Here are links to some of this week’s education-related news:
Schools:
- Education Secretary Michael Gove has written to head teachers in England urging them to keep schools open wherever possible despite a strike by teachers next week. Read the official letter here.
- The number of parents appealing against primary-school admissions decisions in England has risen 10%, amid rising class sizes and pressure on places.
- The number of infants being taught in huge classes of more than 30 has almost doubled in just four years, according to new figures.
- Children from hundreds of schools in Britain are taking part in what organisers say may be the biggest ever global chemistry experiment.
- Three charities have joined forces to campaign for a greater emphasis on outdoor learning.
- Teachers at a small primary school in Stockport are faced with an unusual daily challenge – telling apart a multitude of twins.
- There have been 281 bids to open free schools in England in the second round of applications, the Department for Education has said.
- Children could spend much longer in school each day and lose their long holidays as the Government’s new free schools spearhead a move to shake-up the academic year.
- Grammar schools will be allowed to expand under reforms designed to give more pupils access to the best education, the Government has signalled.
- A new Ofsted report says schools should build strong partnerships with sports clubs, community groups and other local organisations to stimulate participation and competition in the variety of PE and sports on offer and engage children at risk of adopting unhealthy lifestyles.
- This report from the Telegraph discusses the ‘extinction’ of the school sports day.
- The Government is asking the School Food Trust to draw up new nutritional guidelines for nurseries and children’s centres.
- Almost one million schoolchildren speak English as a second language, official figures show, sparking claims that mass immigration is placing a “huge strain” on the education system.
- Religious education is being increasingly axed by secondary schools because of Government changes to GCSE league tables, according to research.
- Tony Collins, chief executive of Virgin Trains, has called for a major shake-up of the education system where A-levels and degrees are taught at work rather than in schools.
Tests and Exams:
- Writing tests for 11-year-olds should be scrapped, the Government- commissioned inquiry into key stage 2 assessment has recommended. This BBC report also outlines the review and you can also read the official report on the DFE site.
- All 11-year-olds will be forced to sit a new-style test in spelling, grammar, punctuation, handwriting and vocabulary to drive up poor standards of English.
- The Education Secretary has described the examination system as “discredited”, as hundreds of thousands of pupils across the country finish taking their A levels and GCSEs.
- A series of at least nine errors in this year’s GCSE, A-level and AS-level exam papers is “not an acceptable situation”, Prime Minister David Cameron has said. This includes the three new errors that were discovered this week.
- A new “super A* grade” could be ushered in for GCSEs after one exam board introduced an “A* with distinction” for a further maths exam, experts say.
Other News:
- Schools trips to hundreds of castles, stately homes and ancient ruins will become impossible this winter because of Government cuts.
- The government has delivered an extra 103,000 apprenticeships over the last year, twice as many as expected, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has said.
- The cost of the government’s National Citizen Service volunteering scheme is not justified at a time when youth services are being cut, MPs have said.
- A leading bishop has warned that the Church of England must “act now” to secure its role in education amid swift policy change.
Next week’s Teaching Events include:
- 18th to 26th June - Bike Week
- 20th June to 3rd July - Wimbledon
- 20th to 26th June - Child Safety Week
- 20th to 26th June - Refugee Week
- 27th June to 1st July - National School Sport Week
- 27th June to 3rd July - My Money Week
