Reasons to blog

Here we go.

I have decided to blog for a few reasons.

• because of the scary new Government in Westminster
• because I feel the Glasgow response to the New Curriculum may lead to the privatisation of education in the longterm or at least, the diversion of funds from the “inner city” to the leafy suburbs
• because I feel the New Curriculum has brought with it misapprehensions and misunderstandings
• because I have a view!

I really welcome other people’s point of view – so other teachers /parents / interested parties – please comment!  I will delete comments that are insulting or spam.

I am going to try to remain anon, as Glasgow City Council have a policy against public sector workers commenting on their employer and at times I may cross this barrier.

To give you a flavour of my view, I would say I am in favour of the New Curriculum for Excellence, but not in favour of how it is being mishandled across Glasgow in Primary Schools (I cannot comment on the secondary education sector, though probably will).

I am not in favour of the huge new behemoths that are being built to replace smaller schools that were in the heart of communities.

I am not in favour of Cameron and the new coalition Government idea of parents, religious organisations or corporations setting up schools as these groups will have self-interest at the heart of their delivery of curriculum, and money will be diverted from the places in Glasgow or other inner cities to the leafy suburbs where parent power is much more “in your face.”  I will explain that more in future posts, I hope.

I feel if the spirit of the NCfE is allowed to flourish, then schools and local communities have more freedom in delivery of a relevent learning experience.

I believe education should be something that gives children choices and not just place them in academic (or non academic) boxes.  I don’t believe education is just about finding out what job a child can do to earn herself or someone else, money.  Teaching children that they have choices and that their choices affect themselves and those around them is crucial if society is to change from the current one of privilege for the few and struggle for the many, and I believe that if children are educated in this way, the problems of climate change, inequality, war and hunger will be solved by an informed future generation.

I will update the look of this site and stuff as soon as I get the hang of it!