Author Archives: lizsidwell

Repetition – not always the answer

Posted on November 30, 2017 by lizsidwell

‘If at first you don’t succeed, try try again’. We’ve all heard that mantra many a time especially while at school. After all what is homework if not repetition till you crack it? ‘Practice makes perfect’ is another . However … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Repetition – not always the answer

No going back to the Drawing Board for UTC programme

Posted on February 28, 2017 by lizsidwell

Definitely not!  We need to make high quality technical education work in the U.K.  We already have a model which is far and away better than anything we have ever given young people before.  That is the University Technical Colleges … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on No going back to the Drawing Board for UTC programme

Careers education for 4year olds

Posted on November 7, 2016 by lizsidwell

Well why not?  Children cannot aspire to something they don’t know about.  Careers education is after all about expanding horizons,  inspiring, exciting, explaining possibilities.  We need to remember young children form ideas and absorb stereotypes early,  apparently from 4 years … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Comments Off on Careers education for 4year olds

School Governance – keep an eye on ethos and values. 

Posted on October 12, 2016 by lizsidwell

I’ve always believed in collaboration,  why wouldn’t you.  We can all learn from others and they from us.  That’s why I can never understand why successful schools are often reluctant to work with those facing greater challenges.  There is clear … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Comments Off on School Governance – keep an eye on ethos and values. 

Languages – why ever not? 

Posted on August 21, 2016 by lizsidwell

‘As a nation we are poor at languages’. How often have we heard that and for how long?  We deplore it and want to be better but it seems that despite our good intentions and many initiatives we make little … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Comments Off on Languages – why ever not? 

Women- it’s time again! 

Posted on June 17, 2016 by lizsidwell

Three times this week I have seen the evidence highlighted that it is still a man’s world and that’s too many times to ignore. All my working life, some 40 years, I’ve been aware of gender inequality but felt the … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Comments Off on Women- it’s time again! 

MATs – friend or foe

Posted on May 7, 2016 by lizsidwell

My experience is overwhelmingly friend.  So why the deep concern.  Here are a few of my reflections. With the Secretary of State’s announcement yesterday there is time to stand back.  Since the Budget speech so much hype and news has … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on MATs – friend or foe

Academies by the seaside. 

Posted on March 29, 2016 by lizsidwell

‘All academies by 2020’ – the debate on structures is already in full swing.  The question is can academies rise to the challenge and do the job education in this country needs?  That is not single academies but academies in … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Academies by the seaside. 

Research led by schools 

Posted on February 19, 2016 by lizsidwell

At last we are seeing an emphasis on research coming out of the profession for use by the profession.  It is the practising teachers after all who know what works and what is worth trying as well as what needs … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Comments Off on Research led by schools 

What’s in a name? 

Posted on December 8, 2015 by lizsidwell

‘Pobble’ …  initially it meant nothing to me,  this being partly due to my being a geographer and secondary teacher. Then I remembered of course ‘ he had no toes’  yes,  Edward Lear’s nonsense rhyme came back to me courtesy … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Comments Off on What’s in a name?