David James

David James is a deputy head of of a leading independent school in London. He is co-author with Jane Lunnon of The State of Independence: Key Challenges Facing Private Schools Today (Routledge). His latest book, Schools of Thought: Lessons to learn from schools doing things differently (Bloomsbury) was published in March 2024. He can be found on Twitter at @drdavidajames

Hidden Lessons is filled with clichéd phrasing and, even worse, predictable and clichéd thinking

Yet another teacher memoir abuses more clichés

Lucy Kellaway’s memoir is a must-read for anyone considering the profession

At its best Conflicted reminds us of the central importance of meaningful debate

Musa Okwonga’s memoir about his time at Eton is a confused account of having access to everywhere but belonging nowhere

Finland’s persistent myth and the reality of progressive education

Shirley Williams secured a selective school for her own daughter – but did not understand why other parents might want that choice

The examination system is far from broken, so stop trying to replace it

A-level debacle epitomises the government’s farcical handling of schools throughout the pandemic

Our writers must be bold enough to write the words they want to write, independent, and stronger for that