Here are links to some of this week’s education-related news:
- Schools are too often asked to make up for wider failings in families and communities, the Chief Inspector of Schools, Sir Michael Wilshaw has said.
- Top schools could be downgraded by official inspectors for failing to rescue poor-performing institutions in their local area, the head of Ofsted warned today.
- Around 74,000 children have missed out on a place at their first-choice secondary school, official figures have revealed.
- Opening free schools in areas where they are not needed is a “shameful” waste of taxpayers’ money, according to the leader of a head teachers’ union.
- Secondary head teachers are “expected to be able to walk on water” the demands on them are so high, school leaders have heard.
- The children’s commissioner has called for an end to the use of permanent exclusion for children under 7.
- Listening to music in maths lessons can dramatically improve children’s ability in the subject and help them score up to 40 per cent higher in examinations, a new study has found.
- Growing numbers of under-11s face being taught in empty shops, churches and football stadiums because of an acute shortage of primary school places.
- More than half of secondary school leaders are considering leaving the profession, with most blaming government policies.
- Schools across the UK are using Indian maths tutors in the classroom to help struggling students improve their numeracy.
- Exam boards could be barred from charging teachers to attend seminars after the head of the exams watchdog told MPs that information should be available to all.
- All children should learn a foreign language at primary and secondary school, a House of Lords committee has said.
- Attempts to shorten school summer holidays and change terms in England could lead to more regional strike action by teachers.
- A review of the qualifications for nursery staff and childminders has highlighted concerns about literacy and numeracy skills among workers.
Next week’s Teaching Events include:
- 27th March - World Theatre Day
- 31st March - Earth Hour
