The wisdom of Mr. Gove.

[jean]

...Two, he's on the money concerning curriculum review...

No he isn't - he's all over the place.

An illustration from my own subject area.

In recent years the terrible mistake that was made in wiping Classical languages from the Comprehensive school curriculum has been to some extent remedied by the efforts of classics teachers and others.

Then along came Gove with his so-called English Baccalaureate which originally had no room for classics, though it was sneaked in later as an alternative to a modern language, which was not a good idea.

Now in his usual piecemeal way he's decided that maintained schools must teach classics after all. Which is good, but he arrived at this position after causing a lot of trouble in the meantime.

[MrGongGong]

Yes, Jean

I think (as i've banged on about far too much) that 'policy' seems to be made up on the hoof with a load of 'common sense' assumptions that are nonsense
The EB is a classic example.

I sometimes go to schools which don't do music anymore, they got rid of it even though for some of the students there it's the ONLY subject they might have been enthused and passionate about.
Education has become glorified job training for (as Sir Ken points out!) jobs that don't exist!

[amateur51]

Gove is an easy target, but the truth of the matter is that he is growing in the job, and has got to grips with many of the issues that his predecessors flinched from. I'm no Tory, I have only voted for them in general elections 6 or 7 seven times, but credit where credit's due.

Always beware of someone who uses this phrase with no substantive evidence. It's a con.

[Beef Oven!]

No he isn't - he's all over the place.

An illustration from my own subject area.

In recent years the terrible mistake that was made in wiping Classical languages from the Comprehensive school curriculum has been to some extent remedied by the efforts of classics teachers and others.

Then along came Gove with his so-called English Baccalaureate which originally had no room for classics, though it was sneaked in later as an alternative to a modern language, which was not a good idea.

Now in his usual piecemeal way he's decided that maintained schools must teach classics after all. Which is good, but he arrived at this position after causing a lot of trouble in the meantime.

When classics teachers finesse classical language into the curriculum, they are engaging in 'remedy', when Gove does it, it's 'sneaking-in'. Hmmm.

[amateur51]

Well for one, he's tackling poor performance. Two, he's on the money concerning curriculum review. If you get over your prejudice, you'll see he's doing a good job all-round.

Name one Education Sceretary in all the Ed secs back to R A Butler who has not tackled opoor performance.

Now tell us how Gove builds on Baker's 'curriculum reviews'.

[amateur51]

When classics teachers finesse classical language into the curriculum, they are engaging in 'remedy', when Gove does it, it's 'sneaking-in'. Hmmm.

Seems to me we have two groups here, those who have experience of teaching and two arrogant amateurs.


Fortunately only one of the arrogant amateurs has the power to achieve anything so the other one is a distraction we can ignore.

[Beef Oven!]

I think (as i've banged on about far too much) that 'policy' seems to be made up on the hoof with a load of 'common sense' assumptions that are nonsense
The EB is a classic example.

I don't think it's fair to say that current policy is 'made up on the hoof'. All policy must flex and adjust to the circumstances - the translation of strategic ideas into operational policy.

[amateur51]

I don't think it's fair to say that current policy is 'made up on the hoof'. All policy must flex and adjust to the circumstances - the translation of strategic ideas into operational policy.

This managment babble doesn't address why an experienced teaching professional says that policy is being made up 'on the hoof'.

What aspects of the policy flexing would you say are a response to changed circumstances?

Over what time frame does policy flexing take place, ideally?

[eighthobstruction]

Perhaps the Ed System should get a tune up from Rosemary Conley....bend and flex....and UP....

[Beef Oven!]

Perhaps the Ed System should get a tune up from Rosemary Conley....bend and flex....and UP....

She's looking good for someone in their 60s. She knows a thing or two.

[amateur51]

She's looking good for someone in their 60s. She knows a thing or two.

Didn't stop her business going into administration yesterday though, did it.

Rosemary's advice to those facing tough times? "Keep your chin up, breathe – and just keep going."

Ah, no learning involved - that's reassuring. Mr Gove might be impressed.

[MrGongGong]

translation of strategic ideas into operational policy.

You ARE a Marxist and I claim my £50 ha ha ha

(I've posted an appropriate song for you on the Rock, Pop thread !)

That really is utter bollocks
"Strategic ideas" ?

My "strategy" is to do random acts of experimental music in random locations with random people

(seems to be working ok so far !!)

When people talk about "being strategic" they usually mean that they are going to attempt to think about things before doing them, which sometimes is a good idea and at others (ask Evan Parker) is a recipe for dullness

[Beef Oven!]

You ARE a Marxist and I claim my £50 ha ha ha

(I've posted an appropriate song for you on the Rock, Pop thread !)

That really is utter bollocks
"Strategic ideas" ?

My "strategy" is to do random acts of experimental music in random locations with random people

(seems to be working ok so far !!)

When people talk about "being strategic" they usually mean that they are going to attempt to think about things before doing them, which sometimes is a good idea and at others (ask Evan Parker) is a recipe for dullness

Lol!!

You're on top form this morning MrChips!!

Great song, btw and a cracking version - Gove's favourite I bet!

Your strategy is a winner, we need more thinking like that!

[MrGongGong]

Why should we trust someone who is behind a
"National Plan for Music Education"

That doesn't even contain the word

IMPROVISE

?

(i'm sure Sid will be happy)

[Beef Oven!]

Why should we trust someone who is behind a
"National Plan for Music Education"

That doesn't even contain the word

IMPROVISE

?

You're winning me over MrChips!