Today was dominated by our carol service at school. We have been working on this for what seems like an age, but I must admit it has been worth it. The children sang beautifully throughout, I can’t remember a single mistake (of any significance) and the parents all seemed to enjoy it. I’m glad that myself and my colleagues stuck to our guns and plod on with some of our carol choices which had been dismissed by some as being too adventurous. I’m constantly awed by just what children can manage but you need to remember that if you set a high standard in all areas, children will more likely than not achieve them. Obviously, lots of work is needed from both parties, and that is exactly what has happened. The children have to want to learn though, have to be eager to reach those levels.
There is a fine line to walk though. Lots of time has been given to learning these songs and performances, possibly too much some times, but all of that work will pay off in other areas too – better attention levels from concentrating on something for so long, better stamina, hopefully a better willingness to stick at something.
The above has just been nicely summed up on tonight’s Newsnight after the head of Ofsted‘s comments today:
The ‘battle against mediocrity’ is slowly being won but major barriers continue to prevent England’s education system from competing with the best in the world. Launching his second Annual Report, Sir Michael Wilshaw said that, overall, schools and colleges across the country were performing better than they were a year ago.
Children now have a better chance than ever of attending a good or outstanding school, while the further education and skills sector has “raised its game” since major concerns were highlighted in the 2011/12 report.
Sir Michael said that the challenge for the nation was to build on these improvements and accelerate progress so that England’s education system could match the best in the developed world.
The above is taken from the Ofsted introduction to their latest annual report. It makes for interesting reading… and you can do so here.
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