The University of Buckingham has achieved a ‘Strong Standard’ in its QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) Ofsted inspection report. The University of Buckingham is one of the largest providers of teacher training in England. This year, 400 students are taking the Qualified Teacher Status apprenticeship levy-funded course alone - much the biggest group in England. The QTS courses are designed for graduates who want to... Continue Reading →
Public Exam and University News, August 2023
Public exam news This summer we return to the same grading standards as were used in 2019. That means awarding the same proportion of students to each grade as in 2019. So if, for example, 10% of students in 2019 got a GCSE grade 9 in Latin, this year roughly that proportion will get a... Continue Reading →
Is it worth going to university? By Professor Barnaby Lenon
The Social Mobility Commission has published (February 2023) an analysis of the types of courses that tend to mean students will earn more in their life than those who did not take such courses and those courses that do not increase or actually lower your chances of earning more. The full article is here. This... Continue Reading →
“F” is for February and Feedback, by Marilena Pevreall
February is for Feedback. Most of our students, at this point in their learning, would have completed some form of internal testing/exams and would have received some feedback. Feedback is a big part of the teaching profession as much as it is a part of life. In teaching, in addition to lessons, feedback is also... Continue Reading →
“J” is for January and Joy, by Marilena Pevreall
January is all about Joy and teaching is all about Joy. I have been very fortunate to have enjoyed my teaching in schools from my very first lesson. I still remember this vividly. I have learned and continue to learn along the way, and here are a few things I wish to share. When you... Continue Reading →
What about ChatGPT? By Professor Barnaby Lenon
ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence site which provides good quality, free-of-charge answers to the sorts of questions teachers and university lecturers might ask. ChatGPT was created by OpenAI, an independent artificial intelligence research foundation co-founded by Elon Musk in 2015. Released last November, OpenAI’s chatbot is able to create stunningly human-like responses to a wide range... Continue Reading →
“D” is for December and Differentiation, by Marilena Pevreall
From a biology perspective, differentiation is a process that cells undergo prior to maturing and becoming distinct, in structure and function. In terms of education, the children we teach are certainly distinct and display great variation in maturity levels. Our role, as teachers, is to enable all our children, access the curriculum, enjoy learning, and... Continue Reading →
“N” is for November and Nurturing good teaching, by Marilena Pevreall
November is all about Nurturing good teaching. Specifically, how mentors can nurture good teaching. Our recent October residential got me thinking about the many ways that we nurture good teaching. Is it only subject knowledge, or does it extend beyond this? Is it about our dedication and commitment in putting the needs of the learner... Continue Reading →
2022 A-level results by Professor Barnaby Lenon
1) The A-level results were a triumph for pupils and teachers, who have managed courses which were badly disrupted by COVID-19. Praise too for Ofqual and the exam boards who ensured exams happened at all. Back in the autumn of 2021 there were calls to scrap exams this year and the message went out from... Continue Reading →