Welcome to the S.E.A. Website

SEA is the only educational organisation affiliated to the Labour Party. Anyone who does not belong to another political party may join as an individual member. Affiliation to the SEA is open to national organisations, Labour Party CLPs and trade unions. SEA members include MPs, school governors, local Councillors, teachers, students, parents - in fact anyone with an interest in education. Our President is the eminent educationalist Professor Richard Pring.

Gove's autonomy - centralisation by another name?

Submitted by Martin Dore on Thu, 12/01/2012 - 12:33

Read Trevor Fisher's discussion paper below on the illusory nature of Gove's autonomy and contribute to the debate on this vital issue. Contact us via the website if you want your views on this subject published.

 

THE MYTH OF SCHOOL AUTONOMY                

Centralisation as the determinant of English educational politics

What a cheek! Gove accuses those of us opposed to Academies of being 'happy with failure'.

Submitted by Martin Dore on Thu, 05/01/2012 - 12:28

Michael Gove has had the nerve and unbridled hypocrisy to accuse those on the left who oppose Academies of being happy with failure. Those who have worked for years if not decades in the state sector endeavouring to raise achievement levels as well as levels of aspiration will find his comments utterly appalling.

Read the full BBC story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-16409940

Date: 
Thu, 01/05/2012 - 12:18

A report of the 'Caught in the (Education) Act' conference on November 19th 2011

Submitted by Martin Dore on Thu, 15/12/2011 - 13:51

 

CAUGHT IN THE ACT – Report on 19th November Conference

 

1. Introduction

 

Media become Orwellian over Education.

Submitted by Martin Dore on Wed, 30/11/2011 - 10:15

The passing of the Gove education Act, giving the Secretary of State 50 new powers, went almost unnoticed by the British media. Handing over dictatorial powers to one politician seems wholly acceptable to the Metropolitan media. The BBC in particular has been uncritical about Gove to an Orwellian degree, particularly over his Free Schools policy. As George Orwell found in the Spanish Civil War, questioning the Party line for many journalists is becoming impossible.

'Caught in the Act' conference a great success.

Submitted by Martin Dore on Wed, 23/11/2011 - 23:29

Last Saturday more than 170 people attended the 'Caught in the (Education) Act' conference in London. Speakers included Melissa Benn, Clyde Chitty, Christine Blower and Patrick Roach.
The audience heard a coruscating analysis of Michael Gove's new ministerial powers, passed to him after the recent Education Bill received its royal assent. Debate was lively, workshops were packed and the message was clear. The fight  back starts here and now. A full report will be published on the this website shortly.

Date: 
Wed, 11/23/2011 - 23:21

Do We Really Need Phonics Tests for Six Year Olds?

Submitted by Martin Dore on Mon, 14/11/2011 - 13:18

Nick Gibb. Tory Schools Minister, seems to believe that phonics tests for six year olds are a good idea. He is using the recently published report on phonics to impose his own world view on the teaching of reading to students at the beginning of their school careers.

Perhaps he should listen to the experts instead. Below is an open letter recently published by David Ready of the United Kingdom Literacy Association  and several others:

From the United Kingdom Literacy Association

Friday 21st October 2011

Date: 
Mon, 11/14/2011 - 13:09

Brilliant lecture by Professor Diane Reay at this year's Caroline Benn Memorial Lecture

Submitted by Martin Dore on Mon, 07/11/2011 - 11:09

Diane Reay, speaking on 'Comprehensive schooling in the 21st century: getting the best education for everyone', gave an inspiring tour de force in her lecture last Saturday.

Her rigorous analysis of how the movement for comprehensive education had started and then developed somewhat falteringly in recent years, drew on the radical insights of Tawney's egalitarian philosophy and Caroline Benn's socialist educational vision of what we really mean by comprehensive education.

 

Date: 
Mon, 11/07/2011 - 10:59

Smoke and Mirrors at the Mossbourne Academy?

Submitted by Martin Dore on Mon, 31/10/2011 - 10:04

Find out what Education Politics editor, Trevor Fisher, has to say about Mossbourne Academy in his recent letter to the New Statesman.

Date: 
Mon, 10/31/2011 - 10:02

Maintain school safeguards

Submitted by Martin Dore on Thu, 20/10/2011 - 13:29

Along with other distinguished educationalists, leading SEA members, John Bolt, Sheila Dore, Imogen Pennell and Trevor Fisher write to the Independent about Gove's preparedness to allow selected schools to avoid inspection.

Date: 
Thu, 10/20/2011 - 13:22

The SEA joins Twitter!

Submitted by Martin Dore on Thu, 13/10/2011 - 13:01

Why not follow us in Twitter @SocEduAss.  The SEA will be now be able to speak (briefly!) on topical issues. If you're already on Twitter don't forget to follow the SEA. The more followers we get the wider the audience for our views.

Date: 
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 12:57

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