practice. It’s about enhancing our professional learning community [...]

Showcasing and sharing classroom practice: School based Teachmeets

Jamie Portman — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 17:18:53 +0000

CPD sessions in the worst schools are done to staff. Teachers are passive and get bored when presenters talk at them for too long. Yet as teachers, we know that the best lessons buzz with ideas and engagement, and for me, that has to be a key element for teacher developmental sessions in schools – [...]

‘Until Jamie matures and takes his work seriously he is unlikely to improve on his appalling performance.’

Jamie Portman — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:00:17 +0000

The image says: ‘Until Jamie matures and takes his work seriously he is unlikely to improve on his appalling performance.’ Mr B – Chemistry Teacher 1994. To be honest, when I read this in my old secondary school report it made me chuckle a little bit. It took me back to my school days which [...]