jamieportman.com/blog

#Soldiers. Courage still needed.

Jamie Portman — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:38:30 +0000

This quote is particularly apt for those educators who intend to do what Margaret Mead highlights below. You know if this concerns you or not. #Soldiers Definition: Soldiers 3rd person singular present, plural of sol·dier. Noun: a person who serves in the army. Context: Striving to change the anachronistic educational system in the UK. Courage [...]

Unfortunately, 3 Essential Documents for School Leaders in 2012

Jamie Portman — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:45:15 +0000

The following 3 documents are of essential importance for school leaders in England and Wales for 2012. Unfortunately, many of them reinforce the accountability that school leaders have in the face of their employers – the Government. These documents must not dictate all developments in our schools despite the immense pressure that many of us [...]

Wanted: Work experience for Gove and OFSTED inspectors.

Jamie Portman — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:39:30 +0000

I love this article by Mick Waters. What impressed me the most was a very simple concept: “… if every Ofsted inspector as part of their contract had to teach for a continuous half-term every year, we’d see a better inspection system.” Waters goes on to talk about how inspectors would develop more humility when [...]

1% is better than nowt

Jamie Portman — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:25:44 +0000

I’ve created lots of resources in the past but the problem is forget about the vast majority of them. As a history teacher I rarely use textbooks because they are either text heavy, too complex or too simple. As result of this, I’ve spent copious amounts of time and energy creating stuff. Today I stumbled [...]

C-Magazine 4

Jamie Portman — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:14:14 +0000

Find below the 4th edition of ‘C Magazine’ – one way of sharing teaching and learning ideas at Campsmount Technology College. The purpose of it is defined below (aimed at colleagues from my school) ‘C’ is for communication, collaboration and community. ‘C magazine’ is about showcasing good practice. It’s about enhancing our professional learning community [...]

Showcasing and sharing classroom practice: School based Teachmeets

Jamie Portman — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 17:18:53 +0000

CPD sessions in the worst schools are done to staff. Teachers are passive and get bored when presenters talk at them for too long. Yet as teachers, we know that the best lessons buzz with ideas and engagement, and for me, that has to be a key element for teacher developmental sessions in schools – [...]

‘Until Jamie matures and takes his work seriously he is unlikely to improve on his appalling performance.’

Jamie Portman — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:00:17 +0000

The image says: ‘Until Jamie matures and takes his work seriously he is unlikely to improve on his appalling performance.’ Mr B – Chemistry Teacher 1994. To be honest, when I read this in my old secondary school report it made me chuckle a little bit. It took me back to my school days which [...]

Why I’m so proud of our school website

Jamie Portman — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 09:19:55 +0000

www.campsmount.com/ Sadly, school websites are often a contradiction of what normally goes on within them. I regularly see sites that haven’t been updated in months and can only be described as dull, boring, static and lifeless. And yet for me, school websites should actually be a celebration of the learning and achievements that goes on [...]

#SchoolTwitter – Sharing the great things

Jamie Portman — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 15:38:20 +0000

Whilst perusing through my Twitter network the other day I discovered Priory Community School’s own account. This then led to linking up with Jason Edwards (their Deputy Headteacher) and then onto their school website. Within 2 minutes my brain started firing up: ‘That looks interesting… I like the idea of that… I’ve always wanted to [...]

What is the purpose of education? (in 500-ish words)

Jamie Portman — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:04:53 +0000

What is the purpose of education? (Written as requested, and to contribute to, the #purpos/ed campaign) When reading this I need to make it clear that I’m not an expert in education. I know nothing about the many different kinds of literacies out there, scholarly theories on the functionality of cognitive acceleration or trans-educational warp [...]