11 June 2021
The Department for Education’s penny-pinching, piecemeal announcements and politicians’ quick-fix solutions will put long-term education recovery at risk, says Deborah Lawson
22 February 2021
How must education build back better following the pandemic? Deborah Lawson says that what is needed might not be easy and it won’t be convenient – but we must act all the same, beginning perhaps ...
1 December 2020
Many have said that the pandemic offers us a chance to build back better. But what would this look like for education? Deborah Lawson on how curriculum and assessment might change
13 July 2020
Schools must heed the government’s call to teach an ‘ambitious and broad curriculum’ from September. We cannot constrict our focus to core subjects or knowledge, says Deborah Lawson
4 June 2020
The impact of Covid-19 on our poorest children is going to be felt for some time to come. A national strategy is needed to reverse the damage that is being done, says Deborah Lawson
11 March 2020
April 22 is Stephen Lawrence Day, when schools are being urged to use free resources to empower young people to live their best lives. Deborah Lawson explains
22 January 2020
What is accountability for, who is accountable and when will schools be able to welcome inspectors as informed, objective, supportive and empowering colleagues? Deborah Lawson asks the questions
9 October 2019
Schools and others lack the capacity and resources to embrace the partnership approach that is essential for the future of our children, says Deborah Lawson
4 July 2019
Much has been said of late about the role of alternative provision and PRUs – in the context of knife crime, off-rolling and exclusion. Deborah Lawson looks at the real picture...
7 May 2019
The government’s rush to appear tough on knife crime has led to a flawed proposal that will heap yet more responsibility onto schools, says Deborah Lawson
13 March 2019
In proposing his Five Foundations for Building Character, the education secretary has set out his definition of character and resilience – but young people build these traits in many others ways that ...
16 January 2019
Per-pupil funding is set to be lower in 2019/20 than it was in 2015, but if we are to solve the funding crisis we must end the blame game, says Deborah Lawson
17 October 2018
Ofsted is finally showing signs of positive change, says Deborah Lawson – but will it stay the course?
27 June 2018
The voices are growing louder still – when will the education secretary act to fund education properly and to address the legacy of austerity, asks Deborah Lawson...
2 May 2018
The government’s various proposals will not help the teacher recruitment and retention crisis in the short-term, but they do have long-term potential, says Deborah Lawson
14 March 2018
We must not STEM the creativity of the arts – but we must STEAM ahead with a broad and balanced curriculum, argues Deborah Lawson
10 January 2018
While individual initiatives to boost recruitment and retention are welcome, what we need desperately is a whole-education workforce strategy, says Deborah Lawson
1 November 2017
Immediate action is needed to support young people’s mental health, but this will be nothing but a sticking plaster unless we tackle the roots causes of the increasing problems
21 June 2017
While all talk focuses on the hung Parliament election outcome, our education challenges remain. Deborah Lawson outlines three areas for action as ministers get back to work
8 February 2017
The government’s new plan to fill the technical skills gap facing the UK will have to overcome a number of hurdles if it is to succeed, says Deborah Lawson
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
15 June 2016
Inequality and gaming will continue unless the exam system is uncoupled from a school accountability regime restricted by the EBacc, says Deborah Lawson
20 April 2016
The latest education White Paper lacks useful detail. As such, it only serves to cause widespread alarm and prevent any meaningful engagement, says Deborah Lawson
27 January 2016
We cannot have a truly school-led education system unless it is lifted out of the election cycle, says Deborah Lawson
11 November 2015
The long-awaited and promised standards for teaching assistants are not to be published, the government has said. Deborah Lawson says this is a mistake