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Issue 99 offers a comprehensive critique of the academy model of school governance in England, drawing attention to concerns about financial mismanagement, lack of accountability, and negative impacts on education outcomes. Highlighting evidence from various sources, including reports, findings, and legal cases, the publication advocates for reforms to address these issues. It emphasises the need for greater transparency, oversight, and involvement of local authorities in education provision to ensure the effective use of public funds and improve academic standards. Additionally, the issue examines challenges related to pupil absence, parental disputes, and the Michaela School legal issues surrounding religious freedom in schools, prompting discussions on necessary policy changes and reforms to create a more equitable and accountable education system.
Issue 98 of CASEnotes is chiefly concerned with the decline in pupil attendance at school, questioning the government's refusal to consider that the school system itself may be at fault, rather than solely blaming children and their parents. The articles delve into various factors contributing to this decline, including anxiety, poverty, and systemic issues within the educational system. Additionally, insights are provided on the toxic productivity culture within British education and the evolving purpose of schools amidst societal changes. Join the discussion to explore these critical issues further.
This CASEnotes edition extensively covers education, focusing on Labour's plan to remove tax exemptions from private schools. The Institute for Fiscal Studies analysis suggests potential yearly gains of £1.3–1.5 billion, impacting private school attendance and necessitating extra funding for state schools. Another article critiques Sweden's admission of failure in its "free schools" policy, questioning its parallels with the English version. "OFSTED UNDER FIRE" discusses the need for nuanced evaluation methods following a tragic incident. A section on school cuts underscores financial challenges in 2024, urging MPs to address funding cuts and recruitment issues. Lastly, a commentary challenges the "standards – not structures" slogan, emphasizing the need for a broader perspective on educational outcomes. Overall, the edition advocates for comprehensive approaches to address educational challenges.
This edition of CASEnotes is primarily concerned with the approach to education that Labour is developing, given that it is now favourite to win the next election. Trevor Fisher has written a brief pamphlet outlining what ought to be the initial priorities of an incoming Labour government and would welcome feedback from CASE members. John Galloway gives a detailed account of current policy development while hoping that it may provide the basis for more radical changes to come. Our comment piece asks if the party will follow in the footsteps of previous Labour governments by restricting itself to improvements within the current structure. There are also articles by Warwick Mansell, who exposes the diverting of funds by the Conservatives away from established schools to the pet project of "free" schools, and Tom Mann, who is highly critical of the way in which the post-pandemic National Tutoring Programme (NTP) has failed to meet the needs of too many pupils.
This edition is largely devoted to OFSTED, which has become the subject of a national debate since the tragic death of Caversham Primary School's headteacher after her school was downgraded from "outstanding" to "inadequate". This edition also contains an account of a meeting between members of CASE NEC and Stephen Dillon, a senior researcher from Labour's "shadow" education team, together with some Maths advice for the Prime Minister.
In this edition, we look at the accelerating neglect of arts education in state schools, we review Professor Sally Tomlinson's new book, Ignorance, and we comment on Labour's "mission" for education. Readers interested in following up the debate on music education are encouraged to listen to "Rethinking Music" on BBC Radio 4. The episodes are available at
In this edition, schoolteacher and Southwark councillor Maggie Browning examines Labour's stance on academies. Michael Pyke reviews Peter Hitchens's A Revolution Betrayed: How Egalitarians Wrecked the British Education System, and offers some reflections on the ongoing public sector strikes. The issue concludes with a report on the Independent Commission on Assessment in Primary Education's (ICAPE) latest recommendations.
This issue begins by detailing CASE's latest Annual General Meeting, with special attention on a report CASE has commissioned from education journalist Warwick Mansell. Vice Chair and Treasurer Tom Mann provides a piece on the "cost-of-living crisis," and Michael Pyke details the proceedings at the Time's Up For The Test (TUFTT) event in London. Lastly, Derek Gillard contributes a touching dedication to the late Clyde Chitty, whom we grieve.