They Behave For Me Why is everything broken, and how do we fix it? With special guest Sam Freedman
Nov 29, 2024
In this conversation, Sam Freedman, a renowned political commentator and author of "Failed State," dives into the complexities of education policy. He highlights the disconnect between government announcements and the reality teachers face. Sam discusses the rising tide of educational inequities and how socioeconomic challenges impact students' progress. He critiques the removal of standardized assessments and advocates for comprehensive reforms to improve educational outcomes. With humor and insight, he also touches on the importance of long-term planning for education policymakers.
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Ofsted Headline Grades and "The Grid"
- The government scrapped Ofsted headline grades seemingly without reason.
- This was actually to fill "The Grid," a Downing Street schedule requiring announcements.
EBacc's Hasty Creation
- The EBacc was created in three days to fill an announcement slot on the Andrew Marr show.
- Michael Gove announced it despite policy work still being in development.
The Political Machine
- Politicians are constrained by the "machine" of government and often make decisions based on political capital.
- This leads to worse policy and explains why politicians are often more popular after leaving office.