Spending on books dwarfed by ICT

BBC NEWS | Education | Spending on books dwarfed by ICT

We are living in an age of technological development which, at present, is often lead by our pupils. As schools we fall behind what the children themselves are able to achieve with ICT. Therefore schools get caught up spending money on shiny new toys to entertain their pupils. In my experience this does not work.

Pupils need access to ICT, absolutely, however far more important is the opportunity to utilse the communication possibilities in ICT! They therefore need to know how and why communication works and this includes books! Without the love of reading children will not be able to express themselves creatively and all the technology in the world is not going to help.

University Idol

Reading through this article, BBC NEWS | Education | 'Talent search' plan under attack, I can't help but think that primary schools are yet again being asked to put their pupils in the spotlight. As primary/early secondary educators our natural inclination, I believe, is to allow children to flourish free from the pressures that we all know they will be under further along in the academic and professional careers.

The General Secretary of the Association of School & College Leaders, John Dunford:

"Key stage 2 tests should not be used for this purpose [to register children with the National Academy for Gifted & talented Youth]. These are tests for attainment, not potential.

"That is why most secondary schools re-test children on entry at 11 - to establish their potential."

He said it would put yet more pressure on children whose test results were already used to grade their achievement, diagnose their learning problems, pay their teachers and put their schools into league tables.

In our sector we know that children are placed under far more pressure than their peers in maintained schools. So as school leaders we are charged with ensuring a breadth of exprience to offset this. Our children are growing up fast enough without further pressure to perform bing place on their young shoulders.

EducationGuardian.co.uk | Schools special reports | Slap on wrist for private schools in fees cartel

Thought you may want the update, in case you missed it:

EducationGuardian.co.uk | Schools special reports | Slap on wrist for private schools in fees cartel

'Men cleverer than women' claim

BBC NEWS | Education | 'Men cleverer than women' claim

Claim? Some people (not me) would say this was an undisputed fact!!

Worth reading, actually, especially when considered in relation to theories such as Howard Gardener's Mutiple Intelligences. Naturally, we are all different, with varied skills and aptitudes. Who can tell what "cleverness" is?

Music 'as vital as the three Rs'

BBC NEWS | Education | Music 'as vital as the three Rs'

Breadth & balance in the curriculum?

In my experience, of all the colleagues that have to continually "fight their corner", even in the independent sector, its the music teachers that seem to to do battle the most. So here, at last, is some support for them.

Its also a timely reminder that "adding value" to our children's education is something that, as school leaders, we have to keep uppermost in our minds.

You sure you want this job?

As we approach the 1st anniversary of our Aspiring Heads weblog, a salutary reminder of what we're letting ourselves in for!

Google Fight : Ted Wragg VS Chris Woodhead

A little festive fun.

Try a google fight: pit two opposing subjects (animate or inanimate) against each other and let them fight it out as to who has the most references on google! Total nonsense, of course!

Try these for a start...

This first one's not for the squeamish
Ted Wragg v. Chris Woodhead

This one got me worried
Tony Blair v. David Cameron

And then...
Ruth Kelly v. Andrew Adonis

EducationGuardian.co.uk | Schools special reports | Top 50 independent schools found guilty of price-fixing to push up fees

Well, the judgement is in!

Worth having a read, if you've only been following this story intermittently. The BBC, also have a report as well as a further article on refunds of fees. This article puts the ISC's view in this way:

The body, which represents 1,000 public schools, said there was evidence that sharing information kept fees down rather than inflating them.

Its general secretary, Jonathan Shephard, said: "Schools have no motive to raise more money than they need.

"Any money raised from fees has to be spent on the children and the schools so any extra money might be spent on better food or another brick for the gym."

From our point of view I feel that this is yet another aspect of our "image" that we will have challenged in years to come. Best to prepare your defence now!

BBC NEWS | Education | Education champion Ted Wragg dies

Sad news. An inspirng educator who made you feel proud to be a part of our profession. No matter which sector you teach in Ted Wragg makes you want to do the best that you can for the children in your care. He was a true champion of both children and those comitted to teaching them.

EducationGuardian.co.uk | News crumb | Mixed-ability classes just as effective, study finds

EducationGuardian.co.uk | News crumb | Mixed-ability classes just as effective, study finds

EducationGuardian.co.uk | TEFL | Organic learning

I know its all about TEFL, but it is very stimulating when placed in the context of what could be in our English classrooms.
EducationGuardian.co.uk | TEFL | Organic learning

EducationGuardian.co.uk | Schools special reports | It's different for boys

EducationGuardian.co.uk | Schools special reports | It's different for boys

Self-esteem is the key, I believe, to unlocking achievement in boys.

AskPhilosophers

Finally! literally the answer to everything!

EducationGuardian.co.uk | Schools | Parents in charge of schools will opt for social selection

EducationGuardian.co.uk | Schools | Parents in charge of schools will opt for social selection

Simon Jenkins' article points to the potential pitfalls in the government's White Paper. Perhaps, after all, Independent Schools ned not fear any form of competition.

EducationGuardian.co.uk | Schools special reports | Private firms poised to run state schools after reform

The Wolves are at the door!

The ink is not even dry on the White Paper. Already they are lining up to put the government's plans in motion.

EducationGuardian.co.uk | Schools special reports | Lib Dems get discipline ideas from Harry Potter

In an irregular feature on this weblog entitled "I told you so!" I offer for your perusal the above article click on the title to go to the article).

Ed Davey, Lib Dem spokesman on education says:

"Smaller class sizes, a more engaging curriculum and better pastoral care were also vital to improving behaviour."

So we are doing something right!

Revealed: the preps trailing state rivals - Sunday Times - Times Online

In case you haven't seen this, here is a link to the Sunday Times "piece" on Independent Schools' KS2 SATs results. IAPS schools have had the KS2 results "uncovered" from the past 3 years through the freedom of information act.

So what do you think? Should we be ranked on academic performance? Would this be of benefit to prospective parents? Do you agree with Jonathon Brough?

The league is headed by City of London school for girls, where fees are £10,584 a year. Jonathan Brough, head of its preparatory department, was proud of his school’s performance. “We are not a hothouse. I wouldn’t sacrifice the happiness of the children to get that position,” he said. “We are giving a well-rounded education and we don’t teach to test.”

What does this mean for the future of the National Curriculum in Independent Schools? Are we to be hauled up in the Sunday Times each year to be compared to our colleagues in the maintained sector? Doesn't that miss the point of what an Independent school is, regardless of the curriculum you apply or tests you take?

As John Morris says in the article: “Our members do not regard these tests as an objective measure of the value of schools or an appropriate measure of the achievement of children. League tables based on such figures are facile.”

What do you think?

Wet combing best to rid head lice

Thought I might kick the new school year off with something that I'm sure you all must have read while on you hols! As you know this weblog contians information crucial for all aspiring heads regardless of infestation...

BBC NEWS | Health | Wet combing best to rid head lice

Today-in-History PAGE of SCOPE SYSTEMS.

A rather nifty little site for those of us who like a bit of trivia:

Today-in-History: July 5th

Obviously apart from the British feeling rather disappointed with last night's performance
- a rather arrogant and misguided leadership, they'd spent piles of cash on the best prepared team ever to leave these shores to do battle against a buch of colonials (no, not the Lions!). You'd be surprised at waht you might find...

Crumbs! It must be the end of term!

Parents 'ruining school sports day'

Well I'll be...

Parents 'ruining school sports day'

Who'd have thought it? Typical independent school mentality! Tut! Tut! We ought to be ashamed!

Clive Astler, Editor of Country Life: "Nowadays, some parents have a highly
competitive attitude to life and are neurotic about their children succeeding at
everything they attempt. It is spoiling the whole thing."

Based on this statement I would like to ask you all the following question:

Would we have won the battle of Waterloo if they'd banned the parents' race from the playing fields of Eton in 1805?

Answers on the usual postage stamp, please...