Frontline gets go ahead to change lives through children’s social work A new organisation, with the specific aim of boosting the image of social work and getting the very best people into the profession, today received the Government’s green light to start recruiting candidates for one of Britain’s toughest jobs from this September. Frontline, which [...]
This morning the consultation on Crossrail 2 was launched at Wimbledon Station. Here’s the TfL press release: Consultation opens on proposed routes for Crossrail 2 Crossrail 2 would create a new high frequency, high capacity rail line with shorter journey times between south west and north east London Proposed routes would help relieve congestion and [...]
To buy ‘Education, Education Education’ for the discount price of £7.99, visit www.politicos.co.uk/promotions and type 5 DAYS (all in CAPS) into the box. “David Cameron should make each of his ministers read this book – (remember Keith Joseph’s reading lists?) – because in Chapter 12 Adonis offers some very good tips on how to be a successful reformer. He demonstrates [...]
London’s Tube and rail systems are bursting at the seams. Even with current Tube upgrades and the new Crossrail and upgraded Thameslink lines, congestion in central London will be unbearable by the late 2020s without a second Crossrail line. This is why the Mayor must start planning now for Crossrail 2 to go from south-west [...]
The Labour Party has today announced the setting up of the independent Armitt Review into UK infrastructure planning. Here is the announcement. We would be delighted to receive submissions which can be sent to responses@armittreview.org In October 2012, it was announced that Sir John Armitt is leading an independent review, commissioned by the Labour Party, [...]
In response to Prof Les Ebdon’s interview in the TES of November 23rd, I have written the following letter to the TES: Sir, I am not sure that Les Ebdon is fit to hold his post if he believes it is ‘dreadful snobbery’ for schools to be encouraged to send as many pupils as possible to [...]
I recently visited Uxbridge High School to be greeted by the school’s Poet Laureate. Daniel Pitts, aged 11, wrote the most brilliant poem to commemorate the visit and I want to share it in thanks to him and in recognition of a great talent. Here it is: Lord Adonis, Hope you had an interesting day [...]
Biteback Publishing announces: Education, Education, Education Reforming England’s Schools By Andrew Adonis RRP: £12.99 *Special Promotional Price: £9* OUT NOW Tony Blair said his three priorities were Education, Education, Education. Andrew Adonis played a decisive role in turning this slogan into a reform programme. This book describes his quest to transform [...]
Two of the greatest challenges in English education today are, first, not just to reduce the number of underperforming comprehensives but to eradicate them, and second, to forge a new settlement between state and private education. I put these two challenges together because they go together. It is my view, after 20 years of engagement [...]
Michael Gove’s EBacc is basically a reinvention of GCSEs, but without modules. I have no problem with this, but it is not a fundamental change to England’s education system. Academies are the big change out there. Academies are independent state schools with far greater freedom and management strength than traditional comprehensives. Their results are racing [...]