Last week, the government’s chosen new social mobility chief, Dame Martina Milburn, made a pronouncement I totally concur with – we do not need a nation of Oxford degrees. For many years I have said that successive governments have put far too much emphasis on the academic route of life. It is a fact that…
Many congratulations to primary school teachers and pupils across the country on this year’s set of excellent SATs results – your hard work has paid off! It is also very rewarding indeed to see that the improved, knowledge-rich and more demanding curriculums in maths and English bear fruit. The new curriculums were designed to raise…
A grammar school in Gloucestershire has struck upon a potential – and exciting – solution to help boost the attainment of poorer children. The incredibly popular Crypt School in Gloucester, which receives three applications for everyone place, is bidding to open a feeder primary school. Using Free School powers, it is applying for funding to…
As Year 6 children up and down the country sit for their Key Stage 2 SATs this week, the question of whether we’re putting too much stress on 11 year-olds continues. Testing is crucial if we’re to measure a child’s progress and ensure they are helped to improve and be the best they can be.…
If you’re a regular reader of my blogs you will not be surprised to learn that I very much welcome the government’s investment in expanding the number of grammar school places. You’ll also not be surprised to learn that I think this is only a step in the right direction. For those that decry that…