Thinking Allowed on Schooling

en Limba Engleză Paperback – 14 apr 2013

Professor Mick Waters, former director of the curriculum at the Qualifications and Curriculum Agency, where he gained a heroic reputation, is now the president of the Curriculum Foundation. He's the down-to-earth voice in the increasingly complex world of education and has endeared himself to school communities in the UK and overseas by talking the sort of sense they need to hear.

One of the UK’s most influential education figures tells it how it is
Is the school system fit for the purpose of helping the pupils of today achieve their potential?
How has schooling developed over time and where might it be going in the future?
Do national politicians improve or stifle schools?
What matters in teaching, learning and leadership?

Mick Waters uses the experience he has gained from a career in which he has both worked in schools and had major roles in shaping education policy at local and national level to offer a unique perspective: that of someone close to the classroom, but with an ability to see through innovation, policy and practice. Mick tells it how it is, explains his beliefs and sheds light on progress and problems in the school system.

Mick Waters is a calm, seasoned voice in the rising clamour of debate on the future of education. Drawing on his long experience in classrooms and in national policy, Thinking Allowed on Schooling offers a wise, well-informed and practical perspective on the challenges that face education and how to meet them. Unlike many passing politicians, Mick Waters has spent his life in education. This insightful, compassionate book distils the essence of what he has learnt and what we can learn from him. An essential read.
Sir Ken Robinson

Mick Waters has produced the right book for the right time. He penetrates to the heart of the many open discussions we are having about education today. We may not agree with all he says, but we cannot help but be stimulated to think at a deeper level by reading this book.
Dr Anthony Seldon, Master, Wellington College

If you have ever heard Mick Waters talk and been inspired and influenced by what he has to say then this is the book you have hoped he would one day write.
Iain M Erskine, Head of The Fulbridge Academy in Peterborough
In this highly readable book, Mick gives a brilliant review of the good, the bad, and the plain old ugly of the current educational landscape.
Andrew Chubb, Principal, Archbishop Sentamu Academy

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Specificații

ISBN-13: 9781781350560
ISBN-10: 1781350566
Pagini: 340
Dimensiuni: 140 x 213 x 23 mm
Greutate: 0.5 kg
Editura: INDEPENDENT THINKING
Locul publicării:United Kingdom

Cuprins

Author’s Note
Some background, explanations and disclaimers
Thinking allowed
… on the confused purpose of schooling
… on the search for equality
… on marching to different drums
… on national politicians and education policy
… on school autonomy, markets and competition
… on business, industry and other professions
… on professional integrity and game theory
… on Ofsted inspection
… on pupils, teaching and classrooms
… on unleashing aspiration
… on assessment, international comparison and research
… on qualifications and examinations, academic and vocational
… on curriculum
… on the national curriculum
… on a few aspects of the school leadership outlook
… finally
Bibliography
Index

Recenzii

Reviewed by Dr Bernard Trafford, Headmaster, Newcastle upon Tyne Royal Grammar School.
Mick Waters has done it again. Sometimes you read something so blindingly obvious that you wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that?” But, whereas most of us manage to glimpse parts of the problem and fragments of possible solutions, he pulls all those elements together succinctly and coherently. He presents educators and policy-makers alike with a challenge that is huge and daunting, to be sure, but which in his masterly analysis is eminently capable of being addressed, if only we have the will to do so.
That analysis is dispassionate, but there’s no mistaking Mick’s passion for education and for its purpose that we owe to our children but in which we so often fail them. Notwithstanding his clear love for teaching and for teachers, he doesn’t flinch from criticising the uninspiring and formulaic: nor does his flinch from laying the blame firmly at the doors of qualification-obsessed policy-makers and the data-dominated inspection system for creating and perpetuating the focus on what is narrow, tedious and purely utilitarian.
Mick is a positive thinker – hence the book’s title. So, although he paints a bleak picture of the current state of affairs, he offers solutions: they are challenging but realistic, if only policy-makers would find the courage. If we don’t pick up the gauntlet Mick throws down, we risk (as he writes graphically) continuing to “beat the drum of progress and march to the drum of tedious accountability”.

Reviewed by Andrew Chubb Principal, Archbishop Sentamu Academy.
In this highly readable book, Mick gives a brilliant review of the Good, the Bad, and the Plain Old Ugly of the current educational landscape. He is right to conclude that we need "an Education Spring - a rising of intolerance about the way schooling is being manipulated in a piecemeal and uncoordinated way to serve too many purposes with unclear measures". His call for the establishment of an elected National Council for Schooling as a way forward is also spot-on It is indeed time for politicians to hand over the direction of the Profession to the Profession itself.

Reviewed by Ian Fenn Head Teacher, Burnage Media Arts College.
Thinking Allowed' is a truly seminal work which should become required reading not just for Head teachers and those charged with delivering education but for all with an interest in how our children become educated, rather than simply schooled, and engaged members of our society rather than tabloid stereotypes. Mick Waters goes beyond analysing the triumphs and failings of our system, to suggesting practical solutions to the miasma of challenges facing us today. He provides a clarity and sharpness of thinking, liberally interspersed with humour and humility, things our political masters only achieve unwittingly. This is a brilliant contribution to the informed debate that is yet to be had.

Reviewed by Dr Anthony Seldon, Master, Wellington College.
Mick Waters has produced the right book for the right time. He penetrates to the heart of the many open discussions we are having about education today. We may not agree with all he says, but we cannot help but be stimulated to think at a deeper level by reading this book.

Reviewed by Sir Ken Robinson.
Mick Waters is a calm, seasoned voice in the rising clamour of debate on the future of education. Drawing on his long experience in classrooms and in national policy, Thinking Allowed offers a wise, well-informed and practical perspective on the challenges that face education and how to meet them. Unlike many passing politicians, Mick Waters has spent his life in education. This insightful, compassionate book distils the essence of what he has learnt and what we can learn from him. An essential read.

Reviewed by Ann Jones, Principal, CTC Kingshurst Academy.
With his characteristic lightness of touch, Mick Waters maintains a steadfast hand on the tiller as he navigates the challenging waters of today’s fast changing educational landscape. Highly accessible, eminently readable and earthed in the experience of teachers, this book exposes the absurdity, complexity and utter joy invested in the business and busyness of schools. Through reflections, anecdotes, and distinctive humour, the authoritative voice of Mick Waters liberates education from its historical, political and cultural context by offering a compelling critique of educational policy based on a belief that public service, pride in the teaching profession and an unequivocal commitment to the most aspirational outcomes for children and young people provide the only way forward.

Reviewed by Siobhan Collingwood, Head Teacher, Morecambe Bay Community Primary School
Listening to Mick is always a pleasure, his down to earth, common sense beliefs are forged from exhaustive research, vast experience and a commitment to providing high quality learning experiences for our young people, regardless of their backgrounds. His book is no different, it is as thought provoking and challenging as I had hoped it would be. I am looking forward to some very interesting and productive staff development sessions, using his questions, and suggestions as the basis for discussion and change.

Siobhan Collingwood, Head Teacher, Morecambe Bay Community Primary School

Reviewed by Caroline Vernon, Professional Colleague
Thinking Allowed is of course an inspiration!
Unlike most educational books this one will not be read and then shelved. Mick's absolute commitment to the best education for our children is apparent throughout as he shares his wealth of knowledge and experience. The book, whilst being accessible and colourful, provides enough hard hitting research and challenging quotes and examples to make it a very interesting read for people at all levels of education and a credible point of reference for years to come. I hope that Thinking Allowed will become both a valuable source of guidance for educators and an essential read for future Secretaries of State!
I am a head teacher and therefore not in the business of critically evaluating and editing material for publication so I can't be of help in reviewing the language, organisation and structure of the text itself but I can comment on how the book could, and has already, helped me as a practicing head teacher. Thinking Allowed justifies my exhaustion, it also revels, with me, in the joy of schools and education, making me laugh out loud and nod my head at shared experiences! Thinking Allowed set out, with real clarity, the very complex context for education and the huge agenda faced by schools. It gave enough history for us educators to understand how we got into this educational situation and enough inspiration and guidance to help us prioritise, refocus and manage things better for our children and our communities. I liked the book being crammed with page after page of things I'd wanted to have explained and reminders of why we are all trying so hard to get 'it' right. I felt reassured that I could have this book on my desk as a constant source to tap into, for clarity; reflection and deeper thinking. It is helpful to have chapters focussed on crucial things like pedagogy and curriculum, aspiration and assessment. It worked well for me that each section concluded with What could we do/What might be done? - clear next steps which we can all consider and/or act upon. I have pulled out key messages to help clarify our strategic thinking, as a school (when I'm given the go ahead to share content) and have clung onto 'innovate with integrity' and 'learning which is irresistable'. The book has highlighted some key questions I need to ask of myself as a leader, of our team within school and of the parents and children. I think that this book will become invaluable to senior leaders within education and could go alot further to raising standards than Ofsted Inspections, testing systems or political grand speeches will!
I feel very privileged to have been asked to read the book and even more privileged (though not surprised) that Mick is willing to share so much with us all.
To conclude - What could Mick do next? Find a structure to update schools leaders and teachers with filtered information to help us prioritise, a way to help us feel informed but not overloaded with information and political claptrap. Press for a National Council for Schooling. Pat himself on the back (for once) and know that he has provided us with something practical and tangible that WILL make a difference to education in our schools.

Reviewed by Richard Gerver, Speaker, Author, Broadcaster
Thinking Allowed on Schooling, is a book that only he could write, a book that we have all been desperate for him to author and a book that should give us all the courage to rediscover our professionalism, passion and purpose. Mick has always put our children first, this book will help those of us who really care about education do the same. Governments and policies come and go but this book will stand as a legacy of Mick's work for generations to come.

Reviewed by Michael J. Reiss Professor of Science Education Institute of Education, University of London
As one would expect from Mick Waters, Thinking Allowed on Schooling is an engaging read. His analysis is penetrating yet readable and I find a great deal of what he writes to be wholly convincing.This book deserves to be taken very seriously by those now responsible for such matters.
Reviewed by Patrick White, Director Basildon Education Services Trust Ltd
This is a very honest, reflective and extremely readable book from Mick, and one that places him firmly on the side of pupils and the integrity of education. He has always been a personal champion of the profession and the need to support and challenge colleagues. He argues very cogently about the need for a rational framework for education strategy. This would remove education from the political chess game it has become and enable decisions to be made on the basis of evidence, experience and impact.

Head teachers and school staff reading this will feel that at last someone cares and recognises the tremendous (and human) efforts they make in trying to meet the educational needs of our children and society. The book will remind them of why they became teachers in the first place – and that professional autonomy is worth striving for.

Reviewed by Louise Duncan, Head Teacher, Sunbury Manor School
There are so many moments in Thinking Allowed on Schooling where I recognise myself and my school and we have adopted the phrase "cheerful but confused professionals" as our new Leadership Team motto. Thanks Mick for making it so clear that we are not alone in "running a parallel race alongside the game theory of results to achieve the best educational outcome they can for the pupils."
A wise, warm, perceptive read which has put a smile on the faces of those who work in school day in day out, rather than simply make speeches about it.

Reviewed by Teach Secondary Magazine, Issue 2.4, May 2013
Best known as former Director of the Curriculum at the QCA, but with a whole range of roles from classroom teaching to consultancy on his CV, Mick Waters is that rather rare phenomenon in the world of educational commentary: someone who cares passionately about how we educate our young people, who has solid experience underpinning his theories and ideas on improvement... and who never forgets that the actual business of teaching and learning can't be put on pause while methods and systems are analysed and debated. He sees things both as they are, and how they could and should be - and here, in a series of insightful and accessible essays, he presents this pair of perspectives with a blend of pragmatism, compassion, wisdom, humility and conviction that is quietly compelling. In a highly crowded market, this is perhaps one of the most important books about schools you'll find, at least for now.
Reviewed by Teach Primary Magazine, Issue 7.4, May 2013
This one is for you, rather than your pupils; but all of you could reap the benefits of adding it to your reading pile. Mick Waters (former Director of the Curriculum at the QCA) is someone who cares passionately about how we educate our young people, who has

Notă biografică

Professor Mick Waters is best known as former Director of the Curriculum at the QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority) where he gained an heroic reputation in the UK amongst teachers while consulting on and explaining the new curriculum, making it relevant and meaningful for professionals working directly with children and young people. A former Headteacher, Mick is passionate about the role of education in improving life chances for pupils and is still very much involved with teaching and learning. He is the President of the Curriculum Foundation and a charismatic speaker who pushes the boundaries to improve learning and make schools better.

Extras

Excerpt from Thinking Allowed on Schooling:

Author's Note

Dr Ishmail ran the end of his reflex stick up the sole of my foot and his expression changed. Apparently my toes curled the wrong way. Within no time he was organising MRI scans. A few weeks later and a couple of days before I was due to chair the annual three-day North of England Education Conference in Leeds, I found out that I would need tricky surgery on the spinal cord in my neck and it would take a few months before I was up and running. Not that I often run.

Here was the chance to write the book I had been asked for before and so often put off because of pressure of work. When, coincidentally, Ian Gilbert offered to edit it the project was underway.

How long does it take to write a book? It depends when we start counting. It could be said that this book has taken a career to write. It is a collection of thoughts that have built up as I have reached the twilight of my career. The shadows are long behind me as I head towards a setting sun. At the same time, it has taken just a few months of actual writing during my convalescence and the Olympics and then onwards through the autumn and winter of shifting educational activity. Some will expect a book on children, teaching approaches and classroom practice, a book full of ideas to try, for that is how I have always worked. There is relatively little of that here. Instead, it is a book about the state of schooling in England and it reflects the many conversations I have had with those I have met who are trying to make the system work for all our children and young people. It is a book to pick up, dip into and hopefully debate, wherever it is that we work in the schooling system.

While we might write a book alone we also need help and support. The team at Independent Thinking Press has helped me enormously and Ian has been a great source of wisdom. In my career’s worth of thinking, I have been sustained by a family that has tolerated and supported my unending appetite for getting involved in schools and their work. Across the country and beyond, I am proud to know professional friends who have provided me with so much inspiration
as I have worked alongside them, glimpsed their incredible practice,
shared their enthusiasm for teaching and wondered with them how it
could all be better. In the book there are references to schools but I do
not name them; the people involved will recognise themselves and for
each of those I mention, there are many similar examples.
I hope you enjoy the book and that, whatever your involvement with schooling, there is something in it to make you think. I have always believed that improving schooling is about shedding light, offering challenge and building confidence and reassurance. I hope the book does that in fair proportion.
It is a book about schools so it will hardly be a blockbuster. My operation
was a complete success and my follow-up tests came to a climax with the repeat reflex test on my feet. This time the toes went the right way. This book is for you, Dr Ishmail, and all the colleagues who helped me to recover. It is my educational toe-curler.
Mick Waters

Textul de pe ultima copertă

One of the UK’s most influential education figures tells it how it is.

Is the school system fit for the purpose of helping the pupils of today achieve their potential?
How has schooling developed over time and where might it be going in the future?
Do national politicians improve or stifle schools?
What matters in teaching, learning and leadership?

Mick Waters uses the experience he has gained from a career in which he has both worked in schools and had major roles in shaping education policy at local and national level to offer a unique perspective: that of someone close to the classroom, but with an ability to see through innovation, policy and practice. Mick tells it how it is, explains his beliefs and sheds light on progress and problems in the school system.

Mick Waters is a calm, seasoned voice in the rising clamour of debate on the future of education. Drawing on his long experience in classrooms and in national policy, Thinking Allowed on Schooling offers a wise, well-informed and practical perspective on the challenges that face education and how to meet them. Unlike many passing politicians, Mick Waters has spent his life in education. This insightful, compassionate book distils the essence of what he has learnt and what we can learn from him. An essential read.
Sir Ken Robinson

Mick Waters has produced the right book for the right time. He penetrates to the heart of the many open discussions we are having about education today. We may not agree with all he says, but we cannot help but be stimulated to think at a deeper level by reading this book.
Dr Anthony Seldon, Master, Wellington College

If you have ever heard Mick Waters talk and been inspired and influenced by what he has to say then this is the book you have hoped he would one day write.
Iain M Erskine, Head of The Fulbridge Academy in Peterborough
In this highly readable book, Mick gives a brilliant review of the good, the bad, and the plain old ugly of the current educational landscape.
Andrew Chubb, Principal, Archbishop Sentamu Academy

Descriere

One of the UK’s most influential educationalists gives an insight on how he changed the UK Secondary School Curriculum.

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