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Fiona Millar: Who can make sense of this school’s admissions?

On the day that the new Admissions Code is published, we have been contacted by a concerned local resident, who wanted to alert us to the interesting admissions criteria of this Academy school. This seems to me a very good, if impenetrable, example of how local autonomous state schools can use their freedoms when it comes to choosing which pupils ... read more and comment →

15 comments

Latest comment by Charlotte Reed: "I am delighted to find this. I applied to an academy school because I have a daughter who has a skill in languages in music. She was even nominated by her primary school to attend specialist fast track french classes ......"

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Francis Gilbert: The Local Schools Network makes it into the Evening Standard

Interesting that the LSN has made it into the Evening Standard today. I'm the one to blame, apparently it's outrageous that I should want a more open and frank discussion about sexual matters in schools. Here's the piece in full for your delectation: Fiona’s website wants more sex talk in schools Alastair Campbell’s long-term partner, Fiona Millar, started an organisation called Local Schools ... read more and comment →

3 comments

Latest comment by Janet Downs: "The Evening Standard makes a common error: that discussing issues frankly (such as pornography) encourages its use. If this were true, then discussing other issues - such as Nazism, racism, terrorism - would encourage support for these. Discussing something does ......"

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Chris: The End of Top Schools

Reading and Kendrick school, two top 10 schools, are in danger of being radically altered by a small group of disgruntled parents, who have been affected by changing catchment areas. These two schools that serve the brightest pupils from the Greater Reading Urban Area are being threatened with ending selection. This proposal would end the possibility for pupils in Reading to ... read more and comment →

118 comments

Latest comment by jim: "at last. an intelligent person with an open mind and a good heart.thank you sarah for all your comments in the face of this barrage of ignorant tory cliches..."

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Francis Gilbert: New study backs up my feeling that pupils’ behaviour is getting better, not worse…

A new study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that pupils' behaviour has got better in the past decade and the behaviour of pupils' in the UK is better than the European average. This certainly backs up my experience as a teacher in the last few years. A while ago, I felt that there was a crisis ... read more and comment →

14 comments

Latest comment by Janet Downs: "As so often with these reports the results raise questions, the most important being “What is meant by disciplinary climate – an ordered classroom or one where the pupils are cowed?” and “Which environment will produce the best educational results?” ......"

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Melissa Benn: A national treasure on a national problem.

I went to see Alan Bennett, the writer and national treasure, read from his diaries last night, at an event in defence of Kensal Rise library and five other libraries in Brent, threatened with closure by a Labour council, under the current cuts. Bennett received an incredibly warm reception, and most of what he said was hilarious, perceptive, moving - ... read more and comment →

2 comments

Latest comment by Janet Downs: "I watched "Heath v Wilson: The Ten Year Duel" on BBC Four. Much was made of the grammar school background of both men. This did not go down well with some members of the Tory party who considered ......"

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Allan Beavis: Congratulations to Local Schools Network Relaunch!

Congratulations on making the site even more user friendly. As well as being easier on the eye, the important issues of what the site campaigns for is well to the forefront. The discussion forums are now easier to read and to follow and what is particularly helpful for people who need to link articles or post to similar themes is a ... read more and comment →

3 comments

Latest comment by Janet Downs: "Ben - I liked your comment about the stars so I ticked the Like this Comment section. I hope you get enough ticks to get a star. Perhaps we'll all become competitive (maybe even ticking our own submissions - but ......"

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Daniel Hugill: NEW RE in Ebacc survey: URGENT – Please pass to all RE teachers!

NEW RE in Ebacc survey. The government’s final decision about whether or not RE is included in the EBacc will be made in June! Meetings between NATRE and others with Nick Gibb, Schools Secretary, in recent days have made it clear that he requires yet more evidence to convince him not only that RE should be in the EBacc, but ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Helen Bellamy: "The phenomenon of religious faith is one that every member of society needs to understand..."

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Marie Faulkner: Why we should not stop the fight to keep our local state maintained schools – For the sake of communities, the longevity of our schools and the government?

Many think the fight against academies is over, now more schools are converting to become academies. The mass media have now decided to neglect how radical these reforms are, and simply not recognize the similarity between the privatization of the NHS and our education system. Where was the pause for thought when Michael Gove railroaded the Academies Act last year? After ... read more and comment →

24 comments

Latest comment by Marie Faulkner: "Financial gain biggest driver for academy conversion - 12 March 2011 http://www.ascl.org.uk/home/news_results/?l=l&ListItemID=758&ListGroupID=2..."

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Melissa Benn: A different kind of educational divide

Very interesting piece in Guardian Education today - page 3 - on a new divide emerging within the powerful private sector. Apparently, the leaders of the 'public school' wing of the private sector - the grand old boys' schools that now admit a few girls, which are grouped together, broadly organised under the auspices of the Headmasters and Headmistresses' Conference ... read more and comment →

5 comments

Latest comment by ChrisM: ""If Osborne takes over the reins from Cameron and he does choose Eton he will be following the same path as previous Conservative leaders, Michael Howard and Iain Duncan-Smith who both made similar choices for their sons (as I’m sure ......"

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Fiona Millar: Four points about Michael Gove’s interview today

Four immediate observations about Michael Gove's comments about school admissions today: 1. Why doesn't he actually publish the draft admissions Code, rather than talking about it all the time. It is now months overdue and should be accompanying the Education Bill through the Commons and Lords so that MPs and Peers know what they are voting for when the agree to ... read more and comment →

34 comments

Latest comment by Janet Downs: "Wendy - the OECD also has doubts about whether the increased choice will lead to higher standards. It reports that the evidence from global data on the relationship between user choice and higher standards is mixed (see my post ......"

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