Teaching Against the Tide | Substack

Welcome to the Teaching Against the Tide Tribe where happy teachers make happy learners

Come on in and join a like-minded community of people prioritising our own wellbeing to better support children in a challenging education system.

READ THE LATEST

Psychology-informed Pedagogy

What is school really for?

Forget the National Curriculum. Let’s create a Rational Curriculum

Oct 7, 2025 • Teaching against the tide

Rose in the Rain

A lesson learnt from a toddler and a reminder that rain should not stop play

Sep 4, 2025 • Teaching against the tide

Go Big, Go Outside!

Why outdoor learning isn't just fun. It's also crucial for brain development.

Jul 7, 2025 • Teaching against the tide

Keep calm but don't carry on

Why debriefs should be a part of regular school practice

Apr 23, 2025 • Teaching against the tide

Give yourself a gift and subscribe for gentle support, quiet encouragement and a weekly wellbeing newsletter - care for yourself as generously as you care for others.

Outdoor Learning

Teach Maths in the Snow

10 quick tips to take your lesson outside when the flakes start to fall.

Jan 6 • Teaching against the tide

How tall is the tree?

There are Maths opportunities for every age to answer this simple question.

Oct 15, 2025 • Teaching against the tide

A class tree can stimulate learning across the curriculum.

Sep 25, 2025 • Teaching against the tide

Outdoor Olympics

Get the blood-pumping and your heart-racing while you find out who is the family champion

Aug 12, 2025 • Teaching against the tide

Wellbeing

8:12

When is enough enough?

Tips for all my fellow workaholics, perfectionists and imposter syndrome sufferers.

22 hrs ago

Sometimes we just survive - and that's okay! (FREE ABRIDGED VERSION)

A poem and reflection on recognising our ever-changing capacity

Feb 18

3:18

Some days we just survive - and that's okay!

A poem and reflection on recognising our ever-changing capacity

Feb 15 • Teaching against the tide

They are just little kid's ... (FREE ABRIDGED VERSION)

How can we support the children while also preserving our own sanity?

Feb 11 • Teaching against the tide

Classroom Ideas

Playfulness and curiosity isn't just for young children

Pre-school children are naturally inquisitive. Walk into any early years setting and there is a buzz around learning. So where does this go and how do…

Jul 15, 2025 • Teaching against the tide

The sense-sational science of snacking

And how a packet of crisps can be a cross-curricular teaching tool.

Mar 13, 2025 • Teaching against the tide

The Power of Storytelling

thoughts on encouraging creativity in children

Feb 1, 2025 • Teaching against the tide

Reading for pleasure - worthy pursuit or false dream?

Dec 30, 2024 • Teaching against the tide

#nojs-banner { position: fixed; bottom: 0; left: 0; padding: 16px 16px 16px 32px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; background: red; color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; } #nojs-banner a { color: inherit; text-decoration: underline; } This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts