Category: Education System

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…

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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…

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Praise the quiet revolution

Praise the quiet revolution

It is easy to criticise and pick faults with our education system because we all have thoughts about how it should be run and how children should be taught. But praise must also be issued when the system improves. And that has happened. A quiet revolution has been taking place since the coalition Government took…

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How do we rate schools?

How do we rate schools?

The death of Caversham Primary School headteacher Ruth Perry is a tragedy of huge proportions. This is of particular poignancy if the results of the Ofsted inspection about her Reading school led to her suicide. But there has been no inquest yet and only after that inquiry will we know the full circumstances surrounding her…

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My five education wishes for 2023

My five education wishes for 2023

Here are my education wishes for 2023 – five things the government should do to improve the system for our children. And with Nick Gibb the minister responsible there is someone in place who can drive change. ONE Sort out the muddle on SATs gradings This will involve having the courage to restore the original…

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