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Gordon Cairns

English and forest school teacher

Gordon Cairns is an English and forest school teacher who works in a unit for autistic secondary pupils. He also writes about education, society, cycling and football for a number of publications. Gordon Cairns is an English and forest school teacher who works in a unit for autistic secondary pupils. He also writes about education, society, cycling and football for a number of publications.

Photo of woman sat at desk recording verbal feedback into a smartphone

Secondary by Gordon Cairns

Verbal feedback – How spoken messages can reduce workload Let’s stop writing feedback no one ever reads and instead embrace a smarter, more verbal approach to marking, says Gordon Cairns

stylised illustration showing a male teacher adopting an inappropriately close stance beside a female student, representing sexual harassment in schools

Secondary by Gordon Cairns

Sexual harassment in schools – When teachers abuse pupils Gordon Cairns examines an academic study that sheds worrying light on the extent of sexual harassment directed against pupils by teachers

Abstract illustration of a paper aeroplane breaking through a simple wooden labyrinth, representing lesson difficulty

Secondary by Gordon Cairns

Lesson difficulty – Don’t tell students a task will be ‘easy’ You may mean well when saying a task will be 'easy’ – but such words carry weight, and can have unintended consequences, warns Gordon Cairns...

Werewolf silhouette in front of full moon

Secondary by Gordon Cairns

Does a full moon affect children’s behaviour? If you believe your students’ behaviour is worse when there’s a full moon, you’re quite likely to be proved right, warns Gordon Cairns – and that’s just the start of it...

Photo of a student asleep against a stack of books

Secondary by Gordon Cairns

Learning motivation – Why no student is ‘lazy’ Dr Devon Price tells Gordon Cairns why calling students ‘lazy’ isn’t just inaccurate, but likely to make motivation issues even worse...

Woman wearing poncho, expecting rain, to convey visual of a parental school trip volunteer

Secondary by Gordon Cairns

School trips – How to recruit parent volunteers Gordon Cairns examines that tricky task ahead of many a school trip – recruiting willing volunteer helpers…

Secondary by Gordon Cairns

Staff morale – The ‘problem colleagues’ you can encounter in school and how to handle them Gordon Cairns considers the options teachers have when confronted and undermined by the behaviour of their own colleagues…

Secondary by Gordon Cairns

Bibliotherapy – The emotional and psychological benefits of reading Gordon Cairns explores the practice of using books and stories in schools for therapeutic, rather than simply academic purposes…

Secondary by Gordon Cairns

Behaviour management – The confidence trick that keeps students in line The Pygmalion Effect means that if you assume your pupils will behave impeccably, they are highly likely to do so, says Gordon Cairns...

Secondary by Gordon Cairns

Does Orderliness Predict Academic Success? At least one study suggests it does, says Gordon Cairns – but others highlight the potential issues with imposing excessive control…

CPD Downloads

Understanding Primary Assessment

Make sure your assessment is effective with these expert insights

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Outstanding primary maths CPD with Professor Mike Askew

Professor Mike Askew provides advice around three areas of primary mathematics to help you become a better teacher

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Speedy Assessment CPD for secondary teachers

Education experts David Didau, Daisy Christodoulou and Emma McCrea are here to help you improve your assessment methods

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The Essential Primary Reading Toolkit

Discover creative lesson activities and innovative teaching practices in this CPD box set full of ideas for boosting reading ... more

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Great ways to help autistic pupils

This eight-part series will give you practical suggestions for helping autistic children – during Autism Acceptance Week an... more

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Secondary science CPD to improve your teaching

From engaging Year 7s in science to seeing secondary students through their GCSEs, our experts are here to guide you

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Brilliant biology lessons for secondary school science

Learn about bugs, biodiversity and topics high on the teen agenda such as sugar and sleep, with these activities from Dr Joan... more

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Successful STEM teaching for secondary students

Help students prepare for the careers of the future by getting them hooked on STEM subjects. Here’s how

SecondarySTEMScienceby Teachwire

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