The importance of looking beyond political literacy for Generation Z

By Andrew Peterson, Professor of Character and Citizenship Education and Deputy Director of the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, University of Birmingham.  “It is civic character that enables young people to develop the sense of purpose and intent so important to meaningful political engagement and which, in turn, helps them to understand and reflect … Continue reading “The importance of looking beyond political literacy for Generation Z”

Education for disabled children in the Global South during COVID-19: An afterthought?

By Ms Vera Kubenz, Research Fellow, Department of Education and Social Justice, University of Birmingham.  “As schools reopen across the globe, there is concern that many disabled children will stay out of school permanently. Parents may continue to keep at-risk children at home out of fear of contracting COVID-19.” Disabled children in the Global South … Continue reading “Education for disabled children in the Global South during COVID-19: An afterthought?”

Are we there yet? How the pandemic is affecting children and young people’s learning and how to support

By Dr Karl Kitching, Reader in Education Policy School of Education, University of Birmingham This article describes what we know about how the pandemic has affected children and young people’s learning, offers some support links to parents and schools, and invites parents to support their child’s participation in a new University of Birmingham survey. Are … Continue reading “Are we there yet? How the pandemic is affecting children and young people’s learning and how to support”

A very public dispute: J. K. Rowling’s Manifesto and its Contexts around Trans Lives

By Aneesh Barai, Department of Education and Social Justice School of Education, University of Birmingham. J.K. Rowling has been at the centre of very public disputes around the nature of trans lives, with both her critics and supporters very vocal on social media. What is the context around her claims, and what spurred Rowling to … Continue reading “A very public dispute: J. K. Rowling’s Manifesto and its Contexts around Trans Lives”

Time for a new era for teaching and teacher education

By Tom Perry, Lecturer School of Education, University of Birmingham “Now is the time to rally behind and support the already-brilliant teachers we have and ensure all have the resources and support they need to nurture, educate and inspire. No one benefits from burnt out, vilified, and poorly-supported teachers in the cross-fire of political and … Continue reading “Time for a new era for teaching and teacher education”

Re-opening Schools– why I think it is too much of a risk to all

By Colin Diamond CBE, Professor of Education Leadership School of Education, University of Birmingham “The best school leaders will want to do the right thing: balancing the needs of children and the well-being of staff in the full knowledge of how their local community is faring under lockdown.” This week the narrative to get our … Continue reading “Re-opening Schools– why I think it is too much of a risk to all”

Generation Equality: The changing experience of women

By Professor Jane Martin, Director of Domus Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Histories of Education, Executive Editor of Educational Review School of Education, University of Birmingham On the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for the empowerment of girls and women everywhere, the theme for International Women’s Day for 2020 is … Continue reading “Generation Equality: The changing experience of women”

Brexit ‘hitting foreign languages in schools’

By Dr Adam Cooke, Lecturer in Languages Education School of Education, University of Birmingham I am sure, at some point, that many of us in the UK language teaching community has had to defend the place of language learning in our schools. Thankfully we have always been mightily equipped to justify modern foreign languages in … Continue reading “Brexit ‘hitting foreign languages in schools’”

No better tonic than fresh air?

By Victoria Saunders, Lecturer in Primary Teacher Education School of Education, University of Birmingham I am reflecting on this as I am stood in my street watching my three-year-old daughter attempt to ride her bike. An 8-year-old boy who lives at the top of the road, and who my daughter has never met before, is … Continue reading “No better tonic than fresh air?”

Should dogs be introduced to the classroom?

By Alison Broad, Director of Primary Education School of Education, University of Birmingham Dogs have traditionally assisted humans and their supportive roles continue to evolve and diversify. There are now courtroom facility dogs (Kaiser 2015) and even funeral therapy dogs, offering ‘love and support to the bereaved’ (Snead, 2018). More than half of Canadian universities … Continue reading “Should dogs be introduced to the classroom?”