{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/65804e0f1585de00125ded2d/65804e163c61a300185b5bf7?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Grade A mess","description":"<p>Tim Stanley, Telegraph columnist and leader writer, joins Allison Pearson on this week’s podcast, while Captain Halligan is on his very own Aegean Odyssey (AKA a Ryanair flight to Greece). The pair award the education secretary an F for allowing top A-Level grades to be handed out to almost half of school leavers - a move our hosts agree isn’t really that generous after all - and reflect on the latest Covid confusion. Our new co-pilot is a loyal follower of Boris Johnson, but has his loyalty been shaken by 17 months of inconsistencies within his pandemic response? Not so… Tim explains all.</p><p>Also on the podcast: education reformer and “Britain’s strictest headmistress” Katharine Birbalsingh lets Allison in on the real reason behind this year’s grade inflation, lays out why she thinks calls to decolonise the curriculum are “appalling” and explains why - cue groans from our younger listeners - exams must stay.</p><p><br></p><p>Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 12th August 11am-12pm:&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education-and-careers/2021/08/12/planet-normal-need-have-conversation-grade-inflation/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education-and-careers/2021/08/12/planet-normal-need-have-conversation-grade-inflation/</a>&nbsp;|</p><p>Read more from Allison:&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/%7C\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/</a>&nbsp;|</p><p>Read more from Tim:&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/t/tf-tj/tim-stanley/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/t/tf-tj/tim-stanley/</a>&nbsp;|</p><p>Listen to Hong Kong Silenced:&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.playpodca.st/hongkong\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">www.playpodca.st/hongkong</a>&nbsp;|</p><p>Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here:&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/%C2%A0%7C\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/&nbsp;|</a></p><p>Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |</p><p>For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph:&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal%C2%A0%7C\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal&nbsp;|</a></p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href=\"https://art19.com/privacy\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href=\"https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.</p>","author_name":"The Telegraph"}