Steve Sinnott
Steve Sinnott
Steve Sinnottwas the General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers from 2004 until his death in 2008...
achievement cause crude despite further government itself mechanism message primary pupil secured sustained targets teachers underlying
Despite the government's crude mechanism for measuring primary children's achievement, the underlying message is that primary teachers have sustained and secured further improvements in pupil performance. This is a very real cause for celebration. The government is now, rightly, distancing itself from the targets it had previously plucked out of the air.
children holiday impact parents school shopping taking
Parents taking children out of school to go shopping or on holiday is very irresponsible and can have a destructive impact on their education.
calm children classes expense less middle period pushy schools welcome
It is pandering to the pushy middle classes at the expense of children in less advantaged circumstances. A period of calm would be more welcome in our schools than yet another period of change.
arise dangers example lead loss mix peers seen self-esteem sent serious sign social work
There are dangers that social difficulties can arise when you mix 11-year-olds with 15-year-olds. For example, if a 15-year-old was sent down to work with 11-year-olds that could lead to a serious loss of self-esteem and would be seen by peers as a sign of failure.