Today’s poll: Should schools be able restrict which pupils can take GCSEs?
The Historical Association has published research today suggesting increasing numbers of schools are restricting entry to history GCSE amongst their pupils. In general, do you think schools should be...
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Today’s poll: Should heads do more to ensure respect for authority in schools?
Sir Michael Wilshaw is making the news today with comments suggesting problems in schools are often caused by weak heads who fail to lead from the front. This, he suggests, also leads to teachers who...
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Today’s poll: Should a university education be a right or a privilege?
We feature a report on the site today about a debate on whether getting a degree is a privilege or a right featuring, amongst others, ex Harrow School head Barnaby Lennon and universities minister...
View ArticleToday’s poll: Would more grammar schools increase social mobility and widen...
The debate on selection in the state sector and grammar schools has been fired back into life by Sir John Major’s comments on the influence of a privately educated elite on the UK’s top jobs and public...
View ArticleToday’s poll: If possible, should we consider children’s genetics to help...
The author of a new book says it is time for a discussion of the role of genetics or heritability in education as, she suggests, an improved understanding could help schools better tailor learning to...
View ArticleToday’s poll: Should a parent ever be sent to prison for failing to send a...
We have a report today of a mother who is facing Christmas in prison after being sentenced for (amongst other things) repeatedly failing to send her child to school. In principle, do you think sending...
View ArticleToday’s poll: Should schools try to stop students using their local dialect?
We have a report today on a primary school in the Midlands that is banning pupils from talking or writing in their Black Country dialect to help them “get the best start possible”. Is this the right...
View ArticleToday’s poll: In GCSE reform, should there be more grades above the current C...
English teachers’ leaders are reported as believing the new GCSE for English will have a grading system where more grades are above the equivalent of the current C and relatively fewer below,...
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Today’s poll: Should the age of consent be lowered to 15?
Professor John Ashton, president of the Faculty of Public Health, has called for a lowering of the age of consent to make it easier for 15-year-olds to seek contraception and sexual health advice from...
View ArticleToday’s poll: Should all primary schools have to offer 8am to 6pm wraparound...
Ed Miliband has announced that, if elected, Labour will guarantee that all primary schools offer 8am to 6pm wraparound childcare. Do you think this is a good idea? Should all primary schools have to...
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Today’s poll: Should the Edinburgh golliwog be covered up?
A recently restored mural at an Edinburgh school which depicts a golliwog is being investigated by police after a parent described it as racist. In your opinion, should the golliwog be covered up?...
View ArticleToday’s poll: Should schools act to discourage parents from swearing in front...
A headteacher in Newhaven has written to parents asking them not to swear in front of children and on school premises because the children are bringing bad language into the classroom. Do you think...
View ArticleToday’s poll: Are unisex toilets in secondary schools a good idea?
Parents in one secondary school that has recently introduced unisex toilets are concerned it may lead to increased bullying and underage sex. The school thinks it will help reduce bullying that occurs...
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Today’s poll: Should there be more account of gendered difference in...
The week’s Secret Teacher article from the Guardian argues for more feminism in the classroom but also calls for “an approach to teaching and learning which takes account of gendered difference”. Do...
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Today’s Poll: Would you want your/your child’s school featured in the...
According to reports today, it would appear the production company behind Educating Essex and Educating Yorkshire is having a bit of trouble lining up the next school to be featured having been knocked...
View ArticleToday’s poll: On balance, are the OECD’s Pisa tests improving education?
The latest Pisa tests are due out next week but do you think they are a force for good in education or not? Please let us know in this poll… On balance, are the OECD's Pisa tests improving education?...
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Today’s poll: Should those who teach maths be assessed for their own...
According to the Times, the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education has called for the DfE to carry out an analysis of the “mathematical needs” of all who currently teach maths. Presumably the idea...
View ArticleToday’s poll: Should more state resources be focussed on those who show the...
Boris Johnson is under attack for comments suggesting that we should devote more resources to those at the very top of the IQ spectrum. The criticism if focussed on the questionable value of IQ as a...
View ArticleToday’s poll: Should schools stop giving priority for places to younger...
The admissions watchdog is urging schools to think twice about giving top priority for places to the younger siblings of pupils who already attend the school because, it says, it is restricting choice...
View ArticleToday’s poll: Is it time to start preparing students for Pisa tests?
The weekend media is reporting that the latest Pisa tests – due out tomorrow – are going to show a similar performance for UK children as the last set in 2009. We have one article today suggesting the...
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