It was inevitable that cancelling examinations would cause conflicts and chaos, whatever alternative system was used to grade students. I said in March that the decision would lead to terrible problems. We were aware then that the peak of the virus outbreak was likely to be in April. While holding GCSEs would have posed difficulties…
Like most teachers, I listened to the announcement that all schools were to close with dread and a very heavy heart. Undoubtedly the government needs to try everything to flatten the curve of rising Covid-19 cases but I fear long-term closures of schools could be a very heavy price to pay. First and foremost I…
Last week I highlighted my fears that Scotland’s progressive curriculum was leaving its education system in crisis. Now a Scottish education think-tank, Upstart Scotland, is calling for the country to follow the lead of some Scandinavian countries and raise the age children start school to seven. In my view, they’re focusing on the wrong issue.…
Once upon a time, the Scottish education system was the envy of the world but its reputation came crashing down when the OECD PISA ratings came out late last year. They showed that in 2018 Scotland’s attainment in maths and science had taken another dive – following on from the falls also seen in 2015…