Blog

We were right – curriculum changes have been a success

We were right – curriculum changes have been a success

Former schools and education minister Nick Gibb has penned an article in the Telegraph in which he rightly points out the success of curriculum changes. He notes: “We have now had the results of the international PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) survey of the maths, reading and science attainment of 15-year-olds across 81 countries. It…

Read More Read More

How to turn round a failing school

How to turn round a failing school

Reports about the goings on in Oasis Academy school in Sheerness, Kent have recently drawn the attention of the press for all the wrong reasons. Apparently, teachers have been subjected to racial slurs, threats of sexual violence and even death threats. Staff have been physically assaulted and have had to avoid chairs being thrown at…

Read More Read More

AI has made exams even more important

AI has made exams even more important

The advance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already causing headaches for teachers, with students able to utilise the tech to complete homework and assignments. While AI could bring astonishing benefits to society, we must be aware of the problems it can cause. I have long advocated the importance of tests and exams for students so…

Read More Read More

A zero sum game

A zero sum game

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has U-turned on taking away the charitable status of private schools because the effect would be devastating. Its removal would also have had the effect of schools abolishing assisted places, bursaries and scholarships for poorer students. Starmer would have been criticised for harming the education of poor children, so he…

Read More Read More

School’s out, for ever?

School’s out, for ever?

I have just returned in mid-September from a week-long foreign holiday, and I was surprised to see so many English families with children. According to a recent report from consultancy Public First there has been a ‘seismic shift’ in parents’ attitudes to school attendance. My anecdotal evidence supports the report’s findings that absenteeism is growing,…

Read More Read More