Stories + Views: My Local School

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Hazel Gould: Downhills School – Forced Academy.

Earlier this year, Downhills School, N15, was put on a notice to improve - and subsequently is on Gove's list of 500 schools pinpointed to become Sponsored Academies by September. Our school is seen to be failing, but our year 6 results really only tell a very small part of the story of Downhills. The school is very happy, inclusive, ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Marigold Doyle: "Thanks for that, Rebecca! This is the latest on our school... http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jan/07/michael-gove-primary-academy Public meeting for all concerned about forced academies there 7pm Monday 9th Jan...."

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Francis Gilbert: New research shows that deprived children do better in poor boroughs than in richer ones

A new think-thank, The Centre For London, published some interesting research today which shows that poorer students do less well at getting into university if they go to school in a richer borough. The research also finds that, in some poorer boroughs, students from the poorest neighborhoods actually do better than their wealthier peers at getting into university. The report illustrates how successful ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by botzarelli: "I'm going to have to read the report because the account given of it doesn't support the headline. There is a difference between the "poverty penalty" and the outcomes for deprived children that isn't remarked upon. Even if a deprived child ......"

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Francis Gilbert: Recent award ceremonies for schools highlight the great work that local authority schools are doing…

We've had two important teaching award ceremonies fairly recently -- the TES School Awards and the Education Business Awards -- where a number of schools and teachers have received deserved accolades. My son's own school, Bethnal Green Technology College, received the award for the most improved school. I know this award is important for the school in raising its profile both ... read more and comment →

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Christina Hopkinson: In praise of my local Islington primary school

The best decision we've made as a family is to send our children to our local primary school, Thornhill, in Islington. I'm continually surprised by how much better it is in every way to the rural faith primary I attended many years ago. The teaching is dynamic and creative and my eldest has flourished both socially and academically without in ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Clara Klat: "Christina's experience is very similar to my own. My son has almost completed his first term in reception at our local school- Addison Primary in Hammersmith which has just received a good and improved Ofsted report. Choosing Addison felt like ......"

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Francis Gilbert: The Shakespeare Schools Festival proves local state schools are no “exam factories”

Last night, I was delighted to watch four state schools perform the socks off Shakespeare at the Unicorn Theatre. They were all taking part in a nation-wide initiative called the Shakespeare Schools Festival (SSF). My son's school, Bethnal Green Technology College, was participating in the festival for the first time; he was lucky enough to have a role in their shortened ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by JimC: "So PISA use the same method (CVA) as the IFS?..."

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Francis Gilbert: Let’s celebrate the amazing extra-curricular activities that local schools offer…

I was speaking to some Northumbrian parents recently about their children's  local state schools -- primary, middle and secondary -- and everyone of them was delighted with them. They said that their children were really enjoying their lessons, progressing well academically and, above all, flourishing as people. One parent spoke proudly about Seahouses Middle School, which is situated in the ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Rebecca Hanson: "I consider both constructivist learning and the critical but deliberate acquisition of established knowledge to be true learning Francis: http://mathseducationandallthat.blogspot.com/2011/06/yin-and-yang-of-maths-education-part-1.html I can also recommend Lindisfarne (both the Island and the group), Howick Hall, Alnwick Castle, Cragside and skinny dipping off Druridge ......"

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Seon-Jeong Ki: It’s going to be a long-term fight but should be worth doing it right now

Three mums (including myself) whose children attend Wyke Primary School in Normandy, Guildford (Surrey) have launched a campaign for road safety for our children and the villagers of Normandy. The campaign ('We Want 'Wig Wags' for Wyke, aka the '5Ws Campaign') was incubated from our great concern for safety when we cross three dangerous roads (Westwood Lane, Guildford Road, and ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Rebecca Hanson: "If you do achieve your aim you will have done something really worthwhile for your local community. It's important to recognise that this will take a long time as there will need to be proper consultations and the realities of ......"

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Emma Bishton: How big should a secondary school be?

The proposers of the 11-16 free high school in Stoke by Nayland are currently waiting to hear if they have got through to pre-opening stage. One of the key characteristics of their proposal is that the school will be small, and that this is inherently good. To quote from the website of the Stoke by Nayland High School Academy Trust: “Size - ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Rachel Gooch: "Yes, Esther, it is true that the two proposals can coexist, but not indefinitely. Only one site is needed, and in the end one will close. In the meanwhile, it will make planning for the transition much more difficult as ......"

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Charles Baily: Bedford and Kempston Free School – update

An update is due on the progress of the Bedford and Kempston Free School. The project arose from the activities of Mark Lehain, a local teacher who came to national attention by appearing on the platform of the Tory party in 2009 conference to extol the virtues of the free school concept. This was followed by interviews on Newsnight and Today. The ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by David Lewis: "I just pity any of the other candidates who wasted their time applying for the position as there was no way Mark Lehain was going to be passed over notwithstanding his lack of experience as a senior leader - ......"

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pete shotton: The long term rewards of avoiding parental peer pressure

We have 3 children. The oldest is 23 and now making her way in the world in London, having graduated in the summer. The next is 21, and she has just started a degree in acting. The youngest is 17 this month and is now at college, having taken his GCSEs this summer. They all attended Chorlton High School, our ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Dapplegrey: "@guest 8.17 Can you name a school that selects its intake on the grounds of class?..."

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