Category Archives: Education

The Blair Government invested heavily in early years education and the Cameron Government began well by promising to retain childrens centres. That has become one more piece of this Governments hyperbole at best. The truth was that Blairs reforms did not go far enough and now the ground is being moved from under our childrens feet. No stone should be left unturned as we protect the future of our next generation.

A mixed bag of ideas

Posted on September 10, 2017 by ianchisnall

The news from todays Telegraph (half of which is hidden behind the pay wall) that the Conservatives are planning to introduce two new schemes to improve their credibility with students seems to be a bit of a mixed bag. No … Continue reading →

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Corruption in Education

Posted on September 6, 2017 by ianchisnall

Over the Summer one of the topics being debated in the press as well as on social media was the pay of senior people in our Universities. One focus of this was the pay of the Vice Chancellor of Bath … Continue reading →

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First day back after a very long recess

Posted on September 4, 2017 by ianchisnall

Whilst most of us have long since left behind our formal education, the understanding that today is the beginning of the School year for many people who live around us is hard to ignore, with increased traffic on the roads, … Continue reading →

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The DfE ate our Brexit Homework

Posted on September 3, 2017 by ianchisnall

When I was a student, the required levels of Summer homework throughout my education was relatively superficial. However I have a friend who studies Law at Oxford where the beginning of each term commences with a series of exams, so … Continue reading →

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We need effective Children’s services

Posted on August 17, 2017 by ianchisnall

The new Director of Childrens Services for Norfolk County Council is Sara Tough as this news report explains. Sara is due to move to this role from her current post as Director of Childrens Services in Dorset in October, when … Continue reading →

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A vital link from Business to Education

Posted on August 10, 2017 by ianchisnall

Today the TES online magazine has published an article entitled ‘Colleges should be key in widening access to University’. I agree with the article by Julia Belgutay but don’t believe it goes far enough. There is of course a vital role … Continue reading →

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Cocoa Life good – fairly traded bad

Posted on August 8, 2017 by ianchisnall

The latest news in the changes to Fairtrade branding seems bound to cause challenges for consumers who are keen to support the producers of the food they purchase. Several years ago I had the pleasure of joining a small group … Continue reading →

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Polls are often wrong

Posted on August 3, 2017 by ianchisnall

The latest poll from YouGov suggests that many of the people who voted to Leave the EU are not concerned if our departure has a damaging impact on the UK economy. I hope that the poll is wrong, and I … Continue reading →

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The importance of a prepared exit route

Posted on August 2, 2017 by ianchisnall

We live in a nation that is struggling to make sense of how to leave the EU in a manner that is not destructive for either the UK or indeed the EU itself, which will remain our closest and largest … Continue reading →

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What is so special about today?

Posted on July 28, 2017 by ianchisnall

An organisation that I have just joined as part of the company I work for is called the Institute of Engineering and Technology. Today they are holding a series of events around the UK. Entitled “Engineering Open House Day” the … Continue reading →

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