“Lifeless bodies in a system that breeds competition”

Palo Alto High School is one of the USA’s most prestigious public secondary schools. Three boys from the Palo Alto school district have killed themselves this year. Does a culture of hyperachievement deserve any blame? The extracts below are from … Continue reading →

Pupils with special educational needs are being failed . . .

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Pupils with special educational needs are being failed by mainstream schools, says Mencap http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/pupils-with-special-needs-are-being-failed-by-mainstream-schools-says-mencap-9923366.html Parents who have children with special educational needs (SEN) believe that mainstream schools are failing to help them reach their full potential, according to a report … Continue reading →

In My Manifesto . . .

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In today’s Guardian Education – twenty snapshots of mini-manifestos written by a selection of thoughtful educationalists . . . and Toby Young. http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/may/13/in-my-manifesto-education-policy-ideas-2015 What to do with the Y factor? Why pay any attention to it? This man is more … Continue reading →

Information Tech and Equal Opps

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“In a country where we expect free Wi-Fi with our coffee, we should definitely demand it in our schools” So said President Obama this week. http://news.yahoo.com/obama-secures-750m-pledges-kids-online-110105707–finance.html Beyond the promise of millions in donated hardware and software, the Federal Communications Commission … Continue reading →

Summer Born Children and Educational Disadvantage

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Our previous post invited readers to “consider this week’s UK news and commentary about the need to tweak exam results to allow for underachievement amongst summer-born children . . . and then consider the need for a worldwide revolution in … Continue reading →

Still Seeking Answers to Social Mobility and School Improvement

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Is it just us, or is Guardian columnist Estelle Morris (Baroness Morris of Yardley to all of yows) still the same fence-sitting New Labourite who knows little about Primary practice and pedagogy she always was? Is it just us, or … Continue reading →

PISA: Ingredients for Educational Success

Originally posted on A True North:
Measuring Student Success Around the World Interesting Findings of the OECD 2010 PISA Survey Andreas Schleicher directs the Programme for International Student Assessment. He presents the major trends illustrating education systems’ performance and necessary…

Standards, Attainment and Achievement – Can We Be Clear What We’re Talking About?

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Consider this powerful and shocking headline from a recent newspaper article: Schools ‘face talent drain’ as morale of teachers dives: Poll shows thousands are thinking of quitting as former Ofsted chief warns of widespread disillusionment http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/may/12/schools-face-talent-drain By Daniel Boffey Morale … Continue reading →

The Frying Pan, the Fire, the Furnace and Finland

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Here’s an interesting take on leadership, management and high performance teams: “You have to enjoy your work and be content. Satisfied. You have to have an atmosphere in which it is pleasant to work. But you can only do it … Continue reading →