Stories + Views: Parents

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Nigel Bailey: Social engineering at King’s School, Hove

Here’s an amusing introduction to the proposed King’s School 2014 admissions policy. It states: "This admissions policy reinforces the educational vision upon which King’s Church of England School is being established. The school will be inclusive, will meet the individual needs of all learners and will be based on the principles of the Church of England." So the school, which has confirmed ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Roger Titcombe: "Most of my posts have been about the mirage of school improvement brought about by degraded curriculum. The other major school improvement smoke and mirrors tactic is the exploitation of powers over admissions policies. Any attempts at regulation to bring ......"

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Fiona Millar: In praise of Camden – proof that excellence isn’t the preserve of any one ‘type’ of school

I have written a piece today in the Guardian about my local schools in the London Borough of Camden, and about our local primary school in particular. Here is a slightly longer version of the article. It is coming up to Christmas so I am going to allow myself a touch of sentimentality. A few weeks ago I felt a stab ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Tubby Isaacs: "So those LEAs who were supposed to get out of the headteacher's way are now in trouble for not doing more? Utter farce...."

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Janet Downs: Focus on exams at 18 and get the curriculum right first, says CBI

The question “What is education for?” should be discussed before accountability, says the CBI report First Steps: “getting curriculum reform right is vital.” It recommends a core curriculum (Maths, English, Science, Computer Science) supported by no less important “enabler” subjects. It opposes an overly-prescriptive primary curriculum and warns against a return to rote learning. The report argues that the present examination ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Janet Downs: "Ricky - thanks for the requested evidence about manufacturing output. I was pleasantly surprised that output in 2007 was so high. However, this isn't translated into employment which is the point I was attempting to make (badly): in ......"

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Emma Bishton: Raising the bar? Time to reconsider what we are measuring

Suffolk County Council, with the RSA, have launched an inquiry into education and learning in Suffolk – “Raising the Bar”, amidst concerns that attainment is not as it high as it should be. They are right to be concerned; Suffolk is a relatively affluent county (though affluence at county level masks areas of significant deprivation) and results are therefore not ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Barry Spivack: "What you say about the Ofsted reports is true. The school in Skelmersdale was set up by parents who practised Transcendental Meditation. They were modelling the school on a similar one in Fairfield Iowa.Then what happened as those children grew ......"

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Katherine Lawson: Primary School, mixed socially, ethnically, and by ability, huge parental involvement, staff turnover generally low, 85% Sats level 4 and above, some level 6….sound like a failing school?

Our school, a place where children are supported no matter what their background or needs, (and some are very complex) was put in Special Measures earlier in the year and is now facing forced academy status. We have a very short time to make a decision and can get very few answers to our many questions frorm the DfE consultant. ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Rebecca Hanson: ""Nothing in education rolls out on a big scale." Sorry that's not well expressed. I mean dramatic whole school improvements don't roll out on a big scale...."

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Janet Downs: Downhills: judicial review update

Downhills school has been refused permission for a judicial review.  A BBC report says the judge had cited a letter from Gove saying that the Secretary of State "believed firmly" that Downhills would improve once it had converted.  The judge also said that Downhills' past performance had been "egregious".  It appears, then, that the judge ignored the September 2011 Ofsted ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Marigold Doyle: "For those who don't know, the Harris Federation went back on their word about consulting about any name change to the school and have renamed Downhills School 'Harris Primary Academy Philip Lane'. Seems like an attempt to rub out ......"

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Janet Downs: Judicial Review for school forced to become an academy

On Tuesday, 14 August, parents of pupils at Downhills School will be at the Royal Courts of Justice for the judicial review of the arbitrary decision by Michael Gove, Secretary of State, to convert the improving school into an academy with an imposed sponsor, the Harris Federation. The Harris Federation is run by Lord Philip Harris, Chairman of the Carpetright chain, ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Rebecca Hanson: "Thanks Tim. Of course Downhills had an abysmal record of performance. It was in special measures. How could they argue otherwise? It's very useful that Michael Gove has an inspectorate that does precisely what it's told and is accountable only ......"

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Stacy Hewitt: I am worried that the state system is under real attack

I am a parent of secondary aged children and I have taught in state secondary schools for twenty years, part-time since having children. I have just left my job and I am not sure that I want to find another job in a school. That does not mean that I have become less passionate about supporting state education, in fact ... read more and comment →

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Sarah Dodds: Academy Uniform Change – A breach of trust…?

My daughter's school is undergoing academy conversion and going through a change of uniform. For us this is especially frustrating as she is in year 8 now, and has still got very good quality old style uniform left which is now totally useless. I find the waste appalling - not just in financial terms but in environmental and moral ones ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Sarah Dodds: "In fairness to the school Janet, the consultation was in some places very good. They originally wanted a black blazer with red trim, but this was rejected on the back of parental complaints about extra cost. However, they did change ......"

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Janet Downs: National Gallery displays work from Downhills – the school Mr Gove says is failing

“Take One Picture” – that’s the challenge set by the National Gallery to primary schools across the country. Last year’s picture was 'The Family of Darius before Alexander' by Paolo Veronese. Prints of the painting were given to teachers attending a one-day Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course at the Gallery. The teachers left with a challenge: “Use the image imaginatively in the ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Rebecca Hanson: "Ricky you have repeatedly demonstrated through your comments on this site that you have no capacity to judge who would and who wouldn't run a school well. Do you have any awareness of your own lack of ability in ......"

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