Author: stephencurran

It’s time to Finnish the progressive experiment

It’s time to Finnish the progressive experiment

Having seen its once-lauded educational standards eroded by progressive teaching methods, Scotland could soon see them fall even further. A resolution to be made at the SNP’s party conference will call on the government to delay children starting at ‘big school’ until they are six. It wants instead to add another year of statutory play-based…

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Exclusion must be an option

Exclusion must be an option

Once again, the progressives in our education system are determined to put untested theory above years of experience – and prevent schools from excluding any pupils. The initiative comes from the London borough of Southwark and is in response to its previously having a high exclusion rate. It seems that rather than try to reduce…

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Morality teaching has gone too far

Morality teaching has gone too far

Two years ago the Department for Education introduced a new framework for the teaching of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in secondary schools. The intent might have been understandable and welcomed, but the result is hard to understand and unwelcome. It has led to a variety of education ‘providers’ supplying schools with assets that include…

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Why summer hols are important

Why summer hols are important

During the long summer holidays primary school children will lose ground – but parents can help. This is exacerbated by the fact children have already suffered lengthy periods away from school during the Covid pandemic are trying to catch up. A six week lay-off is not ideal from a teaching or learning point of view,…

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Grammar Schools – why they must return

Grammar Schools – why they must return

Once again there is talk in the corridors of power about ending the ban on new grammar schools – but we’ve had many false starts before. While the Prime Minister is said to be in favour of selective education and the opening of more of these schools that lead to increased social mobility, his civil…

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