Jonathan Simons | Schools Week

Don’t knock the prog-trad debate – at least we’re having one!

Most people helping to shape, fund or implement education policy in much of the world do so without expert advice. It wouldn’t be allowed in any other field, says Jonathan Simons As I entered the World Economic Forum last year it was there on the wall: 65 per cent of the jobs of the future, […]

Ofsted’s two-in-one annual report

This year’s annual report is notable for the skilful way in which the politics was managed – although the biggest challenge is still to come, says Jonathan Simons The publication of the Ofsted annual report is always an important moment in the educational policy calendar. And while it is theoretically merely a summary of the […]

Education in Britain: 1944 to the Present

The education system needs to better prepare young people for work. Education standards are too low. There is not sufficient funding to deliver government’s objectives. These are all familiar refrains in policy today. But these examples are all taken from the first chapter of Ken Jones’ history, regarding the passing and implementation of the 1944 […]

Getting the message across (and it’s not about snow)

So you think it’s been a big week for education policy announcements? Well you would, because you’re involved in the sector. But what about the man and woman in the street? I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but education gets in the news fairly frequently. (I mean, of course, you’ve noticed. After all, you’re reading […]