Grammar Schools: the cost of excellence

posted in: Thoughts on Education |

When I arrived on the Wirral*, all bright-eyed and Canadian way back in 1994, I learned four things in quick succession: Liverpool is not at all like Manchester. The other mummies don’t wear wool socks and Birkenstocks. Tea is something you eat. And 4. My children were going to write an IQ test called the 11+ (even though one of them would only be 10 at the time) which would essentially determine their educational futures and probably colour their whole … Read More

How to make phonics suitable for teens and adults

posted in: Post-16 & Adult Literacy, Secondary literacy, Thoughts on Education |

When people hear “phonics” they think “childish”, and not without reason. Most phonics programmes are childish, but not because they teach reading using the sounds and symbols of the language. They’re childish because they’re created for little children, emergent readers who have no history of trying and failing to learn to read. There are some wonderful programmes for little ones. The problem with using any teaching method intended for young children is that you automatically infantilise the learner no matter … Read More

Education in Prisons

posted in: Post-16 & Adult Literacy, Thoughts on Education |

Dame Sally Coates’ review of prison education was published recently and I’d like to add some thoughts. Having spent fourteen months working in the pre-release unit of a large men’s prison, I come to this with huge respect for the fact that prisons are complex environments in which to achieve almost anything. Most of what interested me is in Chapter 3: “A personalised and inclusive approach to learning” and I want to discuss the disconnection between recognising the huge proportion … Read More

Literacy Methods: Shame or Safety?

posted in: Post-16 & Adult Literacy, Secondary literacy, Thoughts on Education |

I was speaking at a high school where I had one hour to train 30 staff members in spelling with the English code which meant no time for the usual asides, quips or soapbox moments. I found myself saying, “I love the idea of very high expectations, but…” and moving on before I could expound. I did get to share this slide, but, again, with no time to discuss the concept of every classroom being a “shame free learning space”. … Read More

Literacy that’s both progressive and traditional

posted in: Thoughts on Education |

Everything these days, including education, seems to come in a polarised package. If I like A then I must also embrace B and C, and reject without question, D. I despise the assumptive and dismissive nature of these ‘sides’, not least because I have a mongrel educational history that can’t now be undone. You see, I am a product of the early 70’s West Coast Open Education (home of Frank Smith) and I bless those experimenting teachers of the Bayview … Read More

Why the Changes at That Reading Thing?

posted in: Resources and Lesson Ideas, Secondary literacy, Thoughts on Education |

That Reading Thing is now global and online. That means anyone in the English speaking world can deliver this proven effective literacy method to teens and adults who are struggling readers and spellers. They can access the full TRT training and all the materials for a fraction of the previous cost. As is often the case, this change was inspired by a difficulty that needed surmounting – in this situation, drastic funding cuts to both education and youth work. I … Read More

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