NVEG members have been saddened to hear of the death of former Senior Chief Inspector Schools, Professor Eric Bolton. Eric was a stalwart supporter of the Group. His former colleague Professor Colin Richards has this to say –

“Eric Bolton joined the Inspectorate in 1973 and left in 1991 as Senior Chief Inspector just before the demise of HM Inspectorate in 1992. An English specialist, college lecturer and local authority inspector he was appointed SC1 by Sir Keith Joseph despite having served as a labour councillor. Eric’s predecessor, Sheila Browne, was a hard act to follow . But like her, perhaps even more so, he spoke truth to power and reported without fear or favour, sometimes to his cost. He fought hard to preserve a measure of independence for the Inspectorate which became increasingly difficult towards the end of his tenure. He saw the demise of HM Inspectorate as a regrettable “tragedy, small in the great scheme of things, but regrettable nonetheless.”

He was kind, had a knowing sense of humour, was self-deprecating and was only too aware of the human frailties of those he worked for and with. He was always quick to prick pomposity and pretentiousness. He was a well-liked and well-respected leader who in turn respected and, where necessary, strongly defended the judgment of those who worked under him.”

Together with education adviser Frank Norris MBE, NVEG member Professor Colin Richards established the Alternative Big Listen (ABL) as a response to the “Big Listen” set up by OFSTED to gather views on its operations and methods following the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry, and the publication of the Coroner’s Report on her death.

The ‘Alternative Big Listen’ has offered an opportunity to remedy major deficiencies in OFSTED’s survey by asking respondents to review the inspectorate’s current and past performance. Its survey included many of the key statements used by Ofsted but asking very different questions. ABL’s report now published, raises serious issues for the new Secretary of State who has committed to the reform of school inspection in England.

The findings from the ABL reveal that OFSTED has lost very significant levels of trust and confidence from the school sector and strongly suggest that fundamental, not piece-meal, change, is required to craft an inspection system fit for purpose in the second quarter of the twenty-first century.

Many countries confront surprisingly similar challenges in preparing K–12 educators for success, while national contexts also make for surprising differences. Teaching the World’s Teachers, edited by education historians Lauren Lefty and James Fraser (Johns Hopkins University Press 2020), makes a convincing case for approaching these shared challenges from a more global and historically minded perspective. The book includes a chapter ‘Crisis and Opportunity in Teacher Preparation in England’ by NVEG member Richard Andrews.

We report with great sadness the death of NVEG member Sir Peter Newsam, pioneering educationist who expanded comprehensive schooling in London and went on to chair the Commission for Racial Equality. and that of the NVEG co -founder and Past Chair Sir Tim Brighouse described as one of the great educators of the century and a delightful human being.

Melissa Benn highlights concerns about the detrimental impact of short-term policymaking on England’s education system and discusses the need for a more dynamic approach

NVEG members Dame Alison Peacock and Melissa Benn sat as members of the Beyond OFSTED Inquiry which reported on its findings on 20th N0vember 2023 calling for an end to school level inspections. Go here to read the report and see too a commentary from University College London

A brief written by Professor Eva Lloyd OBE on the development and implementation of Ireland’s new funding model for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) describing how successive governments in Ireland worked with external partners, including academics, sector experts, unions, parent groups and voluntary sector associations to develop and implement fundamental reforms. The paper aims to offer opportunities for learning to enrich discussions about routes to reform in England.

ARTICLE

Understanding the care workforce crisis: a research-policy relationship

An “expert opinion” blog from the Institute of Education, University College London’s Faculty of Education and Society written by Claire Cameron and Professor Eva Lloyd.

BOOK CONTRIBUTION

Social Research for our Times

Social Research for our Times brings together different generations of researchers from the University College London’s Thomas Coram Research Unit to share some of the most important results of their studies. Two sections of the book focus on the main findings and conclusions from research into children and children services, and on family life, minoritised groups and gender. A third section is then devoted to the innovative methods that have been developed and used to undertake research in these complex areas. Edited by Claire Cameron, Alison Koslowski, Alison Lamont and Peter Moss. Published 6 November 2023, open access.

Links

Events, books, articles, announcements and news by and about NVEG Council members

Understanding the care workforce crisis: a research-policy relationship