Blog Archives

You say you want a cultural revolution? Policy borrowing from the East

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Blog Editor — Leave a comment

Yun You When I first arrived in England in 2010, I was shocked by the then Education Secretary Michael Gove’s statement: “I’d like us to implement a cultural revolution just like the one they’ve had in China.” As a Chinese…

Tagged with: Michael Gove, PISA, school improvement
Posted in Education policy, International comparisons, Schools

Nicky Morgan: time to read and reflect, consolidate and build consensus

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Blog Editor — 7 Comments

Chris Husbands There are two sorts of politician. There are those who are so passionate about the obvious rightness of what they are doing that they think that everyone essentially agrees with them, and enthusiastically build a large coalition to…

Tagged with: Chris Husbands, education policy, Education policy, Michael Gove, Nicky Morgan
Posted in Chris Husbands

In Defence of OFSTED

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Blog Editor — 8 Comments

Chris Husbands No-one likes inspectors. The Daily Telegraph reports that TV licence inspectors are three times more likely to be attacked by angry householders than by angry dogs. In Montana, a furious meat processing company owner launched a physical assault…

Teaching WWI: let’s not go over the top

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Blog Editor — 1 Comment

Jerome Freeman and Stuart Foster As we approach the centenary of the First World War, it comes as no surprise that the controversy around how it should be remembered is gathering pace. The debate heated up over the past week…

The best that has been thought and said?

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Blog Editor — 4 Comments

Dominic Wyse I welcome the government’s continued emphasis on primary and early years education. I also like the intention to reduce bureaucracy for teachers, and to give schools more control over the curriculum. However I am concerned that these intentions…