Guest lecturer - Jane Davidson

Changes Within Education In The Recent Decade Due to the sickness of our lecturer Andy Reynolds, we have been having many guests come and cover for him. Today, we had Jane Davidson.

Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. But with vision and action you can change the world”

- Jane Davidson (2001) Jane Davidson has been the Minister for Education in Wales for over 7 years. Today, she discussed with us about the changes in education over the past years. She explained how the National Curriculum was introduced in the 1980's by Prime Minister at the time, Margaret Thatcher. Thatcher had introduced this regime to ensure that everyone in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales received a proper education up to the age of 16. This did however, exclude private schools. This then led to controversy in teachers as their creativity became more restricted. Although the subject was controversial, the National Curriculum allowed standardization. This enabled assessments to take place. Assessments then of course lead to school leagues which meant that parents could access and decide which school they wanted their child/children to attend. Davidson then went on to speak about the government policy changes in 1997. This brought a new labour government. Tony Blair famously announced ‘"Education, Education, and Education". He had recognised the restrictions of the National Curriculum and advocated change. With the introduction of the Welsh National Assembly, Education in Wales differed from that of England. In the past however, it was the same.