In the last couple of years, the qualifications systems in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland – all of which allow … Continue reading “Competition between exam boards – a race to the bottom?”

Note: the graphs in this post display correlations only. They are used to discuss relationships some argue exist, not to … Continue reading “Do equality and high average school performance really go hand in hand?”

In a recent blog post, Sam Freedman, former advisor to Education Secretary Michael Gove, announced that he has changed his … Continue reading “Freedman’s no Friedman on for-profit schools”

A curious thing has been happening with regard to retirement patterns in developed countries: we have been living longer and … Continue reading “Being out of work harms your health – even if it’s because you’ve retired”

Since World War II, retirement has gone from a fringe to a mass phenomenon in western countries. Many people long … Continue reading “The relationship between retirement and health”

With aims including far more school choice for pupils from all backgrounds, and raising standards in state schools through competition, … Continue reading “Incentives must be the foundation of a revolution in British education”

With aims including far more school choice for pupils from all backgrounds, and raising standards in state schools through competition, … Continue reading “Incentives must be the foundation of a revolution in British education”

In a reply to my note on last week’s IPPR report, Rick Muir maintains his position that for-profit schools should be banned. … Continue reading “Research, not ideology, should guide the for-profit school debate”

In a new IPPR report, Rick Muir argues that profit-making free schools should remain banned. He does so by providing … Continue reading “IPPR report fails to provide persuasive arguments against profit-making schools”