Here's one to watch. If school management has any challenges, this is one of the biggest...
BBC NEWS | Education | Parents 'want safer school trips'
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Four steps to being chucked on the scrapheap
EducationGuardian.co.uk - Four steps to being chucked on the scrapheap
As always - a little sense on our chaotic world & another opportunity to post on the occasional theme of: "Why the Independent Sector is best!"
Reading through the article by Phillip Beadle, above, is once again proof that established & experienced teachers (regardless of the sector in which they work) know how to create learning experiences for their pupils.
His message - To teach as you are inspired. Communicate with the pupils in a way that delivers your objectives so that they can be remembered and used!
As always - a little sense on our chaotic world & another opportunity to post on the occasional theme of: "Why the Independent Sector is best!"
Reading through the article by Phillip Beadle, above, is once again proof that established & experienced teachers (regardless of the sector in which they work) know how to create learning experiences for their pupils.
Some teachers believe that the four-part lesson plan is a move toHe goes on to support the valuable work that teaching assistants do. However it highlights the essential freedoms that exisit in the indeepndent sector and how our colleagues in Maintained schools are continually harangued to conform to a model that many know to be unworkable, ineffective and uninspiring for both teacher and learner.
standardise to such an extent that anyone can deliver a lesson. It seeks to
take the element of professional judgment out of teaching, so that it is no
longer a graduate job, and lessons can be delivered by teaching
assistants.
His message - To teach as you are inspired. Communicate with the pupils in a way that delivers your objectives so that they can be remembered and used!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Planet Under Pressure
BBC NEWS Science/Nature Introduction: Planet Under Pressure
So...turn off electrical items at the wall
So...turn off electrical items at the wall
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Please Don't Tell The Head of Music!
BBC NEWS | Health | Music training boosts the brain
Well this will really prove a point! Scientifically proven: Music education improves brain function.
I certain it does. But then I listen to the year 3 music carousel & its my brain function that needs boosting!
Well this will really prove a point! Scientifically proven: Music education improves brain function.
I certain it does. But then I listen to the year 3 music carousel & its my brain function that needs boosting!
School fee inflation 'slows down'
BBC NEWS | Business | School fee inflation 'slows down'
So what does it mean? Maybe the post-millenium building programme has ceased and we are not hiking our fees to pay for them! Perhaps we are keen not to turn off the new generations of parents somewhat apprehensive to take the plunge into Independent Education. The article ends with the quote:
"Despite the growing relative expense of sending a child to a private school, this has become a more popular option for parents.
In 2005/06 they accounted for 6.7% of all school places, up from 6.2% five years ago."
If fees cease to rise so rapidly we maybe seeing a rise in the numbers in Independent school places.
So what does it mean? Maybe the post-millenium building programme has ceased and we are not hiking our fees to pay for them! Perhaps we are keen not to turn off the new generations of parents somewhat apprehensive to take the plunge into Independent Education. The article ends with the quote:
"Despite the growing relative expense of sending a child to a private school, this has become a more popular option for parents.
In 2005/06 they accounted for 6.7% of all school places, up from 6.2% five years ago."
If fees cease to rise so rapidly we maybe seeing a rise in the numbers in Independent school places.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Monday, May 29, 2006
Are private schools thriving?
Very wel worth a read...
BBC NEWS | Education | Are private schools thriving?
The answer, according to Mike Baker, is yes, however...
"Some leading members of the independent sector are now warning against complacency."
In our increasingly pluralistic world the Independent education represents choice and accountability. Thus ensuring security for parents as they invest both financially and emotionally in their children's future. Away from the homogeneity and bureaucracy, foisted upon our colleagues in the maintained, surely Independent schools' survival is based on the opportunity to embrace new trends in Teaching and Learning whilst retaining the values which are being eroded.
BBC NEWS | Education | Are private schools thriving?
The answer, according to Mike Baker, is yes, however...
"Some leading members of the independent sector are now warning against complacency."
In our increasingly pluralistic world the Independent education represents choice and accountability. Thus ensuring security for parents as they invest both financially and emotionally in their children's future. Away from the homogeneity and bureaucracy, foisted upon our colleagues in the maintained, surely Independent schools' survival is based on the opportunity to embrace new trends in Teaching and Learning whilst retaining the values which are being eroded.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Independent school 'will reopen'
BBC NEWS | England | Southern Counties | Independent school 'will reopen'
Has anyone been following this?
Has anyone been following this?
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Brown sets private schools target
I meant to put this up on the blog a week ago but you know how it is...
BBC NEWS | Education | Brown sets private schools target
This is a return to a theme that I have run throughout this weblog: the attempt to close the percieved gap between state a private schools.
On the one hand there is the gap in funding to consider. Independent schools are meant to be "richer" than our colleagues in the state sector. Perhaps true, but I am certain you can name schools whose budgets are as tight as the village primary school at which I am a governor. However, state schools aren't working with many of the business-related pressures under which independent schools operate.
On the other hand is the claim that funding makes independent schools "better". Again I know educators, working in state schools, whose passion, creativity and desire to effect change in pupils lives is greater than I could ever hope to emulate. Yet we are told that more money would make better schools. What will make better schools, be they state or independent, is the freedom to teach creatively and allow pupils to learn in a way that is engaging and challenging.
Throw all the money you like at schools, school improvement will only occur with independent thinking not independent funding
BBC NEWS | Education | Brown sets private schools target
This is a return to a theme that I have run throughout this weblog: the attempt to close the percieved gap between state a private schools.
On the one hand there is the gap in funding to consider. Independent schools are meant to be "richer" than our colleagues in the state sector. Perhaps true, but I am certain you can name schools whose budgets are as tight as the village primary school at which I am a governor. However, state schools aren't working with many of the business-related pressures under which independent schools operate.
On the other hand is the claim that funding makes independent schools "better". Again I know educators, working in state schools, whose passion, creativity and desire to effect change in pupils lives is greater than I could ever hope to emulate. Yet we are told that more money would make better schools. What will make better schools, be they state or independent, is the freedom to teach creatively and allow pupils to learn in a way that is engaging and challenging.
Throw all the money you like at schools, school improvement will only occur with independent thinking not independent funding
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
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.
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:
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.
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
EducationGuardian.co.uk | Schools special reports | Slap on wrist for private schools in fees cartel
Monday, January 30, 2006
'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?
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.
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.
Friday, December 30, 2005
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!
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
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
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
Sunday, November 13, 2005
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:
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!
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!
Thursday, November 10, 2005
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.
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