Academy chains come under fire from Ofsted chief England’s largest academy chains have “serious weaknesses” as bad as the local authorities they were intended to replace, Sir Michael Wilshaw has told the education secretary, Nicky Morgan, in strong criticism of the government’s flagship school impro...

Advice for the next Ofsted chief: it’s time to scrap your job Andrew Morrish worked as a schools inspector until he was told off for speaking his mind, and resigned. Now he is free to say whatever he likes … http://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/mar/08/next-ofsted-chief-inspector-schools-job-hea...

Should we scrap Ofsted? The pros, cons and alternatives The inspectorate has been widely criticised for demoralising teachers and stagnating school improvement. Is it time to ditch the watchdog? What else might work? http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2016/mar/06/scrap-ofsted-pros-cons-alter...

This website shows what it's like to read when you have dyslexia A new website has attempted to emulate the symptoms of dyslexia, and it's going to make your head hurt. The website, created by Victor Widell, jumbles letters in words to try and recreate how dyslexia manifests for some people. http://...

Radio 4's Start the Week 'Nature or Nurture?' fascinating and well worth the listen.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006r9xr

UK schools suffering as new teachers 'flock abroad', warns chief inspector The staffing crisis in schools is being exacerbated by an exodus of newly qualified teachers who are “flocking abroad” to work in the rapidly growing international sector, including branches of England’s elite public schools,...

Thanks to Fiona Nevola for highlighting this piece. Lily Cole challenges MPs on illiteracy Baron Bird, founder of the Big Issue magazine, also spoke of the vital social significance of literacy, at an event promoting the campaign in Parliament. It allowed people to take charge of their lives and gav...

Secret Teacher: I see Ofsted for what it is – a purposeless farce I love my job and don’t want to waste energy resenting aspects of it, so my new approach to inspections is: don’t panic and never ask for feedback http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2016/feb/20/secret-teacher-see-ofsted-for-wh...

Thanks Debbie, unfortunately it's a disaster waiting to happen, alarm bells are already ringing.

'US search' for next Ofsted head Education Secretary Nicky Morgan is understood to be looking to the US for the next head of England's schools inspectorate Ofsted. It is thought several Americans are to be approached about replacing Sir Michael Wilshaw, who will stand down as chief inspector in Dece...

Marketing firm posts 'only dyslexics need apply' job advert Ad featuring image of Apple founder Steve Jobs provokes controversy but does not appear to fall foul of advertising code A marketing firm has released a job advertisement that stipulates applicants must be dyslexic as it wants employees who...

Dyslexic employee wins discrimination case against Starbucks Campaigners say tribunal finding in favour of Meseret Kumulchew highlights duty to make allowances for dyslexic staff Starbucks has lost a disability discrimination case after it wrongly accused a dyslexic employee of falsifying documents ...

Sue, Synthetic Phonics has made an immeasurable difference to so many children and especially to disadvantaged children and it's due in no short measure to people like yourself who for many years ploughed a lone furrow.

'Massively' improved state schools threaten private sector
Better behaviour and results are attracting families who can afford private school fees, says Good Schools Guide editor

http://www.theguardian.com/education/20 ... ctor#img-1

Not the oignon: fury as France changes 2,000 spellings and ditches circumflex #JeSuisCirconflexe campaigners fight back against decision by the Academie Française to ‘fix anomalies’ and scrap the circumflex accent French linguistic purists have voiced online anger at the loss of one of their favouri...