Change and levelling up

Published: September 4th, 2024

August again, and the inequalities in education are again apparent. A level results still demonstrate gaps between North and South (London especially). Approximately 28% of students have achieved A or A*, and the gap between state and private schools has also widened. Achievements are still linked to social inequality, the news reveals. GCSE results also paint a depressing picture this year: achievements having fallen for the 3rd year running. Again, results point to the inequalities between North and South, as well as social deprivation. Huge numbers of students have failed to obtain the pass mark of 4 or above. Maths results are also lower than they should be. 

But for how much longer can we continue to blame Covid? Yes, that particular cohort of teenagers lost over a year of learning, and that loss has cost them dearly. But is it now time for the government to look seriously at the National Curriculum? I think so.  

Following on from what has been in the news about OFSTED, and the inadequacy of single word appraisals, is it also a good time to update how it judges school performance – and based on what evidence? What do OFSTED appraise, and how thoroughly? Further, if any school is judged as ‘inadequate’ is enough attention paid to how, and what steps need to be taken to resolve the issue? All schools have their ‘good’ and ‘bad’, and no single judgement takes account of strengths as well as weaknesses. 

There is little doubt that our education system is in a mess. The National Curriculum does not work well for every learner; being far too rigid, as well as fixed on traditional learning  (Shakespeare?) that is outdated in our modern world. 

So, it’s high time for us to shape up, examine all of the reasons why so many of our young people, including those with SEND, are not achieving as well as they should, and take steps to address the issues. Reading is just one of them. Far too few children comprehend and respond to their reading as effectively as they need to; in order to support cross-curricular learning. Watch out for my forthcoming book, ‘A Simple View of Reading’, intended to help all schools deal with reading issues and enable all staff to get on board with these essential skills.

Sounds simple! So let’s do it.

PS. Sylvia Edwards is author of fourteen books on education, mainly on literacy and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), plus a further five for parents. Now retired, she remains interested in, and passionate about, improving the educational outcomes for all young people, especially those with SEND. 

« Back to Blog