We've all heard someone say 'school wasn't really for me’. And we should think about why that is. Our system is set up to reward young people who thrive in academic subjects and exams, but what about those who learn best by getting stuck in and doing things? Too often they're left behind. So we’re introducing new vocational GCSEs - proper, nationally recognised qualifications giving young people practical, hands-on learning that they can study alongside Maths, English and Science. And we’re creating 200,000 more work experience opportunities, so every teenager gets the chance to experience the world of work before they leave school. A one-size fits all approach simply doesn't work - I want to build an education system that values both academic and technical paths and gives all young people hope that their future will be brighter, whether it starts at university or not.

We've all heard someone say 'school wasn't really for me’. And we should think about why that is. Our system is set up to reward young people who thrive in academic subjects and exams, but what about those who learn best by getting stuck in and doing things? Too often they're left behind. So we’re introducing new vocational GCSEs - proper, nationally recognised qualifications giving young people practical, hands-on learning that they can study alongside Maths, English and Science. And we’re creating 200,000 more work experience opportunities, so every teenager gets the chance to experience the world of work before they leave school. A one-size fits all approach simply doesn't work - I want to build an education system that values both academic and technical paths and gives all young people hope that their future will be brighter, whether it starts at university or not.

Schools will not receive dedicated funding for enrichment benchmarks, Tes can reveal, despite the expectation that revamped extracurricular activities must be provided from September tes.com/magazine/news/genera…

New podcast(s) - please share! After much discussion with colleagues I have long respected, I am delighted to co-release the first episodes of two new podcasts: Leading primary maths and Leading Secondary Maths. Ever since I first saw Steve Lomax in action, I have wanted to work with him, so I am delighted that he will be joining me for both the primary and secondary podcasts. His experience across the country working in multi-academy trusts, with the @NCETM , @GLOWMaths and local research school means he has so much to share and that has become even more obvious to me after recording our initial episodes. Liz Hopkins is also someone………. I love the CanDoMaths curriculum that she has developed which is used successfully in many primary schools. She has worked with numerous schools in different contexts as a local advisor and has so much experience that will shine through in the recordings. When I first met @NaomiBartholom1, she was not only clearly very knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive. Her work as national lead to @ThePiXLNetwork maths has seen her work with countless secondary schools and we have wanted to make this come to life for a long time for secondary leaders to enjoy and hopefully benefit from. Both podcasts will initially follow a similar monthly format - what should leaders be thinking about each month? The landscape in September looks very different to that in December, so we will look at what maths leaders should be considering each month with suggestions using three key strands: Judging standards, Securing Improvement and Evaluating Teaching and learning. More information about the team for each podcast and on the strands which will guide us through the year are found on the websites - leadingprimarymaths.co.uk and leadingsecondarymaths.co.uk - we hope that people will interact with us through the website. (We know there are a couple of teething issues on the websites, but we couldn’t hold back in releasing these any longer!) Being a subject lead in a school can be a very lonely job as no-one else does your role in school so I hope that the episodes will stir ideas and help to create a vision and focus for anyone who listens. The episodes will be uploaded onto Apple, Amazon, Spotify and YouTube - please do share with anyone who you think may find them of interest! (Links in comments)

In light of the headlines about the deaths of those leaving care, I felt compelled to write about collective grief, survivor guilt and the art of not knowing what has been known for a very long time. lisacherry.co.uk/blog/collec…