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Mike Newman (SEA Cymru) writes:

Ann Mroz is the editor of the Times Educational Supplement.

Amanda Spielman is the Ofsted Chief Inspector. She was with KMG Thomson McLintock from 1982 to 1986 then Kleinwort Benson from 1986 to 1992. She was a director of Newstead Capital from 1992 to 1994 and of Bridgewater Business Analysis from 1994 to 1995. She was a principal at Mercer Management Consulting, Boston from 1995 to 1997 and then at Nomura Principal Finance from 1997 to 2004.

With this astounding background in educational theory, she became part of the founding management team at Ark Schools. From 2011 to 2016 she was chair of Ofqual, the exam regulator.

In June 2016, Spielman was selected by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan to take over as Chief Inspector of schools and children’s services in England. Following a pre-appointment hearing, Spielman’s nomination was rejected by the Education Select Committee which expressed concerns about her suitability, her lack of teaching experience and her failure to show “passion” or understanding of the “complex role”. However, their objections were overridden by the minister, who dismissed their arguments and confirmed her intention to appoint Spielman. Continue reading →

SEA members and supporters may be interested in another event designed to explore the issues around the idea of a National Education Service. It’s at Hamilton House on Wednesday 20^th June at 6.00 pm.

Some of the questions that will be discussed at the event include:

– What should a National Education Service be for?
– How can we reduce the fragmentation of the education system and promote lifelong learning?
– How do we improve the parity of esteem between academic and vocational/technical education?
– How can we ensure teachers are trained to teach the whole curriculum, including sex education and PSHE?
– How do we solve the retention and recruitment crisis in teaching?

The speakers are:

Melissa Benn (Campaigner and author)
Kevin Courtney (National Education Union General Secretary)
Gus John (UK’s first black Director of Education and IOE Professor)
Warwick Mansell (Education journalist)
Ciaran Thapar (Youth worker and writer)
Tasnima Ahmed (Poet and educator)
Ali Stephens (Radical Education Forum)
Chair: Holly Rigby (Teacher and Momentum activist)

You can book for the event at

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-would-a-radical-national-education-service-look-like-tickets-46804610851?utm_term=eventurl_text&aff=efbeventtix

We are delighted to announce a further high quality addition to the line up of speakers at the SEA Confeerence. George Eaton, Political Editor of the New Statesman, will be sharing his thoughts on the current political scene around the theme of “The Meaning of Corbynism”. It’s certain to be a fascinating and thought provoking session from one of the best informed observers of Labour and the left.

The AGM and conference is on Saturday 23^rd June at the Wesley Hotel, Euston Street, London. Thanks to those members who’ve booked already. If you still need to – and there are some places still available at just £10 including lunch – please email secretary@socialisteducationalassociation.org

I’m delighted to say we now have the full programme for the SEA Annual Conference on 23rd June. The line up will be:

– Diane Reay addressing the themes from her hugely important book “Miseducation: Inequality, education and the working classes”.

– Madeleine Holt co-founder, Rescue Our Schools and founding member of More than a Score, which campaigns against SATs and promotes alternative forms of assessment for the future.

– Pam Tatlow, until recently Chief Executive of Millionplus, the Association for Modern Universities. Higher Education has been a bit of a neglected area for SEA policy and we’ll be aiming to put that right.

– SEND issues introduced by a panel from a range of backgrounds in SEND and alternative provision including SEA members Simeon Elliott and John Keever.

There is also the opportunity to put forward policy resolutions. If any SEA members wants to propose one, please let me have the resolution by 15^th June.

The conference is at the Wesley Hotel in Euston Street right next to Euston Station. The AGM will be at 10.00 followed by the conference proper which will run till 4.00. The cost is just £10 to cover lunch – pay on the day.

To book, just email secretary@socialisteducationalassociation.org

This year’s SEA AGM and Annual Conference will be on Saturday June 23. I’m delighted to say that the keynote speaker will be Professor Diane Reay who will be addressing issues arising from her new book “Miseducation – – Inequality, Education and the Working Class”. These are issues that need to be central to SEA’s work and to Labour policy so this should be a great opportunity to explore them in detail.

The conference will be at the Wesley Hotel, 81-103 Euston Street, London NW1 2EZ. The AGM will begin at 10.00 am and the conference will start at 11.00. More details of the programme and other speakers will follow soon.

Another piece of good news is that because SEA’s membership has grown rapidly recently, we’re in a financial position to substantially reduce the cost of the conference. This year’s charge will be £10. That includes lunch and refreshments through the day. Payment can be made on the day.

We hope to see as many SEA members as possible there. Please book your place by replying to secretary@socialisteducationalassociation.org.

The next Socialist Educational Association meeting will take place on:

Saturday 12 May 2018 in the committee room, (it’s upstairs near the lift at the back) at The Yard Pub, Brewery Quarter, St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1AD

As usual, Finance and General Purposes will meet at 11.00 and the full Executive at 12.15.

The all members meeting will follow at 2.00 pm. The main topic for discussion will be, the new responsibilities for local government and health boards under the, Additional Learning Needs and Educational Tribunal (Wales) Act.

The speakers will be Mr Michael Imperato, solicitor with an interest in educational law and independent member of the Cardiff and the Vale Health Board and Dr Michael Newman, Vice Chair of SEA and SEA Cymru secretary.

There will be the opportunity to compare the Welsh and English approach to additional learning needs

Nominations are now open for elections to the officer posts and to the SEA Executive for 2018-19. We need to fill the following roles:

Chair, Vice Chair, General Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Deputy General Secretary, Minutes Secretary, Digital Campaigns Officer, Publications Officer, Women’s Officer, Youth Officer, Equalities Officer.

In addition to the officers, there are 8 places for men and 8 for women on the Executive. As branches with over 35 members, Greater Manchester, Haringey and Wales are entitled to appoint a branch delegate to the NEC.

The Executive meets 6 times a year in different cities across the country usually on a Saturday – though the first meeting of the new executive is on Sunday 24th June which is the day after our Annual Conference.

The deadline for nominations is 30th April 2018. Self nominations are welcome. Please sent all nominations to secretary@socialisteducationalassociation.org.