The Government’s response to school absenteeism: policies on mental health and attendance

By Dr Sarah Wall, Practitioner Tutor (SEBD), Disability, Inclusion and Special Needs Recently, a Guardian article suggested that almost one in three pupils are absent from school due to anxiety. The government response to this absenteeism “crisis” is to: Ostensibly, these suggestions seem sensible. Safeguarding our C&YP, supporting their mental health and wellbeing and accurately identifying and … Continue reading “The Government’s response to school absenteeism: policies on mental health and attendance”

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”

Happiness is in a good book

By Rachael Hunter, Research Fellow at the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues The child, through emulation, can develop the love of reading that the adult possesses. On the other hand, the child can enhance the adult’s virtues of open mindedness, optimism and courage, which come from a life less tainted by experience. The mental health … Continue reading “Happiness is in a good book”

School progress measures are a missed opportunity for a fairer and more informative approach

By Tom Perry, Teaching Fellow, ​ University of Birmingham,  MA School Improvement and Educational Leadership Research Manager, Centre for the Use of Research and Evidence in Education (CUREE) The Progress 8 measures of school performance compare pupils’ GCSE results across 8 subjects to those of other pupils with the same primary school SATs results. There are many reasons … Continue reading “School progress measures are a missed opportunity for a fairer and more informative approach”

Happiness: What Does this Mean in Education?

By Paul Watts, Research Fellow Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtue, University of Birmingham Much attention has been given to the concept of happiness, both in the UK and internationally, with Theresa May appointing a minister to tackle loneliness, the launch of the 2018 World Happiness Report, and the work of the Ministry of State … Continue reading “Happiness: What Does this Mean in Education?”

Morality: what it is and how to teach it

By Michael Hand, Professor of Philosophy and Education School of Education, University of Birmingham Schools in England are legally required to promote the moral development of pupils. But what exactly does this involve? Most people agree that morality is important and needs to be taught, but when it comes to saying what it is and … Continue reading “Morality: what it is and how to teach it”