It’s not what people often expect
When parents picture great teaching, they often imagine highly engaging lessons, creative activities, and children who are constantly busy.
Those things have their place. But they are not the foundation of great teaching.
In reality, the strongest classrooms are often the most consistent, the most structured, and the most purposeful.
The ‘bread and butter’ comes first
At the heart of great teaching is what we often refer to as the “bread and butter”.
This is the core of learning. Reading, writing and mathematics, taught clearly and revisited often. Carefully planned sequences of learning that build over time. Teachers who explain new ideas step by step, check understanding, and adapt where needed.
It is not always flashy, but it is essential.
If this foundation is not secure, everything else becomes harder.
Why routines matter more than people think
Strong classrooms are built on strong routines.
Children know what is expected. Transitions are smooth. Time is not lost. Teachers can focus on teaching, and children can focus on learning.
This is not about control for the sake of it. It is about creating an environment where every child feels safe, confident and ready to learn.
When routines are embedded, learning becomes more efficient and more effective.
The 80/20 balance
A useful way to think about this is through the Pareto Principle. Around 80% of what we do in the classroom is focused on those core foundations.
The remaining 20% is where something different happens.
The ‘fish and chips’ moments
Alongside the bread and butter, there are moments we often describe as the “fish and chips”.
These are the moments of awe and wonder. The lessons children talk about at home. The experiences that bring learning to life and stay with them long after they leave the classroom.
A powerful story. A carefully planned experiment. A moment of realisation.
They matter. They are part of what makes school memorable.
But they are most effective when they are built on strong foundations.
Wellbeing and learning go hand in hand
Great teaching also recognises that children learn best when they feel safe, known and supported.
Relationships matter. Teachers understand their pupils. Classrooms feel calm, purposeful and positive.
Wellbeing is not separate from learning. It sits alongside it.
What this means for parents
When you visit a school, it is worth looking beyond how busy or entertaining a lesson appears.
Look for clarity. Look for consistency. Look for how well children understand what they are learning.
And notice the culture. Do children feel settled? Do teachers know their pupils? Is there a sense of calm purpose in the room?
Bringing it all together
Great teaching is not about one standout lesson.
It is about what happens every day. Strong foundations, clear routines, and thoughtful teaching that builds over time.
And alongside that, the moments of awe and wonder that make learning meaningful and memorable.
It is the balance between the two that makes the difference.