I guess there always have been (and always will be) market forces in education. It’s certainly a place for big business now. But where are the money makers driving provision for the children and young people of today? What happens to freedom of inquiry and investigation when research and development is funded by companies pushingContinue reading “Can the heart of education be set free from the love of money?”
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“Miss, you don’t smile anymore.”
Probably the most constructive classroom observation I ever received came from the lips of an 8 year old. If my memory serves me correctly, her name was Hannah and she would have been 8 when she joined my Year 4 class in September 1992. I must have been roughly halfway through my first year asContinue reading ““Miss, you don’t smile anymore.””
I’m with you, Floppy
I was overjoyed to find a 50p Floppy favourite in the Acorn’s charity shop last Saturday. I couldn’t hold back my delight and, before I knew it, I was reading page 30 aloud to Dave at the counter. My 3 children loved the Biff, Chip and Kipper stories. When my youngest started bringing them homeContinue reading “I’m with you, Floppy”
Fight the good fight
When my last headteacher asked me why I had decided to decline the invitation to reapply for my job in 2022, I respectfully told her, “I have some fight left, but not for this.”
‘Theirs not to make reply/ Theirs not to reason why…’
I inwardly wince when I hear the phrase ‘it is what it is’. Its unquestioning use in schools is the reason I dislike it so intensely. Let me give you an example…
The Legacy of ‘Owl Babies’
My elevator pitch
Last week, I spent 9 hours on a business bootcamp. The online meetings were held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, from 6 – 9 pm. One of the PowerPoint slides told us what to include in an elevator pitch…
‘The Red Tree’ by Shaun Tan
‘With sensitivity and wonder, Shaun Tan’s evocative words and images in the multi-award-winning ‘The Red Tree’ open a window to our inexplicable emotions and tell a story about the power of hope, renewal and inspiration.’
What’s the story? Autumn glory!
I started this week with a glorious walk through Frith Wood. It was the perfect place for me to spend a misty Monday morning, as I prepared to start my new ‘Community Connector’ role in Malvern that afternoon.
‘Bet you can’t!’
Are there any children out there, who need some friendly encouragement to tidy up at the end of the day? Here is a fun-filled story for you to share.
#BondThroughBooks
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