Learn to Learn Newsletter Issue 19 Introduction
Welcome to our Spring Learning to Learn newsletter. As I write, the forthcoming election is dominating the headlines, with manifestos expected shortly and speculation about a hung Parliament keeping the Lib Dems very much in the race along with the other two main parties. At the Campaign we’ll be focusing our policy seminar series on what the party manifestos have to say about education and on the implications of a hung Parliament and other potential outcomes for the policy mix after the election. If you or colleagues are interested in coming along, visit www.campaignforlearning.org.uk for more details.
Education certainly appears likely to be a hot topic for the election. SATs and the benefits and perils of testing are clearly a key issue, much in the news as a result of the Easter teachers’ Union conferences and the proposed boycott of SATs tests. The relationship between skills and knowledge is also high on the agenda again, with strong indications from the Conservatives in particular that they would want to see a move back to a knowledge-based curriculum. This is an area in which as Learning to Learn teachers it is important that our voice is heard, making it clear that developing learning to learn skills is not an alternative to acquiring knowledge but a means of doing just that, and everything else that learning implies, more effectively and efficiently – and more enjoyably for both teachers and students!
The Campaign has produced its own list of 5 recommendations on learning for a new government, whatever its complexion – and needless to say the adoption of Learning to Learn approaches across all phases of learning from early years to adult education is included! You can read (*and respond to?) our recommendations at www.campaignforlearning.org.uk.
Let’s hope that the attention education and learning are currently receiving leads to reasoned debate in the lead-up to the election, and a higher profile for education issues thereafter!
Best wishes
Tricia Hartley
Chief Executive
