Inside Track...with Sir David Hart

Getting the brightest into the best is still a major challenge

To say that the result of the General Election will have dramatic implications for the education system is a statement of the blindingly obvious.

Last updated 18 June 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Politicians need to realise that education really does matter

I have tried to ignore the forthcoming election, thinking that the economy will be “the be all and end all” of the campaign, but I have come to the inevitable conclusion that education really does matter.

Last updated 23 April 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Prepare for some big changes

It seems blindingly obvious that the result of the General Election will have a dramatic impact on the education system.

Last updated 20 February 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Education on the cheap not the answer despite budget worries

As the General Election rapidly approaches all the main political parties will be jockeying for position on the key battleground issues over which the election will be fought.

Last updated 21 November 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Review of exam standards is needed to put debate to bed

So what do we make of the 2009 GCSE results? Let’s start by making it quite clear that the students and their teachers have worked their socks off to achieve the best ever set of results.

Last updated 19 September 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

I always thought that Mr Sugar had a softer side

Do students know how business really ticks? The employment news for graduate, college and school leavers this summer is pretty depressing.

Last updated 20 June 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Mr Milburn’s new committee won’t tell us anything new

The Government’s policy on social mobility appears to have failed. So Gordon Brown “thinks the unthinkable” and invites one of Tony Blair’s closest allies, Alan Milburn, to chair a committee with the purpose of encouraging bright youngsters from deprived backgrounds to gain entry to the professions and top jobs.

Last updated 16 February 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

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The latest statistics which revealed the number of three- to five-year-olds suspended for attacking pupils or adults produced the usual “ shock horror” reactions from all quarters.

Last updated 22 November 2008
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

School governors have power, but they need training as well

The powers and effectiveness of school governing bodies has changed out of all recognition in recent years. They are at the front line, implementing a whole raft of government policies. At first glance it seems eminently sensible to have governors that represent the various constituencies. But a governing body has to act corporately. It is one body; not a group of factions.

Last updated 23 September 2008
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

Is there a fresh shock in store when the Sats fiasco is over?

Headteachers must have thought that the silly season had arrived early when they were given the news that the Key Stage Two and Three results would be late.

Last updated 22 July 2008
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

Worthy of further scrutiny

The headline in a recent Times caught my eye. “Row over plans to recycle 24,000 failing teachers,” it read. The figure was interesting in itself. The idea that teachers could be recycled was even more intriguing.

Last updated 26 May 2008
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Will another initiative help to improve standards in schools?

The announcement of a Performance Improvement Board, to help improve the performance of secondary schools in Cumbria, is a salutary reminder that central and local government policy on education remains as confused as ever.

Last updated 26 May 2008
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk