Freedom to recruit skilled governors 5 October 2016 ?Controversial plans to remove the requirement for parent governors in academies have been shelved. However, a new report argues against this decision. Elaine Fischer presents her case
Inspection: Small but important changes 28 September 2016 A new school year and an updated Ofsted handbook. While there have only been minor changes this time around, Colin Logan highlights some of the key things that school leaders should take note of
We need more stability in 14 to 19 education 28 September 2016 Does the current 14 to 19 education policy help or hinder our learners? Dr Lynn Senior says we must have more stability in the 14 to 19 phase, and accept that a successful economy needs both academic and vocational learners...
At the chalkface: Uniform 28 September 2016 Well, no. I’m with the headteacher Tate on this one. Rules is rules – just shut up and do it. I surprise myself.
Diary of an NQT: Testing, marking & photocopying 28 September 2016 NQT life is picking up at a pace and with a wealth of baseline testing, marking and lessons coming thick and fast, our NQT diarist is feeling the pressure
The evidence is against selection 21 September 2016 England is facing a return to grammar schools and selective education. The prime minister argues this will boost social mobility. Dr Deborah Robinson says the evidence shows that such claims are disingenuous 1 comment
Fighting to close Scotland’s attainment gap 21 September 2016 Since the beginning, Curriculum for Excellence has focused unerringly on content. As its implementation phase draws to a close, we must now refocus on teachers and pedagogy. Margaret Alcorn says this is key if we are to have an impact on the attainment gap
Selection: A major distraction 21 September 2016 As the debate on selective education rages, vital issues including funding, recruitment, assessment and the curriculum are being ignored, says Deborah Lawson
Diary of a headteacher: The recruitment crisis 21 September 2016 The recruitment crisis means that it is a ‘buyer’s market’ in certain shortage subjects. Our headteacher diarist reflects on the ethical dilemmas this situation has created 1 comment
At the chalkface: Happy? 21 September 2016 “Keep up the pressure, no relaxation,” was the mantra of my last headteacher. It works. Anxiety levels go through the roof. And, finally, make sure that “everyone is above average”, a key concept from the much-maligned Gove.
Diary of an NQT: So far, so good... 21 September 2016 After finally getting into the classroom, our NQT diarist’s firm approach to setting out her expectations with every single class is paying off…
Brexit: Schools remain our beacons of unity 14 September 2016 As hate crime incidents continue at high levels, recent violent assaults have brought home the crisis that our country faces. In the face of political inaction, our schools must become our beacons of hope and unity, says SecEd editor Pete Henshaw
Support staff: Term-time contracts are morally wrong 14 September 2016 It is morally wrong that support staff are forced to accept often confusing, term-time only contracts, says Jon Richards 6 comments
Diary of an NQT: Preparing for the off 14 September 2016 IT failures, meetings galore and a jungle of data and reporting – and that’s after just two days. Our NQT diarist is getting to grips with school life and awaiting her first lesson…
Diary of a headteacher: Fully distributed leadership 14 September 2016 It has taken two years for our headteacher diarist to get to a position where he feels a distributed leadership approach with his middle leaders will work…
Grammar schools: Looking for the overlap 7 September 2016 Comprehensive schools provided a solution to the ‘dysfunctional mess’ of the grammar-secondary modern system. Gerald Haigh can’t believe he is still arguing this fact, 40 years on...
School funding: The fight will continue 7 September 2016 With the funding pressures on schools continuing to bite hard, Kevin Courtney pledges to continue his union’s campaign to persuade ministers to change course
Diary of an NQT: Hopes and fears... 7 September 2016 A new year and a new NQT diarist joins SecEd. A teacher of citizenship, RE and humanities, she discusses her hopes and fears for the year ahead
Diary of a headteacher: There must be an alternative... 7 September 2016 The usual start of term optimism of our headteacher diarist has been dampened by stressful, infuriating and perplexing inconsistencies in exam marking and results…
Warnings about the EBacc have come to pass 7 September 2016 GCSE entries suggest that long-held fears the EBacc would squeeze the curriculum are coming to pass, says Malcolm Trobe
At the chalkface: Credo 7 September 2016 It might get told in detention, corridor, playground or the classroom, but it must get told. Your job is to gain the pupil’s trust and simply listen. If you don’t you’re probably in for trouble, they will give up and tune out
STEM: Employers opening their doors to teachers 7 September 2016 Young people are continuing to shun opportunities to study STEM subjects despite the digital skills crisis that faces the UK. Edwina Dunn says the answer lies in employers being more willing to open their doors to teachers…
The Attainment Challenge: What is the purpose of testing? 25 August 2016 Scotland has avoided some of the disasters to have hit education in England, says Alex Wood, but now is the time for a debate on the broader purposes of examinations and testing
Scottish education: Challenges and priorities 25 August 2016 From the new Education Delivery Plan to issues with workload, assessment and funding – as another academic year gets underway, we ask three education trade unions to outline the challenges and priorities for Scottish education – affecting both teachers and support staff – in 2016/17
The real threat posed by Brexit 6 July 2016 While politicians squabble and economists fret, the real threat posed by the Leave vote is going unaddressed and young people are among those who could suffer the most, fears SecEd editor Pete Henshaw
21 September 2016