The aim of this paper is to bring critical attention to the ways in which notions of "success" and "failure" are applied to teaching and learning in schools in England and Wales. The main philosophical text that guides the discussion is Derrida's "Signature event context", which contains a reading of J.L. Austin's theory of the performative…

This paper critically examines the application of research into cognitive neuroscience to educational contexts. It first considers recent warnings from within the neuroscientific community itself about the limitations of current neuroscientific knowledge and the urgent need to dispel popular "neuromyths" which have become accepted in many…

This paper draws upon data from a longitudinal, multi-site, mixed methods project which found that commitment and resilience are fundamental to teachers' effectiveness, and that variations in professional, personal and workplace conditions in different professional life phases affect these. It found also that teachers do not necessarily learn…

This study situates Green's educational philosophy and practice in the context of his overall approach to philosophy. In Green's view, education should aim at the realisation of the common good, but what Green means by this term is closely connected to his views on human nature, ethical endeavour and indeed the evolution of human history. These…

Twelve years ago Blatchford and Mortimore's authoritative review of class size research appeared in this journal. They concluded that a major problem with class size research was the lack of detailed studies of complex classroom processes that might mediate class size effects on pupils' learning. This article reviews two UK class size reviews and…

A statistical relationship between student affect and student achievement is routinely observed--students who like a particular subject also tend to do well in that subject. Theory suggests that the underlying causality is a mutual influence relationship in which affect influences, and is influenced by, achievement. Published analyses, however,…

Examines the ways in which anxiety appears in children's narratives about their transitions to secondary school. Features a pilot study that focused on Year 5 and 6 children (n=90) in two London, England primary schools. Explores the positive functions of anxiety as part of a development process. Includes references. (CMK)

Argues for a procedure for moral education that begins by categorizing the meaning of moral, establishing what counts as good performance, framing assessment methods, and devising experiments in methods for moral education that result in practical recommendations. Explains that it must be decided what counts as moral reasoning. (CMK)

Reviews the legacy of previous educational reforms in special education and discusses the current trends in government policy for special educational needs (SEN). Addresses three possible outcomes of the current policies. States that current policy will not change systems and approaches for special educational needs. Includes references. (CMK)

Considers the current context for concern about 'political education' worldwide and in the United Kingdom. Analyzes the concept of political education and discusses political education in the United Kingdom, addressing the reasons for United Kingdom exceptionalism. Introduces this issue of "Oxford Review of Education." (CMK)

Provides a brief historical background on political education in England. Describes four reasons for the development of political education policies during the 1970s, the three types of political education (political literacy, 'new' or 'adjectival' education, and education for citizenship) promoted from 1969-98, and four trends across political…

States that the outbreak of violence in Northern Ireland in 1969 led to the examination of the role of segregated education in perpetuating divisions between Catholics and Protestants. Focuses on two approaches to bring children from Catholic and Protestant backgrounds together: (1) establishing programs within the denominationally segregated…

Addresses the implications of a research project that examined Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) students' understanding of citizenship in United Kingdom primary and secondary schools using a questionnaire and interviews. Explores students' attitudes related to social, political, and moral issues and examines how these affect their…

Discusses the background to and the deliberations of the Advisory Group on Education for Citizenship and the Teaching of Democracy in Schools. Discusses the main recommendations of the Advisory Group in their final report. Reports on four challenges (curriculum, community, global, and individual) that will be faced in the future. (CMK)

Addresses the effects of school inspection on teachers and schools in Northern Ireland. Presents findings from a study of the perceptions and experiences of some 70 Northern Ireland primary and secondary level schools. Reveals that although inspections are considered professional and supportive, clear reservations about them persist. (CMK)