Sunday, October 25, 2009
News in brief, October 2009
A summary of education news from the last month.
The online Schools Recruitment Service has been launched by the DCSF. The site is free to use by schools searching for staff as well as individuals looking for new jobs/roles.
Maggie Atkinson has been appointed the next Children's Commissioner for England by the Children's Secretary, Ed Balls There has been some controversy surrounding her appointment because the Select Committee for Children, Families and Schools interviewed her and concluded she was not suitable for the post after 11 of the 14 members of the committee voted not to support her appointment. She will start in the post on March 1st 2010.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls has announced a further 114 schools have been accepted to begin the process of joining the Trust Schools Programme. These schools will now work towards acquiring Trust status. Trust Schools join with one or more external organisation to draw on their expertise and energy to help raise standards. Organisations in discussion to partner the latest round of schools include: Sainsbury’s, British Airways, Unilever, Marks & Spencer, The Holiday Inn, Northumbrian Water, the Woodlands Trust and the Co-operative Group. The schools include 25 which will be following the Co-operative model.
A review of Home Education has been announced by Schools Secretary, Ed Balls in response to Graham Badman's report into home education in England. The remit of the review will be to determine what is a "suitable" and "efficient" education for the home educated. A registration scheme for home educators will also be considered for implementation.
The Independent Cambridge Review of Primary Education published its final report on 20th October. The result of a three year study including 32 separate reports the review is comprehensive as well as independent. Making 75 separate recommendations for improving primary education in England. To read a summary of the key findings click here. Following the publication of the final report the Cambridge Review team are running a series of consultation days for educational professional to give and share feedback on the findings and recommendations. These conference days will take place across England. To find out more or book visit the website here.