Category Archives: Uncategorized

Behaviourism is back and it’s taking over A ‘delivery’ paradigm is taking over English schools. In our marketised  education system the Department for Education (DfE) delivers its expectations in terms of teaching methods to Academy Trusts. Nick Gibb is the … Continue reading →

The ethnicity ‘attainment gap’ The Education Policy Institute (EPI) has produced a table showing ‘attainment gaps’ for ethnic groups represented in the English education system. The ‘gap’ is expressed in terms of months behind (-) or ahead (+). I reproduce … Continue reading →

This is essentially an issue typical of historical interactions between the private and public sectors. It is currently topical in the English education system because the DfE’s marketisation and Academisation policy is now the mainstream educational ideology based on the … Continue reading →

Why are increasing numbers of children being physically restrained in mainstream and special schools? On 25 February 2019 TES carried a story about physical restraint of school pupils. The DfE commented on the story as follows. “At times, it may … Continue reading →

In Loco Parentis Throughout my teaching career the legal and professional advice to schools and individual teachers was at all times to act In Loco Parentis (as would a reasonable parent). This principle appears to give status to the role … Continue reading →

You can read Part 1 ‘The role of religion’ here. The first important step is to point out the difference between the state and the government. This is from what Robin Alexander wrote in the Cambridge Primary Review Trust blog at … Continue reading →

These are profound issues about which there is little consensus in the UK. Elsewhere in the world states and societies are increasingly coming to radically different and conflicting conclusions. The history of public education in England This is a huge … Continue reading →

The following are my personal views arising from Greta’s words. On climate change Like Greta, I am with David Attenborough and the climate scientists. I actually believe Greta understates the seriousness of the crisis. It seems unlikely that the increase … Continue reading →

On 11 February 2019, Greta posted the following on her Facebook page. I am copying it here partly so I can link to it in future articles about education, but mainly because it is so inspiring that it brought tears … Continue reading →

When this question is asked by a politician, an unsolicited social media post, or someone selling you something, it is always wise to think about it very carefully. Here are some examples with answers in italics. Selling council houses to … Continue reading →