Articles
Bella learning seeks to give you relevant and accessible articles that will help you navigate primary school as a parent and support your child. We get our ideas from talking to parents, kids, forums and by seeing what you google the most! Articles will cover information about the curriculum and learning, what happens in the classroom, how to interact with school and teachers and also more difficult and personal issues such as learning needs, bullying and relationships.
Six educational activities for half term (clue: not homework!)
Education doesn't have to stop in half term - in fact - it's the perfect time to investigate, discover and consolidate learning that's been happening in the classroom. Here are some teacher ideas for you to try with your kids over the holidays. Much more beneficial...
How to read with your child through primary school
Most people know that it's important to read with their children but there isn't much guidance on the best way to go about it through the years. Bella Learning gives a teacher's run down of how to support your child's reading through primary school. Reception: A...
I don’t want to be ‘that’ parent…
Since starting the Facebook group 'Ask a teacher' only a couple of days ago, we've already had a number of members stating that they don't want to be 'that' parent with regard to expressing concerns to teachers. I'm here, as a teacher, to tell you that we want you to...
Phonics – Phriend or Pho?
Since 2005, every child in state education has been taught to decode words through the teaching of phonics, starting in Reception and culminating in a (rather obscure) statutory 'screening check' at the end of Year One. In short, children in England are taught the 44...
How can you help your child flourish in (and even enjoy) tests?
We live in a testing culture. Before they reach secondary school, state school pupils in England will have undertaken the following assessments: AGE 5/6 - Year 1 phonics screening check AGE 6/7 - Year 2 SATS in Maths, Reading and Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling...
Help! My Child Hates Maths!
More than any other subject, maths can induce real anxiety in adults and children alike. 'I hate maths' is heard much more often that 'I hate English', and given that pupils spend at least an hour a day studying the subject from the ages of 4-16, making sure they...
7 Fuss-Free Ways to Support Your Child’s Learning in 2019
Parents are naturally great teachers and we know that their involvement in education makes a huge difference. But we also know that families are stretched for time and that sitting down at a desk with a worksheet together doesn’t always go to plan… So, here are Bella...
‘Tis The Season of Magic – Let’s Believe In Education
Earlier this year, I was handing out leaflets for Bella Learning at an event, when a man with two young children rebuffed my offer with the words 'No thanks. I don't believe in education.' He said it quite politely and moved on but I was rooted to the spot in...
Behind The Scenes Of The Christmas Production – Teachers’ Version
My news feed this week has been filled with gorgeous pictures of shepherds, angels and donkeys. Alongside this, a lot of parents have been 'taking their hats off' to the teachers that have managed to get these shepherds, angels and donkeys into some sort of...
Primary School League Tables Explained For Parents
This week saw the annual publication of the (state) primary school league tables. Schools are well-aware of what this means for them, but what does it mean for parents? Bella Learning talks you through the maths (and the reading and the writing...) What do they...