Here are links to some of this week’s education-related news:
Schools:
- More than three-quarters of school staff are in favour of linking salaries to performance in the classroom, figures show, despite widespread opposition to the move from unions.
- Poorly-performing teachers should be sacked as part of a new-style “payment by results” system in schools, a leading MP has warned.
- The majority of secondary schools vetted as part of a back-to-basics inspection system are underperforming according to Ofsted.
- More than eight-in-10 head teachers said the pupil premium – worth £1.25bn next year – had either equalled or failed to make up for financial losses elsewhere.
- Ofsted has accused schools of using special educational needs as a cover for poor teaching.
- The NAHT has unveiled its new website, School View, which will allow heads to have their say on inspectors’ performance.
- England’s grammar schools should be rated on tougher league table measures, a report suggests.
- Sixth-formers should be given a chance to try out teaching, to encourage the brightest into the profession after they finish university, say MPs.
- Maths lessons are seen as difficult, irrelevant and boring by about a third of teenagers, a survey suggests.
- The head of the exams watchdog has signalled wide-ranging reforms to A-levels to tackle claims that examiners have been giving students “the benefit of the doubt”, leading to persistent grade inflation.
- Schools are being urged to introduce more female-friendly fitness activities such as Zumba classes and rollerblading because so many girls are opting out of exercise.
- Secondary school pupils are not eating enough at lunchtime according to a study by the body overseeing school food.
Other News:
- A West Yorkshire lollipop man is studying for his second PhD, on top of 11 degrees.
- The decline of traditional family meals is robbing children of vital social skills, according to a leading headmaster.
- Parents should be given lessons in raising their children to improve rates of social mobility in Britain, according to MPs and peers.
Next week’s Teaching Events include:
- 7th April to 7th May - National Pet Month
- 1st to 31st May - National Share-a-Story Month
- 1st to 31st May - Local and Community History Month
- 6th to 12th May - Red Cross Week
- 8th May - VE Day
- 12th May - World Fair Trade Day
