Education is eternally confusing, like Biden on mushrooms and one of the most recent brain ‘trips’ is the introduction of Learning Journeys. These overcomplicated project overviews meant to guide students through their educational ‘path’, are akin to LCD hallucinogenics, have become a ketamine, k-hole, time-fuck for teachers AND are a disservice to students (like, errrr….opiods???). Learning Journeys are supposed to show students where they have been, where they are, and where they are going, but instead, they’ve become caricatures, showing only how not to use clipart.
Tag: Corporate Facade
From Silent Hill to the Classroom
Parallels in Psychological Horror
Based on a recent post I, akin to Carrie Bradshaw, ‘got to wondering’ whether the video game series, Silent Hill is an accurate analogy for working as a teacher. It’s tongue in cheek, it’s a little fun but it’s not without significance. Dare you enter the fog?
C.E. Oh, who the F*** are you?
The Wizards Behind the Curtain
Beware of those pulling the strings in our schools – these multi-academy trust CEOs, seemingly elusive until they need something, embody a leadership vacuum that cripples morale and suppresses progress. But much like the Wizard of Oz presents himself as an awe-inspiring figure, CEOs similarly rely on trickery and deception to maintain authority. This serves as a useful guide for this gripe and a powerful metaphor for the importance of seeing through illusions and recognising the true nature of those in positions of power.
Good Will Hunting
Exposing Schools’ double standards: Economic vs social relationships
A stark dilemma haunts the corridors but it is not the foul stench of SLT polluting the corridor as they come to deliver a fresh set of laminated bullshit that “must be displayed in every classroom”. Instead, it’s a paradox where goodwill, vital for harmonious school-staff relations, is now treated as a commodity. This isn’t an abstract concept; it’s a predicament with real repercussions for teachers, students, and education in general.
Branding vs. Substance
How Branding Eclipses Educational Integrity
The cry of ‘Just do it’ echoes from SLT as they fuel a frustrating trend, but are schools prioritising branding over substance? Schools, especially academies, are eager to establish a unique identity, often relying on shit slogans and bullshit-branded policies, and insisting on brand recognition. But news flash: brand recognition is earned, not imposed. And, beneath the surface lies a significant problem—a gap between branding efforts and the actual educational value they claim to offer.