Nicky Phillips | Schools Week

‘If I were education secretary (again)…’

Secondary schools have become an increasingly diverse and rather chaotic gathering. It seems to be held together (more or less) by Ofsted and the examination system, with huge emphasis on league tables and exam grades to the detriment of creativity and imagination. The result is the imposing of great stress on youngsters in the later […]

Lynda Clapham, headteacher, Sidney Stringer Academy

When it comes to promoting reading, Lynda Clapham uses a “reverse psychology” strategy that nearly always works. She combines that strategy with a self-confessed bossiness to encourage the most disaffected students at her Coventry school to read more. “I’ll pick a book up and go nah – no, no I don’t think so. There seems […]

If I were education secretary…

I should keep at the back of all my policymaking the remembrance that what goes on beyond the world of education has an impact on what takes place inside it, and that a popular culture more or less founded on the glorification of stupidity will necessarily colour the atmosphere in which children make the decisions […]

Beware! Live streaming ahead

Filming that special lesson to share with others seems a good idea. But it’s not that simple; you will need to think about safeguarding, privacy laws and the need for parents’ permission You can “live stream” at the click of a button these days. Apps such as Periscope and Meerkat are becoming more commonplace in […]

Do the education manifesto pledges stand up?

It’s the election next week and all the parties have waved their education banners long and hard. But the evidence that any of their policies might work in raising attainment or participation is slight or non-existent With the general election looming, the three major political parties have all promised to protect the education budget for […]

How to get ahead: visit Gran

Pupils should revise at their grandparents’ homes if they want to do well in exams, says the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). Their houses provide the perfect setting minus interruptions and distractions, the association says in a 10-point guide to help students prepare for the upcoming summer examinations. The guide also tells learners […]

Nick Gibson, Ian Smith and Jonathon Logan

Nick Gibson has taken over as headteacher of St Benedict’s Catholic High School in Alcester, Warwickshire, following Tim Sara’s retirement after leading the school for 25 years. It is Mr Gibson’s second stint at St Benedict’s – he taught there between 2001 and 2006 – now recognised as one of the 20 top performing state schools. […]

Making a drama out of a crisis

Drama students at Northamptonshire’s Rushden Academy are using their theatrical talents to educate key stage 2 and 3 pupils about online safety. Year 12 and 13 BTEC pupils have written, choreographed and produced two theatre in education shows to highlight problems young people may face when using the internet. Under the name “Inspire Theatre Company”, […]

Push for school meal uptake

A trio of food organisations has been commissioned by the Department for Education to help junior and secondary schools increase the number of pupils opting for school meals. Only 43 per cent of junior and secondary pupils take school meals, leading to a £140 million loss across the schools sector. If it increased to 50 per cent, […]