I am deeply disappointed that the government looks to have caved into parent and teacher pressure, with SATs for seven-year-olds set to be scrapped. This is the latest example of successive governments losing their nerve on testing. First SATs for 14 year-olds were shelved, and now the government is planning to scrap those for seven-year-olds,…
It’s been a difficult time for some parents and teachers of year 6 children who have been the first to feel the effect of tougher SATs. But I would urge them all to not be disheartened – more rigorous testing will put each child on the path to a successful secondary school education. My biggest…
As a working-class boy whose academic success led me to where I am now, I’m truly saddened that thousands of this generation’s brightest children could be missing out. Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw has now raised his head above the parapet and said we are letting down the nation’s bright children – particularly those from…
On Tuesday the news bulletins were filled with scenes of happy children stomping through woods and playing among nature. But this wasn’t because the bank holiday had been extended – no, these children should have been at school. It was the first ‘kids strike’ when thousands of parents deliberately kept their children away from school…
It’s taken long enough but at last education chiefs are recognising the need for children to get the basics right in maths. A key part of this is learning their times tables. The government has announced that all 11-year-olds will be tested on their times tables before leaving primary school. During the progressive education revolution…