Dr Jane Coles, SEA Co-Chair reports from Labour Conference 2026, on contradictions between Andy Burnham’s stated aims and the drive to a wholly trust based service. Also information about two events.

Martin Allen, blog writer at education economy and society.com tracks the decline in graduate jobs and those for young people generally. You can subscribe by visiting the blog page below.

Blog 79 James Whiting , SEA Secretary , interviews Cherry Casey, parent and children’s rights journalist about her up and coming book to be published next month. Watch this space for a review.

Instead of recognising the strengths of all students, GCSE is being used to select students for the next phase of academic education. James Whiting (SEA Secretary) argues they should be replaced.

Blog 77 Zena Brabazon was until recently Cabinet Member for Education in Haringey.

James Whiting on behalf of SEA NEC

Blog 74. Andy Burnham has indicated he wants to radically reform education and bring parity between technical/vocational courses and academic ones. What are the issues?

Blog 73 Pam Tatlow, SEA Co-Chair and HE policy expert, sets out some priorities for Lucy Powell in the HE sector as some universities struggle to stay afloat.

Blog 72. James Whiting, SEA Secretary, tells Andy Burnham to look beyond this superficial report to more fundamental reforms if the disadvantaged working class are to benefit more from education.

Blog 71. In our series advising Andy Burnham on education, John Bolt, SEA Officer, FE Governor and ex-local authority inspector, argues for a flexible 14 to 19 curriculum and for new faces at the DFE.

Blog 70. During the Makerfield campaign, Andy Burnham said education was in need of massive radical change. In a new series we set out changes he should consider. The first piece is around academies.

.James Whiting SEA Secretary and ex drama teacher considers whether 'Every Child Can' is the way forward as a means to improving Arts Education in mainstream schools.

.James Whiting SEA Secretary and ex drama teacher considers whether 'Every Child Can' is the way forward as a means to improving Arts Education in mainstream schools.

Blog 68. In our second review of the recent report 'Inside the Mind of a Young NEET' we focus on the implications for education and schools.

Blog 67 We welcome an urgent call for action that is the report by Peter Hyman and Shuab Gamote called 'Inside the Mind of a young NEET'. Ian Duckett, educator working with NEET young people, reviews.

In Blog 66 the SEA publishes one of its submissions to Labour's policy commission and Ian Duckett from SEA NEC critiques the recent NEU conference in a personal capacity.

Blog 64. The SEA has now published a new book on Curriculum and Assessment critiquing the recent Francis Review. We publish a second article from the book and how to buy it.

We are witnessing the final blow to the possibility of a return to a role for local democracy in education. Instead the Labour government is reviving a Tory policy to move all schools into multi-acade...

The government is keen for more young people to take up apprenticeships when costs for university students are rising. Blog 63 considers whether they are the best way forward for young people.

Blog 62. The third post on the new White Paper looks at the last chapter, where buried under the SEND proposals, is Labour's new policy to create an all trust system including LA MATs.

Blog 61 In a second post on the new White Paper we look at how school structures get in the way of it delivering. There is also a report on The NEU Special Conference on support staff recruitment.

In the first of our responses to the proposed SEND reforms, we support the move to more inclusive mainstream schools but argue how funding is made available will impact on the success of the reforms.

We publish two sample articles from the forthcoming SEA book 'After The Review: Reimagining Curriculum and Assessment' which will be out at the end of the month. This is the first.

Blog 59. James Whiting ex drama/arts teacher and SEA General Secretary, despairs at the BBC's approach to education reporting in a review of a radio 4 Artwork Programme

Blog 58 looks at the mess and the shattered lives caused by haphazard responses to challenging behaviour and violence in our schools. The recent case at All Saints, Sheffield is an example.

Blog 57 makes no apologies for featuring two posts on SEND education in the build up to the release of the White Paper.

In Blog 56 Education Politics turns its attention to the crisis in our universities caused by the insistence of this government and the last, that students must pick up the tab for their own tuition.

Blog 54 focuses on the abusive behaviour regime at Mossbourne and the lack of accountability of academies. We also publish Fiona Millar's contribution to the Caroline Benn Memorial event.

Blog 53 reports on a dispute at a MAT where an experiment with remote teaching is being challenged by the NEU. Also featured is first of three posts which made up 2025 Caroline Benn Memorial Lecture

Blog 52. Two posts argue that current education policy is dominated by testing, metrics, and rigid structures that undermine children’s wellbeing, engagement, and genuine learning.

Ian Duckett (SEA NEC) teacher, NEU activist and writer sets out how essential the comprehensive ideal is in our increasingly fragmented society. He also recounts a visit to Cuban schools.

This year's special 25th Anniversary Lecture takes the form of presentations on the question 'Completed or Defeated?  The Comprehensive Revolution 25 Years On' given by three women. Diane Reay -...

Blog 50 returns to a perennial SEA campaign. John Cosgrove shows how academisation/privatisation is a major factor in the SEND crisis. Richard Hatcher bemoans the loss of community sway it has caused.

Blog 49

Blog 48. We imagine how the test was conceived in a 'Yes Minister' style spoof. First, a post setting out the arguments against the test proposal and for a more playful approach to literature.

This year's special 25th Anniversary Lecture takes the form of presentations on the question 'Completed or Defeated?  The Comprehensive Revolution 25 Years On' given by three women. Diane Reay -...

Blog 47 digs beneath Bridget Phillipson's concern with white working class attainment and Richard Hatcher raises issues around the proposal to hand powers over education to combined authorities.

Blog 46 features Steve Witherden MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Education whose report finds children trapped in poverty and a system draining the excitement of learning away.

Blog 45. Paty Paliokosta look at why pupil well-being in secondary schools is declining and Conor Bollins questions Starmer's commitment to increase militarism in schools

Blog 44. Dr Conor Bollins asks when will Labour tackle the growing crisis, using his experience as a lecturer at UEA, as an example of the mess.

Blog 42 checks in on Phillipson's new nursery funding announcement and considers the NEU's contribution to the 'Year of Trade Union Climate Action'.

Blog 41 focuses on the crisis in Special Needs and Disability Education and features the outline of a presentation made to the SEA parliamentary branch. First, information about the SEA AGM.

Blog 41 focuses on the crisis in Special Needs and Disability Education and features the outline of a presentation made to the SEA parliamentary branch. First, information about the SEA AGM.