They Behave For Me

Did Nick Gibb get it right?

Sep 5, 2025
Nick Gibb, former MP and Schools Minister, shares insights from his decade in education and his new book. He discusses the replicability of successful school models like Michaela across the UK. Gibb reflects on the evolution of educational practices over the last twenty years, highlighting significant reforms and the impact on disadvantaged students. With a focus on phonics instruction and the role of teachers, he emphasizes the importance of holistic approaches in addressing educational disparities while remaining optimistic about future improvements.
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INSIGHT

Reforms Changed The System's Direction

  • Nick Gibb emphasizes that England's improved international rankings reflect long-term policy direction rather than instant fixes.
  • He argues reforms like rigorous curricula and accountability moved the system's trajectory upwards.
INSIGHT

Return To Rigour In Primary Teaching

  • Gibb contrasts 2005 practices with post-reform teaching, citing weaker phonics and muddled maths methods then.
  • He credits the national curriculum review for returning to traditional algorithms and improving rigour.
ADVICE

Use Multiple Iterative Policy Levers

  • Keep applying multiple policy levers because school improvement reveals new problems as you progress.
  • Use iterative, sustained effort rather than expecting one reform to solve everything overnight.
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