Archive

2003

Several stories I was pleased with this year.

On January 17th in the TES I asked whether changes to the funding arrangements for England's schools masked real cuts in spending. Two months later the rest of the media caught up as the spending crisis hit home in hundreds of schools.

In June The Guardian ran my report of a Teacher Training Agency evaluation of the lottery funded computer training programme for teachers. The TTA admitted that the programme had been a disaster, which was satisfying because that is exactly what I had predicted in 1999.

My personal favourite for the year is Jill Clough's account of her time at Brighton's Arts and Media College. This was satisfying, partly because Jill gave me an exclusive and honest account of her time at 'Comart', dubbed the 'worst school in England' and the 'school of chaos' by the tabloids, but also because the story made it clear that the real victims were the children - and the real villain was government education policy.

Use these links to read the copy.

Flexibility or sleight of hand? : 'Could do better' : 'Chaos closed'

And the best of the rest.

Are our schools missing a trick? educGuardian 7th January

Linux - the free software that could offer huge savings to schools.

'Whitewash' Guardian Education 14th January

When it comes to improving the number of black and ethnic minority teachers in the UK the government won't be missing its targets. It doesn't have any, it doesn't even have any figures.

'Flexibility or sleight of hand?' TES briefing 17th January

'Do this year's funding changes mask cuts?' asked the standfirst. Answer 'Yes they do'.

Your part in the war on abuse. TES briefing 7th February

Schools can play a vital role in protecting children - so why did the Climbie inquiry skate over the issue?

Do leaders have a best before date? TES briefing 21st February

A new study suggests that longer serving headteachers achieve better results.

'Of course class size matters' Guardian Analysis, Op/Ed pages 25th February

All the evidence shows that children learn better in smaller groups. So why is the government cutting the funding that supports smaller class sizes?

'One way out of a learning difficulty' TES briefing 14th March

Previewed a government report calling for special schools to share their expertise with mainstream schools.

'This sporting myth' TES briefing 28th March

The endless stream of stories about sports field sell offs originate from a well connected pressure group that can't be bothered to check its facts.

'Muslim voices' Guardian Education 8th April

How are teachers handling the war, and how does the stance of Muslim and mainstream schools differ?

'Show us the money' TES briefing 11th April

Heads dismiss ministers' claims that funding shortfalls are due to poor financial management in schools.

'Short of cash? Just you wait ...' TES briefing 9th May

Funding a proper pay structure for classroom assistants will make the current funding difficulties look like a storm in a teacup.

'Playing hard to get' TES JOBS 9th May

If schools are so desperate for staff, why on earth don't they do a better job of recruitment?

'Thrashing out the details' Guardian Special Supplement 13th May

A range of viewpoints on the DfES/Education unions workload agreement

'Racism still not on the record' TES briefing 16th May

Harassment of staff is still not being monitored.

'Joined up care' Guardian Education 27th May

As the government prepares to publish a green paper on children's services Phil Revell visits a school that's ahead of the pack.

'It doesn't add up' Guardian Analysis 27th May

The financial crisis facing schools is the direct result of government changes to funding.

'Could do better' educGuardian 10th June

Everything I wrote about the disastrous New Opportunities Fund IT training scheme for teachers in 1999 turned out to be absolutely accurate. And that's the Teacher Training Agency's on record opinion.

'Where everyone is gifted and talented' TES briefing 27th June

A Manchester head outlines his approach to making the most of his pupils' talents.

'Here today gone tomorrow' Public Finance magazine 11th -17th July

What happens to the initiative when the pilot ends?

'Hodge toughs it out' Public Finance magazine 18th -24th July

No sooner was the new childrens' minister in post than there were calls for her to resign.

'My son deserved better' Guardian Op/Ed pages 12th August

A rare foray into the personal. My son Ben's less than happy experience with a plumbing modern apprenticeship.

'Joined at the core' Guardian Education September 2nd

Schools are at the heart of changes to Britain's children's services. But are they ready for their new role?

'A theft too far' Guardian Education September 16th

How was a headteacher able to steal half a million pounds from her school without anyone noticing?

'Private woes' Guardian Education September 30th

PFI building projects attacked by unions at Labour's party conference.

'Chaos closed' Guardian Education October 30th

The story of Jill Clough, the ex-independent school headteacher who risked her reputation to take on a struggling Brighton comprehensive.

'Happy campers?' Guardian Op/Ed 19th November

US style residential camps for Britain's teenagers?

'Open those doors' TES Op/Ed Dec 5th

Do schools really care about their local communities?