In The Times this morning, a sharp increase in the prescriptions of Ritalin to control ADHD has reportedly drawn the response from Amanda Spielman, Chief Inspector for Schools at Ofsted, that “parents are medicating away their children’s bad behaviour.” Continue reading “ADHD and Ofsted”
Back in 1991, Martin Haberman, as part of his life long work into how education could tackle disadvantage, wrote “The Pedagogy of Poverty” in which he explores how the accepted norms and routines of teaching life act to hold down the very children we seek to lift up. In our work, Hywel Roberts and I refer to this idea of a Pedagogy of Poverty widely, but we need to explore how it fits in with current ideas about ‘rich’ knowledge and core knowledge curriculum models. Continue reading “A Rich Curriculum”
I’ve been grumpy today with people berating Group Work. But I’m a teacher, so instead of giving them detention or lines, I thought “why not teach them how to do decent group work?” Continue reading “Making Group Work Work.”
In 2013 I was feeling frustrated as a teacher. The CPD on offer in my school didn’t come anywhere near to meeting my needs – or, as far as I could see, the needs of many of my colleagues. Continue reading “The End of Northern Rocks. The beginning of…”
Something’s up in Wales. The curriculum is being radically changed. Subjects are being grouped into areas of learning – all of which are equally important. Yes, the Arts are as important as Maths! Continue reading “Cross Curricular Planning.”
I’m running a PD session in Singapore, doing my usual “there’s more to life than tests” introduction to a sea of blank faces. I realise they don’t do tests. It’s a revelation. They’re looking at me like I’m an alien and I have to quickly adapt my session. Continue reading “A Joyful Education.”
Ok, deep breaths – this one is a little controversial. But I’m going to give it an airing.
I taught a Year 4 class yesterday with lots of teachers watching.
What is ‘social mobility’ if not a desire to move children from one class into a higher one?
I was really good at school until I hit Year 9. Something snapped in Year 9. Continue reading “Teachers Who Save You.”
