Jun
15
Friday, 15 June 2018, with 1 comments
Delegates at NGA’s summer conference on 9 June had the benefit of hearing from both the Secretary of State for Education (the Right Honourable Damian Hinds MP) and the Shadow Education Secretary (Angela Rayner MP).
May
18
Friday, 18 May 2018, with 1 comments
We like sharing real stories at NGA: it is after all one of the best ways we communicate, and education is all about learning and applying the lessons of others. The way MATs have developed in recent years has been truly fascinating to watch. The system was never really planned out and trusts have evolved over time, sometimes in a rather messy or complicated fashion. But the problem is that the vast majority of these narratives remain untold, leaving new trusts to repeat mistakes made by others. There have been a number of MAT case studies focusing on good practice, but we haven’t seen many brave enough to publicise mistakes.
May
11
Friday, 11 May 2018, with 1 comments
We will participate enthusiastically in the DfE’s forthcoming review, as without a doubt the over-reliance on specific data we have got ourselves into has created an unhealthy culture in our schools. It is time we worked out how to measure - in the broadest sense - what we value. We need a much more intelligent system of accountability, not tyranny by numbers.
Jan
19
Friday, 19 January 2018, with 0 comments
This was the title of a blog I wrote eighteen months ago when we supported the pilot of the Young Governors Network, but it bears repeating. Tomorrow is the first anniversary conference of BAMEed, the network of Black Asian and Minority Ethnic educators, where they will be encouraging volunteering for governance. And this sort of push is absolutely needed: overall as a sector we really are not making progress with increasing ethnic diversity of those governing.
Jan
17
Wednesday, 17 January 2018, with 0 comments
Thank you to Sir David Carter, the National Schools Commissioner, for highlighting the crucial role played by those who govern our schools. His article very much emphasises the importance of training and development. We couldn’t agree more, and we know the vast majority of governors and trustees do too.