Discovering Higher and Degree Apprenticeships with UWE Bristol, get free advice >>

Educational Issues (primary)

So I'm currently preparing as much as I can for PGCE interviews and I know that one of the main questions that they ask is about current educational issues.

Can anyone suggest any good areas to talk about? I've been reading some articles on TES but are there any other websites I should be visiting?

Reply 1

SarcAndSpark

Original post by Amira2497

I think a big one in primary is how much formal assessment we should be doing with kids in this age group. Should we be scrapping SATs? How do you feel about baseline assessments in reception? Should we move over entirely to teacher assessment (bearing in mind there are potential downsides to this, due to teachers' own conscious or unconscious bias)

You could also talk about the ever present funding issues- many primary schools are having to do more to support the community with less.

The recent changes to the PSHE curriculum are also something you could bring up- however, I'd be careful how you phrase things. Some admissions tutors may have strong views about this, and you don't want to alienate them if you have different views about controversial areas.

Reply 2

bwilliams

Keep reading TES and they are the best place to view news articles for education. Beware, some of these are opinion based articles so don't take everything at face value - read critically.

Here's a few things I found that will be of relevance:

•

Ofsted new inspection framework (article) - https://schoolsweek.co.uk/new-ofsted-inspection-framework-what-schools-need-to-know/

•

Food banks in school - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-50088910

•

Knife violence - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-47537631

•

Free school meals - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-50158154

•

Relationships and sex education (RSE) especially teaching about gay relationships in primary -https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-5012469 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-49580092 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-50104211

•

Mental health - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-49018831

Reply 3

Amira2497

Original post by SarcAndSpark

The educational issue that came to me first was definitely the PSHE curriculum as its all over the news but I agree with you... its a very controversial topic so it might be best to avoid that one. SATS and funding are good ones, thanks! So would I just be giving my views and opinions eg whether I do think SATS should be scrapped and why? Also could SATS link in with mental health as its extra work and pressure for children?

Reply 4

Amira2497

Original post by bwilliams

•

Ofsted new inspection framework (article) - https://schoolsweek.co.uk/new-ofsted-inspection-framework-what-schools-need-to-know/

•

Food banks in school - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-50088910

•

Knife violence - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-47537631

•

Free school meals - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-50158154

•

Mental health - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-49018831

Thanks for these links, some of these topics I wasn't even aware of so I will check these out and make some notes.

Reply 5

Reality Check

Original post by Amira2497

Whilst it can be a bit of a cesspit, Edutwitter is pretty good for this sort of thing. Do you follow anyone, or generally use it? S&S, as usual, gives you some very good pointers.