News items

Source: RECAP Education News

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.

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.

School discipline and pupil-behaviour policies - Guidance

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.