The Pobble blog

Every year, as we head into the final term of the year, I speak with Year 6 teachers who tell me they are nervous about being selected for statutory external moderation. We unpick together what is cau...

Before children write well, they need time to think, talk, and explore ideas without pressure.

During our live webinar on 14th January, one thing became abundantly clear: teachers and school leaders are exhausted by checklist moderation sessions. From attendees, we heard the same frustrations r...

Term 1 arrives with all the usual energy, new classes, new routines, and that sense that everything matters at once. Add NAPLAN into the mix, and it is easy for writing to become a last-minute scrambl...

Looking for something a little different to the usual letter to Santa? Try these festive writing ideas that start with talk, build confidence, and get words flowing.

Every teacher knows the power of a topic that clicks. The room buzzes, hands shoot up, ideas pour out. When students write about something they care about, their vocabulary expands, their stamina grow...

Sometimes, getting started is the hardest part. For many students, a blank page can feel intimidating, even overwhelming. That’s why the right hook at the start of a writing lesson matters so much. It...

Assessment is hard. Anyone who has ever tried to decide whether a student is “working at the expected standard” knows that. It’s complex, nuanced, and deeply human work.

If you’ve ever asked your class to write and been met with blank stares, you’re not alone. The problem isn’t always confidence or ability. Often, it’s simply that they don’t know where to start.

The 2025 moderation cycle once again offered the opportunity to celebrate the hard work and expertise of Year 6 teachers and leaders across the country. This year, one message came through louder than...