Monthly Archives: March 2016

Thinking students and student research.

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Eddie Playfair

In his excellent book Think Again (2012), John Taylor makes a strong case for putting philosophy at the centre of our teaching in order to develop students’ ability to think. As he says in his introduction: “Education should be all about … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Philosophy, Reviews, Teaching and learning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Young people discuss the future of London

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Eddie Playfair

We were delighted to welcome 3 of the candidates for this May’s Greater London Assembly elections to our NewVIc Future London event, held at Stratford Circus Arts Centre on Wednesday 23rd March. The hustings were part of our Future London showcase … Continue reading →

Posted in NewVIc, Politics, Students | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Boswell in Corsica.

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Eddie Playfair

The Scottish lawyer and writer James Boswell (1740-1795), famous for his Life of Samuel Johnson, was also a great supporter of Pasquale Paoli and Corsican independence. Boswell met enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire and Rousseau and was encouraged by Rousseau to … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The social origins of human thinking.

Posted on March 27, 2016 by Eddie Playfair

What is thinking? Where does human thought come from? How did it evolve? These are important questions for us if we want to understand what makes humans different from other living things and to make the most of our abilities both as … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Philosophy, Science, Teaching and learning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The college of the future.

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Eddie Playfair

Launch of NewVIc 2020 at The ArcelorMittal Orbit, Stratford. 16th March 2016. This is both a celebration and a launch. A celebration of what NewVIc has achieved since it opened 24 years ago and also the launch of our vision … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Education Futures, NewVIc | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The limits of social mobility

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Eddie Playfair

In his Observer article a couple of weeks ago, the sociologist John Goldthorpe shatters two cherished illusions: first, that social mobility in Britain is in decline and second, that education is a powerful agent for promoting social mobility. 1. Social … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A-level Drama in London.

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Eddie Playfair

Drama / Theatre Studies is an important area of study. It enriches the sixth form offer and provides students with opportunities to develop their cultural education, their understanding of the human condition, their confidence and ability to communicate well and work … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, Education policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Classical Capital.

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Eddie Playfair

Studying early civilizations helps us understand how people built sustainable ways of living together and made sense of the world many centuries before us. These civilizations have contributed so much to our own that studying them must form part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Education policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment