Vivian Gussin Paley was an inspirational figure for those engaged in early years education. With 13 publications on the subject, she was an American kindergarten teacher who became a patron of the British charity MakeBelieve Arts and my mentor. I …
Natasha Abrahart Inquest: ‘no Support’ For Vulnerable Student
During an inquest into the death of Bristol University physics student Natasha Abrahart, it was revealed that no adequate plans were put in place to help the chronically shy student overcome her anxiety during a presentation in front of over …
Poor Primary School Pupils Increasingly Left Behind By Peers
Official data reveals that bright primary school children who qualify for free school meals (FSM) are being left behind by their peers, with the attainment gap in literacy, writing and maths widening between the two groups. The key stage 2 …
Would You Microchip Your Child?
Introducing Danielle Duval, aged 11, from Reading, Berkshire, who is preparing to undergo the revolutionary procedure of being fitted with a microchip tracking device for safety purposes.
Danielle believes it is a great idea, especially since the recent events involving …
A Complete Crisis’: 2,000 School Leaders Rally Against Cuts
Around 2,000 headteachers and senior school officials gathered outside Downing Street recently to stage a protest at the negative impact of shrinking budgets in their schools and colleges. The group organised themselves through the grassroots WorthLess? campaign, developed by Jules …
Stephen Jay Gould
Stephen Jay Gould, a renowned palaeontologist, passed away at the age of 60 due to cancer, leaving behind a rich legacy. He was an unlikely candidate for consideration as one of America’s "Living Legends," yet he was awarded the honour …
Are Profit-making Academies The Future For Education?
The recent government announcements about academies and free schools have highlighted the familiar themes of autonomy, liberation, and devolution of funds to the front line. The government has promised to abolish bureaucracy and allow schools to operate independently. Prior to …
Multiplication Of Teachers And Funds Needed For Sunak’s Post-16 Maths Policy
Rishi Sunak has stated that England is out of sync with other developed countries by not requiring young individuals to continue studying maths till the age of 18. However, making this a reality will require significant amounts of funding and …
Making The Switch: How I Moved From Sixth Form To Primary Teaching
I have a degree in secondary education, but my interest in child development compelled me to seek exposure to younger pupils. Initially, I taught A-level design and technology and GCSE physics. However, after a couple of years, I began to …
Career Development Loans: Are They A Good Way To Fund Your Master’s?
Many students who want to pursue postgraduate studies face a major obstacle: funding. These days, research council funding no longer extends to taught master’s degrees, leaving many students to fund their studies with a combination of scholarships, sponsorships, and/or bank …