Monthly Archives: May 2011
That Ian Gilbert catches the eye
I can be guilty of book-hopping – opening one while finishing another – but Ian Gilbert’s latest has so far managed to both grab and keep my attention. The rhetorical title – ‘Why do I need a teacher when I’ve … Continue reading
Filed under Curriculum, Schools
Pupil premium: confusion is added to the mix
The pupil premium, the coalition’s flagship education policy – £430 for each child on free school meals, raises a tricky question for schools: what should the money be spent on? Let us put aside, for the moment, the question about … Continue reading
Rosen puts another nail in the SATs coffin
Thank goodness for that; SATs are over for another year. As always, they have prompted much debate and discussion, in the staff room, at the school gate and in the papers. There is a pretty well-established critique of SATs which … Continue reading
Filed under Assessment, Policy, Schools
Gove should look to Finland for a Master class
Michael Gove has hopped around the globe to find the ideas and the justification for his education policies; Singapore, Sweden, the U.S, Canada and Finland regularly pop up as the inspiration for everything from free schools to curriculum reform. Of … Continue reading
Filed under Michael Gove, Policy, Politics - general, Schools
With one empty seat, another day begins…
There’s a boy in my class who just about clings on to the description of being ‘in my class’. Not a week goes by without an absence; not a term goes by without a missing week. All the other children … Continue reading
Filed under Schools
Where’s the Liberal Democrat voice in education?
Looks like this week’s election results have changed little for the coalition, at least for Nick Clegg who – aside from a little more public flexing of Lib-Dem muscles – plans to stay at Cameron’s side for the next five … Continue reading
Filed under Clegg, Lib Dems, Policy, Politics - general
Looking to the horizon is no good if your feet are on fire
Despite being roundly punished for their collaboration with the Tories, it looks like the Liberal Democrat response to a pasting in the polls – both local election and AV referendum – is to perform their very own version of Groundhog … Continue reading
Filed under Clegg, Lib Dems, Politics - general
Gove’s induction plan fails to excite
With a distinct lack of fanfare, Michael Gove has announced plans to shake-up the induction arrangements for new teachers. Admittedly, not a story to compete with Kate and Wills. Even the spin maestro’s at Education HQ managed to generate a … Continue reading
Filed under Michael Gove, Nick Gibb, Policy, Schools
