Author Archives: Eddie Playfair

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About Eddie Playfair

I am a Senior Policy Manager at the Association of Colleges (AoC) having previously been a college principal for 16 years and a teacher before that. I live in East London and I blog in a personal capacity about education and culture. I also tweet at @eddieplayfair

From free school meals to university

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

The proportion of key stage 5 (KS5) advanced students eligible for free school meals (FSM) progressing to university is seen as a measure of social mobility. It’s clearly a statistic of interest, even if the data raise more questions than … Continue reading →

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Social Mobility measure ignores 62% of students

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

There seems to be a major flaw in the Sutton Trust Social Mobility measure which means that the university progression of 62% of disadvantaged advanced sixth formers studying in colleges has been excluded. The data is therefore only based on … Continue reading →

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Many colleges in one

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

A science college, an engineering technical college, a media technical college, a music industry college and several super-selective A-level providers offering a narrow range of subjects to high-achieving students. These are just some of the new sixth forms which have … Continue reading →

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Roberto Unger on school as the ‘voice of the future’

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

In his excellent book ‘The Left Alternative’ the Brazilian philosopher and politician Roberto Unger proposes a new way for progressives to think about the future and start creating the good society. Unger suggests we should not give up on the central promise … Continue reading →

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Which public service?

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

All 3 major parties are trying to outbid each other in pledging to increase spending on a key public service. They clearly recognise the vital importance of investing in this service for our future economic and social well-being. They also know … Continue reading →

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Nazim Hikmet: Hiroshima and Strontium 90

Posted on April 12, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

            I Come and Stand at Every Door (Hiroshima) I come and stand at every door But no one hears my silent tread I knock and yet remain unseen For I am dead, for I … Continue reading →

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Learning is dialectical

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

An attempt to start from first principles… There is now, there is before and there is after. Whatever time is, our awareness of it helps us distinguish between past and future. Within our own lived experience we understand the difference … Continue reading →

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Democratic emotions in the face of barbarism – Philippe Meirieu

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

In the aftermath of the massacre of 147 people at Garissa University College in Kenya on 2 April it is difficult to find any positive emotions to draw on. The slaughter of young people in their place of learning shocks … Continue reading →

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L’autonomie: pourquoi?

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

J’ai participé récemment au colloque organisé par l’AFAE (Association Française des Acteurs de l’Education) sur le thème de « l’autonomie pourquoi faire ? ». J’y ai présenté ma perspective en tant que chef d’établissement d’un lycée anglais: Avant 1992, les lycées anglais (les … Continue reading →

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The selection debate

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

The launch of ‘The Ins and Outs of Selective Secondary Schools’ a collection of essays on selection published by Civitas was an opportunity for advocates and opponents of selection to revisit familiar arguments. The debate was mostly good natured but … Continue reading →

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The case for sixth form colleges

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

From ‘What’s next for education?’ (New Visions Group, 2015) By any objective standard, England’s 93 sixth form colleges are among this country’s great educational success stories. They offer more opportunities, higher standards and a broader experience for students aged 16-19 … Continue reading →

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Laïcité, égalité, diversité

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

Mon article du 15 Mars 2015 pour le site Globaliz Now Le principe de laïcité doit permettre de faire disparaitre le risque extrémiste et permettre le « vivre-ensemble » en France. L’éducation en Angleterre ne partage pas la tradition laïque et républicaine … Continue reading →

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The multilingual citizen in a multicultural society

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

I want to speak about the experience of being bilingual and bicultural and its educational benefits. I am not an expert or an academic and I have no research findings to share. I have worked in diverse communities for over … Continue reading →

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Citoyens multilingues, société multiculturelle

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

Quelques réflexions sur le vécu bilingue et biculturel et ses avantages éducatifs. Je ne suis ni expert ni chercheur et je ne vous propose pas de résultats d’une recherche scientifique. J’enseigne depuis 30 ans dans des communautés diverses et je … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, en Francais | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Unlimited potential (part 2)

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Eddie Playfair

Unlimited potential (part 2) Part 2 of my chapter from The ins and outs of selective secondary schools (Civitas, March 2015) 5. Selection at 16 and beyond There is a strong case for extending the comprehensive ideal beyond 16, even … Continue reading →

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