Category Archives: Solutions

A good education enables a young person to acquire all the basic knowledge and skills they need for life, along with self-confidence, self-efficacy and the capability to contribute to society. There are many facets to this and classroom teaching is only one aspect, yet in a system that places the highest value on outcomes fromContinue reading “Provision of high quality teaching online as a means for addressing educational and social inequalities.”

The late Sir Jeremy saw his role to “challenge lazy thinking and find solutions”. In an attempt to avoid “lazy thinking” as we combat the crisis of creativity, this response might feel unsatisfactory. I’m afraid a whole lot more work is needed to develop the ideas I give. To get this right, we need toContinue reading “Addressing the crisis of creativity in the public sector”

We are all familiar with the yellow arrows indicating the general direction of a footpath across a field. What we don’t know is what we are likely to encounter as we cross that area of land. If we are not sure where the true path runs do we walk around the perimeter or walk theContinue reading “Exercising mind and body with hands-on education of countryside biodiversity.”

1. Introduction. Social mobility strives to ensure everyone, regardless of socio-economic privilege, receives equal opportunities throughout their education and careers. In short, where we start in life shouldn’t dictate where we finish. The benefits of having improved social mobility are clear. For example, if British businesses attained average levels of social mobility, the economy couldContinue reading “Covid-19 and Social Mobility”

Low turnout among younger voters is a problem. In 2019, the age group with the highest turnout was those over 65: the turnout of every other age group was substantially lower. This causes a number of problems. In particular, it encourages all parties to develop policy which is disproportionately aimed at older voters, who areContinue reading “Hold elections on a Saturday”

Teacher retention has been an ongoing crisis in the UK, with around 1/3 of teachers leaving the profession within five years of qualification. The negative consequences of this are manifold: a loss of talent to a profession that needs a motivated and incentivised workforce; a waste of resources devoted to training; disruption to pupil learningContinue reading “How to reverse the UK teacher retention crisis – a personal research and development budget”

This is, therefore, not the time to panic-build new housing on greenfield sites, distant from services and public transport; rather, it is an opportunity to reclaim unwanted space in our town and city centres for housing, and create new, vibrant, low-traffic liveable neighbourhoods with clean air, new integrated green space and well-connected walkable communities. TheseContinue reading “City centres: the new local neighbourhoods”

Britain has always been a byword for community spirit with millions of people coming together in times of crisis to support each other and make life better for everyone. However, as Covid comes to an end, we run the risk that this amazing outpouring of community spirit is either forgotten or shelved, or that localContinue reading “The Great British Community”

My first proposal was for a radical re-think of the Welfare State. I have ideas for all the areas covered by the 5 giants, but my part 2 focuses on ideas for improvements in meeting the needs of children and their carers, helping to tackle at least 3 of the 5 giants in the process.Continue reading “Meeting the needs of children through a changed school year”

Tackling the emerging discrimination resulting from the digital divide, an issue exacerbated by COVID-19, is paramount to reducing social inequalities impacting a variety of socioeconomic groups. The regeneration and modernisation of public libraries could facilitate universal internet provision, endorse and further the trend of working from home and promote community engagement. Public library use hasContinue reading “How can public policy react to a digital divide exposed by the coronavirus pandemic?”