Episodes

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A-Levels20151229

Every day this week the former Conservative MP and universities minister, David Willetts, is examining our education system - stage by stage.

Putting politics to one side, he's taking a long hard look at education to challenge some of the conventional wisdom we've all lived with for a long time - and which, he argues, shapes the debate without our even realising it.

In this programme, David laments his own choice of A Levels and argues that the current system forces school pupils to specialise much too soon. As a result, he says, there is a sudden and unhelpful parting of the ways between science and the humanities.

Producer: Charlotte McDonald.

David Willetts thinks school pupils are forced to specialise much too soon.

Former universities minister David Willetts examines the UK's education system

Late Learners20160101

Every day this week the former Conservative MP and universities minister, David Willetts, is examining our education system - stage by stage.

Putting politics to one side, he's taking a long hard look at education to challenge some of the conventional wisdom we've all lived with for a long time - and which, he argues, shapes the debate without our even realising it.

In this programme David argues that we should make it easier for people to come back to education later in life. Life is messy, he says, and the education system should reflect that.

Producer: Charlotte McDonald.

David Willetts argues that we should make it easier for people to come back to education.

Former universities minister David Willetts examines the UK's education system

The Early Years20151228

Every day this week the former Conservative MP and universities minister, David Willetts, is examining our education system - stage by stage.

Putting politics to one side, he's taking a long hard look at education to challenge some of the conventional wisdom we've all lived with for a long time - and which, he argues, shapes the debate without our even realising it.

In today's programme, David suggests that a misunderstanding of neuroscience has led us to put far too much weight on the first three years of life. He says we should rebalance education spending away from the early years in favour of creating more opportunities to learn later in life.

Producer: Charlotte McDonald.

David Willetts suggests education spending should be rebalanced away from the early years.

Former universities minister David Willetts examines the UK's education system

University20151231

Every day this week the former Conservative MP and universities minister, David Willetts, is examining our education system - stage by stage.

Putting politics to one side, he's taking a long hard look at education to challenge some of the conventional wisdom we've all lived with for a long time - and which, he argues, shapes the debate without our even realising it.

In this programme David argues that the controversial goal of getting 50% of school leavers into university is far too timid. University changes people for the better, he says, so why shouldn't 75% of school leavers go - and perhaps even more?

Producer: Charlotte McDonald.

Is the goal of getting 50 per cent of school leavers into university too timid?

Former universities minister David Willetts examines the UK's education system

Vocational Training20151230

Every day this week the former Conservative MP and universities minister, David Willetts, is examining our education system - stage by stage.

Putting politics to one side, he's taking a long hard look at education to challenge some of the conventional wisdom we've all lived with for a long time - and which, he argues, shapes the debate without our even realising it.

In this programme, David argues that universities should play a bigger role in vocational training. Apprenticeships, he says, have got far too much attention.

Producer: Charlotte McDonald.

David Willetts thinks universities should play a bigger role in vocational training.

Former universities minister David Willetts examines the UK's education system