Now all the manifestos have been published I’ve taken a look at the three main political parties’ education pledges. I’m pleased to see that funding is key and all the parties have recognised that more investment in schools is needed if we’re to thrive as a country. The most important issue is per-pupil funding and…
August saw one of the education success stories of the year. You may have read about the Michaela Free School in London and its inspirational headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh recording GCSE results any grammar school would be proud of. Michaela, which is based in the deprived area of Brent, saw more than half (54%) of its students…
In a few weeks’ time, we will have another Prime Minister and just like the last three years, the entire focus of the Conservative leadership campaign has been centred on Brexit. I appreciate that whoever takes up the mantle will urgently need to look at resolving the Brexit issue but it would also be nice…
The first round of government funding to allow grammar schools to expand is underway – and the pre-requisite is that poorer children are given more access to these schools. Some grammars – such as Bournemouth School for Girls – have changed their admission policies to try and enable this. In Bournemouth, they have given higher…
We have just entered 2019 and the debate about grammar schools shows no sign of abating. Since Theresa May looked into overturning the ban on new grammar schools there has been much hand wringing from critics who claim they do not help poorer children. Their arguments are often based on the very small number of…