Selection

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Melissa Benn: ‘ Selection is not a necessary condition of having a successful education system.’ So why expand selection on the sly, Mr Gove?

Interesting to read Michael Gove’s latest comments on academic selection in tandem with current moves by parents in Kent to create a ‘satellite’ grammar school - or two - in Sevenoaks, thereby laying the ground for the possible expansion of grammar school places throughout the country. In a recent interview in Standpoint magazine - interestingly entitled ' Will Mr Gove go ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Janet Downs: "Schools Minister, Nick Gibb, said (28 February 2011): "Since 2005, 131 grammar schools have registered an interest and applied to convert to academy status. As of February 2012, 119 grammar schools have become academies." So that's 119 grammar academies who, like ......"

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Janet Downs: “The highest performing education systems across OECD countries are those that combine quality with equity,” says OECD

“Improving equity and reducing school failure pays off,” says the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Completing secondary education is good for the individual and good for countries. In its latest major report the OECD stressed that investment in education is crucial – from the early stages right through to the end of upper secondary education. Education should not be ... read more and comment →

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Allan Beavis: The best performing schools in London are Local Authority funded community, voluntary aided and foundation schools

A study published by CentreForum shows that nine London boroughs - Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Westminster, Redbridge, Barnet, Hackney, Camden, Sutton and Tower Hamlets - rank amongst the 10 best local authorities in England for the quality of their state schools. The study examines the educational attainment of public sector schools in London compared to the other major regions ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Allan Beavis: "There's no point or need to repeat yourself Charlie. I've already responded in full to your assertions. I think you overstate when you claim I effectively call you a liar. Is this a milder form of smear than the "trotskyite", ......"

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Fiona Millar: Fair ,clear, objective and easy to understand- is that how you would describe school admissions in your area?

  The new School Admissions Code, now laid before Parliament, claims to be based on several core principles. These are set out in the introduction which states that the Code exists “to ensure that all school places for maintained schools and academies are allocated and offered in an open and fair way”  It goes on:  “In drawing up their admission arrangements, admission ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by rosemary fergusson: "Bradford Girls Grammar is expecting to convert from private fee paying to free school in Spet 2013. They cleverly omit stating whether they will retain their current 11 plus entrance exam by stating in the Free School FAQ " From ......"

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Janet Downs: Introducing selection by the back door

A Torquay grammar school is hoping to exploit new government rules which allow successful schools to expand by taking over an existing private school to establish a selective “satellite”. The local paper understands that the target of the possible take-over is Stover School, a boarding school with a nursery attached, based in Newton Abbot. However, the governors of Stover School ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by aprils: "Anonamous - 26/3/12 Blimey, you have a lot to say. You sound very bitter. (or you are the opposition trying to give us a bad reputation). However, if I might I would like to correct one or two ......"

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Nigel Ford: How far down the egalitarian path should comprehensive schools go?

Having heard some of the debate on the recent Policy Exchange about grammar schools (although the acoustics weren't great) I felt Fiona could have done with someone more on her wavelength in her corner. Believers in the comprehensive school system oppose private and grammar schools, not least for their use of selective exams which determine their intake creating a social apartheid, ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Gemma: "That makes sense - I don't see why, as a teacher, you'd want to do it any other way...."

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Janet Downs: Inclusion is the key to successful school systems, says OECD

What affects pupil outcomes?    The major paper, “Education at a Glance 2011”, from the globally-respected Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), found that the factors which encouraged high pupil achievement included “positive teacher-student relations, high expectations for students’ success, and a safe school environment.”  OECD is clear: these qualities are “more easily achieved in inclusive school systems.” What, then, is an ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Janet Downs: "Jim C - please read the TES article above re Andreas Schleicher. Then the following about his being honoured in Germany. http://www.oecd.org/document/17/0,3746,en_2649_39263238_2507025_1_1_1_1,00.html And there's this from the Goethe Institute: http://www.goethe.de/wis/fut/dos/gdw/sla/en2528036.htm A potted biography at the World Bank (Mr Gove doesn't seem to get ......"

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Fiona Millar: The new Admissions Code – good in parts but serious contradictions remain

A draft of the new Admissions Code is now out for consultation. I would recommend responding. Here are a few comments I will be making. It is a relief to see that the new government has retained many of the red lines,the 'musts' and ' must nots' introduced by Labour during the passage of the 2006 Education Act . Before they ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by sarah: "There are many contradictions in the draft code. The code says that the Published Admission Number is part of the admission arrangements and that the admissions authority is responsible for determining those arrangements. How then, in the case ......"

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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 →

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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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Fiona Millar: Amendment to Education Bill hints at Tory backbench campaign to bring back selection

An interesting , and worrying, amendment has just been tabled to the Education Bill now working its way through Parliament. Graham Brady, the passionate pro selection Tory MP wants all independent schools that opt into the state sector as academies/free schools to be able to retain their right to continue selection by ability. We know that the Conservative Party is ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Billy no Mates: "Georgina - thank you for stating the case for young people and their families, I agree with, and have experienced all of what you are saying. Ben – Just to be clear, I am talking about rejection at 11+ and not ......"

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