Here are links to some of this week’s education-related news:
Schools:
- There is no hard evidence that schools in England are slipping behind other countries, says an academic study.
- Schools which fail to improve within six years of being classed “satisfactory” should be relabelled inconsistent and pushed harder to improve, a report says.
- The qualification currently required for head teachers in England’s state schools will no longer be compulsory, the government has announced. Read the official announcement here.
- Michael Gove signalled a significant shift in approach last week when he admitted that he and his ministerial colleagues were guilty of being “behind the curve” when it came to technology in schools.
- The number of Scottish teachers has continued to fall, the latest education statistics have revealed.
- The test-run of a new primary school reading check suggests two-thirds of pupils are likely to fail it when it is introduced in England next year.
- Almost four million children in the UK do not own a book, according to a report by the National Literacy Trust.
Exams and Testing:
- The government is calling for a reform of the exam system, after inquiries were launched in England and Wales into claims of cheating. Read the response from the Department for Education here.
- More than 38,000 exam entries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were regraded after schools asked for re-marks, the exams watchdog Ofqual says.
Universities:
- Changes to university funding could reduce the number of people getting qualifications in science, technology and engineering, MPs have been told.
- Business leaders are warning that students in the UK are lagging behind in developing an international outlook needed for a globalised economy.
Other News:
- Fewer than a fifth of people think they are part of a traditional family, suggests research by a think tank.
- The lowest price for an acceptable Christmas for a low-income family with two children is £182, a study says.
Next week’s Teaching Events include:
- 10th December - Human Rights Day
- 11th December - International Mountain Day
- 13th December - St. Lucia’s Day
- 14th December - Monkey Day
- 16th December - Boston Tea Party
