General
Friday
17th Dec 2021
Education can’t go on like this, yet here we are again
As another 12 months of disruption creeps to a conclusion with yet more uncertainty about the future, Geoff Barton urges the government to finally draw up some real fixes for the problems hitting schools everywhere
Scrapping fees alone won’t keep the music playing in schools
The Scottish government made musical instrument tuition free this academic year – but how much of a difference has it actually made? Emma Seith finds out
What Johan Cruyff could teach education in Scotland
Scottish education likes to think of itself as progressive – but, as the great Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff said, we need to ‘slow down and think about where we run’, writes Henry Hepburn
Teachers’ humanity has got us through Covid
It is human connection that powers education – not a clinically prescribed way of teaching, writes Jon Severs
Friday
10th Dec 2021
Omicron: What a Plan B for education should have looked like
Geoff Barton wonders why so little has changed for education settings on Covid measures despite the clear concern the Omicron variant is causing the government
Can one headteacher run eight schools?
Earlier this year, a Scottish council caused controversy when it proposed creating an ‘executive head’ role to run up to eight schools. While the authority claims the plan is a sensible response to recruitment difficulties, critics warn Henry Hepburn that the pupils will suffer
The migrant tragedy shows we need to teach children about humanity
Are teachers now being listened to?
Education Scotland’s ‘sensible and practical decision’ to delay the return of full inspections gives teachers hope that they will have a better relationship with government agencies in the future, writes Henry Hepburn
‘Parental engagement’ is purgatory for us all
‘Parental engagement’ is a such a complex and slippery concept that neither teachers nor parents have any chance of living up to expectations, writes Jon Severs