John Bald: How many pupils start secondary school unable to read properly? The truth is we don’t know.
What is clear is that systematic phonics, followed by sustained teaching of reading, can tackle the literacy deficit.
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: Yes, Jess Phillips. Ministers indeed dropped the ball on sexual violence. Under Labour.
A casualty of its changes in government was a confidential questionnaire for pupils – given out and collected by inspectors.
John Bald: Handing the education system back to Blairite advisers is misguided
I sat in a meeting with one of them. He was desperate to avoid the word “phonics”.
John Bald: Teachers must be free to explain grammar in terms that children can understand
To our opponents, the term “fronted adverbial” is the gift that keeps on giving. No-one without a degree in linguistics knows what it means.
John Bald: We need vaccination for teachers if schools are to reopen safely
The Education Secretary gave an effective performance in Parliament yesterday. But there remains considerable anger, which is justified.
John Bald: The use of provocative language to stimulate thinking is a teaching style that has become unfashionable
The headmaster of Eton has used the Equality Act to justify suppressing free speech at the school. That he stays in post is Eton’s loss.
John Bald: Churchill was right. Exams should enable people to show what they can do. Not find out what they can’t.
Questions need to be set on every topic in each syllabus – with schools allowed to direct pupils to the parts of the paper they have covered.
John Bald: Closing the education gap the Michaela way
If Gove’s goal of breaking down education’s Berlin Wall is to be achieved, it will be Birbalsingh and her colleagues who have made the first breach.
John Bald: Ofqual’s evidence at a Select Committee this week demonstrated why it should be wound up
Dr Meadows said that all sorts of trials had taken place. The point is: why not this one, which would have allowed problems to be identified in advance?
John Bald: Ofqual needs a Chairman and Chief Regulator who know about education. If these can’t be found, we must start again.
We need to get rid of the idea that these grades are results. They are not, and cannot be relied on.
John Bald: The lack of merit in A-level grading shows a misplaced belief in the power of statistical modelling
We can expect hard cases to make headlines, and universities to do what they can, to mitigate the most obvious injustices.
John Bald: Academisation does not guarantee higher school standards
Defeating “the blob” requires attracting more good people into the teaching profession. Then giving the power to make a difference.
John Bald: Williamson is right. Pupils should sit in rows facing the teacher.
His view is backed by evidence about how the brain forms the neural networks that embody learning – as well as the example of our best schools.
John Bald: This week has seen the cynicism of teaching union leaders exposed
Rather than having a genuine regard for safety, the hard left is resorting to threats and scaremongering as a “negotiating position”.
John Bald: Relying on home education will hit poor children hardest
Highly-educated parents transmit their knowledge and understanding to their children. For others it is less easy.