“If it ain’t broke, don't fix it”
The evidence is that our schools are not broken.
OFSTED EVIDENCE
Ofsted has many critics (I’m one) and is widely feared, but look at the excellence that it reported in 2014
Of our 16,787 primary schools: 17% are outstanding; 64% good; 16% require improvement; and 2% are judged inadequate
Of our 3,372 secondary schools: 21% are outstanding; 49% good; 23% require improvement; and 6% are judged inadequate
RESEARCH EVIDENCE
“State Schools Since 1950s: The Good News” by Adrian Elliott (2007: Trentham Books)#content_42252721: evidence-based book challenges scaremongering media.
#Schools: Abundant proof exists of genuine, sustained improvement in academic achievement across all ability levels & from all backgrounds
PARENTS’ VIEWS
#YouGovpoll 2013: “Parents express confidence in teachers but no confidence in the government’s education policies” http://yougov.co.uk/news/2013/03/30/parents-question-education-policies/
#YouGovpoll 2013: Parents say: Quality of teaching in kids school ‘excellent/good’ 73%; ‘poor’ 4%
#YouGovpoll 2013: Parents say: How school values my child as an individual: ‘excellent/good’ 70%; ‘poor’ 7%
#YouGovpoll 2013: Parents say: How school promotes good behaviour and keeps good discipline ‘excellent/good’ 75%; ‘poor’ 6%
#YouGovpoll 2013: Parents say: How school supports development of personal and social skills: ‘excellent/good’ 71%; ‘poor’ 6%
#YouGovpoll 2013: Parents say: How school ensures my child is self-confident and happy: ‘excellent/good’ 71%; ‘poor’ 6%
These quotes are from http://cdn.yougov.com/cumulus_uploads/document/3xah64ycrs/YG-Archive-NUT-parents-survey-180313.pdf
OPINION OF THE LAST SECRETARY OF STATE (MICHAEL GOVE)
#Gove “We have the best generation of teachers ever in our schools and the best generation of heads leading them.” Cons Party Conf 5Oct10
So, inspectors, parents and even the recent secretary of state all seem pleased with the work of teachers. Only the right wing press demures. So why does the Government want further change?
LINKS TO OTHER TWEETS
Tweets Two: EDUCATION UNOTADICE NOTACUIDE #content_42240457
Tweets Three: THE POLITICAL CORROSION OF EDUCATION #content_42240699
Tweets Four: EDUCATIONAL IDEOLOGY OF MICHAEL GOVE #content_42240751
Tweets Five: CHALLENGES TO MICHAEL GOVE #content_42241446
Tweets Six: IF … BUT SINCE NOT … TIME TO GO! #content_42241478
This page revised 3 February 2015