THIS MONTH IN ITM
This month, John Taylor wants to restore a love of learning to its rightful place at the heart of education and Pedro Afonso argues that lessons which tell a story are the key to student engagement.
Joe Schaaf describes an innovative programme of student-led peer support at Tianjin International School and Allistair Wlliamson looks at how Carol Dweck’s idea of a growth mindset sustains learning at Guildford High School in the UK.
David Porritt continues his series about teaching lives by speaking with Mark Johnson at Harrow Haikou School, Emma Archibald offers an enticingly simple way of using music to assist classroom managementt and and Dyleth Lynch examines the culture of effective safeguarding in schools.
Holly Warren argues that creativity is the product of both tuition and intuition, Penny Moon looks at the neuroscience of creative thinking. and John Kelly at the neuro transmitters themselves!
EDITORIAL, OCTOBER 2026
WATER FINDS ITS OWN LEVEL Effective curriculum and assessment development takes time and the best is thoughtfully scheduled and structured. There is
THE LOST LOVE OF LEARNING
THE EVIDENCE FOR REFORMING ASSESSMENT Dr. John Taylor looks at the evidence emerging from two recent inquiries in the UK and concludes
LITERACY LAB
ACADEMIC PEER SUPPORT At the International School of Tianjin students support each other’s learning across the curriculum in IST’s Literacy Lab. Joe
THE POWER OF MARVELLOUS MISTAKES
INSTILLING A GROWTH MINDSET Allistair Williamson, Head of Junior School at Guildford High School in the UK, looks at how the explicit
SAFEGUARDING ACROSS BORDERS
WHY CULTURE MATTERS MORE THAN COMPLIANCE Delyth Lynch argues that effective safeguarding depends as much on a school’s culture as on its
STORYTELLING AND LEARNING
THE KEY TO MEANING? Pedro Afonso wants to bring back meaning to learning and suggests that finding the right narrative is the
TEACHING LIVES: MARK JOHNSON
GROWING LEADERSHIP When the best answer is a question. This month Dr. David Porrit is in conversation with Mark Johnson, Head of
TUITION AND INTUITION
THE EXHALE AND INHALE OF LEARNING Artist and teacher, Holly Warren explores two key forces that combine to facilitate creative expression. The
AUGUST TO OCTOBER
SETTLING IN STILL NEEDS WORK At the start of a new school year, we build new routines, welcome new students and emphasise
DRAWING MONSTERS
FACILITATING CREATIVITY Penny Moon argues that neuroscience suggests that to foster creativity we simply need to get out of the way. The
THE LEARNING (AND TEACHING) BRAIN
CONFIRMING BEST PRACTICE Dr. John Kelly suggests that understanding how dopamine, serotonin and acetylcholine work as neurotransmitters reinforces what many regard as
SEPTEMBER 2026
THIS MONTH IN ITM This month, James MacDonald has an alternative take on what makes a school successful, Aleksandra Szproch examines the
