Briefings

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Henry Stewart: DfE Press Release Condemns Academies Performance

Now there is a little poetic licence in this headline. The press release didn't directly criticise academy performance. But it is implicit in its initial paragraph: "Thousands of pupils are missing out on the opportunity to study the core academic subjects, new figures reveal today." What the data reveals is that the schools in which students are most likely to miss out ... read more and comment →

2 comments

Latest comment by Dave Jackson: "Thanks for drawing attention to this . Everything seems stacked against Local Authority schools. The Academies have been getting away with allsorts of what could be described in the kindest way as "spin" but amounts in many ways to undemocratic ......"

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Alasdair Smith: Call for public inquiry into academies and free school programme

The Anti Academies Alliance is today calling for a public inquiry in the the Coalition's academy  and free school programme. The revelation in the Financial Times of significant financial errors in the funding of academy converters suggests that DfE ministers and officials do not have a proper grasp of either the cost or impact of the programme.  This should also be ... read more and comment →

36 comments

Latest comment by Tubby Isaacs: "Interesting to read this now. It was obvious at the time that Young was talking rubbish about what should be published and what shouldn't. The Information Commissioner agreed with Cook too. Maybe he didn't know the rules. So, have we seen ......"

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sarah: Free schools in England set for extra £600m

An extra £600m is being found (from who knows where) to allow more free schools to be created. Until free schools are restricted to those areas with real demographic and social need this appears to be a monumental waste of money being targeted to the wrong places in the wrong way. How can the government justify spending this money on Michael Gove's ... read more and comment →

21 comments

Latest comment by Adam: "In response to Janet's questions, the maths free schools will supposedly be in located in cities and will just offer a diet of mathematics, mathematics with chemistry, mathematics with physics or mathematics with computer science...."

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Rosie Fergusson: Letter to Gove,Gibb and Teathers…hope springs eternal!!!

Dear Mr Gove, I am writing to you in your capacity as Secretary of State for Education not as an MP . I therefore assert , with respect, that the procedural " I'm not your MP " reply or email deletion is not appropriate. The Department of Education has just published their new Admissions Policy. This includes the proposal that the children ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Fiona Millar: "The new Code of Practice will also allow schools to prioritise the siblings of children who have already left the school. If taken up by schools this will also reduce the chances of local families with an only child, or ......"

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Anthony David King: The Coaching In Education Showcase

Dear Network, You are invited to join a lively discussion and debate showcasing a remarkable way to engage young people, parents, teachers and to work with schools. Since January 2011, Westminster City Council, The International Coaching Alliance and The St Giles In The Field & William Shelton Trust have been collaborating to design, deliver and fund a Coaching Accreditation Programme for school ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Anthony David King: "You can watch a video at the link below about how it helped one particular school here: http://www.schoolsworld.tv/videos/coaching-in-schools..."

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Allan Beavis: Under the Coalition – Worse Education Cuts Since the 1950s

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has just published a damning report showing that  public spending on education would fall by more than 13% in real terms by 2014-15. This is the largest cut in education spending over a four-year period since the 1950s.  The cuts will be deepest for higher education, which is expected to be reduced by 40%. Education for 16-19-year-olds ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Janet Downs: "FullFact looked at the PM's claim that school spending was being protected. It concluded: "The Prime Minister's claim, that pupil premium spending will be additional to a protected schools budget, is highly problematic. This is because protecting something ......"

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Sirkku Nikamaa-Berg: Quality education and tools for a good life for everyone

I am a Finnish educator with years of teaching experience in Finnish schools. I have also participated in educational development projects in Finland (ICT, support for growth and learning, pastoral care, anti-bullying) I am currently living in London and continue my work in improving education for all. The goals of the Local Schools Network are congruent with those of the very well ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by David Lewis: "Lest we forget, Labour had ample time to introduce a 'Finnish' approach to education and but chose to open the door to private enterprise getting involved in running schools. I do not recall Ed Balls taking the time to use ......"

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David Pavett: Changing the present system means understanding how we got to where we are and not starting from a blank sheet.

I am concerned at what seems to me to be the paucity of informed and intelligent discussion of education by people who want to see state education act as a means of transforming and enhancing the lives of everyone who experiences it. The Conservatives have a simple and clear philosophy: education is about shopping around to get the best for your ... read more and comment →

56 comments

Latest comment by Keith Turvey: "Ben the arguments I make can be applied to any comparison between any two countries. Finland is not as homogenous socially, culturally, ethnically ...as some people make out. Basically I was arguing that simply copying a few of the features ......"

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Helen Flynn: Dangers of Academy Status-for Academies

We often reflect on how academies have more cash (at least in the short term) and general advantages than their LA-maintained neighbours. But there are inherent and real dangers of academy status, and systems are being put in place that could in extreme circumstances jeopardise their existence. 1. They are all companies, accountable to Companies House and have to remain solvent ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Dangers of Academy Status-for Academies | Helen Flynn: "[...] We often reflect on how academies have more cash (at least in the short term) and general advantages than their LA-maintained neighbours. But there are inherent and real dangers of academy status, and systems are being put in place ......"

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Matt Mahon: Cutting nurseries is a recipe for social segregation

In June, the government announced a 22 percent cut in early years spending. At the time, the effect that was most widely discussed was the closure of SureStart centres, but now the direct impact on state schools and primary education is also becoming clear. Another ‘saving’ announced at the time was a cut in free nursery places, from 25 to ... read more and comment →

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