Category Archives: Government

Joining the Dots

Posted on December 8, 2018 by suecowley

At the same time as testing increases and we put ever more pressure on children to achieve high academic results we see rising rates of poor mental health in young people. At the same time as schools are being put … Continue reading →

Posted in Accountability, Behaviour, Government, Ofsted | 1 Comment

Eradicate Excuses

Posted on November 13, 2015 by suecowley

Dear Nick, I saw in your speech yesterday that you said it was possible for kids to have “No Excuses methods injected into them”. I’m a parent, and I can tell you – I need some of that stuff! Perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Behaviour, Government | 4 Comments

Hate Will Tear Us Apart

Posted on May 12, 2015 by suecowley

I guess it was inevitable that an Election defeat would be followed by a period of brow-beating, on the part of the politically minded. I’m not a member of the Labour Party, but their philosophy is just about the closest … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Schools | 1 Comment

Sledgehammer

Posted on July 27, 2014 by suecowley

At first glance it is hard to question. A policy that all children should be in school during all of term time. Very well done, Mr Gove. Back up your policy with a fine, have a focus on attendance in … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Flexibility, Government, Schools | Leave a comment

Masters of the Universe

Posted on July 7, 2014 by suecowley

Yesterday it was announced that a Labour Government would create a new designation of ‘Master Teacher’, as part of a ‘drive to raise standards’. Setting aside any questions about whether this is a good idea or not, when I run … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Language, Teachers | 22 Comments

Simply the Best

Posted on May 25, 2014 by suecowley

“access to the best that has been thought and written …” Michael Gove I’ve always been wary of the notion of a literary canon: a list of the best that has ever been written. In part, my concern stems from … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Literature, Reading, Teachers, Writing | 2 Comments

Input:Output

Posted on March 27, 2014 by suecowley

There was much rejoicing in the primary/secondary sector when Sir Michael Wilshaw sent a letter to school inspectors, insisting that they should not look for a particular teaching style when observing lessons, but focus solely on the outcomes for students. … Continue reading →

Posted in Data, Government, Ofsted, Play, Teaching and learning | 7 Comments

Economically Productive Units

Posted on January 30, 2014 by suecowley

Scene One: A dark corridor. Cigar smoke hovers in the air. Two men are talking. We cannot see their faces. The time is unspecified: perhaps we are in the future, perhaps in the past. Mr. A: We need to get … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Government, Parents | 9 Comments

Have a Little Faith

Posted on January 24, 2014 by suecowley

Dear Mr Hunt, Trust is at the heart of relationships. When you give someone your trust, you boost them up. You send them the message that ‘I have faith in you‘ or ‘I believe you can do this’. Sometimes you … Continue reading →

Posted in Accountability, Government, Trust | 3 Comments

Start with the Child

Posted on January 17, 2014 by suecowley

Where is the best place for a two year old to be? Not the cheapest, or the most efficient, or the most economically productive, but the best. For the child. Running through a field, shouting with joy, the wind in … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Early Years, Government, Parents | 9 Comments