P3 - From Circle to Abacus Time: The Primary School Debate - BBC Radio 4 29/9/09

Following education journalist Mike Baker's three-part series on the history of primary schools, Jane Garvey chairs a debate on the future of education for the under 11s. On the panel are Dr. Sheila Lawlor, Mike Baker, Mick Brooks and John White.

2009 sees a critical and uncertain time in primary schooling. The 'root and branch reform' of the curriculum promised by schools secretary Ed Balls has led to the publication of Sir Jim Rose's review. The wider-ranging Cambridge Primary Review, led by Prof Robin Alexander, is also due. Add to the mix a possible change of political leadership before the new system is implemented in September 2011, and the only real certainty is that major change will come to a primary school near you.

The programme is recorded at the Institute of Education in London, in front of an audience. The expert panel, made up of primary practictioners, educationalists and parents, take questions and comments from the audience and set out to address the question, 'What is the purpose of primary education, and how can we best provide it?'.

This video has been uploaded by Politeia, a Westminster based think tank which acts as a forum for social and economic thinking. Its aim is to encourage reflection, discussion and debate about the place of the state in the daily lives of men and women across the range of issues which affect them, from employment and tax to education, health and pensions.

For more information about Politeia, visit http://www.politeia.co.uk

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Education

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