The grade calculation cock-up has broken students’ belief in what they have achieved. This is more important than whether it is ministers, civil servants or Ofqual who should be held accountable. We need to celebrate the achievements of this generation properly to correct this rite of passage, and introduce them to adulthood with a little … Continue reading Algorithmic Amnesia
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Cobwebs
Low-slung nets made visible by dew Appear suddenly one morning. Trampolines of soft breath And parachute precision. Ghostly nets lassoed Between teasels, while the see-saw Song of the Chaffinch, slides Along the rigging. Hammock-heaven. Twigs become cats-cradles, and every bush, Every stalk is wired up For spiders to go-ape.
What we have to give
Small changes will help us confront what’s wrong, support those who need it most and remind ourselves what we have to give. My son begins his primary PGCE in September. He leaves self-employment and begins life as a teacher. What a year to start. I’m excited for him, but also afraid of what lies in … Continue reading What we have to give
Building Character: Being More Marcus
I like Marcus Rashford. I like the fact that he’s from Wythenshawe and not part of the establishment. I like that, although he’s a football star, he describes himself as pretty ordinary. And I like that last week with quiet dignity, he reminded those in power of their responsibilities for our poorest children. We see … Continue reading Building Character: Being More Marcus
Part 2/ Helping our children to be happier – mental health and Maslow
In Part 1: Part 1/What's wrong with our children? I described how children have been affected by Covid-19 and tried matching this with the Maslow model. I explained that establishing positive mental health will mean recreating pleasure in the physical world, building the happiness that only people bring and finding again the lack of purpose … Continue reading Part 2/ Helping our children to be happier – mental health and Maslow
Part 1/ What’s wrong with our children? Mental health and Maslow
Children have made it most of the way through this pandemic. But having spent three months isolated from friends, stuck with their family and watching the adult world grind to a halt around them, many are mentally in a mess. It’s been tough for all of us. Some have faced the deep pain of loss, … Continue reading Part 1/ What’s wrong with our children? Mental health and Maslow
Words – Lost and Found
In 2017 I bought the beautiful ‘Lost Words’ by nature writer Robert Macfarlane and artist Jackie Morris. Each page is a visual hymn to the beauty of nature nouns. Macfarlane’s conjuring poems and Morris’s glowing watercolours summon lost words back: “Once upon a time, words began to vanish from the language of children. They disappeared … Continue reading Words – Lost and Found
Kayaks and Cairns
Whenever lockdown ends, I imagine we all have a special place (other than the pub) to which we’re yearning to escape. On this Bank Holiday, I’m thinking of two days spent with my boys in the great outdoors a while ago, which didn’t quite go as expected, but where we’ll definitely be heading again when … Continue reading Kayaks and Cairns
What we ration grows in value
The experience of millions of parents battling with home learning may help schools when children return. By restricting freedom and limiting exercise to once a day, the government has inadvertently raised the value of physical activity. In an incredibly short space of time, that hour of exercise has become precious. Indeed, we feel short-changed by … Continue reading What we ration grows in value
Pianos and Care Homes
Recording took three attempts. Nerves, a talking-piece to camera and a certain “Are we really doing this?” got in the way. But once complete and sent, it was only minutes before he’d had the first reply. "Harry they'll love the pieces. It will mean a lot to hear you and see you. It’s really hard … Continue reading Pianos and Care Homes
