Another interview question (sorry)

[T2710]

Hi all
I have an interview to primary initial teacher training tomorrow and know they are big on current educational issues. I feel quite prepared but I'm concerned I don't have enough current issues to hand to talk about. Can any of you suggest anything further to the below, or whether any of the below aren't v good?
-baseline testing, good or bad
-careers education being added to primary curriculum
-current recruitment crisis (though I feel this is more applicable to secondary)
-EAL student increase, linked to refugee crisis

I'm sure I'll be asked to talk about at least one issue but not sure whether it will be in the interview or the written test I'll be having, so I want to make sure I cover as many potential areas as possible in case they ask something specific.
Thanks a million

[SisterViktorine]

Well, the government flatly deny there is a recruitment crisis so that might be a shaky one.

In Primary I would say assessment is an ongoing issue. The government failed to release the promised 'guidance' document on assessment without levels. Every school doing their own thing will lead to issues, particularly with identifying SEN, school to school moderation and school to school pupil transfers.

[T2710]

Brilliant, thank you. Will look into lack or guidance and cross recruitment off the list.

[toomuchicecream]

I'd add to assessment the problem of tracking progress. It appears that the shiny new system wants us to measure children against year end expectations all year. So in the autuumn/spring they will be below and then in the summer they will be meeting or exceeding. Then the next autumn they will be back to below again. But how does that enable us to track whether we are closing the gap for pupils, or if they are actually making progress or not? They could be below age related expectations all the way through school and it would look like we'd added no value.

[T2710]

Hadn't thought of that, thank you so much :0)

[Redlocks28]

Recruitment is just as much of an issue in primary, but I agree-don't talk about that!

Stick to assessment without levels- how it's implemented/how to show progress/the difficulties of schools being allowed to choose their own system, eg I've just had a new child join my class who is 1w+ Level across the board. This didn't mean anything to us though!

Or read up on the changes to SEND--the removal of statements and the introduction of EHCPs.

[rollonthesummer]

Which assessment system are you using, toomuchicecream. We aren't doing it like that in my school. What is 'age related' changes as the year goes on.

[DanFmDorking]

... current educational issues ...

1. Channel guidance

Channel is part of the Prevent strategy. The process is a multi-agency approach to identify and provide support to individuals who are at risk of being drawn into terrorism.

1. Also, get reading this.

Good Luck!

[T2710]

Just wanted to say thanks again for your suggestions. They didn't actually ask about an educational issue in the end do I was very surprised