The trouble with schools is that they find it hard to come out of their comfort zones. A valid point was raised by Professor Chris Taylor of Cardiff University, concerning my last blog regarding the new Welsh curriculum. He commented that if there were any critique of it, it would more likely focus upon what … Continue reading Mastery of What?
The New Curriculum For Wales: A worthwhile vision
The trouble with schools in England is that they don't have a curriculum fit for the 21st Century similar to the one Wales may have. I had planned to write about my second 21st Century Imperative for Schools next, but I thought it pertinent to discuss the new draft curriculum for Wales, scheduled for 2022 … Continue reading The New Curriculum For Wales: A worthwhile vision
A 21st-Century Imperative: 1. Create a Sense of Belonging
The trouble with schools is that we don’t all feel we belong there. Our one-year-old, new school building is designed to last for 40 years or more. With that in mind and providing we don’t all destroy the world in the meantime, is there really going to be a need for schools as we know … Continue reading A 21st-Century Imperative: 1. Create a Sense of Belonging
A 21st Century Imperative: Intro Cont. – Barriers
The trouble with schools are the barriers they face when implementing radical change. In my last blog I kicked off on yet another unapologetic rant; this time about the need for schools to radically change if they are to meet the needs of learners in the 21st Century. If we don’t, I went on to … Continue reading A 21st Century Imperative: Intro Cont. – Barriers
A 21st Century Imperative for Schools – Introduction
The trouble with schools is that we want to change, but we don’t want to change. Yes I know it’s a tautology, but that’s how it appears to me. This particular blog and many more to follow (apologies in advance), arises from years of frustration with our education system and more recently frustration at myself. … Continue reading A 21st Century Imperative for Schools – Introduction
Personalisation Part 3b: I need your approval!!
The trouble with schools is there is no just no easy solution to anything. Or do I just overthink things? So, this is what I want to do . . . In Years 7 & 8, I want to create 3 or 4 small groups of 15 max in each year group. This would be … Continue reading Personalisation Part 3b: I need your approval!!
Personalisation Part 3a – Re-examining my Values
The trouble with schools is that there is so much to talk about in each topic that I end up stretching it out over 3 or 4 blogs and never get to the point. I’m almost there! I attended a very large (around 16 forms in every year group) comprehensive in Scotland, which practised ‘streaming’. … Continue reading Personalisation Part 3a – Re-examining my Values
Personalisation Part 2 – Accountability and Adolescence
The trouble with schools is they are set up to make some people feel they have failed. I’m getting older and possibly not wiser as I struggle to hang on to my liberal values. I’ve tried everything, I really have with regards to setting young people off to a good start in life. In my … Continue reading Personalisation Part 2 – Accountability and Adolescence
Personalisation Part 1 – It’s an issue
The trouble with schools is, we just haven’t cracked the personalisation issue. Forgive me if I’m being presumptuous, but I’m assuming the statement above has raised a few questions along the lines of: Is there an issue? What issue? Personalisation is straight forward, isn’t it? As a Headteacher, I have always strived to personalise the … Continue reading Personalisation Part 1 – It’s an issue
Just what are we to do with digital media in schools?
The trouble with schools is they just don’t know what to do with mobile phones. I’ll say from the outset; I am against banning the use of mobiles in schools. I often have people (including my wife) say to me – “Why don’t you just ban them from the school? Lots of other schools do.” … Continue reading Just what are we to do with digital media in schools?
The Trouble With Schools 