Our archive of educational news
This is a list of our most recent educational news items posted on this website via our RSS news feed.
You can also find information about educational news and topics on school improvement via our archive of educational podcasts.
- KS1 Results for 2010
The latest national statistics on National Curriculum Assessments at Key Stage 1 in England produced by the Department for Education were released on 26th August 2010 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority. Further details, information and downloads for the provisional 2010 results can be obtained direct from the website.
KS4 subject results 2010
Provisional examination results for GCSE, Entry Level Certificates, Foundation and Higher Diplomas have been published by the Joint Council for Qualifications. Information about subject performance across grades, including gender, are provided. Further details and options for downloading PDF files can be located on the JCQ website.
Children missing from education
Ofsted have published the outcomes from a survey designed to evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken by local authorities regarding children and young people who are missing from education. The report considers whether current legislation and guidelines support local authorities in fulfilling their responsibilities in partnership with schools. Further details and download information about the report can be found at the Ofsted website.
Provisional 2010 KS2 and KS3 results
The latest national statistics on National Curriculum Assessments at Key Stage 2 and 3 in England produced by the Department for Education were released on 3rd August 2010 in line with arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority. Further details, information and downloads for the provisional 2010 results can be obtained direct from the website.
Pupil Premium: Consultation
As part of the Coalition Government agreement, the new pupil premium will provide additional funding for more disadvantaged pupils to ensure they benefit from the same opportunities as pupils from richer families. The premium will help target money so that more can be done to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds that are still not doing as well at school as they could or should do.
School discipline and pupil-behaviour policies - Guidance
A consultation to seek views on how best to operate the premium including what deprivation indicator to use has been launched by DFE ministers. This consultation runs for 12 weeks from 26 July to 18 October and responses can be made online or submitted via a downloadable proforma.
Further details and information about the consultation process and associated documents can be obtained direct from the DFE website.
This guidance aims to help schools understand their overall legal powers and duties regarding establishing a school behaviour policy and disciplining pupils. It also provides more specific advice on certain key sanctions (detention and confiscation). It does not, however, offer a definitive interpretation of the law: interpreting the law is a matter for the courts. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Internal Exclusions - Guidance
This guidance on internal exclusion is aimed at all schools and offers advice and good practice that schools may find helpful. There is no requirement for schools to follow this guidance, it should be used as a guide as to what internal exclusion should look like. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
The new Department for Education
The Department for Education (DFE) has a new website with details of the portfolio and backgrounds of the ministerial team in the coalition government. There is also includes news headlines and information about the academies policy and the National Curriculum. Further details at the DFE website.
Narrowing the Gaps: Guidance for Literary Subject Leaders
This guidance is designed for literacy subject leaders in primary schools to aid the regular review of planning, to enable them to support inexperienced colleagues better in meeting the needs of all pupils in the class and to contribute to pupil progress meetings when asked for advice on appropriate next steps in learning. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
EYFS: Further improve learning, playing and interacting
This guidance focuses on developing pedagogy and how to improve outcomes through better learning, playing and interacting (learning and teaching). It provides information on the role of the Early Years Consultant in providing effective setting-based continuing professional development. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
The 21st Century School: Implications/Challenges for Governors
Secretary of State asked Jim Knight, Minister of State for Schools and Learners, to set up and chair a working group of stakeholders to review the current school governance arrangements. This review looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the current school governance arrangements. It summarises the considerations of the Working Group and details their findings. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Guidance on school behaviour and attendance partnerships
This guidance updates earlier guidance on school partnerships for behaviour and attendance. It takes account of the work of Sir Alan Steer in identifying key principles of effective partnership working and other key developments, such as the publication of the White Paper on 21st Century Schools in June 2009. It also explains what schools need to do to meet their new statutory duties. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Physical punishment: improving consistency and protection
Physical punishment is prohibited in all maintained and full-time independent schools, in children's homes, in local authority foster homes and early years provision; the prohibitions have different enforcement mechanisms. Any use of force can be charged as a criminal offence. However, in cases where the punishment is mild and where the person administering it is a parent or acting in place of a parent (in loco parentis) they are able to argue that they administered a "reasonable punishment". This is the reasonable punishment defence. This report by the Chief Adviser on the Safety of Children into physical punishment in various settings aims to determine if this is an area in which change was needed in order to strengthen the safeguards for children. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Securing good outcomes for all children and young people
This document draws together a wealth of research and good practice with the aim of supporting Children?s Trust Boards and their constituent partners to bring greater consistency, rigor and impact to the way early intervention is organised and delivered locally. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Pockets of Poverty: The challenge for schools with small FSM
This booklet provides a framework to support discussion about the current progress and attainment of pupils in receipt of free school meals (FSM), particularly where they form a relatively small proportion of the school cohort. The framework initially promotes discussion within the senior leadership team before extending the debate to include middle leaders and the staff as a whole. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Understanding progress: Engaging parents and pupils
The understanding progress materials aim to help primary and secondary school teachers develop their conversations with pupils and their parents and carers when talking about what pupils can do at different levels. The guides respond to requests from schools and parents to provide accessible information on what their child knows and can do, and to understand how they can support their child?s learning at home. The guides are designed to be mediated by teachers with parents. This guide is aimed at schools and teachers and outlines what the Understanding Progress materials are and how they can be used in schools and with pupils, parents and carers. Items will be dispatched from 9 April. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Getting the right balance: preparing for the Key Stage 2 tests
This new guide aims to help primary schools prepare pupils to sit Key Stage 2 National Curriculum tests. The guidance is based on evidence gathered from primary schools about the range of approaches they use to prepare pupils for the national tests, without disrupting high quality teaching and learning or the balance of the curriculum. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Enterprise education: Good practice guide
This guide is aimed at enterprise co-ordinators and headteachers. It explains what enterprise education is and provides examples of replicable practice. It also emphasizes the importance for schools of working in partnership with the local community and with employers, giving examples of those groups or individuals who will be able to help develop this within schools. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Consultation on the future distribution of school funding
This document sets out the Government?s proposals for the distribution of school funding from April 2011. It sets out the principles which would underpin a new funding system along with proposals on the formula for allocating the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). The document seeks agreement on funding principles and seeks views on the options put forward on how the individual formula elements should operate. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Count Me In
Count Me In is a joint initiative between the DCSF, Families Utd and the Home Office, which aims to increase young people?s understanding of knives. This guide aims to support schools with ways to communicate this sensitive issue to their pupils and includes an extensive selection of ideas and resources. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
The Diploma: A guide
The booklet aims to provide all school and college staff and other providers with the key information that they will need about the Diploma as take up grows and it becomes an entitlement for students from 2013. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Working Together - Pack
This pack provides user-friendly, interactive, fun and familiar tools to inform parents around the value of communicating with their child about learning and school, whilst providing the means to do so. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Parental engagement - Resources
This guide has been developed for those working with parents with children aged 5-19, to provide information and guidance around how the Parental Engagement resources can be used with parents. The resources are part of the wider DCSF strategy to increase parental engagement in their child?s learning and development published in the Children?s Plan: Progress report, December 2008. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Getting Into Homework
These resources promote consistency and persistence of communication around learning, encouraging ongoing contact with the school once the child has moved from Primary to Secondary. It provides triggers, practical solutions, ideas and encouragement to enable parents to proactively support their child?s learning in the home specifically around homework support. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Coaching Manual
This document is aimed at parents of teenagers aged 14 to 19 and addresses barriers to engagement (lack of time, confidence, not knowing how to help, etc), to help them to stay involved with their child?s education in the later stages of the learning journey. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Functional Skills Factsheet for Young People
This leaflet is aimed at young people and describes what the new Functional Skills Qualifications are and what they will mean to their futures, including further education and experience in the workplace. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
My Money Week 2010 - Activity Packs
Two activity packs are available with the aim of inspiring primary and secondary teachers and their students to get involved in My Money Week. The packs contain flexible activity ideas to help teach personal finance across the curriculum in My Money Week and beyond. These are the two packs:
The packs cannot be ordered via the links above. Embedding the Play Strategy
This document provides guidance for local authorities, Children?s Trust Boards and Local Strategic Partnerships on planning and sustaining provision for children and young people?s play and informal recreation. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Leading improvement in school and across schools
These materials provide the fifth in a series of ?Leading Improvement? professional development materials, which are intended to inform ongoing discussions focusing on the leadership of improvement at national, local and school level. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Support for All: the Families and Relationships Green Paper
This Green Paper sets out a wide range of measures to support all families as they bring up their children and help families cope with times of stress and difficulty. The proposals recognise that while all families need some help, there are families in our society with complex needs and others who require additional - and sometimes non-negotiable - support. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
RE non-statutory guidance 2010
This publication is aimed at local authorities, schools and education professionals. It aims to support the provision of high-quality religious education (RE) in maintained schools in England. It provides clear, non-statutory guidance about RE in the curriculum and the roles of those who have a responsibility for, involvement in or interest in the subject. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Impartial Careers Education Statutory Guidance: Resources Pack
This Resources Pack has been developed to help schools meet the challenges set out in the Department's strategy to provide young people with the information, advice and guidance that they need to progress successfully through learning and into work. It contains a range of materials designed to give practical support to help schools review and improve their provision. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Numbers and patterns: laying foundations in mathematics
This set of resource materials is intended to help practitioners working with children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and teachers working with lower Key Stage 1 children, to plan their mathematics provision and help children to secure some of the key mathematical ideas that they will use throughout the rest of their lives. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
The Pupil and Parent Guarantees
This document describes how the Pupil and Parent Guarantees work. It sets out what schools should do and how parents should support them and also explains what pupils and parents can do if they are concerned that they are not receiving something they are entitled to. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
My Money: Mathematics Resources
These resources provide mathematics teachers with a range of activities that explore many key issues, including savings and investments, currency exchange and income. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Moving on in mathematics: Narrowing the Gaps
This publication sets out ways to help primary schools to be more successful in narrowing the gaps in attainment in mathematics. It is intended to be used by mathematics subject leaders and class teachers, in collaboration with members of schools? senior management teams to support those who work with children to secure their learning in mathematics. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Children's Trusts: Improving Support for Schools
This short leaflet will help schools understand their role as statutory partners to the Children?s Trust. It briefly describes the new legislation; what Children?s Trusts are and why they are necessary; and the role of schools within the Children?s Trust as statutory partners. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Click Clever Click Safe: First UK Child Internet Safety Strategy
This strategy sets out what the UK Council for Child Internet Safety have done so far to keep children safe online; their commitments to parents, children and young people and the things they are planning to do to make them happen; and how you will know whether they are succeeding in making children and young people safer. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
PSHE: Curriculum Reform Consultation Report
This consultation document examines the concerns raised by making personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education statutory. These key concerns include pressures on the curriculum, the role of governing bodies and the parental right of withdrawal from sex and relationships education. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Statutory Guidance: Impartial Careers Education
This guidance advises headteachers and teachers-in-charge about how to meet their statutory duties in relation to careers education and ensure that the young people for whom they are responsible receive the support they need. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Using Support and Talk for Writing
Support for Writing and Talk for Writing are Primary Framework resources which provide support for teachers focusing on personalising planning for progression in writing. These leaflets folds out into posters that explain how to use the Support for Writing and Talk for Writing processes. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Securing level 2 in mathematics
This booklet addressing six key areas in mathematics that children must secure in order to attain level 2. It sets out standards to be achieved and suggests teaching approaches, relevant intervention materials, teaching and learning resources and assessment prompts. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Safeguarding the young and vulnerable
This document sets out the Government?s annual update on progress made against the specific recommendations set out in the joint Chief Inspectors? report which was published in July 2008. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Progression Guidance 2009-10
This guidance aims to provide better data for schools on how well learners with special educational needs, learning difficulties and disabilities (SEN/LDD) are progressing. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
What Works to Improve Achievement for Boys and Girls
This resource provides guidance for senior leaders and teachers in schools who are seeking to improve boys? and girls? achievement, particularly in English and literacy. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Progress Matters - Pack
This package of materials is designed to promote the development of good practice among leaders and managers in ensuring that all children make good progress throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). It is intended as guidance for leaders and managers to reflect on how best to review children?s learning and development in line with the principles of the EYFS framework. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
How hard federation can help your school
This guide outlines the key points of school federation. It highlights the potential benefits of entering into a hard federation, in particular how hard federation can provide a foundation for sustainable, long-term school collaboration. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Independent Review of the Primary Curriculum: Final Report
The overarching purpose of this Review is to put forward recommendations for what primary children should learn in a curriculum that is as good as it can be. It takes account of what is know about how learning is advanced in leading-edge schools through high-quality teaching. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
What I Can Do In Mathematics - Level 3
These worksheets accompany the Securing Level 3 in Mathematics booklet. They allow pupils to establish whether they are secure in the key areas of learning to reach level 3 in mathematics. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Beyond the e-safety net
These materials have been produced for teachers and subject leaders who deliver the ICT programme of study for Key Stages 3 and 4. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Primary London Challenge: An Introduction
This leaflet provides a summary of the programmes that have been developed to support local authorities and schools to drive improvements in the primary phase. The new London Challenge Primary programme was launched in April 2008 and is managed by the DCSF. It aims to build on and learn from the success of the London Challenge Secondary programme in offering fast and responsive support to schools and local authorities, to tackle underperformance and drive improvement. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Cyberbullying: Supporting School Staff
This publication builds on the Safe to Learn guidance, and provides information for employers of school staff, Local Authorities and governing bodies. It also offers advice for school staff about keeping themselves and their personal information safe. Staff in schools, as well as children and young people, may become targets of cyberbullying. Like other forms of bullying, cyberbullying can seriously impact on the health, well-being, and self-confidence of those targeted. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
My Money - Guide to the Child Trust Fund
This pack has been designed to help teachers introduce the idea of saving and the Child Trust Fund during PSHE time, as part of Numeracy activities, or as a discrete topic. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Breaking the link between disadvantage and low attainment
This document provides a summary of the international and national evidence of the link between deprivation and education. It highlights some of the good practice already shown by schools and LAs and signals future policy direction. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
New Ofsted publications for mathematics
Ofsted have recently published two booklets with the aim of helping teachers improve pupils? understanding of mathematics and give them confidence in using the subject in everyday life. Through practical examples, the content illustrates how teachers can make teaching more engaging and develop pupils? skills whatever their ability. The reports come in two versions: primary and secondary which are available to download from the Ofsted website.
Overcoming barriers in maths: helping children move from L1 to L2
This booklet and CD provide support and guidance on progression in mathematics across two levels. The booklet suggests how to use the 'Overcoming barriers' CD-based resource. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Securing level 4 in Mathematics
This booklet has been created to help schools ensure as many pupils as possible secure level 4 by the end of Key Stage 2. It identifies key areas of learning that children need to secure to attain level 4. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
ICT Assessing Pupils Progress at Key Stage 3 Materials
The APP approach supports teachers' assessment and their understanding of pupils' attainment and progress in each of these three linked aspects but it is particularly designed to strengthen periodic assessment. This pack contains materials that focus on the process of periodic assessment, and that refer to aspects of day-to-day practice that provide evidence for periodic assessment. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
What I Can Do in Mathematics
These worksheets accompany the Securing Level 4 in Mathematics booklet. They allow pupils to establish whether they are secure in the key areas of learning to reach level 4 in mathematics. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Making A Big Difference in the Early Years Foundation Stage
This publication provides a summary of the Making a Big Difference (MABD) Programme. It describes how the MABD strands work and explains the importance of audit and self-evaluation for MABD. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Next Steps for Early Learning and Childcare
This document outlines the next steps in the Government?s long-term vision to make early learning and childcare a truly world class and modern public service. It proposes a number of policies which they would like to explore further with families, the sector and other relevant stakeholders over the coming months. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
One-to-one tuition tool kit
This pack offers practical advice to support the planning and delivery of effective one-to-one tuition sessions. Two other key documents for developing one-to-one tuition are:
- Guidance for tutors and
- Guidance for Local Authorities and Schools.
Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website. Getting to Grips with Assessing Pupils' Progress (APP)
This guidance is designed to help school leaders and teachers implement Assessing Pupils' Progress. It gives advice and tips on how to use the materials, and signposts the resources available. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Teaching for Progression
These documents contain information from several publications from National Strategies, which have been updated with changes laid out in the renewed Secondary Framework for English. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Building Stronger Partnerships
This guide sets out how schools, colleges or other children's services can engage with employers to make a positive, sustained impact on children and young people, helping them in turn secure a place in further education and eventually a good job. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
The Play Strategy
The Play Strategy outlines the Government's long-term vision and actions to deliver safe, accessible and exciting play opportunities for all children. It builds on the widespread support for the proposals in our Fair Play consultation, and sets out the actions we are taking to support children's play, including investing in new play spaces and supporting local delivery partners. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
A School Report Card: consultation document
This joint consultation document, from the DCSF and Ofsted, starts an ongoing process of discussion about the content, design and use of the School Report Card, which aims to improve how schools? performance is reported to parents, communities and other stakeholders. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
The Independent Review of the Primary Curriculum: Interim Report
This report seeks to clarify issues, examine options and set out directions for fulfilling the remit of the Review. The overarching purpose of the Review is to put forward recommendations for what primary children should learn in a curriculum that is as good as it can be, taking account of what is know about how learning is advanced in leading edge schools through high quality teaching. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
What is a Children's Trust?
This document provides a brief summary explaining what Children?s Trusts are, what they do and how they are being strengthened to ensure they can play that role effectively. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Mathematics curriculum - subject leader development materials
This pack contains a flexible set of resources designed to help launch the new mathematics programme of study. The notes and materials represent a flexible set of resources that subject leaders can use with teachers in their department. It is vital that all teachers have the opportunity to see how the changes to the programmes of study in their subject are part of a wider approach to the Secondary Curriculum. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
English subject leader development materials
These materials are designed to accompany the Secondary National Strategy's English subject leader development days which Local Authorities (LAs) will be running each term. The strategy's aim is to keep English subject leaders up-to-date with the National Strategy, help them make best use of the extensive materials already published and support them in their crucial work of leading changes with colleagues in their department. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Science subject leader development materials
These materials are designed to accompany the Secondary National Strategy's science subject leader development days, which LAs will be running each term. he strategy's aim is to keep science subject leaders up-to-date with the National Strategy, help them make best use of the extensive materials already published and support them in their crucial work of leading changes with colleagues in their department. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Assessing pupils' progress in mathematics at Key Stage 3
This handbook focuses on the process of periodic assessment, and also refers to aspects of day-to-day practice that provide evidence for periodic assessment. It sets out the background and rationale for Assessing pupils? progress (APP) and is a necessary starting point for those planning to implement APP across the department. It does not deal directly with the process of transitional assessment. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Assessing pupils' progress in English at Key Stage 3
This handbook focuses on the process of periodic assessment, and also refers to aspects of day-to-day practice that provide evidence for periodic assessment. It sets out the background and rationale for Assessing pupils? progress (APP) and is a necessary starting point for those planning to implement APP across the department. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Delivering 14-19 Reform: The Next Steps
Delivering 14-19 Education: Next Steps is an update to the 14-19 Implementation Plan published in 2005. It brings together all the changes to 14-19 education in one place, looks at progress since 2005, and most importantly sets out the next steps and timetable to 2015 to ensure that all young people have the right learning opportunities and the right support to continue in education or training until at least the age of 18. Further information and download instructions are provided on the Teachernet website.
Thursday, 2nd September 2010
Russell Educational Consultancy and Productions