Guiding Lights on Facebook
| | Guiding Lights aims to inspire young people with success stories of people from different
careers.
Visit the Facebook
site for more information. (Added 23 March 2010) | |
Survival Rivals
| | The Wellcome Trust has launched a competition where a team of up to
four students and one teacher will win a trip of a lifetime to the
Galapagos Islands.
Visit the Survival Rivals website to find out how to
enter. (Added 25 February 2010) | |
Speak up for languages
| | Britain's top employers have signed up to a campaign to help young
people bolster their employability by adding a language to their CV.
This Channel 4 page
has more details. (Added 25 February 2010) | |
Reducing underage drinking
| | New measures, including a football tournament, against underage drinking was launched on 16 February 2010.
The press notice provides more information. (Added 18 February 2010)
| |
Promoting good behaviour
| | Parents will be expected to sign up to school behaviour policies when they apply for
a school place.
The press release provides more details. (Added 11 February 2010)
| |
School chains
| | School chains to lead improvement as Accredited Schools system is launched.
For more information, read the press notice. (Added 11 February 2010)
| |
New members of NCLSCS appointed
| | Four new members have been appointed to the Board of the
National College for Leadership of Schools and Children's
Services.
Read the press release to find out
more. (Added 28 January 2010)
| |
Why let drink decide?
| | A national advertising campaign aims to raise awareness of how alcohol can make young people vulnerable to many social problems.
Take a look at the campaign site to find out more. (Added 21 January 2010)
| |
Scimorph
| | Schools Minister Vernon Coaker MP has launched this interactive web-based product designed to encourage pupils in Years 6 and 7 to be inspired and excited by science.
Find out more at http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/news/?id=2279. (Added 14 January 2010)
| |
The Key Stage 1 guarantee
| | All pupils in the early years of primary school are guaranteed catch-up support if they are falling behind.
The press release has more details. (Added 07 January 2010)
| |
Boys and books
| | Research shows that more boys are becoming hooked on reading for pleasure.
For more details, read the press release. (Added 22 December 2009)
| |
The Raising of the Participation Age (RPA)
| | The Raising of the Participation Age (RPA) means that all young people will continue in education or training to 17 from 2013 and to 18 from 2015. This will be the first time in nearly forty years that the education leaving age has been raised. It is one of the most fundamental changes to our education system and ensuring all young people stay in education and training is one of the most urgent challenges facing our country today.
Raising the Participation Age: supporting local areas to deliver sets out what local authorities need to do to by 2013 and what we will do nationally to must achieve by 2013 and how we at the DCSF are going to support them.
A summary is also available here.
(Added 15 December 2009)
| |
Free School Meals pilots
| | Ed Balls has welcomed the announcement by the Chancellor that more children are to benefit from free school meals.
Read the press notice. (Added 10 December 2009)
| |
Three new members
| | The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families has confirmed the appointment of three new members to the QCA board.
Read the DCSF press notice to find out more. (Added 03 December 2009)
| |
Key Stage 2 results
| | Results for 11-year-olds in England show good progress overall and
excellent improvement in a number of local authorities.
Find out more on the DCSF news page. (Added 03 December 2009)
| |
Parental engagement
| | There is overwhelming evidence to show that parents' engagement in their child's learning is the most important influence on attainment,
wellbeing and life chances.
Find out how to take part in a new research project at http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/news/?id=2231. (Added 03 December 2009)
| |
Ofsted's Annual Report
| | A picture of overall improvement in care, education and skills in
England is revealed in Ofsted's Annual Report
Download the report from Online Publications. (Added 26 November 2009)
| |
Childline online
| | The NSPCC have launched an upgraded Childline website which offers counselling facilities for children online.
Take a look at the new website: Childline. (Added 28 October 2009)
| |
Complaints about Ofsted's work
| | Ofsted is reviewing arrangements for the handling and investigation of concerns about its work and the conduct of its staff.
Visit the Ofsted site for more information. (Added 22 October 2009)
| |
The Diana Award
| | Nominate now for this award which gives inspirational young people from all walks of life the national recognition they deserve.
Visit the website to read all about it : http://www.diana-award.org.uk/. (Added 22 October 2009)
| |
It's Walk to School Month
| | Walk to School Month runs throughout the whole of October and is an opportunity not to be missed for promoting walking at your school. If you aren't involved yet, it's not too late.
Visit the Walk to School website to find out how to get involved. (Added 13 October 2009)
| |
One-to-one tuition
| | Ministers call for a tutor army to give intensive support to pupils falling behind in English and maths.
Read the DCSF press notice to find out more. (Added 16 September 2009)
| |
Tune In - Year of Music
| | This is a national project which aims to encourage children and young people to take part in more music-related activities.
Visit the Tune In - Year of Music pages to find out more. (Added 16 September 2009)
| |
Cast your vote now
| | In the run-up to November's National School Meals Week (NSMW), the search is on for the nation's favourite school meal.
Look at the options on the NSMW website. (Added 03 September 2009)
| |
Gifted and talented
| | The brightest disadvantaged pupils are to receive 'scholarship' funding.
Read the DCSF press notice to find out more. (Added 4 August 2009)
| |
International Education Week
| | The week (16 to 20 November) is an opportunity to show the world how a global dimension in the classroom has benefited your school.
Visit the Global Gateway website to read more. (Added 23 July 2009)
| |
A passion for poetry?
| | Budding poets aged 11 to 17 have until the end of July to enter this year's Foyles Young Poets of the Year competition.
Visit the Poetry Society website for more information. (Added 16 July 2009)
| |
Teaching EAL
| | Your views are sought on the draft strategy for the development of English as an additional language (EAL) for the school workforce.
Visit the TDA Teaching EAL website for more information. (Added 23 June 2009)
| |
Sustainability Matters
| | A new DCSF film reveals the potential benefits of sustainability.
The seven-minute film, Sustainability Matters, is designed to stimulate group debate and is hosted on the updated Sustainable Schools website. (Added 23 June 2009)
| |
It's Alright to be Bright!
| | The National Association for Gifted Children has launched its third year of It's Alright to be Bright! The initiative raises awareness of the social and emotional needs of gifted children, as well as celebrating the diversity of all children's abilities. A whole week of activities is planned from 19th to 26th September 2009 and schools can get involved in a variety of ways. [full details](Added 22 June 2009)
| |
The work-related learning guide
| | A guidance document for employers, schools, colleges, students and their parents and carers.
Download the guidance document here. (Added 6 May 2009)
| |
PE in schools
| | A recent report has revealed that physical education is in favour with primary and secondary school pupils.
Visit the Ofsted site for more information. (Added 7 April 2009)
| |
Deadline for language project award
| | CILT, the National Centre for Languages, is inviting anyone running an innovative language project to nominate their project for a prestigious European Award for Languages by Friday 30 January.
To find out how to apply, visit http://www.cilt.org.uk/eal/. (Added 8 January 2009)
| |
Revised School Admissions Codes
| | The Secretary of State presented to Parliament the revised School Admissions Code and School Admission Appeals Code on 4 December 2008.
These will come into force in February 2009 subject to successful passage through Parliament. The Codes and associated Regulations can be viewed at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/sacode/. (Added 18 December 2008)
| |
Safer Internet Day
| | Are you using the internet in your classroom? If your answer is yes, then read on. (Added 11 December 2008) | |
New anti-bullying guidance
| | The National Healthy Schools Programme has launched its guidance to coincide with National Anti-Bullying Week.
Produced in partnership with 11 MILLION, the organisation led by the Children's Commissioner for England, and supported by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, a national coalition of over 60 organisations working to help prevent bullying. [full details](Added 18 November 2008)
| |
Moving on up
| | A new magazine for Year 6 pupils explains the options available when they move up to secondary school.
To download the magazine visit Online Publications for Schools: Moving on up (Added 03 July 2008)
| |
Young People, Music and the Internet
| | Childnet has produced a guide which aims to help young people use the internet and mobile phones safely and legally.
To download the Childnet leaflet click here (PDF 275 KB). (Added 28 May 2008)
| |
 CILT Community Languages National Conference
| | Wednesday 11 June 2008 Holiday Inn Royal Victoria, Sheffield
What is the CILT Community Languages National Conference?
'Community Languages: Developing practice for the 21st century' is a national conference focusing on a wide variety of aspects of community language teaching, run by CILT, the National Centre for Languages in association with Languages Sheffield.
Whatever your specific interests or background, this conference will provide you with the chance to develop skills, ask questions and share expertise, and to network with colleagues from all areas of community languages teaching.
Find out more at http://www.cilt.org.uk/cpd/community.htm (Added 29 April 2008)
| |
Passport to the EU
| | In order to support Europe Day (9 May) the UK Representation of the European Commission is issuing a free booklet to schools.
The booklet is produced by the European Commission office in the UK and is aimed at children aged 10- to 12-years-old. It includes stickers of coins, flags, buildings and even a map. Children can find places for the stickers in the passport and on the map.
In order to support Europe Day (9 May) activities for young people, the UK Representation of the European Commission is making 100,000 copies of the Passport to the European Union available to UK schools and similar organisations free of charge. Orders may be submitted here. (Added 22 April 2008)
| |
The Smallpeice Trust
| | This independent educational charity has launched a Nuclear Marine Engineering course for 13- and 14-year-olds.
Getting to the heart of art.
Visit The Smallpeice Trust to find out more. (Added 16 April 2008)
| |
The World's Biggest Lesson
| | The Global Campaign for Education is launching a campaign on 23 April, which highlights the fact that 72 million children worldwide are missing out on education.
Visit Send My Friend for more information. (Added 16 April 2008)
| |
Shine Festival
| | SHINE "Celebrating the talent in everyone"
National Schools Festival June 30th-July 4th
This summer, Shine will provide a national platform for schools to showcase the talents and positive
contributions of their pupils. To be part of the first Shine festival and join this national campaign,
schools can schedule special events and celebrations to fit within the festival week and in addition can
have a school profile within the shine website to illustrate the talents of their students.
We can help by sending schools a creative kit of ideas and resources, such as poster blanks,
certificates, stickers as well as assisting with publicity and providing guidelines enabling students to
upload their good work on to the Shine website. We are aiming for a strong media presence across the
country, both regionally and nationally with the endorsement and support of the Prime Minister, Government
Ministers and leaders in business, the arts and the creative industries.
[full details](Added 14 March 2008)
| |
Consultation on Statutory Orders - new secondary curriculum
| | Section 96 of the Education Act 2002 requires the Secretary of State to
publish draft Orders and regulations, along with any associated
documents, prior to laying new Statutory Orders before Parliament.
The Secretary of State now proposes to make Orders to bring about
changes to programmes of study for the Secondary National Curriculum
from September 2008.
Hard copies of the programmes of study were sent to schools and Local
Authorities in August 2007 in the form of a new curriculum handbook.
They are also available online at http://curriculum.qca.org.uk/. [full details](Added 10 March 2008)
| |
Assessment for learning
| | The assessment for learning section within the Primary Framework area contains materials to help you use the Primary Framework to develop assessment for learning in your school. The materials draw heavily from Excellence and Enjoyment: Learning and teaching in the primary years and have been updated and repurposed for the Primary Framework.
The assessing pupils' progress (APP) section contains all the guidance, materials and resources you need to support you in assessing children's progress in reading, writing and mathematics at Key Stage 2.
The standards files for reading, writing and mathematics contain examples of children's ongoing classroom work which have been assessed to exemplify the APP approach and show national standards.
Visit assessment for learning at the following URL: http://www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/primaryframework/assessment/
(Added 05 February 2008)
| |
The Children's Plan
| | The Government wants to make this country the best place in the world for children and young people to grow up. The Children's Plan sets out how the Department for Children, Schools and Families is going to achieve that – by putting the needs of families, children and young people at the centre of everything we do.
For more information and to download the Children's Plan, please visit http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/publications/childrensplan/ (Added 11 December 2007)
| |
Anti-social and crime damage webcast:
| | Operation Mullion, 16 Feb, at 3 p.m.
A case study into antisocial behaviour and crime damage, TeacherNet interviews Jackie Jones, Deputy Head,
Mayfield School, Portsmouth and Stephen Hawkins, Police Constable and Neighbourhood Officer, Hampshire
Constabulary.
Visit www.teachernet.gov.uk/community (this link opens in a new window). (Added 25 January 2007)
| |
Trust School Early Adopters scheme
| | Alan Johnson, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, today announced further support for Trust School Early Adopters.
Any primary, secondary or special school that is interested in becoming a Trust school can apply for the 'early adopter' programme. Schools will be eligible for a small amount of funding (up to a maximum of £10,000) to assist with set-up costs that they may incur when going through the process to acquire a Trust.
Schools will also benefit from a high level of support from the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) and the Youth Sport Trust (YST) as well as having access to a toolkit and model documentation which is currently being tested by Trust School pathfinders.
Further information and an application form is available to download from the SSAT's dedicated Trust schools website at http://trustschools.ssatrust.org.uk (this link opens in a new window). (Added 30 November 2006)
| |
Welcome to the EYFS consultation response
| | The Department’s response to public consultation on the content of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework has been published. Download the response
The consultation was launched on 5 May and ran until 28 July 2006 to seek views on the draft EYFS framework. From September 2008, the EYFS will be the phase of learning and development for children in the age range from birth to the end of the academic year in which they turn five (0-5). It will be implemented in all registered early years settings and maintained and independent schools.
These settings will be required to meet the learning, development and welfare requirements in the supporting EYFS package, and to have regard to the guidance associated with those requirements as appropriate.
This will ensure that all young children have access to an integrated learning and care experience that evidence shows enables them to achieve the best outcomes, and gives parents choice of a consistent quality offer whichever setting their child may be attending. (Added 01 October 2006)
| |
Primary Framework renewed
| | The renewal of the Primary Framework for literacy and mathematics offers everyone involved in teaching children
aged from 3 to 11 an opportunity to continue the progress made in raising standards by embedding the principles of both Every child matters: change for children (2004) and Excellence and enjoyment: learning and teaching in the primary years (Ref: 0518-2004) into practice.
Visit the Primary Framework site: http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/primaryframework
(Added 07 September 2006)
| |
Trust school pathfinders announced
| | Twenty eight Trust school pathfinder projects involving nearly fifty schools were today announced by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Alan Johnson.
Trust schools are foundation schools supported by a charitable foundation or "Trust". They will be able to employ their own staff, set their own admission arrangements and manage their own land and assets. Trust schools are about building long-term relationships with partners and/or other schools
For more information on what Trust schools are about and to see examples of pathfinder projects, please click here: http://findoutmore.dfes.gov.uk/2006/09/trust_schools.html [full details](Added 07 September 2006)
| |
The Education and Inspections Bill 2006
| | The Education and Inspections Bill represents a major step forward in the Government's aim of ensuring that every child in every school in every community gets the education they need to enable them to fulfil their potential.
The Bill gives local authorities an enhanced strategic role as champion of pupils and parents, with a duty to promote choice, diversity and high standards for every child. As the commissioner of school places, they will take all decisions relating to school organisation. All schools will be able to become Trust schools and acquire new freedoms, and there will be new safeguards allowing for a Trust and trustees to be removed in certain circumstances. There will be a strong voice for parents through Parent Councils. [full details](Added ) | |
Jim Rose's final report on early reading is published
| | The Secretary of State asked Jim Rose, the former HMI Director of Inspection at Ofsted, to lead an independent review into the teaching of early reading, including the role played by synthetic phonics.
Ruth Kelly asked Mr Rose to provide an interim report by November 2005, and a final report by early 2006. The final report is now available, published on 20 March, on the Rose Review website. To see the press notice click here. A summary of the report can be viewed on the website, and the full final report is available to download (PDF 435 KB). (Added 20 March 2006)
| |
See previous What's New items
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