Thomas Tallis School
  • Home
  • About
    • An Overview >
      • The Leadership Team
      • Who was Thomas Tallis?
      • School Vision
      • Artsmark
      • Prince's Teaching Institute
      • International School
      • Ofsted
    • School Prospectus
    • Mrs Roberts Writes
    • Tallis Habits >
      • Tallis Pedagogy Wheel Guide
    • Tallis Character
    • Tate Exchange
    • Secondary School Direct Hub
    • The Pupil Premium 2019-20 >
      • The Pupil Premium 2018-19
      • The Pupil Premium 2017-18
      • The Pupil Premium 2016-17
      • The Pupil Premium 2015-16
      • The Pupil Premium 2014-15
      • The Pupil Premium 2013-14
      • The Pupil Premium 2012-13
      • The Pupil Premium 2011-12
    • Exam Results 2019 >
      • Exam Results 2018
      • Exam Results 2017
      • Exam Results 2016
      • Exam Results 2015
      • Exam Results 2014
      • Exam Results 2013
      • Exam Results 2012
      • Exam Results 2011
    • Early Catch Up 2018/2019 and Action Plan 2019/2020 >
      • Early Catch Up 2017/2018 and Action Plan 2018/19
      • Early catch-up review and action plan 2017-18
    • Job Vacancies
  • News
    • Tallis Newsletters
    • BBC School Report 2018
    • Tallis Photography
    • Tallis Video
    • Tallis Sounds
  • Calendar
    • The School Day
    • Term Dates 2019-20
  • Curriculum
    • Curriculum Areas >
      • Business & ICT
      • Computing
      • English & Philosophy
      • Design & Technology
      • Humanities & Social Sciences
      • Mathematics
      • Modern Foreign Languages
      • Performing Arts
      • Physical Education
      • Science
      • Visual & Media Arts
    • Pastoral Care
    • Guidance
    • Key Stage 3 >
      • KS3 Assessment guidance
      • Tallis Choices
    • Key Stage 4
    • Tallis Post 16
    • More Able Learners
    • Special Educational Needs & Disabilities >
      • Learning Support Unit
      • Support Centre for Autism and Language Impairment
      • Deaf Support Centre
      • English as an Additional Language
    • Extra-Curricular Activities
  • Community
    • Letters Home
    • PTFA >
      • Supporting Thomas Tallis School
    • Governing Board
    • The Tallis Agreement
    • Admissions
    • Transition
    • Attendance & Punctuality
    • School Uniform
    • Policies & Guidelines >
      • Data Protection
      • Making Complaints
    • Support Your Teen
    • Online Safety
    • WisePay Payment Portal
    • Tallis Post 16
  • Students
    • Year 11 Support & Guidance
    • Independent Learning
    • Exam Revision
    • Stay Safe
    • Rewards
    • Reading
    • The Library
    • School Council
    • Cycling at Tallis
    • Alumni
  • Staff
  • Links
  • Contact
    • School Map
    • How to find us
  • Search
T: +44 (0)208 856 0115

EDUCATION TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD & CHANGE IT FOR THE BETTER

Too early to tell

21/10/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
For the greater good, I stay at arm’s length from social media. Other Heads are all over it, dispensing wisdoms and being useful but, like chip shops, I stay away from temptation. I’m way too fond of a smart remark and a brisk retort to resist putting people right about stuff that’s none of my business. I’d have to spend my life apologising.  Also, my phone is fully occupied with answering emails, reading novels and looking at pictures of my granddaughter so I don’t really have time for other hobbies.

If I did follow the twitts, I’d apparently be in a proper state about OFSTED and the application of their spiffy new framework. After not being interested in it for years, the clipboard brigade are very keen to uncover the intent, implementation and impact of a school’s curriculum and the first reports are piling up now. Schools have prepared, even retooled, to demonstrate their knowledge-rich curricula and their plans for a future liberated from the short-termism and exam fixes which OFSTED used to like under its previous pugilistic proprietor.  Good news.  What could possibly go wrong?

Thirty-odd years ago I used occasionally betake myself to Sheffield to hear a radical Methodist theologian of advanced years. He once said, woundingly, that there was nothing good that the CofE couldn’t get wrong and I sometimes, sorrowfully, feel this about OFSTED. These tweeted early reports have commented not so much on the curriculum, but on whether schools have a 2- or 3- year key stage 3 and what % are doing the EBacc. Hmmm. Key stage length is a school choice and the EBacc is the Department’s political ambition, not OFSTED’s. Righteous indignation enters stage right, to be met by obfuscation from the left. What exactly are OFSTED looking at? On whose behalf? Curriculum, or cheap-to-measure markers? Children’s learning or White Paper lunacy?  

Our own visiting clipboards, you will recall, popped a similar question. Observing that we talked a good game about a broad curriculum entitlement but that we let too many drop arts, DT or languages at the end of year 8, they suggested that we might consider the impact of the 2-year KS3 on our claim of a broad curriculum until year 11.   Fair point, but our lead inspector was a subtle and thoughtful man who took time over his words. Other reports have been rather more direct: change your key stages.

Ofsted are right to be worried about curriculum breadth and integrity and to look at it closely. They are responding to the madness caused by over-simplified high-stakes inspection measures which drove Heads mad and made some narrow the curriculum and dilute knowledge in order to meet performance metrics. Originally, lengthening KS4 to three years was a way of doing this.  Hothouse the GCSEs for longer, get better results. About half of secondary schools did it. 

Undoing it will be troublesome because GCSEs are now much heavier in content and harder in assessment. Doing them in two years rather than three is fine for those who are fully attuned to education and assimilate book-learning easily.  It’ll require wall-to-wall didacticism, and I’m not sure that the research on how children learn values that so highly. Doing them over three years gives a bit of space for unpacking the context of particular learning and for imagination and discovery – and other things that the current captains and the kings particularly don’t like. We’ve been thinking about this here since January. We’re not stupid: if there was a simple answer, we’d have found it.

But is this thoughtful uncertainty a luxury? It’s not as if our GCSE results couldn’t be improved. Shouldn’t we just do as we’re told and follow the instructions of the regulator and the DfE?    

The confusion in the system, from which OFSTED suffer, is deeply rooted. We have a system that bizarrely prizes autonomy above almost everything else. Making the right curriculum decision is a matter therefore for the school, not the state.  Only LA schools are actually still bound by the National Curriculum (wrongly, mistakenly). School curriculum decisions are a matter for schools, except when there’s a political panic. Then the independent regulator – OFSTED – is put to the service of the manifesto promises and the whole structure is revealed, shaky as a weak jelly.

If we knew what schools were for, then we’d make better decisions. If we could agree about what children should learn, then we could have a real, proper, broad National Curriculum that schools could adapt to their circumstances. If we trained and supported Heads properly rather than measuring them cheaply we’d have a system second to none. But that takes time and money, cool longitudinal research and a realisation that twitter-feeding isn’t the same as educational leadership.

We are the advocates for the nation’s young. Ethical leadership demands that we hold trust on their behalf and should use our wisdom, knowledge and insight wisely and kindly.  We should seek to serve justly, courageously and optimistically and continue to argue calmly and in detail for the best curriculum for our schools.

I looked out of the window and couldn’t work out why flags-of-the-nations bunting was being put up inexpertly by some sixth form, helped by every passing advisor. Then I remembered today was our Black History Month festival at lunchtime, the nearly-end of three weeks of activity.  First lunch was sunny and dancy, second lunch wet and huddly, but never mind, we’ve had a lovely time; informative, challenging and interesting. Just like a good curriculum...

A teacher comes to visit and tells me she’s wearing her geek trousers. I think we should all put some on, take a breath and think calmly and professionally - preferably behind closed doors for a while. OFSTED evaluation frameworks usually take a while to bed in and there’s no need to panic. We’re way off getting this right, but the system is thinking better and about the things that matter. As we say in every room here: we know we are learning when we are thinking very hard.      
 
CR 17.10.19                       
0 Comments

    MRS ROBERTS WRITES...

    A regular column about school life.

    Archive

    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

    Categories

    All
    11+
    1970s
    Aamilne
    Ability
    Academies
    Academisation
    Accountability
    Achievement
    Addiction
    Administrators
    Admissions
    Adolescence
    Adulthood
    Adults
    Adventure
    Adverts
    Advice
    Aiweiwei
    Aleppo
    Alevels
    Ambassador
    Annefrank
    Anthonyhorowitz
    Apologies
    Arabic
    Aristotle
    Army
    Art
    Arts
    Artsmark
    Ascl
    Askforangela
    Aspiration
    Assemblies
    Assembly
    Assessment
    Assessments
    Attendance
    Austerity
    Autonomy
    Banding
    Battle
    Battleaxes
    Bbc
    Bees
    Beginnings
    Behaviour
    Belonging
    Berylhusain
    Beveridge
    Billlucas
    Blackhistorymonth
    Blogosphere
    Boundaries
    Bowie
    Brexit
    Briefing
    Bruisers
    Bsf
    Btec
    Budget
    Budgets
    Bugsy
    Building
    Bureaucracy
    Cambridge
    Cameron
    Campaign
    Capital
    Catalytic
    Celebration
    Ceremonies
    Ceremony
    Certificates
    Chalk
    Champions
    Change
    Changes
    Character
    Charity
    Charlescausley
    Childhood
    Children
    Choices
    Christmas
    Cicero
    Citizenship
    Civic
    Civility
    Classrooms
    Clothes
    Code
    Cohesion
    Collaboration
    Colleagues
    Commission
    Commodification
    Community
    Compassion
    Compliance
    Comprehensive
    Compromise
    Conference
    Confucius
    Conservative
    Context
    Continuity
    Controversy
    Conversation
    Corridors
    Courage
    Cover
    Craft
    Creativity
    Cressidadick
    Crime
    Cslewis
    Culture
    Curriculum
    Cuts
    Cyberspace
    Dance
    Darkness
    Data
    Davidharsent
    Deadlines
    Debate
    Decisions
    Deliverology
    Democracy
    Demonstration
    Deregulation
    Design
    Detention
    Determination
    Dfe
    Dialect
    Dianereay
    Dignity
    Diligence
    Disadvantage
    Discipline
    Discussion
    Douglasdunn
    Drama
    Drking
    Dt
    Durham
    Easter
    Ebacc
    Eclipse
    Economy
    Edhirsch
    Education
    Effort
    Eglantynejebb
    Election
    Elite
    Empathy
    Empowerment
    Endeavour
    Endurance
    Engagement
    Entitlement
    Epiphany
    Equality
    Equipment
    Ethics
    Eton
    Evaluation
    Events
    Everyday
    Exams
    Excellence
    Exchange
    Exclusions
    Expectations
    Experience
    Explosions
    Extremism
    Facilities
    Failure
    Fairness
    Faith
    Fame
    Family
    Fashion
    Festival
    Fidelity
    Finances
    Fitness
    Food
    Football
    Freedom
    Freeschool
    Friends
    Friendship
    Functionalism
    Funding
    Future
    Gcse
    Gcses
    Generosity
    Geography
    German
    Germans
    Gestures
    Girls
    Gove
    Government
    Governors
    Grammar
    Greenwich
    Grenfell
    Habits
    Happiness
    Headstart
    Heritage
    Hippocrates
    History
    Hmci
    Hmi
    Holidays
    Holocaust
    Homelessness
    Homework
    Hugging
    Humanity
    Humanrights
    Humanutopia
    Hunger
    Hymnsheets
    Ict
    Illumination
    Imagination
    Immigrants
    Inclusion
    Information
    Injustice
    Inspection
    Institution
    Integrity
    Interdependence
    International
    Interpretation
    Interviews
    Investment
    Invigilation
    Invigilators
    IPad
    Islam
    Janeausten
    Johnrawls
    Journeys
    Joy
    Judgement
    Justice
    Kaospilots
    Kidbrooke
    Kindness
    Knifecrime
    Knowledge
    Ks3
    Ks4
    Languages
    Laughter
    Leadership
    Learners
    Learning
    Leaving
    Lessons
    Levels
    List
    Literacy
    Literature
    Logic
    London
    Londonchallenge
    Lordagnew
    Love
    Luck
    Lunchtime
    Management
    Mandarin
    Mandela
    Marland
    Mastery
    Maths
    Mats
    May
    Memories
    Menstruation
    Metrics
    Michaelyoung
    Misconduct
    Miseducation
    Mistakes
    Mobility
    Mocks
    Monarchy
    Money
    Mothers
    Motto
    Movies
    Multiculturalism
    Music
    Musical
    Myths
    Nationality
    Neo-trad
    News
    Newyear
    Newzealand
    Nfff
    Nhs
    Nickdrake
    Nickymorgan
    Nihilism
    Nolan
    Nqt
    NSPCC
    Nuremburg
    Oaa
    Oath
    Obama
    Objectivity
    Oecd
    Offence
    Ofsted
    Ombusdman
    Openevening
    Openness
    Optimism
    Options
    Outcomes
    Oxbridge
    Parenting
    Parents
    Parliament
    Participation
    Partnership
    Pastoral
    Pay
    PE
    Peace
    Pedagogy
    People
    Performance
    Persistent
    Pfi
    Philosophy
    Phones
    Photography
    Pisa
    Planning
    Plumbing
    Poetry
    Police
    Policy
    Politeness
    Politicians
    Politics
    Populism
    Posh
    Post16
    Postmodernism
    Poverty
    Power
    Powerpoint
    Practice
    Praxis
    Predictions
    Preparations
    Pressures
    Prevent
    Principles
    Priorities
    Private
    Privilege
    Procedures
    Progress
    Progress8
    Proxy
    Pta
    Public
    Publicservices
    Punctuality
    Punctuation
    Punishment
    Pupilpremium
    Qualifications
    Quentintarantino
    Questioning
    Questions
    Raf
    R&d
    RE
    Reading
    Recruitment
    Refugees
    Regulations
    Relationships
    Religion
    Remembrance
    Reports
    Research
    Resilience
    Resits
    Resolutions
    Resources
    Respect
    Responsibilities
    Restorativejustice
    Results
    Retention
    Revision
    Rewards
    Rhetoric
    Rules
    Safeguarding
    Sajidjavid
    Sarcasm
    Savethechildren
    Scandal
    Scholarship
    School
    Schools
    Schoolsweek
    Science
    Seanharford
    Selection
    Selflessness
    September
    Service
    Sex
    Sexism
    Shakespeare
    Shortage
    Sixthform
    Skills
    Socialcare
    Socialmedia
    Society
    Speech
    Speeches
    Sports
    Staffing
    Staffroom
    Standardisation
    Standards
    State
    Statistics
    Study
    Suffering
    Summer
    Supremecourt
    Syria
    System
    Taiwan
    Talk
    Targets
    Tate
    Teacherly
    Teachers
    Teachfirst
    Teaching
    Technology
    Teenagers
    Terrorism
    Testing
    Tests
    Textbooks
    Thinking
    Thomasfuller
    Thomastallis
    Time
    Timetable
    Timpson
    Toilets
    Traceyemin
    Tradition
    Transgender
    Transition
    Trump
    Trust
    Truth
    Ttra
    Tutor
    Twitter
    Tyneside
    Ucas
    Uncertainty
    Undergraduates
    Understanding
    Uniform
    Unitednations
    University
    Values
    Veilofignorance
    Victorian
    Violence
    Virtues
    Visitors
    Visits
    Walkabout
    War
    Warmth
    Weather
    Welcome
    Westminster
    Whatwouldyoucut
    Whistleblowing
    Whistles
    Whitepaper
    Wilshaw
    Winniethepooh
    Winter
    Wisdom
    Women
    Workload
    Worth
    Writing
    WW1
    Xfn
    Year
    Year11
    Year13
    Year6
    Year7
    Year9
    Yoga
    Youth
    Zeitgeist

    RSS Feed

Thomas Tallis School, Kidbrooke Park Road, London SE3 9PX
T: +44 (0)208 856 0115   F: +44 (0)208 331 3004   E: headteacher@thomastallis.org.uk
  • Home
  • About
    • An Overview >
      • The Leadership Team
      • Who was Thomas Tallis?
      • School Vision
      • Artsmark
      • Prince's Teaching Institute
      • International School
      • Ofsted
    • School Prospectus
    • Mrs Roberts Writes
    • Tallis Habits >
      • Tallis Pedagogy Wheel Guide
    • Tallis Character
    • Tate Exchange
    • Secondary School Direct Hub
    • The Pupil Premium 2019-20 >
      • The Pupil Premium 2018-19
      • The Pupil Premium 2017-18
      • The Pupil Premium 2016-17
      • The Pupil Premium 2015-16
      • The Pupil Premium 2014-15
      • The Pupil Premium 2013-14
      • The Pupil Premium 2012-13
      • The Pupil Premium 2011-12
    • Exam Results 2019 >
      • Exam Results 2018
      • Exam Results 2017
      • Exam Results 2016
      • Exam Results 2015
      • Exam Results 2014
      • Exam Results 2013
      • Exam Results 2012
      • Exam Results 2011
    • Early Catch Up 2018/2019 and Action Plan 2019/2020 >
      • Early Catch Up 2017/2018 and Action Plan 2018/19
      • Early catch-up review and action plan 2017-18
    • Job Vacancies
  • News
    • Tallis Newsletters
    • BBC School Report 2018
    • Tallis Photography
    • Tallis Video
    • Tallis Sounds
  • Calendar
    • The School Day
    • Term Dates 2019-20
  • Curriculum
    • Curriculum Areas >
      • Business & ICT
      • Computing
      • English & Philosophy
      • Design & Technology
      • Humanities & Social Sciences
      • Mathematics
      • Modern Foreign Languages
      • Performing Arts
      • Physical Education
      • Science
      • Visual & Media Arts
    • Pastoral Care
    • Guidance
    • Key Stage 3 >
      • KS3 Assessment guidance
      • Tallis Choices
    • Key Stage 4
    • Tallis Post 16
    • More Able Learners
    • Special Educational Needs & Disabilities >
      • Learning Support Unit
      • Support Centre for Autism and Language Impairment
      • Deaf Support Centre
      • English as an Additional Language
    • Extra-Curricular Activities
  • Community
    • Letters Home
    • PTFA >
      • Supporting Thomas Tallis School
    • Governing Board
    • The Tallis Agreement
    • Admissions
    • Transition
    • Attendance & Punctuality
    • School Uniform
    • Policies & Guidelines >
      • Data Protection
      • Making Complaints
    • Support Your Teen
    • Online Safety
    • WisePay Payment Portal
    • Tallis Post 16
  • Students
    • Year 11 Support & Guidance
    • Independent Learning
    • Exam Revision
    • Stay Safe
    • Rewards
    • Reading
    • The Library
    • School Council
    • Cycling at Tallis
    • Alumni
  • Staff
  • Links
  • Contact
    • School Map
    • How to find us
  • Search