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- ‘Transformative Teaching and Learning in Further Education – Pedagogies of Hope and Social Justice’ July 18, 2023
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- In praise of ‘low value’ subjects. February 27, 2023
- Frigga Haug and the mystery of learning December 6, 2022
- Debating Growth. November 29, 2022
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- The politics of silence. September 4, 2022
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- When Corsica welcomed thousands of Serb refugees (1916) August 9, 2022
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Tag Archives: Sixth form college
The London Mayor’s Education Conference.
The Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority (GLA) have no statutory responsibilities for education, however they can use their convening power to bring people together, to advocate and call for action and to persuade. In many ways, the … Continue reading
Reviewing post-16 education in London
Principals and chairs of governors from most of London’s colleges assembled at City Hall last week for a briefing on the post-16 area review process. It’s not often that this group meets and although it happened without any great fanfare … Continue reading
England’s engines of mobility
England’s sixth form and further education colleges are among the most significant engines of social mobility as measured by the number of 16-18 year olds eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) progressing to Higher Education. This contribution needs to be … Continue reading
Scale and efficiency in upper secondary education
In which country has the national audit agency investigated the cost of upper secondary education and found it to be costly and inefficient? The figures have only recently been calculated and it seems that this phase is more expensive than … Continue reading
Posted in Education policy
Tagged Colleges, Education, efficiency, England, France, lycee, Post-16 funding, Sixth form, Sixth form college
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The problem with England’s post-16 area reviews
There is a contradiction at the heart of the government’s post-16 area reviews for England and it was clearly exposed the other day by the very civil servants tasked with implementing them. Sixth form college principals and chairs of governors … Continue reading
Posted in Education policy
Tagged Area-based Reviews, Colleges, Education, efficiency, England, marketisation, Post-16 funding, Sixth form, Sixth form college
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Sharing the secrets of success
This is what I say to all new students at Newham Sixth Form College (NewVIc) after welcoming them on their first day: Now you’ve enrolled and you’re about to start your first year as a sixth form student here, what … Continue reading
Posted in NewVIc, Parents, Students
Tagged aspiration, Education, learning, Newham Sixth Form College, NewVIc, Sixth form, Sixth form college, Student
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What’s at stake in the new post-16 Area-based Reviews?
Large and cost-effective v. small and inefficient? In Reviewing post-16 Education and Training Institutions published 3 days ago the government suggests that we need ‘fewer, often larger, more resilient and efficient providers’. The implication is that larger colleges are better … Continue reading
Speaking up for 16-19 year olds
SFCA Summer Conference 2015 Our Sixth Form College Association conference is always a great opportunity to meet old friends, make new friends, share our fears and frustrations, hopes and joys, find comfort and support from colleagues across the country. We … Continue reading
L’autonomie: pourquoi?
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
The case for sixth form colleges
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
Unlimited potential (part 2)
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
Valuing student research
The continuing growth of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in England’s sixth forms is a sign that students, teachers, universities and employers value what it offers. However, less than 10% of advanced level sixth formers have the opportunity to achieve … Continue reading
Posted in Education, NewVIc, Teaching and learning
Tagged Colleges, Critical thinking, curriculum, Education, learning, liberal education, London, National baccalaureate, Newham Sixth Form College, NewVIc, Sixth form, Sixth form college, Tech Bacc, Universities, university progression
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Your college interview
How should you approach your sixth form college interview and get the most from the experience? Following my previous posts How to choose a sixth form and How to make a strong college application, here is some advice about getting … Continue reading
How to make a strong college application
How can students make sure that their sixth form application is as strong as possible and does justice to their achievements, interests and aspirations? If you are in Year 11, you need to be thinking about where you want to … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Learning resources, NewVIc, Parents, Students
Tagged Colleges, Education, information advice and guidance, Sixth form, Sixth form college, young people
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Inspectors make the case for comprehensive colleges
A report by the national education inspectorate makes a strong case for comprehensive sixth form colleges rather than vocational colleges. The case is based on evidence that comprehensive colleges are more socially mixed and achieve better results. The report has … Continue reading
Eddie Playfair 