Bernard Trafford

Bernard Trafford runs through the issues still casting doubt on the reopening of schools. There are...

Bernard Trafford finds much to admire in this pithy leadership book crammed with ideas and insights...

Planning for the 'new normal' must acknowledge two tough truths: that the curriculum will be...

Teachers trusted, scientists respected, kindness in fashion and seven other improvements

One of the side-effects of the lockdown is that parents are gaining new respect for teachers, says...

The coronavirus epidemic presents an opportunity to completely reimagine the education system’s age...

If the pandemic stops the exam juggernaut in its tracks, perhaps that’s because it wasn’t fit for...

Ofsted isn't climbing down in the row over three-year GCSEs – but it will. The MATs aren’t right...

The government has squandered millions on non-existent Brexit ferries and HS2. Yet it's headteachers...

Policymakers' decisions are threatening children's access to quality music education. It's our...

Our method of examining is 19th century at best – and impervious to any attempt to adapt it to...

If the government funded places for bright, poor pupils at private schools, it might help combat...

If you're a headteacher walking around school, the important thing is to show your appreciation...

The inspectorate has been at pains to point out that there's no 'Ofsted model'. Yet they're...

Fix the accountability system, trust teachers to do their jobs, and fund schools properly. Dominic...

Making the elite unis offer places at random to suitably qualified candidates would help no one...

The government has to deliver change in education – state and private schools must work together...

It is incontrovertible that if you trust teachers and schools to behave creatively, the results will...

The election campaign has given rise to extravagant promises, from all parties. It will only harm...

Too many classroom teachers experience the sharp end of the accountability regime - something has to...

It’s the school leaders on the front line who should command the big bucks – not the Mat CEOs in...

Character is caught, not taught – and different pupils pick it up in different times and in...

Caring teachers will always work beyond their contracted hours, says Bernard Trafford. In return...

Free schools should open where the need is greatest, says Bernard Trafford. But remote multi-academy...

Urged to set their sights high, pupils feel the need to achieve excellent grades. No wonder they...

Understatement is typically British. But describing school funding as 'a bit tight'? It's not on...

Unlike Labour, Bernard Trafford does not want to see Ofsted abolished. But he feels compelled to...

Tackling classroom banter will not only stop bullying – it will also prevent the racist and sexist...

The problem of teacher workload is less about hours worked, and more about excessive accountability...

Tougher GCSEs have been devised when there’s no need for a national qualification at that age, says...

Many social campaigners see Ofsted as the government's enforcer - but this benefits no one, says...

Boris Johnson plans to get tough on behaviour – but what will happen to all those excluded pupils...

... and it's dangerous to tell them that they can – we must encourage realistic aspirations, says...

There is so much more to what schools do than cold results – they prepare young people for adulthood...

Jacob Rees-Mogg has issued a draconian style guide, which he expects staff members to follow...

They're expensive and have no measurable effect on outcomes. So why persist with school uniforms...

Teachers feel undervalued and demoralised - and Boris Johnson is unlikely to improve things, writes...

Assembly is no one's favourite part of the school day. But, in a world of intolerance, it's up to...

New children's laureate Cressida Cowell has talked about the importance of school libraries. But...

Holding schools responsible for excluded pupils will have a negative impact on the vulnerable, warns...

The London Academy of Excellence offers academically rigorous education to disadvantaged pupils. Can...

As the race to be the next PM heats up, we're exposed to any number of lies about spending and...

You can't reduce complex schools to a single adjective – that's why Ofsted will never work, argues...

Schools must set a moral standard by embracing LGBT+ issues and stress that it's not about tolerance...

If Layla Moran's views are anything to go by, the party's schools vision would be about wellbeing...

Simplistic judgements and inflexible pay structures hurt everyone. When will the DfE wake up and...

When it comes to revision, pupils should ignore the swathes of wacky advice, and keep it sensible...

No matter what the government may say to parents, Sats are harmful and must be abolished, writes...

Instead of saying universities are dumbing down, praise students for turning their grades around...

Singing brings schools together. But be wary when compiling your assembly playlist, warns Bernard...

Everyone’s gaming university admissions – the only solution, says Bernard Trafford, is post...

The problem of paralysing schools lies in inspection itself, not the framework in use at any one...

Pupils must be given the time to explore subjects they won't be tested on such as PSHE and political...

It’s impossible for schools to do everything curriculum-planners envision them to. What if we left...

It's time for a new curriculum, says Bernard Trafford, but what should be included and what should...

Intense pressure from government can be a catalyst for unethical behaviour from leaders, warns...

...but with no extra funding. The government can't have its educational cake while eating it at the...

The policing crisis may turn government heads away from Brexit and force them to acknowledge that...

Some kids thrive in home education, others are crying out for a proper education – it’s too complex...

In this age of political duplicity, pupils need to learn history – but it is being squeezed out...