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.

What does OFSTED need

Posted on June 12, 2016 by ianchisnall

On 1st January 2012 Michael Wilshaw took up the role as head of OFSTED for 5 years, meaning that Nicky Morgan as current education minister has been faced with the challenging task of finding his successor. Sir Michael had been … Continue reading →

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A lack of discrimination

Posted on June 1, 2016 by ianchisnall

A news report in Mondays Independent newspaper responds to the way in which young men and women from Independent Schools are able to gain advantage from their education and are disproportionately represented in the high ranks in Business, Public Sector … Continue reading →

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An expensive driving lesson

Posted on May 28, 2016 by ianchisnall

Considering that Vote Leave have been arguing that the EU wastes money in a profligate manner, it seems bizarre that their campaign has spent £175,000 to hire a French built lorry from a Dartford trucking company along with the driver … Continue reading →

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Ofsted exemptions for the chosen few

Posted on May 25, 2016 by ianchisnall

Last week the Government disclosed that it intends to allow Councils to apply for an exemption from Ofsted inspections and inquiries by the Childrens Commissioner for England for its child protection provision for up to six years if it is … Continue reading →

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Educating our children

Posted on May 10, 2016 by ianchisnall

Although Nicky Morgan is now performing a U turn on George Osborne’s policy of forcing all Schools to become Academies, the idea that she will instead force all Local Authorities deemed to be failing in their educational responsibility to turn … Continue reading →

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Education in crisis

Posted on May 6, 2016 by ianchisnall

The Governments plan to force all local schools to become academies, announced by George Osborne on 16th March during this years budget has created evident tension at various high profile meetings between Teachers and Government Ministers from the Department for … Continue reading →

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Early Day Motion 1421

Posted on May 2, 2016 by ianchisnall

Educating our youngest children depends on reconciling a number of challenging facts. The need for a higher staff to children ratio than in nearly all other forms of education is one which seems to be understood by most people when … Continue reading →

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A Government in chaos

Posted on April 30, 2016 by ianchisnall

This week the Government announced it was making changes to the Trade Union Bill which had been deeply unpopular with Trade Unionists and led to a number of high profile protests and demonstrations. Several tabloid newspapers have suggested this is … Continue reading →

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Divide and conquer

Posted on April 29, 2016 by ianchisnall

As Parliament debates the latest educational white paper which includes the proposal on forced Academisation of our Schools, our MPs are not alone. There are public discussions taking place across England and Wales, along with less public and perhaps even … Continue reading →

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A Democratic Dictatorship?

Posted on April 26, 2016 by ianchisnall

Last week the Government announced their refusal to debate holding a public enquiry or referendum into their plans to force all Schools to become Academies, despite the fact that nearly 200,000 people petitioned them to do so. As one of … Continue reading →

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