Opinion

Calling for change in education is a national pastime but we can all learn from Arkansas about what not to do when implementing reform, writes Jonathan Haslam A famous Pentagon saying, quoted by the journalist Thomas Friedman, is that “a vision without resources is hallucination”. The same might be said of education policies, whether at […]

It is imperative that any new additional pupil premium funding in the budget is used solely for its intended purpose, says Simon Barnes Her Majesty’s chief inspector of schools Amanda Spielman made waves over the half-term by suggesting school leaders could “squander” any additional money allocated to them in the upcoming budget. For all the […]

Looked-after children and their teachers are being let down by a persistent lack of guidance. Closing the training gap is a political priority, writes Dr Sarah Alix As a qualified teacher I always felt frustrated with my own lack of understanding about how best to support looked-after children. I didn’t have the information I needed, […]

No new precedent has been set in the recent hair discrimination case, writes Esther Maxwell, but our culture is evolving and schools should take note Ten days ago, after a three-year legal battle backed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, 18-year-old Ruby Williams was awarded an out-of-court settlement of £8,500 after her family took […]

Rowena Hackwood says her list of efficiency suggestions have prompted a flurry of support, but achieving sustainable savings come from creating a value-for-money culture When it comes to efficiencies, the steps we are taking at DRET make educational and staff sense, as well as giving the trust opportunities to make savings. We are not alone […]

In a profession as complex as teaching, it seems obvious that we should provide educators with access to professional development that helps them keep improving their practice. But there’s also an obvious challenge, write James Zuccollo and Harry Fletcher-Wood. Teachers’ time is limited, and so are school budgets: is professional development valuable enough to prioritise? […]

Being in the privileged position of re-elected Chair of both the best and most important select committee at Westminster (and I’m not at all biased), I welcome the clear enthusiasm and passion for our role shown by Mark Lehain and Debra Kidd in their open letters to the new committee. It is absolutely right that […]

Congratulations! Not only did you get appointed onto the best of the select committees (I may be biased) but you’ve already been blessed with unsolicited advice on how to conduct your business. May I please take this opportunity to add my tuppenceworth? The education select committee is privileged to have access to the best and […]