The Educated Guess

'Decisions matter when it comes to education, because we are taking a direct role in creating the future and some things as they happen now are not how they must always be.'

We live busy lives in a complex world, and we haven't always got time to think slowly and logically through every decision we are faced with. Instead, we rely a lot on our intuition, in that subconsciously we make quick and automatic judgements based on our memories, insights and experiences. But our intuition is distorted by a whole range of thinking biases which are invisible to us.

Warwick Sharp is ideally placed to explore how this decision-making process applies to education. He has a decade of experience in education policy, has been a teacher and a governor, and has visited over 100 education institutions. In this book, Warwick draws on a huge range of research and evidence, bringing in advice and expertise from many sources.

The aim of The Educated Guess is to empower us all to spot the common biases in our thinking and, crucially, encourage us to reflect on both the short- and long-term effects of those biases. Through prominent examples, it provides insight on how to navigate the big and small choices we make in one of the most important areas of modern life: education.

"The Educated Guess is packed with perfectly pitched examples that challenge common education myths with reason and evidence. Warwick's wise words remind us all that starting from what we know and championing the place of rigorous research is vital if we want to provide a great education for all children."
Sir Kevan Collins
Chief Executive of the Education Endowment Foundation

"The Educated Guess is a brilliant support to anyone who wants to navigate through our education system. Thought provoking and well researched, this book is a welcome addition to the library of thinking about how educating a child in England this century works."
Sir David Carter
Former National Schools Commissioner

"This is an entertaining debunking of commonly held views. Warwick Sharp offers insight into truths about education that offer a refreshing alternative to the accepted narrative. We are compelled to challenge our intuition and think twice."
Dame Alison Peacock
Chief Executive of The Chartered College of Teaching

"Everyone has an opinion about education: what it should be like, how it should be organised, what should be taught. In this highly readable book, Warwick Sharp shines a bright light into the dark recesses of cognitive bias in education: what happens when all those personal opinions gain momentum. Patiently taking apart a number of the commonest areas of bias, he illuminates the issues with the evidence, thereby proposing better approaches."
Ian Bauckham CBE
CEO of Tenax Schools Trust

"This book challenges the current norms about information, advice and guidance in education and training. It helps people to think about what is right for them as individuals rather than being tempted to follow potentially ill-informed, outdated thinking."
Bev Robinson OBE
Principal and Chief Executive of Blackpool and The Fylde College

"The issue of choice has become increasingly important in education. This very handy guide helps people make the right choices for them. It examines and exposes some of the myths and legends that surround educational decision making in a calm and measured way. It deserves a wide audience."
Sir Mike Griffiths
Headteacher of multiple schools and Past President of the Association of School and College Leaders

Dettagli