Here are links to a selection of education-related news articles:
- The National Audit Office has warned that the rapid expansion of England’s academies programme risks being poor value for money. Michael Gove responded with this comment.
- The former chairman of the Accounts Commission in Scotland has said that education authorities there should be merged in order to avoid duplication of services and so that classrooms may be spared the worst of spending cuts.
- Teachers in Scotland spend 60% of their working hours in the classroom, which is higher than other teachers anywhere in the western world. What proportion of your working time is spent in your classroom?
Image – Information Systems
- Michael Gove has announced a review of vocational education in England which he says ‘lost its way’ under Labour. He has also given details of the first 16 ‘free schools’ to be set up under the coalition government.
- Another announcement from Michael Gove claims that parents should create their own school league tables from exam results and extra data soon to be published online.
- A primary school in London is using call centre-style staff in India to lead maths lessons for their 11 year olds.
- The Council for Industry and Higher Education has produced a report which says that creative digital technologies must be a ‘national priority’ in UK universities.
- The BBC have written a feature which asks why British pupils are giving up studying French in increasing numbers.
- The NUT and NAHT are planning to ballot their members on a second boycott of primary school SATs.
- Do pupils in your classroom have to put up their hands? This article reports on different teaching strategies, including the banning of putting up hands to answer questions.
Image – Pick Me! Pick Me!
- The BBC has been showing a special series of programmes focusing on education, as part of their School Season.
- This list of the 20 most popular homework excuses has been published, many of which are linked to problems with technology.
