An article I wrote with Leora Cruddas from CST, about the relationship between politics and the teaching environment profession. Specifically, how it can be improved. https://www.teachfirst.org.uk/blog/turning-tide-education-policy Hosted on the Teach First website.
The curriculum and assessment review
I am optimistic about the new Curriculum and Assessment Review, particularly given Becky Francis’s leadership. We know she follows the evidence and doesn’t promote change for change’s sake. So, a couple of thoughts on the big issues that I look forward to seeing their ideas on. Accountability shapes assessment, and assessment shapes curriculum. It shouldn’t […]
Inspection reform: lowering the stakes
Ofsted reform is very much on the agenda. Rightly so. The impact of inspection is now one of the factors contributing to the decline in morale of the teaching profession and, unintentionally, to our inability to close the gaps in outcomes between the rich and the poor. Much of this debate focuses on the design […]
Coastal regeneration: evidence to the House of Lords enquiry
It was a pleasure to give evidence on Monday to the House of Lords committee on regenerating coastal communities. From an education perspective, coastal schools face the same challenges as many others. These can be exacerbated by increased deprivation and, for some, isolation. What could help? Firstly, things that will benefit all schools – funding, […]
Paying tribute to Ruth Perry
Trigger warning: discussion of suicide Although there are times when it may not feel it, I think head teachers are generally well respected across society. They certainly deserve respect. I’ve worked with leaders in most sectors and have rarely seen roles of such breadth, complexity and impact. And backed by so little resource. Every head […]
Reading the Casey Review into the Metropolitan Police
The Casey Review into the standards and culture of the Metropolitan Police Service is deeply disturbing but, after repeated revelations over many years, sadly not surprising. It describes pervasive sexism, racism and homophobia. One of the country’s worst sex offenders was found inside the police service. Institutional racism remains decades after the Macpherson report. In […]
Digital access
Kit is not enough and not all access is good. We must solve three new challenges: the context in which digital technology is used, the purposes it is used for and the chance to distribute opportunity and hope more widely across the country.
Writing
Too much writing, particularly at work, is a form of ritual, hollowed of meaning. The transmission of purpose, the changing of minds or the spur to action is an afterthought…
One recovery plan to rule them all
A short piece in Schools Week on planning for an educational recovery, with reference to Bilbo Baggins: Recovery can’t be achieved with sparsely spread resources If we want more from our schools, we need to give them more. And we need to weight those resources to the schools facing the biggest challenge. It also would […]
Note to self 