Some at least of those of us who do not want to remain with the EU as it is are NOT anti-Europe, we do not want to turn our backs on Europe or want the UK to attempt to “go it alone.” I can get along comfortably in three European languages and manage a little …
Presented recently with a grammar question for 11-year-olds, schools minister Nick Gibb failed to distinguish between a word used as a preposition and as a subordinating conjunction. The sentence concerned was, ‘I went to the cinema after I’d eaten my dinner’. Mr. Gibb was asked whether the word ‘after’ was functioning as a subordinating conjunction or …
Schools tests: arrogance, subservience and some courage Read More »
This reached my recently via Linkedin. As today’s school leaders seek to acquire the skills and knowledge that are necessary for effectiveness in current educational institutions, they should realize that there are no simple answers or shortcuts to achieving leadership excellence. The most important task is to find the right combination of qualities and characteristics that will …
The Four Dimensions of a Positive School Culture – read on and on and on. Read More »
Last week The Times reported the story of a woman of thirty who had waited several years for her GP to agree that she should be sterilised because she did not want to bring a child into this world. Not only was she confronted by a stubborn refusal to carry out her wishes but she also faced the humiliation …
I have recently seen a letter sent from a local school to the parents of a Year Eleven pupil concerning his entry for English examinations. The letter begins: “The English Department at X School are committed to ensuring Y receives the best support and encouragement required to make progress in his studies and to achieve. In order …
Will Clayton Williams’ parents ever have to face a court, and their son, to explain their care and upbringing of him? Will they be asked what they will do to reduce the chances of others having to suffer as PC Phillip’s family is suffering? Will they be asked what they will do to reimburse the community that …
Teenage police killer – parents’ accountability? Read More »
Dear Friends, You will, no doubt, have heard the result of our referendum. So, with feelings that are mixed, and tinged with sadness, I have to tell you now that the United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union. There was a time when we were pleased to join The Common Market, once others had …
Did you see the OECD report on literacy and numeracy in The Times on Friday, January 29th and its Thunderer column on Tuesday, February 2nd? Current British pensioners are tops with their maths and literacy compared with pensioners in 22 other developed countries; current 16-19 year-olds are bottom. In FE colleges 30% of their budgets …
TOP TO BOTTOM – English literacy standards plummet in less than two generations Read More »
Yesterday The Times reported findings at Bath University that showed that cyclists took greater risks when wearing crash helmets. Now there’s a surprise. How about an investigation to see whether surrounding motorists with seat belts, side impact bars, airbags, crumple zones and about half a ton of rigid material effects their driving and especially their …
When does pressure become bullying? Parents need to be aware of pressures on schools Yesterday, I called to see a friend whom I had been trying to contact since the start of the Christmas holidays. She was all apologies; her only excuse was exhaustion, the pressure of work. A year into a new job she …
