Robinson successfully defended his school from closure, fought for the unification of the teaching unions, mentored future trade union leaders and transformed teaching at the Marx Memorial Library, writes JOHN FOSTER
Beyond Adolescence: the dangerous misinterpretations of Netflix’s most controversial drama
The series unveils uncomfortable truths about youth alienation and online radicalisation — but the real crisis lies in austerity and the absence of class consciousness in addressing young people’s disillusionment, says teacher ROBERT POOLE
ELITE ENDORSEMENT: Keir Starmer hosts Adolescence writer Jack Thorne (right) at 10 Downing Street, for a ‘safety meeting’ inspired by the fictional TV series
A judge in a German court ruled that the ban activity imposed on renowned Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah was unlawful, reports LEON WYSTRYCHOWSKI
At the very moment Britain faces poverty, housing and climate crises requiring radical solutions, the liberal press promotes ideologically narrow books while marginalising authors who offer the most accurate understanding of change, writes IAN SINCLAIR
From Gaza protest bans to proscribing Palestine Action, political elites are showing a crisis of confidence as they abandon Roy Jenkins’s apologetic approach for Suella Braverman’s aggressive ‘hate march’ rhetoric, writes PAUL DONOVAN
ANSELM ELDERGILL examines the legal case behind this weekend’s Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival and the lessons for today
Ben Chacko talks to RMT leader EDDIE DEMPSEY about how the key to fixing broken Britain lies in collective sectoral bargaining, restoring unions’ ability to take solidarity strike action and bringing about the much-vaunted ‘wave of insourcing’
The summer of 1950 saw Labour abandon further nationalisation while escalating Korean War spending from £2.3m to £4.7m, as the government meekly accepted capitalism’s licence and became Washington’s yes-man, writes JOHN ELLISON
LIKE most of the country, I have been enthralled by the Netflix limited series Adolescence. It is a great piece of drama, with fantastic acting — especially from some of the younger cast — and Stephen Graham shows that he is one of the finest working-class actors of our time. The claustrophobic shooting style — one single continuous, real-time shot per episode — is fascinating to watch and makes for an intense viewing experience.
It also leaves us constantly wanting to know more about what is happening off-screen and leaves us with more questions than answers by the end of the series.
But beneath the artistic excellence lies a dangerous narrative that’s been seized upon by those with political agendas, and it’s crucial we understand what’s really happening with our young people before we draw the wrong conclusions.
More from this author
The NEU’s annual conference promises heated debate, with motions on international politics, curriculum reform and union amalgamation likely to provoke strong reactions and challenge the status quo, writes Education for Tomorrow editor ROBERT POOLE
From colonialism to the Troubles, the story of England’s first colony is one of exploitation, resistance, and solidarity — and one we should fight to ensure is told, writes teacher ROBERT POOLE
As the government moves to rein in academy freedoms, former darling of conservative education reform Katharine Birbalsingh cries ‘Marxism.’ Education columnist ROBERT POOLE examines how academisation has failed our children while enriching executives and empowering ideologues at the expense of democratic accountability
ROBERT POOLE reports back from his mission to Cuba delivering aid and learning from Cuban educators
