Education Education Education

'Head teachers are accusing the chief inspector of schools in England of creating
a "culture of fear" in England's schools.' Schools should be accountable however Ofsted has always engendered  feelongs of panic and fear amongst school staff. The inspection regime has lead to a narrowing of the curriculum and 'teaching to the tests' ie SATS. It is about time that the approach to assessing performance was changed.

Ofsted grades are too broad to provide parents with accurate measures of childcare settings, a study for the Daycare Trust has found.

A £50 million summer schools fund to help the most disadvantaged pupils opens today. The money will help up to 100,000 pupils making the transition from primary to secondary school, a time when Ofsted research shows performance can take a significant dip.

More than 1,000 schools across England could face a review of their Ofsted rating after chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw pledged to impose "demanding criteria" on outstanding ratings.

"Play is essential for children's health and happiness now, and is also essential for making friends, building key skills for the future and for feeling you are part of a community."

Zoe Williams. Guardian. 'Monetising incentives in education in the name of social mobility assumes everything improves with a price on it. But it doesn't'

This is very true. People have never entered the profession because of the pay. As with other 'caring' professions they enter for more altruistic reasons. (I am pleased to say!)

NUT members have staged a day of strike action over plans to introduce a five-term year for schools in Nottingham.Nottingham City Council said the structure, if approved, would take effect from August 2013. However many authorities would do this if they could. There is no need for the old six week Summer break. A five term year would be better for the children in terms of  their learning and progress.

Inspired by the build-up to Sport Relief – one of the UK's biggest fundraising events – and the London 2012 Olympics, the Guardian Teacher Network this week brings you a wealth of resources aimed at getting young people moving.

More than a quarter of children in the UK are not reaching their potential at school because of poor living conditions and unwell parents, a study has found.

Ofsted: Always moving the goal posts, the size and shape of the playing area and the rules!

Today’s news that Ofsted are once again changing the terms of their school inspection comes as no s...