Stephen Twigg, the shadow education secretary sets out his BIG idea today. He believes that pupils need to be acclimatized to a
‘work-like timetable’.
He also states that 21st century schools are
‘still organised like factories’.
(I’ll bet Twiggy has NEVER worked in a factory in his entire life!)
Whilst this speech will go down like a lead balloon in the staff rooms of England, this idea may not be quite the turkey it first appears.
However it does come with a major caveat.
It must not be compulsory and the experiences for pupils must be of the highest quality.
After school activities are often the best experiences on offer and can be transformational to the life chances of many pupils. In fact sport is totally reliant upon teachers giving up their own time and expertise to organise and coach youngsters.
If he made it an aim to get most youngsters involved once or twice a week in a challenging after school activity then I couldn't see too many teachers objecting to this aspiration.
But this speech has too many unanswered questions. It would certainly have to be funded and teachers would have to agree to it.
‘work-like timetable’.
He also states that 21st century schools are
‘still organised like factories’.
(I’ll bet Twiggy has NEVER worked in a factory in his entire life!)
Whilst this speech will go down like a lead balloon in the staff rooms of England, this idea may not be quite the turkey it first appears.
However it does come with a major caveat.
It must not be compulsory and the experiences for pupils must be of the highest quality.
After school activities are often the best experiences on offer and can be transformational to the life chances of many pupils. In fact sport is totally reliant upon teachers giving up their own time and expertise to organise and coach youngsters.
If he made it an aim to get most youngsters involved once or twice a week in a challenging after school activity then I couldn't see too many teachers objecting to this aspiration.
But this speech has too many unanswered questions. It would certainly have to be funded and teachers would have to agree to it.
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