Study: 8 out of 10 popular revision techniques do not work – but there are 2 that do…
It’s the time of year where students are poring over their books, trying to ensure they are prepared for their exams. Revision charts, highlighter pens and sticky notes around the room are some of the methods people use to ensure information stays in their mind. But now psychologists in the US warn many favourite revision techniques will not lead to exam success. This is from the BBC…
Universities, schools and colleges offer students a variety of ways to help them remember the content of their courses and get good grades. (more…)
Parents use smartphones like a digital dummy, say heads
Computers and smartphones have become a “digital dummy” used by parents to pacify their children, says a head teachers’ leader. National Association of Head Teachers’ president Bernadette Hunter said children were left unmonitored in their rooms at night playing on electronic devices. This is from the BBC…
She said it was interrupting their sleep, leaving them too tired to learn. Primary school children needed at least 12 hours’ sleep, she added. (more…)
Schools to give out leaflets containing parenting advice because too many pupils turn up to lessons unfit to learn
Schools are to issue advice to parents on how to raise their children amid fears too many pupils are turning up to lessons unfit for the demands of full-time education. This is from the Telegraph…
Families across Britain will be handed leaflets reminding them to put sons and daughters to bed on time, ensure they get at least 10 hours sleep, provide a healthy breakfast, set aside time for homework and bedtime stories, interact with them through board games and make sure they bring the correct equipment to school. (more…)
‘Extravagant’ academy school bosses blow thousands on luxury hotels and first-class travel
A major chain of academy schools blew huge sums of taxpayers’ money on first-class travel, luxury hotels, expensive dinners and four-figure drinks bills, an official investigation has found. This is from the Telegraph…
Auditors warned of a culture of “extravagance” at the heart of the E-ACT group – the second-largest provider of academies in England – that led to hundreds of thousands of pounds being wasted. (more…)
1,000 pupils and rising – primary schools go supersize – but are they a good solution?
The number of supersize primary schools – some of which have more than 1,000 pupils – has soared by 60% in three years, triggering a fierce debate among educationists about whether tens of thousands of young children are getting the attention they need. This is from the Guardian…
Department for Education statistics show that the number of schools with 700 or more pupils amounts to 130 today compared with 80 three years ago. Barclay primary school in Leyton, east London, already one of the largest with 1,200 pupils, is expanding to 1,600 from September 2014. (more…)
Childcare ratios: We will find way forward, says Cameron
David Cameron has said the coalition will “find a way forward” on its childcare changes in England. Childminders and nurseries were to be allowed to look after more babies and toddlers from September – part of efforts to cut childcare costs. But Deputy PM Nick Clegg has indicated that he has concerns about safety and whether it would reduce costs. This is from the BBC…
Mr Cameron said the plans had “a lot of merit” and creating “quality affordable childcare” was a priority. (more…)
Thousands of children as young as five act as family carers, figures show
Nearly 10,000 children aged five to seven are acting as unpaid carers for family members or guardians, according to figures that have been published which were described by one children’s charity as the tip of the iceberg. This is from the Guardian…
The data, compiled from the 2011 census, shows nearly a quarter of a million people under 19 in England and Wales were caring for parents, siblings and others – coping with pressures which charities say cause many to fall behind in school and miss out on their own childhoods. (more…)
How to encourage students to pursue languages at GCSE and A-level
Jane Driver, Head of Languages at Hinchingbrooke School, shares some thoughts on encouraging students to keep studying languages at GCSE and A level. This is from the Guardian…
It’s no good putting on a languages day at the end of year 9 if we want our students to study languages post 14. We’ve got to get our students excited and interested in languages right from the moment they arrive at secondary school (or, even better, before they come). The first place to start is raising the profile of languages in your school – as we can get a little hidden. We run a Eurovision song competition in year 7 which kick starts some great phonics work. (more…)
Fewer young people learning after 17, survey suggests
Fewer young people are still learning after the age of 17 in the UK, according to a survey for the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (Niace), which says there has been a seven percentage point drop in the number of 17 to 24-year-olds taking part in learning compared with last year. This is from the BBC…
The survey involved 5,000 people. The government has cast doubt on its findings, saying other data suggests no change among 16 to 24 year-olds. (more…)
Cardiff primary school headteacher is named best in Wales
A primary school headteacher has been named the best in Wales – two months after a glowing inspection report hailed her “excellent” leadership. This is from Wales Online…
Catherine Power has enjoyed unprecedented success at St Philip Evans RC Primary School in Llanedeyrn, Cardiff, which recently won high praise from education watchdog Estyn. (more…)
Headteachers look to ease stress with ‘Instead’ – a new Ofsted-alternative inspection service
Headteachers are to set up their own alternative school inspection service to Ofsted after claiming the watchdog is responsible for a dramatic increase in stress levels in the profession. This is from the Independent…
Leaders of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) will launch their own service – which they will call “Instead” – in the autumn term. Heads will inspect each other’s schools – and pass on tips about good practice if they see areas in which the schools can improve. (more…)
Schools ‘struggling to recruit head teachers’
Primary schools in England are finding it more difficult to recruit head teachers than at any time since 2000, analysis suggests. The Education Data Surveys’ analysis suggests one in four primary headships advertised in January 2013 were not filled within 60 days. This compares to 15% in January 2012 – the peak month for recruitment. This is from the BBC…
The Department for Education says it is aware that vacancies will rise as the baby-boomer generation retires. (more…)
New School Performance Dashboard provides detailed information for governors to hold schools to account
A new online aid for school governors is launched today. The School Performance Governor Dashboard aims to help school governors hold schools to account, support and challenge the leadership team, and make more informed strategic decisions. It has been developed by Fischer Family Trust in partnership with the National Governors Association and the Wellcome Trust…
The FFT Governor Dashboard will provide governors with information about: (more…)
Michael Gove criticised as survey finds fewer children exercising
Michael Gove’s decision in 2011 to axe ringfenced funding for school sport has come under renewed attack after a new survey revealed it led to a sharp drop in the number of children exercising. This is from the Guardian…
A survey by the Smith Institute found that more than a third of primary and secondary school teachers reported a drop in participation despite the feelgood factor engendered by the London Olympics. (more…)