What’s been newsworthy recently?
- Ofsted’s report from the seminar on lesson observation has been published looking at different lesson observation models.
- Unbelievably, 290 schools have not had an Ofsted inspection in over a decade.
- Ofsted’s National Director, Education, Sean Harford recently spoke at the Character Education conference in Lichfield, May 2018. See his presentation here.
- Read Steve Rollet’s views about why scrapping Ofsted grades won’t fix accountability.
- Public Health England (PHE) say that 164,000 primary school starters have rotten teeth. That’s 23.3% so just call it a quarter of all kids. Not good news? Well, actually not all bad because this is down from 30.9% in 2008.
- Research by University College London (UCL) says that grammar school pupils gain no social or emotional advantages by age 14 over children who do not attend a selective school, a study suggests.
- Ready for a laugh? Lord Baker (the ‘architect’ of the National Curriculum) says that maths GCSE should be scrapped because it is too difficult for less able students. The solution? Replace it with two separate exams – a core paper and then and optional further paper (advanced) for more able students. This sounds like something from 2003 – oh, it is!
- You couldn’t make it up… a glitch on an online spelling test allows pupils to right-click their mouse and find the answer!
- The revised statutory guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), has been published but will come into effect for schools and colleges on 3 September 2018. It provides additional advice to help school and college staff deal with allegations of child-on-child sexual violence and sexual harassment.
- As part of an overhaul of sex education, children in Wales will be taught what makes healthy relationships and there will be more emphasis on sexuality.
- Justine Greening has said parents who lack confidence in reading should turn on television subtitles to improve their children’s literacy.
- The response to the consultation on strengthening Qualified Teacher Status and teacher progression has now been published.
- Despite the landmark ruling involving Jon Platt, holiday absences increased by 50,0000 last term.
- Is political correctness an enemy of free speech, open debate and the free exchange of ideas? Watch Stephen Fry at his very best in this Munk Debate – he upstages everyone with his sublime eloquence (see 30:24):
- Okay, not so much news but a really interesting blog from Will Thalheimer called Reflections This Morning On Brushing My Teeth. It’s not what you think so take a look.
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Why does every school needs a gender champion? Find out more in this blog from Katie White.
- In need of a good laugh after SATS? Then read a brilliant blog from Nick Hart – very tongue in cheek but absolutely spot on!
Q1. Adam says,
Explain why he is incorrect.