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Education & Arts Blogs
When Tatler publishes a list of the top state schools, you know the gap is closing
Jonathan Simons, Policy Exchange’s Head of Education, analyses Michael Gove’s recent speech in which he said that he wanted to “break down the Berlin wall between state schools and independent schools.” Jonathan argues that Gove was making the point that many state schools show what amazing things can be done with less money and a more diverse intake.
Two cheers for UCAS figures
Jonathan Simons, Policy Exchange’s Head of Education, offers some observations and a couple of questions on the recent UCAS figures showing that university applications are up among the most disadvantaged and relatively static for the most advantaged.
A Licence to Teach
Jonathan Simons, Policy Exchange’s Head of Education, writes advocating a ‘licence to teach’, an external mark of professional quality, indicating an ongoing commitment to professional development and mastery of practice.
Paying first-class teachers what they are worth is way to educate Yorkshire
Jonathan Simons, Policy Exchange’s Head of Education, highlights how performance-related pay will improve the quality of teaching by attracting more high flying graduates and encouraging the professional development of teachers. The effects of performance-related pay on the teaching profession were explored by Policy Exchange recently in our reportReversing the ‘Widget Effect’.
Performance pay won’t lead to teachers hoarding resources or refusing to collaborate for fear of losing out
Jonathan Simons, Head of Education at Policy Exchange, writes backing the introduction of performance-related pay (PRP) for English teachers. Simons shows that, despite what teachers’ unions might say, teachers overwhelmingly want to be paid on the quality of their teaching, that it is possibly to measure teacher effectiveness, and that PRP has demonstrably improved pupil outcomes. He does, however, stress the hard work that schools will have to put in to designing systems that are reliable, have credibility with teachers and reward collaboration and pupil progress.
12 reasons why the NAO’s report is a boost for free schools
Following the publication of the National Audit Office’s report on Free Schools, Jonathan Simons, Head of Education at Policy Exchange, argues that much of the coverage of the report has been ideologically motivated and ignored the general tone of the report. In response, Jonathan highlights 12 positive findings from the report.
PISA 2013 and English Schools – First impressions
Jonathan Simons, Head of Education at Policy Exchange responds to the publication of the PISA 2013 figures which compare literacy and numeracy for 15 year-olds across the OECD. Jonathan argues that there is much to learn from other countries, including those that use performance-related-pay to drive up standards.
Re-Extending Schools
Jonathan Simons, Policy Exchange’s Head of Education, examines Ed Miliband’s recent childcare speech. Jonathan welcomes the fleshing out of Labour’s commitments in this area, but argues there are still real questions as to the practicalities of they will implement free childcare measures and wraparound primary school care to give parents a concrete offer for their children and reassure schools that this will not turn into a bureaucratic exercise.
Nick Clegg’s Alternative Speech
Jonathan Simons, Head of Education at Policy Exchange imagines what Nick Clegg should have said in his speech on education today. Jonathan examines the progress on education the Lib Dems have made in Coalition and finds that they have a strong story to tell.
Lessons from Al-Madinah – What we can and can’t learn
Following Ofsted’s investigation into the Derby free school Al Madinah, Jonathan Simons, Policy Exchange’s Head of Education argues that while there are wider lessons to learn from this failure, particularly in implementation, it cannot be used to condemn the principle of the free school programme.
