Here’s a round-up of this week’s education-related news stories:
- In his budget statement, George Osbourne, warned that education spending in England could be cut by as much as 25% over the next four years.
- The chair of Ofsted has resigned, fuelling speculation that ministers plan significant changes at the organisation.
- An announcement is expected next week about the future of the Building Schools for the Future scheme.
- The number of primary aged children is expected to rise by 13.5% by 2018, putting pressure on schools and education budgets. The proportion of 16 to 18 year olds at school, college or in training reached its highest ever level last year.
Image – Salt and Vinegar
- Parents want more advice about how to prepare healthier lunch boxes, rather than having schools tell them what they can and cannot put in them.
- A coalition of senior doctors and nurses have written to Michael Gove, expressing ‘deep concern’ at his decision to axe plans for free school meals for half a million primary school children from low income families.
- A leading headteacher says that more effort should be boosting results among the most able pupils, rather than concentrating on the drive to raise standards to a minimum threshold.
- The National Governors Association is telling its members to be cautious about becoming an academy. The government has also released a list of schools that have asked about becoming an academy.
- A study has shown that the free schools model in Sweden has not significantly improved pupils’ academic achievement.
- Students and staff at 100 UK colleges and universities are protesting against funding cuts in further, higher and adult education.
- An experienced headteacher has been suspended after allegedly making comments about a pupil.
- A report from the Telegraph finds out about schools who are taking part in a range of ‘eco’ activities, including recycling, reducing waste and growing vegetables.
Image – Stack of Books
- Sir Tom Stoppard believes that books are being left behind as an increasing amount of young people’s time is spent focusing on ‘the moving image’.
- It was also claimed that access to PCs and high-speed broadband can lead to a decline in test scores among young people.
- Atmosphir has left their ‘beta’ stage and offers free games based learning opportunities for schools. Thanks to Kevin McLaughlin for spotting this and sharing it on Twitter. Find out more about Atmosphir in the video below:
- The first #ukedchat event took place with teachers on Twitter sharing their ideas. This week’s question was ‘How can we get more teachers to use technology effectively in their teaching?‘. An archive of the responses can be found in this document. Well done to @colport for organising the event. If you’re on Twitter, join in every Thursday at 8pm by following the #ukedchat tag.
- Bev Evans wrote a wonderful post about linking ICT and the outdoor curriculum… it’s well worth reading to get some ideas for the last few weeks of the summer term.
