Can mindfulness improve pupils' concentration?

Mindfulness is a psychological technique which is said to help combat stress. But should it be widely introduced in schools?

The practice of mindfulness - which draws on Buddhist thinking - has become increasingly popular in recent years. There have been calls for brain-training techniques, using breathing to achieve mental clarity, to be introduced in schools.

In October, the Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group said the practice should be made more widely available and recommended the Department for Education designate three schools to "pioneer mindfulness teaching and disseminate best practice".

Political author, former head of Wellington College and vice-chancellor of Buckingham University Sir Anthony Seldon has called for daily "stillness sessions" in schools, saying a decline in traditional religious assemblies has left pupils with little space for reflection in the school day.

05/02/19Ban phones in schools, says minister Nick Gibb

Pupils should be banned from taking smartphones into school, the minister for school standards in England has told the BBC. Nick Gibb spoke out ahead of the government publishing new guidance for schools, expected to address internet safety, social media and online gaming. It is expected to say children should be taught to limit the amount of time they spend online. Schools have the power to ban phones from being taken on to the premises. But government policy is that it is the responsibility of head teachers to determine whether this is appropriate.

21/01/19Government to fund 2,900 school exchanges for poorer pupils

Secondary schools in England will be able to apply for money to take poorer pupils overseas on school exchanges

01/11/18Education spending now 'skewed' to poor following 'remarkable shift'

There has been a "remarkable shift" in poorer children now receiving a bigger share of education spending in England, says the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

21/09/18Kent Teaching Solutions announced as supplier through Supply Teachers Framework

Kent Teaching Solutions are proud to announce that we have been awarded one of the select positions a s a supplier on the Supply Teachers Framework.

21/06/18Ofsted chief inspector backs ban on phones in schools

The chief inspector of Ofsted is backing head teachers who ban mobile phones to prevent bad behaviour.