Primary vs Secondary: Stickers, Postcards, and Other Teaching Myths We’ve Been Sold

A supply agency calls itself “the home of happy teachers” and publishes a six-point guide to the differences between primary and secondary schools. That alone is enough to get us started.We pick apart the claims one by one — from generalist vs specialist teaching, to workload, planning, marking, and the idea that pastoral care somehow disappears after Year 6. What sounds neat on paper starts to fall apart quickly when you’ve actually worked in schools.We also compare notes on the uncomfortable reality of crossing phases, including a parents’ evening that makes a secondary teacher realise how little we understand about primary routines, language, and expectations.From there, we dig into transition, curriculum continuity, and the ongoing problem: everyone says primary and secondary should talk more, but nobody builds the time or structure to make it happen.Along the way we end up asking why science is always in labs, why behaviour systems change so sharply, and why “rewards” in education go from stickers to postcards that may or may not mean anything.If you work in education — or just enjoy hearing myths about schools get dismantled — this one’s for you.Found a worse museum postcard? Survived a ridiculous school policy? Or just want to tell us your favourite biscuit? Drop us an email at [email protected] or leave a comment on our website!Read the blog and see the postcards:  https://benandjamescoulddobetter.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show