• Fewer practical experiments in Science lessons – The ‘demands of the curriculum, tests and badly behaved pupils’ are resulting in lesson practical Science experiments taking place.
• Truancy levels in England rise – Truancy levels are now at the highest levels ever recorded.
• Presents for teachers – 93% of teachers have received gifts from their pupils. Have you ever been given any of these?
• Children ‘have nobody to talk to’ – The Children’s Commissioner for England asks if pupils are in danger of becoming too regimented by school life.
• Home schooling in Germany – Parents are not allowed to home school their children in Germany.
• Extra funding for Irish language schools – Millions of pounds are being given to help schools to improve their buildings.
• Free internet access in libraries – A review by the Department of Culture calls for free internet access and e-books in libraries to boost the number of people using them.
• Following the fantastic #movemenon book, teachers on Twitter are now building a collection of tips and advice for new leaders. Follow their ideas here.

• Compulsory standards for nursery food – The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) announces that it has asked the School Food Trust to review the rules for nursery food.
• A-Level shake-up – The Conservatives unveil plans for a radical shake-up of A-levels that would see a return to traditional exams taken at the end of two years of study.

You can read more about the idea on Doug’s site, or follow the rest of the ideas at TwapperKeeper. Doug is planning to publish an e-book containing all of the contributed ideas, so follow his blog to find out when this has been published.