report

Briefing – Episode 35, The new performance tables

 Information, Policy  No Responses »
Jan 272012
 

The complete press release from the DfE can be found at http://www.education.gov.uk/a00202531/secperftables12 and is another fine example of motivational management.  The tables themselves can be found at the performance tables portal http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance/.  You might spot a button marked “download data” which allows you to get all the data in various packages and formats so you can drill and scrutinise to your hearts content.

Much has already been said and spoken about the ebacc and how it is not compulsory curriculum but compulsory data.  It is on these pages where the ebacc metric could be used to judge a school’s performance against others.  If a school choose not to bother with imposing an ebacc curriculum they can still win, by achieving higher percentages in other metrics.  But no matter what data sets you choose to concentrate on there will be someone, some body, some agency, who will beat you up for not prioritising their particular favourite metric.

What are your school concentrating on?  Let us know and please do subscribe here or over on YouTube.

Briefing – Episode 31, National curriculum r r r rethink

 Policy  2 Responses »
Dec 202011
 

The Framework for the National Curriculum was published on the first Monday of the Christmas Holidays and might not have the happy Christmas cheer teachers were hoping for.  You can find the document by clicking here. It does two things, firstly it sets out the work done so far and confirms our fears that Thomas Gradgrind has an office in the Department for Education.

“Now, what I want is, facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can only form the minds of reasoning animals upon Facts: nothing else will ever be of any service to them. This is the principle on which I bring up my own children, and this is the principle on which I bring up these children. Stick to Facts, sir!” – Hard Times, Charles Dickens 1854

Steven Twigg has offered cross party support on the curriculum, which is deeply troubling.

On a plus side this is great news for Academies, who are in the best position to truly provide their learners with an education for the future by having nothing to do with the National Curriculum.  40% of schools are already academies, perhaps a few more will cross the floor if these suggestions become the basis of the next education act.

Let us know what you think and please do subscribe here or over on YouTube.

Briefing – Episode 30, Ofsted leadership and management

 Inspection, Personal Productivity  No Responses »
Dec 162011
 

Sorry about the dig, couldn’t help it, and lets not forget that according to the Ofsted annual review 71% of Leadership and management (secondary, that is… 92% for nursery, 64% Primary) is good or outstanding.

So how big is the word “behaviour” in your school?  What is being suggested and what impact is it having on your Christmas vacation?  Do let us know at info@astartog.co.uk and please do subscribe either here or at our youtube channel.

Briefing – Episode 29, The quality of teaching: Ofsted’s 11, part 2

 Inspection  No Responses »
Dec 072011
 

Part two of our introduction to Ofsted’s 11 criteria that inspectors will consider when looking at the “Quality of teaching in the school”.  The complete document, which is OFSTED Reference number 110128 can be found here.

What training have you already received on the new framework?  Let us know by leaving a comment or by email to info@astartog.co.uk, and do please subscribe.

Briefing – Episode 28, The quality of teaching: Ofsted’s 11, part 1

 Inspection  No Responses »
Dec 072011
 

The draft inspection framework has been out  since September 2011 so you are probably aware of it by now.  It’s not a horrible document, but as ever it is all about interpretation and implementation.  Once inspections get under way we’ll be after feedback so do let us know your experiences at info@astartog.co.uk and do subscribe.

Briefing – Episode 4, Subject to change

 Policy  No Responses »
Jun 192011
 

Following the rejection of the Rose review into primary education, this report from Pearson shows that narrowing the curriculum is not the way ahead for the coalition.  The national curriculum review (2011/12) also shows the return to a Gradgrindian curriculum… not great…

Let us know what you think over at info@astartog.co.uk and please do subscribe and receive an email every time we post something on A* to G.