John Bald: A new approach is needed to sort out the mess of special needs provision
A global approach to quite different challenges has failed. A long-term decline in specialised teaching skills must be reversed.
Posts by John Bald
John Bald began teaching in 1973, and has extensive experience as an adviser with Essex and Hackney, as a trainer of new and experienced teachers and as an Inspector. He has written two books on the teaching of reading and spelling.
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John Bald: The legal system – and a book that indoctrinates, not educates
A feminist account declares that judges “decide our laws”. There is no mention of parliament.
John Bald: Labour’s threat to take schools back to the 1970s
Successful schools would have to toe the line or be subject to the attentions of local democratic controllers. They could be destroyed without shutting them down.
John Bald: The party conferences have shown up deep-seated divisions over the purposes of education
Despite the proven success of schools like Michaela, the Left’s policies are more destructive than ever.
John Bald: Why other schools should and can apply Michaela’s principles
Despite the obstacles and abuse she faced while setting up the school, Birbalsingh had staff who shared her values, commitment and determination.
John Bald: “Points mean prizes” has to stop.
It was a great slogan for Sir Bruce Forsyth’s game show. It does not serve the needs of children, teachers and schools.
John Bald: Academy scandals. Hinds now needs to take control to stop them.
We must listen to whistleblowers, cut out the graft, and make sure that the money is spent for the benefit of children.
John Bald: A lesson from Great Yarmouth about how to combine school discipline with happy pupils
The misery of bullying and vandalism has ended. I did not hear a raised voice during my visit, except for the loud recitation of poems learned by heart.
John Bald: Mixed ability teaching is still stopping our children learn languages
Vacuous proposals for a “national strategy” are made – with no reference to standards or teaching methods. Wishful thinking won’t fix the system.
John Bald: How to boost technical education in our schools
Practical skills such as bricklaying, electrical work, carpentry, and plumbing, can be taught alongside GCSEs.
John Bald: How Twitter’s dogs of war were unleashed on me
The clear aim of most of the torrent was utter destruction. It was a warning of what we can expect if Corbyn and his nasty supporters ever get into power.
John Bald: Misbehaviour in classrooms is often due to a failure to teach children to read
Behind most disorder is the idea of anxiety. A great deal of that is caused by a feeling that the pupil can’t do their work.
John Bald: The effective teaching of multiplication tables is long overdue
Does the National Education Union want teenagers to count on their fingers? That’s the consequence if one severs mathematics education from its base in arithmetic.
John Bald: School inspection is not a “little extra”
There is no evidence of funding cuts reducing school standards. But Ofsted does need enough staff to thoroughly assess the performance of classroom teachers.
John Bald: Special Needs pupils are being let down by the system
When support is provided, the quality is often so poor that the pupil would be better off without it. Often the work is done for the pupil, preventing learning from taking place.