Some links to articles mentioned: https://powerfulknowledge.substack.com/p/how-should-we-think-about-the-engagement
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/curriculum-labour-is-on-the-right-path-but-its-a-tightrope/
https://daviddidau.substack.com/p/what-do-you-mean-by-engagement?selection=8e3325ff-837e-40fd-becb-cc379a5e3fb3
Fiona Millar was quoted from the RSA Journal Issue 2, 2025
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59:26
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59:26
Can Schools Solve the Mental Health Crisis?
In this episode, we take apart the myth that schools can paper over the cracks of a society in crisis with mindfulness sessions, gratitude journals and breathing techniques.
We look at what the data really tells us: a fifth of children now meet the threshold for a probable mental disorder. Over a third of 17 to 19-year-old girls are struggling. Services are overwhelmed. Yet instead of fixing what’s broken, we offer sticking plasters and tell young people to breathe through the damage.
We explore why wellbeing initiatives often individualise failure, how schools risk medicalising ordinary distress, and what we should be doing instead.
If you’re tired of seeing schools made responsible for society’s failings, this one’s for you.
Links Below:
NHS Digital (2023) — Mental Health of Children and Young People in England:
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-of-children-and-young-people-in-england/2023-wave-4-follow-up#:~:text=Key%20Facts,36.9%25%20compared%20with%207.6%25
Mind — Facts and figures about young people and mental health: https://www.mind.org.uk/about-us/our-strategy/doing-more-for-young-people/facts-and-figures-about-young-people-and-mental-health/
Health Foundation — Understanding the crisis in young people’s mental health: https://www.health.org.uk/features-and-opinion/blogs/understanding-the-crisis-in-young-people-s-mental-health
House of Commons Library — Children and young people’s mental health services:
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7749/
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54:14
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54:14
Should Schools Teach Queer Theory?
According to the Times Newspaper, the English Department at Alleyn’s School in southeast London are in the process of diversifying their curriculum and are introducing students to the 'works of a drag queen and non-binary authors.' We're not sure that the Times approves… There is another question underlying the discussion here and that is ‘should children see themselves in the curriculum?” and in times of growing individualism and self-authorship is that even possible?
Some Links:
https://www.thetimes.com/article/7c9a532d-c23e-4bcb-b649-d26562cda39a
https://www.thetimes.com/article/4611de82-f49a-47ef-9c43-7d7395e38105
https://www.them.us/story/uk-gender-identity-schools-proposed-ban
https://www.vox.com/scotus/408356/supreme-court-mahmoud-taylor-dont-say-gay
https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-lgbtq-books-religion-maryland-069d155fa862d2a16619fc7f513819ab
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52:47
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52:47
Is Assessment Failing the Test?
Is our obsession with testing failing students?
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55:08
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55:08
Oracy: Talking About Talk
Is Oracy a fad or part of the ongoing tradition of Western Education?
Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:
https://oracyeducationcommission.co.uk/oec-report/
https://www.education-uk.org/documents/pdfs/2021-appg-oracy.pdf
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-commission-conversations/id1739353277?i=1000658062482
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-commission-conversations/id1739353277?i=1000659285974
New Zealand