Is our schools policy radical enough?

Education policies currently promoted by the main parties include tackling school exclusions, supervised teeth brushing for children and extending maths lessons until 18. But is our schools policy radical enough? Teach First, beginning in the early 2000s, brought a radical approach to teaching training, recruiting and fast-track training outstanding graduates to become teachers in schools serving low-income communities. Free schools, introduced in 2010 under the coalition government, represented a radical departure from traditional state-controlled education. Publicly funded but operating independently, free schools - it is argued - allow for more innovation in education. Now, many point to artificial Intelligence as holding the potential to revolutionise schools by introducing innovative approaches to teaching and learning. AI could offer personalised learning experiences and AI tutors could provide instant feedback to students. But some think we should go further, be that promoting home schooling, self-directed learning centres, and even ending exams. What priorities should the next government have for schools? What radical ideas should be considered? How can we experiment in education whilst maintaining standards of accountability and rigour? Speakers: Rachel Wolf: Rachel Wolf is a Founding Partner at Public First. Previously education and innovation adviser to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. Founded and former director of the New Schools Network – the charity that helped develop and implement the Government’s free schools programme. Daisy Christodoulou: Director of Education at No More Marking, a provider of online Comparative Judgement software for schools. Author of three books about education: Teachers vs Tech, Making Good Progress, and Seven Myths about Education. Benjamin Yeoh: Ben is an investor, playwright and podcaster of Ben Yeoh Chats. He has an interest in non-mainstream education and will be holding an UnConference: Educating Otherwise in April in London. There will be complimentary drinks upon arrival. The panel discussion will finish at 8pm, but attendees are welcome to stay longer to drink, eat and exchange ideas.