Should a classroom be a safe space? Let’s unpick that a bit, should it be a space in which mortal danger can occur? Should it be a space from which a child is lucky to get out alive? If we take it to mean this then yes, a classroom should be a safe space, but should … More A Classroom Should not be a Safe Space
“Princes should devolve on others those matters that entail responsibility, and reserve to themselves those that relate to grace and favour.” ― Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince It is useful to surround oneself with people to do thy bidding, especially if the bidding be somewhat awkward or controversial. Sometimes, jobs are awarded to staff for very … More The Leaders, The Hydra and Managerialism
Hey Jimmy, gimme the gimmix Another day – another fad: John Cooper Clarke How many gimmicks can one teacher get through? The short termism of ‘fill the lesson with gimmicks’ approach does untold harm to teaching and learning. That books and websites extol the virtues of little techniques you can use last minute for ‘starters’, for … More Gimmicks: A Thousand Techniques Bloom
Over a hundred years ago, the German poet Heine warned the French not to underestimate the power of ideas: philosophical concepts nurtured in the stillness of a professor’s study could destroy a civilisation. Isaiah Berlin Yesterday I read a post by @teachertoolkit about a measure he employs in his school called ‘book look’. In his … More When Things Go Mad: The Destructive Power of Ideas
Dr. Happy is in School massaging the Headteacher’s ego. The new happiness initiative has resulted in all staff being 13.33% happier than they were before Dr. Happy had come to work with the school. The happyometer ‘nipple effect’ had made them all laugh on the first day, though to many it seemed a sinister development. … More Keep Taking the Happy Pills
The greatest punk manifesto: This image was from the fanzine ‘Sideburns’, though in common memory it is usually remembered as being associated with Sniffin’ Glue but it wasn’t that fanzine wot done it. Punk a reaction against the skilled overblown prog rock of the early to mid seventies was an attack on ability and artistry, … More Creativity, Education and Punk
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 An interesting piece in the TES Why teachers should embrace the idea of instilling fear in their students took me back to my school days in the sixties and seventies. The article states that: ‘Teachers no longer throw board … More The Fear of God
I often use the following example to illustrate the need for curriculum coherence: a primary school that had no handwriting policy. In this school children went from their Polish reception teacher who introduced them to cursive writing, to an English NQT in year one, who didn’t think it mattered, to a Spanish year three teacher who thought it did … More The Importance of a Joined Up Curriculum
Education discourse has become focused on the need to get children a good career with high earning potential and the creation of great character in a meritocratic society but education is for none of these things. A good education might create the possibility for some that these things might follow on but make them your aim … More Educate for Freedom
Nicky Morgan said in her recent speech to Policy Exchange that: I think every child should study maths, English, history or geography, a language and the sciences up until the age of 16 – Not because I think these subjects are the only ones that matter – I can see the masses poised behind their keyboards … More Nicky Morgan and the EBACC OUTRAGE!
Trivium 21c 