Category Archives: Opinions
Is education broken?
Looking at the headlines, it seems so. For a start, we have pupils in a complete mess in reaction to exam stress: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/school-pupil-mental-health-exams-school-pressure-national-education-union-neu-a8297366.html Then we have a crisis in teacher retention: https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/teachers-crisis-education-leaving-profession-jobs-market-droves-who-would-be-one-a7591821.html I saw somewhere a suggestion that paying teachers … Continue reading
New style GCSE grades
I seem to have become our school’s “expert” (those inverted commas are most definitely needed) on the new-style GCSE grading (9 – 1 rather than A*-G) and what it will mean. I’ve now addressed parents of three different year groups, … Continue reading
Mistakes
Someone in a social media group I’m in (no, not one for teachers or even remotely connected to education) recently posted her horror and outrage that her daughter’s primary school teacher was unfamiliar with one of the irregular English plurals. … Continue reading
Whose results are they anyway?
I’m sure many people have seen the news story about a school jettisoning pupils after the first half of their sixth form studies, and been properly horrified. I’d hope we’d all agree that getting rid of pupils who’ve behaved appropriately, … Continue reading
How’s this for bonkers?
The fact we’re coming up to A-level results soon set me browsing for educational news, and I found this gem: http://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/students-should-choose-own-grades-reduce-stress-school-university-professor-dr-richard-ricky-watson-a7884596.html I am thoroughly relieved to see that this guy’s university have told him in no uncertain terms that his … Continue reading
We gotta get out of this place
I see the Independent is reporting “staggeringly high” numbers of teachers wanting to quit. As ever, the blame is put on workload. Personally, I don’t think it’s as simple as that (though obviously having no time to see your friends … Continue reading
“More maths teachers”
Although obviously the sheer horror of Betsy DeVos’s appointment in the US inevitably trumps anything home grown, I couldn’t help finding myself seriously incensed by this article:- https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/acute-shortage-excellent-maths-teachers-down-government-heres-my He wants the most selective maths degree courses to become less selective. … Continue reading
So this is Christmas
Another term nearly over. The school year is full of fixed annual rituals. For us, the last week of the autumn term brings the girls’ highlight of the year, the so-called Karaoke, which in fact is a dance competition, for … Continue reading
Going off topic
I must confess to having committed what, in the eyes of some, are two major educational crimes today. I didn’t stick to my lesson plans. And I discussed politics. The kids in year 10 and above were absolutely desperate to … Continue reading
Education not training
The latest thing that provoked a rant – a complaint that school leavers “lack workplace skills”. Well guess what, Mr/Ms Employer – we are here to educate, not to train. We are trying to broaden their minds, introduce them to … Continue reading
The Accidental Teacher 