What exactly is this woman's position in the government?

Yes, I suppose that as with so many initiatives, Jalima, whether it's a positive or negative experience will depend on the school leadership and how they implement it.

I'm not sure about the pen licence idea - it seems to be encouragement rather than punishment and I think kindly teachers will award them to all children for achievement at their level, rather than for perfection.
That seems to be the case at DGD's school anyway.

I did get my knuckles hit with a ruler, but it was not for not knowing my spelling or arithmetic (I don't think our HM hit us for that) - it was for talking.
It didn't stop me

unless it was fruit picking, her application would be returned saying I expected her to have the basic grasp if the written English language
Luckylegs even fruit pickers have to have a grasp of the language being used by their employer, or they will not understand instructions on how to pick, pack and look after the fruit so that it is still top quality and fit for market - and, of course, a good understanding of all the health and safety instructions essential in today's world of work.

In any case, if Ms Morgan wants to be traditional and pedantic, 'we will' should be 'we shall'. Pah!

Thanks for the link to pen licences. It appears from what I read on the link that children may adopt any writing style they feel comfortable with whereas we were all taught a particular style which lapsed into individuality as we grew older. Is that the case? Any currently practising primary school teachers out there?

It was very much tongue in cheek, mumofmadboys. I'm surprised that anyone could take it at face value (surely the last sentence and the gave it away?). Sorry if not, I'll try to speak more plainly in future! Those Fridays are lodged firmly in my memory, along with the image of one boy wetting himself as he was approached for his weekly beating. I just fear that by publicly singling out the less able with our little ceremonies such as the formal presentation of the pen licence (and the fact that the work of the children who can't have it is prominently displayed in pencil on the classroom wall), we are slipping back to those times, even though the ruler, thank goodness, is out of the equation.

Sorry about the rogue capital and if instead of of, this I pad puts down words you didn't write and I should have checked before pushing send.

This just fills me with despair. How dare someone that cannot spell a simple word and sign her name correctly be telling anyone about education. She is not a personal friend, her name both Christian and surname should be used. She doesn't know the absolute basics. If she wrote to me for a job, unless it was fruit picking, her application would be returned saying I expected her to have the basic grasp if the written English language and when she does, to write to me again. At least the applicant would know why they were not getting interviews and make the necessary steps to put it right. I feel so sorry for all the pressure our children are out under and for what? To send a letter out like that and name stupid rules that mean nothing.

Maggiemaybe- I assume that was tongue in cheek. That was a terrible thing to happen. Poor children who aren't so bright. Thank goodness such brutality no longer exists in the classroom.

It is mathematics at Key Stages 1 & 2 (the old 'Infant' & 'Junior' schools) Absent as opposed to just arithmetic.

Ooops! I see Jalima has already given the link. I agree with others that the whole idea seems horrendous.

Info about pen licences:

www.theschoolrun.com/what-is-a-pen-licence

:-(

Maggiemaybe I cannot see anything to be gained by children who have difficulty with spelling and/or maths (or would that just be arithmetic in junior school?) through slapping their hands with a ruler – apart from humiliation and pain.

I've never heard of this pen licence. What do the kids have to do to get it?
As for Nicky Morgan, I agree with Luckygirl that she is a puppet (muppet?) of DC. He's pulling her strings alright. As someone above also says, the Peter Principle is demonstrated perfectly by NM's appointment.

Pen licence? WTF? Why don't we just go back to the simple system they had at my junior school? Every Friday we'd be lined up round the hall and tested on spelling and maths. Get your question right, you moved up, get it wrong you moved down. The 4 or 5 who brought up the rear at the end got their hands slapped with a ruler. And fancy, it was the same children every week

Yes, another worrying one in charge of education. It's dispiriting and infuriating in equal measure. No wonder so many young teachers have had enough within 5 years. Why can't the government keep out and leave the teaching profession to do their job

It is all out of hand - and destroys the joy in learning. Such a shame. I think that Morgan is a puppet of DC with no mind of her own - she's obeying orders like some kind of robot. There is no real thought or imagination in her policies and her pronouncements are crass and insensitive.

oldgoat I so agree with you. DD went into school and put her foot down because DGS was getting so upset about not getting his 'pen licence' (and how ridiculous is that?!) when the other children had theirs. There is more to intelligence than handwriting. These SATS have got completely out of hand.

Oh fgs oldgoat, oh dear.
Well done to your DGS for getting his pen licence!
Not sure that Nicky Morgan should have hers yet

Mind you, it is not just this government, they are just continuing what was introduced years ago. League tables - what are they all about? Not about children, certainly.

DGC was awarded its pen licence recently , aged 11. The child is dyslexic and has received endless help and encouragement at school to build its self-esteem. School has told DS that the child will fail its SATS next month. I could weep for the damage this Government are doing to children

Is this a continuation of 'joined-up government'?

However, I am very proud to announce that DGD2 was awarded her pen licence a few months ago at the age of just 7!
www.theschoolrun.com/what-is-a-pen-licence
I must ask her if she can spell sincerely.

not sure this is perhaps a step too far? Also the author of the piece is using the term 'cursive writing' I suspect incorrectly.

Finland has the right idea when it comes to teaching handwriting.this is an interesting article