Latest thinking

Angleterre, Nil Points

Blog

21 May 2012

Joe Hallgarten

Everyone has his or her own prejudice-drenched and ideology-affirming reason for why Finland appears to have such fantastic schools. Better trained, higher status teachers; a later school starting age; less time at school; ‘curriculum coherence’; an atmosphere of collaboration; no external testing or inspection; a monocultural population; dark boring winter nights with no choice but to study.

In pursuit of happiness

Blog

10 May 2012

‘Happiness’ is a concept that I seem to be increasingly encountering. It is the subject of a piece of work that my colleagues in Arts and Society are involved with in collaboration with the Happy Museum Project, an initiative that is encouraging UK museums to support transition to well-being and sustainability in our society.

New Commission to examine school accountability, governance and admissions policies

Press release

08 May 2012

The Academies Commission opens its call for evidence, and invites parents, teachers, heads and other stakeholders to contribute directly to the first major study of the new schools landscape emerging since the Coalition Government made it quicker and easier for schools to set up or convert to academy status.

What is a Good Teacher?

Video

30 Apr 2012

With Sir Michael Wilshaw, Peter Hyman, Matthew Taylor, Ndidi Okezie and Gillian Hargreaves

Speed commission into the 'academisation' of schools announced by RSA and Pearson Centre for Policy and Learning

Press release

05 Apr 2012

A commission is set to examine the implications of the 'mass academisation' of state schools and the impact this might have on educational outcomes.

Defending Politics: Why democracy matters

Video

29 Mar 2012

Matthew Flinders is Professor of Politics at the University of Sheffield

Quiet

Video

27 Mar 2012

Susan Cain is a negotiation consultant and author of 'Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking'.

Are Coalition ministers the biggest threat to free schools?

Blog

22 Mar 2012

Matthew Taylor

I have to admit to feeling ambivalent about the Government’s free schools policy.  I am all for fresh thinking about schools but think it is the content of teaching and learning, and the relationship between schools and communities which are most important, not who owns and governs.

What kind of teachers do we need?

Press release

15 Mar 2012

Teachers should be supported to think more creatively about deciding what to teach and be encouraged to collaborate more with parents and local organisations, according to a report published by the RSA.