Kevin Higginson

one time england junior squash, now maths lead practitioner at school in Kent and trainee LP for Sussex. Best wife and children in world

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

We Need to Talk about Numeracy!!! https://t.co/NdxogOPSgH

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@BanjaxArena @greg_ashman @teacherhead And isn't it sad that there are some people who feel the need to pass opinions onto employers, in the hope of a reprimand.
Yes, if they are racist et al, then right, but passing an opinion on educational policy is very sad.
As a teacher myself, I would hope my SLT engaged.

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@SamStrickers181 @wynlap It could be a great idea, keeping the contact hours, but spread out over a longer day.
Childcare for parents becomes less of an issue, maybe some space in TT for independent study during 'normal hours'.

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@adamboxer1 Was just stating the same about KS3 SATS this week, with a music teacher. They were worried about narrowing the curriculum.
My reply was that the high stakes of league tables are the cause of this, not national standardised assessment.

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@MichaelRosenYes Key point here is subject specific oracy.
Generic oracy lessons will lose any impact.
As a maths teacher, I constantly ask pupils to rephrase answers to use the correct language.

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@etaknipsa @adamboxer1 Why not, he has a valid point that oracy is
1) subject specific
2) should include all pupils.

Maybe mire training of secondary teachers in their own subject knowledge and language would help with oracy

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@adamboxer1 @ianwhite21 Surely oracy should happen in subject classes.
Using articulate language is part of embedding knowledge.
As a maths teacher, I am often taken aback by teachers, saying 'move the decimal point'. Using correct language help pupils with misconceptions and their own oracy.

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@adamboxer1 @LucyMPowell I can remember the KS4 diplomas, in the early 2000s!

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@adamboxer1 @LucyMPowell I completely understand the concept of offering alternative routes in education, but as you have said, certain 'groups' of pupils will be 'encouraged' to move into this route, while others will be actively 'discouraged'.

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@LaSalleEd Well done Jack you have done so well in your teaching career.
Proud to have been part of your journey

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@oldandrewuk @RogersHistory Issue really stems from parental attitude to non GCSE and A-Level.
Remember one open evening where a parent didn't want to hear about IB as it was not A-Levels!!!
If the new qualifications hold water then maybe fine, but need to be open to all, not just 'non academic'

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@oldandrewuk @RogersHistory Remember the diplomas of the 2000s!!!

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@nunez_cabeza @adamboxer1 @amymayforrester How about the fact that it is so expensive to hire an inexperienced trainee, even without all the lost hours for training and other staff as mentors.

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@VinceBoley The understanding that it is 40 not 4 is the key bit of this. Too often I hear pupils say 2+4 =6 when the correct vocabulary is 20+40=60. I use PV counters to show this alongside, especially when grouping in addition and exchanging with subtraction.
https://t.co/8lDDl8JDdj

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@adamboxer1 Poor behaving pupils automatically put into these pathways to 'remove' them from disrupting others!!!
What about the cost of specialists and specific rooms for these.
I remember the last time this was tried in the 2000s.

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@adamboxer1 Tried to say this to new HoD, but was told that students would not hand it in.

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@fidsta77 @greeborunner I have argued this at my school.
2 benefits I can see in maths.
1) primary subject knowledge improves
2) secondary teachers understand mastery better, especially using pictorial methods, often missing from experienced teachers.

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@greeborunner Maybe in science starting with 2 lessons on using a Bunsen, could be argued.

[Kevin Higginson @HiggikKevin]

@sciantificnew I have been part of assessments for pupils and they are not strenuous. They rely on a lot of subjective opinion as to what behaviours are shown.
But it is always difficult to draw a line in a grey area.