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.

Time to Act

Posted on February 16, 2016 by ianchisnall

In August 2015 The Department for Education (DfE) appointed a mental health champion for Schools who is now calling on the  government to ensure there is a counsellor in every school. Natasha Devon has said that the move could benefit young people … Continue reading →

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An important investment

Posted on February 14, 2016 by ianchisnall

The news this mornings that Nicky Morgan is looking to the USA for a new head of OFSTED will ensure that for the next few days the papers will be full of issues related to education. Unfortunately one of the crucial parts … Continue reading →

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The challenge for Micro and Small Enterprises

Posted on January 30, 2016 by ianchisnall

In a recent speech in the House of Lords Prof Lord Bhattacharyya who is Professor of Manufacturing Systems at the University of Warwick, explained how the University partners with the Jaguar Land Rover Academy to provide education for the workers in the … Continue reading →

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Confusing changes badly implemented

Posted on January 20, 2016 by ianchisnall

The story in todays edition of Schools Week could so easily be written about many  of the changes introduced by our current Government along with many of its predecessors. Far too few Ministers have any real knowledge of how their decisions … Continue reading →

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A new group in Parliament

Posted on January 15, 2016 by ianchisnall

The decision by Parliamentarians to establish a new All Party Parliamentary Group to promote best practice in nursery education is a very positive one. There have been many promises made by this Government about childcare which have focused almost exclusively … Continue reading →

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The problem with 30 year old memos

Posted on December 31, 2015 by ianchisnall

Its baffling, how something written by very highly educated and intelligent men could be presented at the heart of Government and then be so easily dismissed 30 years later. This is particularly odd bearing in mind the current focus on the Magna Carta which … Continue reading →

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An un-accountable Minister

Posted on November 29, 2015 by ianchisnall

On Thursday the MP for Crawley, Henry Smith raised an issue with the Government regarding the roll out of its flagship policy on childcare. The announcement in Mays General Election that by 2017, there would be 30 hours of free … Continue reading →

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Universal Services

Posted on November 21, 2015 by ianchisnall

In a nation that is seeing unprecedented pressure on statutory provision and funding, cuts have passed through the fat, flesh and are now well into the muscle of our public services and there is real risk of cutting into the very bones … Continue reading →

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Young People need consistency

Posted on November 12, 2015 by ianchisnall

The visit to the careers adviser was a fixed part of the School experience when I was a pupil. I recall a couple of visits during my time. The first was just before I needed to select the ‘O’ Levels and GCSE’s … Continue reading →

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Championing our educators

Posted on November 6, 2015 by ianchisnall

In the debate about the doubling of free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds, a promise made by the Government at the last General Election, it is easy to focus on those who made the promise, particularly as it transpires … Continue reading →

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