Here are a selection of links to some education news stories which have appeared this week:
- Michael Gove, the new education secretary, has said that outstanding schools will no longer face routine inspections. This will allow Ofsted to ‘focus their efforts on failing schools instead’.
- Despite the planned £6.2bn of savings in 2010-11, the government has promised to protect schools, Sure Start and spending on education for 16-19 year olds.
- The education secretary has also promised that all schools will be able to break away from authority control and become academies. A BBC report outlines how these changes might affect schools. However, the Times Online reports that headteachers are ‘lukewarm’ about this invitation. The video below shares Michael Gove’s plans:
- An academy that was previously classed as ‘outstanding’ has now been given an ‘inadequate’ rating by Ofsted, casting doubt on the government’s plans.
- Groups of parents are to be allowed to set up their own schools under new plans. Some parents are putting the finishing touches to their plans already.
- Up to a third of England’s colleges may have to merge or work closely together in order to survive. These warnings have been given because of changes to the way that colleges are funded.
- The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency has been scrapped. It was created by the previous government to develop the curriculum and administer tests. The agency’s work on tests and exam adminstration will continue until it can be transferred.
- The chairman and chief executive of the Student Loans Company have resigned after the publication of the report which criticised them.
- Estimates suggest that a new A* grade being awarded in A-levels this year could go to 7% of the entries.
Image – Bullying
- New research has shown that children who stand up to bullies are more likely to develop social and emotional skills.
- The Science Museum has opened a new gallery which aims to ‘deepen [visitors'] understanding of climate science in an enjoyable, engaging and memorable way’.
- All parents of children beginning secondary school in Scotland are to receive a letter from the Education Secretary in a bid to allay fears over the controversial new Curriculum for Excellence, which has come under fire from teachers.
- A children’s sports competition that was cancelled to protect young players from becoming upset if they lost has been reinstated after parents campaigned against the decision.
- Finally, a decision is due to be made about the closure of a school which will have no pupils at the end of this academic year.
