One of the many privileges of spending time in UAE schools is hearing the national anthem being blasted out by schoolchildren at 7.30am, just before the start of lessons each day. Emotive, communal singing is always a joy, whether as a participator or a listener. As the children sing, the national flag is flown aloft,… Read More National Anthems

I went to Mass on Saturday at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Dubai, where the congregation numbered in excess of 1500 people. They were still pouring in as the priest began his sermon. It was remarkable for someone like me who has never known non-European Catholicism. However, what was truly inspirational was the area outside the… Read More St Mary’s Catholic Church, Dubai.

I’m now in Dubai among some of the tallest and newest towers of the world. They really are hugely impressive and a feat of human strength, creativity and desire (and rather a lot of money). I’ve been reading up on the plans for educational development in the country and its vision for 2021. The ‘Vision… Read More Learning Tower of PISA?

Earlier this month, I was contacted by my son’s school for permission to allow some of his examination papers (GCSE) to be sent off for re-marking. He had done pretty well in them (a B grade, and then a 4 and a 6 in the new system) but was only three marks or less from… Read More Assessment Obsessions

One of the false assumptions inherent in turning a ‘public service’ or ‘privilege’ into a ‘personal right’ is the belief that choice will drive up standards and, to coin the crass phrase used by the DfE during the Brown tenure, lead to ‘economic well-being’ for all. Choice, when applied to education, risks fuelling inequality, mendacity… Read More Choices, choices, too many choices.

I spent a couple of weeks of August in Marbella. This is not a good place for someone who has been reading ‘Mammon’s Kingdom’ by David Marquand. The book is affecting me deeply from any number of angles, but its general theme of how acquisitiveness and unfettered capitalism have worn away our ‘public realm’ is… Read More Marbella

There has been an interesting debate running through the summer regarding the notoriety attached to groups of Brits marauding around European cities on day sessions, often with inflatable genitals attached to their heads. Those reading the Sunday Times on their laptops back home are outraged and bemoan a culture which has allowed this to happen… Read More Mind Your Language

  The narrative around teacher workload, of escalating hours leading to mental and physical exhaustion, is only partly correct. That teachers are overworked is undeniable; workload is a pernicious veil that cloaks just about every teacher in the land. It obscures the clear view they should have of their job. However, less attention is paid… Read More Workload Overload

This autumn, my school will be inspected by the Christian Education Department, one arm of the Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool. Areas covered will include the teaching and assessment of RE, the quality of worship at the school and an analysis of its ‘Catholic life’. Past experience suggests much time spent looking at data, planning and… Read More Faith Schools: A Changing Culture?

The recent spate of FA Cup shocks (Arsenal beating Sutton United, surely the magic of the cup at its most wonderful) led to a set of discussions about the merit or otherwise of footballing academies. Dragged away from their friends at the age of seven, some children go all the way to professional status in… Read More Academies (the football variety)