Review
"Brilliant". --Professor Robin Alexander, Director of the Cambridge Primary Review
"One of the most important books on education written in the last ten years."
--Professor Dylan Wiliam, Deputy Director, Institute of Education, University of London
"One of the most important books on education written in the last ten years."
--Professor Dylan Wiliam, Deputy Director, Institute of Education, University of London
Rona Tutt, Leadership Focus (National Association of Head Teachers' magazine)
"This book presents compelling arguments for why the present system does not hold up to scrutiny. It should be compulsory reading for the Prime Minister, his cabinet and everyone who works at the two education departments."
Sue Palmer (author, Toxic Childhood)
'Warwick Mansell's meticulously researched analysis of the damage wrought by 'hyperaccountability' in the education system should be compulsory reading for all politicians. It shows how this government's obsession with tests, targets and league tables has perverted educational practice, dumbed down our public examinations, deskilled the teaching profession and damaged the education of a generation of children.'
Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research, University of Buckingham
"Brilliant"
Mike Kent, head of Comber Grove primary school
"Unputdownable. I think the book should be required reading for everybody running a school."
Sue Palmer (author, Toxic Childhood)
"Warwick Mansell's meticulously researched analysis of the damage wrought by 'hyperaccountability' in the education system should be compulsory reading for all politicians. It shows how this government's obsession with tests, targets and league tables has perverted educational practice, dumbed down our public examinations, deskilled the teaching profession and damaged the education of a generation of children."
Synopsis
It sounded a noble aim, for New Labour to prioritise education, education, education. The method they chose since coming to power was a relentless attempt to raise standards by an obsession with tests and exams in every school, almost at every age level. (Ages 5, 7, 11, 14, 16, 17 and 18.) By using these scores to hold schools to account as never before, they planned to focus attention on each pupil's progress and thereby raise total standards. However well intentioned, it has become clear that these tests also have damaging side effects, as teachers are forced to adopt shortcuts to improve statistics, whether or not they are in the pupil's best interest. The tests may be good for government, but they do not produce a rounded child, and standards do not rise as hoped for. Warwick Mansell, a journalist with the TES, is the only journalist researching the subject in detail, and reveals how intention and practice widely differ so widely.
