Almost half of Higher exams face being cut under new plans. Many less popular Highers could disappear in a major shake-up of the exam system, BBC Scotland has learned.   more »

"Tomlinson's diploma is expected to chose between 15 to 20 areas of learning, broadly grouped under humanities, arts, sciences, health and social care. Subjects such as Urdu and Arabic, whihch many students think are more relevant to the modern world than learning French will be offered" -- 'The Observer', 17/10/04.   more »

TEACHING unions formed a united front yesterday against introducing new methods of fast-tracking experienced teachers who wish to transfer from the private to the state sector.

England lacks 3,500 mathematics teachers in its secondary schools. But in spite   more »

The latest Sunday Times had a piece about independent schools helping with new city academies. I append some of the article. It just occurs to me that this could be a way of bringing the Classics to some state schools, who are apparently to be freed from sticking to the National Curriculum. Is there any Classics teacher whose school has been asked to help! If so, say what you think can be done. Use this blog if it helps.   more »

Martin Stephen, who is chairman of the Headmasters� and Headmistresses� Conference (HMC), proposed a standing commission of employers, universities, teachers and parents to decide changes to secondary schools. It would be comparable to the Bank of England�s Monetary Policy Committee, which sets interest rates. Government would be relegated to paying for its recommendations.

He said that the education system had suffered so much upheaval under recent governments that it now resembled �a wound operated on so often that all that is left is scar tissue�.   more »

Despite Peter Jones' public optimism, the writing is on the wall -- or rather in the figures.

If A.R.L.T., J.A.C.T., C.U.C.D. do nothing,then we might as well pack up and go home.

It is not in our nature to agitate: we are, after all, teachers and our business is with our immediate charges.   more »