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Teenage
In brief
Becta launch
craze
Becta has launched new
guidelines to help parents better
engage with their children’s
causes
learning. It comes after its Oh
Nothing Much report revealed
that after-school communication
concern
is a challenge for parents, with 43
per cent admitting that they find
it either difficult or very difficult
to extract information from their
A “game” played by children, child about their day at school. A
but unknown by many adults, is third of parents also feel excluded
putting youngsters throughout by their children. The report,
the UK at risk of death by authored by child psychologist
strangulation. Professor Tanya Byron, provides
The so-called fainting game, guidelines to help parents
which involves intentionally improve interaction with both
cutting off the oxygen supply children and schools by using
to the brain in order to experi- technology in addition to more
ence a high, is being played by traditional methods. Visit: www.
children of all ages, but par- nextgenerationlearning.org.uk
ticularly by those of secondary
school age.
In order to “play”, young-
snap happy
sters use an item such as a A national photography
school tie or dressing gown competition is challenging
chord to compress the airway students aged 11 to 18 to
to the sternum or neck in order capture images that depict body
to restrict oxygen flow to the language. Winners in three age
brain. Others play in teams, categories will get a digital SLR
strangulating each other with camera and could have their work
their hands until they pass out. exhibited in London. The i:click
Those who have taken part photography awards are being
say they get a high when they run by international disability
regain consciousness. agency Sightsavers International.
The shocking revelations It is aimed at encouraging
were revealed by the British students to think about how
Journal of School Nursing
Surge in ‘suicidal’
a person’s body language is
(BJSN). something that sighted people
Writing in BJSN, Anne sometimes take for granted. The
Gorrêa Guedes, a member deadline is October 9. Visit:
of the French association for www.sightsavers.org/iclick
parents whose children have
been victims of strangulation
(APEAS), said: “The fainting
ChildLine callers
Chartered success?
game is practised by children Scottish education secretary
and adolescents, mainly aged Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the
12 to 16, of all social or ethical launch of a professional body
backgrounds, the daredevils as
by Sam Phipps
“For some children it is a cry for opening of a new base in Edinburgh. Ms Chalmers said parents need- representing the interests of
well as the very sensible.” help, while others see it as the only Longer hours of operation have also ed guidance on how to spot possible Scotland’s 750 chartered teachers,
She added: “Unlike drugs, it way to escape their problems. been introduced, with a night serv- signs of suicidal feelings, with the but said more assessment of their
does not leave marks and is free The number of young people “While many callers will not ice in Glasgow two nights a week. NSPCC, which funds ChildLine, contribution was needed. “That is
of charge. When they do it in telephoning ChildLine saying they actually attempt suicide, we treat However, Ms Chalmers was calling for teachers and doctors to why I asked HMIE to undertake
teams, alternatively strangulat- are suicidal has surged sevenfold in every call as extremely serious. unable to explain why the increase be trained in identifying suicide a review into their impact and we
ing and being strangulated, the Scotland in the last five years, more Children can hide their distress so in young people calling with suicidal distress signs before a child reaches are likely to see the initial results
main risk is a cardiac arrest.” than double the rate of increase in effectively that parents may have no feelings was so much more marked crisis point. this summer with a fuller analysis
Warning signs include recur- the whole of the UK. idea their child may be suicidal.” in Scotland. About 100 people aged Young callers cite a range of next year,” she said. Chartered
rent and violent headaches and In 2008 more than 500 young The UK rise is partly attrib- between 15 and 24 take their own factors including abuse, bullying, teachers receive an extra £6,500
humming or pain in the ears. people told the helpline they wanted uted to ChildLine’s merger with the lives in Scotland each year, twice bereavement, exam stress, divorce salary.
With time, the child may devel- to take their own lives, up from 71 NSPCC three years ago and greater the rate for England and Wales. or separation of parents, and mental
op epileptic seizures, amnesia, in 2003. awareness of mental health issues. In the UK as a whole a total of health problems.
confusion, or mental disorders. Nearly half (44 per cent) were The service has been expanded 2,925 children and young people ChildLine is running a series
University focus
For more information, visit aged between 12 and 15, and 30 per and takes more calls from children rang ChildLine about feeling sui- of three conferences in Edinburgh, A new website founded by
www.jeudufoulard.com or cent between 16 and 18. and young people than ever before. cidal, compared with 910 in 2003 Glasgow and Aberdeenshire this students, for students, is hoping to
email info@jeudufoulard.com Elaine Chalmers, head of However, it is still unable to answer – a rise of just over threefold. month on creating a positive envi- help thousands of 16 to 18-year-
and for more on BJSN, visit ChildLine in Scotland, said: “It is one in three calls. In both cases nearly four times ronment in schools. They focus on olds when it comes to choosing
www.school-nursing.co.uk heartbreaking to listen to children ChildLine has recently added more calls were received from girls bullying, peer pressure and the tran- their universities. Unionview
talk of wanting to kill themselves. to its volunteer numbers with the than boys. sition from primary to secondary. hosts independently produced
films about universities across the
Enter your PA today
UK. Ed Teversham, one of the
School prepares to mark
student founders of the website,
says it will focus on university
life both on and off campus. Visit:
The race is on to find the 2009 SecEd bronze, silver and gold awards, as www.unionview.com
Headteacher’s PA of the Year, and well as a number of highly com-
entries have already begun to arrive mended PAs.
at our London offices just two weeks This year, the finals will take
genocide anniversary
student stress
after the awards were launched. place on Friday, November 20, A survey has highlighted the
The fourth annual awards cer- and the awards are once again stress that some students feel as
emony will take place at a prestig- being kindly supported by the April marks the 15th anniversary dents were able to interview sure people learn from the mis- they approach the crucial exam
ious London venue later this year, DCSF International School Award, of the Rwandan genocide, in witnesses, aid workers, and UN takes of the past.” period at the end of their GCSE
where all the finalists and their which is managed by the British which an estimated 800,000 peace-keepers, and it really moti- One of the ways in which the or A level studies. The study by
headteachers will be treated to a Council. Rwandans were killed in just 100 vated them. youngsters are helping to raise Justin Craig Education revealed
gala dinner, before the 2009 winner The awards are open to every days. “With the 15th anniversary next awareness is through a website, that 94 per cent of students worry
is unveiled. UK secondary school, state or inde- On Tuesday (March 31) month, a number of the students which asks people the world over about not achieving their predicted
In an early nomination from the pendent. All you need to do is write Hampton School in Middlesex expressed an interest in doing some- to give their thoughts on why it is grades, while 71 per cent felt
East Midlands, one headteacher tells a testimonial of up to 700 words will be undertaking a range of thing, so we have set up a number important to remember, which they their parents put them under extra
SecEd how vital his PA’s contribu- explaining to us why your PA is vital remembrance activities in a bid of activities and speakers to address then intend to pass on to survivors pressure during exam time.
tion is to the running of his school. to your school and its community. to raise awareness among both its the pupils.” to show that they are not forgotten.
He says: “My predecessor hailed Our judging panel will look for own students, and students from Among the speakers will be So far, the site has received
my PA as loyal, conscientious and evidence of a PA’s dedication and eight other local schools. Jean-Louis Mazimpaka, whose par- 400 responses from 40 different
Music cuts
hardworking colleague, and in the loyalty to their role, as well as The youngsters will hear ents were murdered during the 1994 countries. Cutting back on music teachers
intervening years I have not been the impact that they have on the about the horrors of the genocide genocide. Mr Lawrence sad: “It’s our is “short-sighted in the extreme”,
disappointed. school’s systems and operations. from those who experienced it He told us: “I have spoken with hope that the website, and the according to Scotland’s
“At all times she has been highly The deadline for nominations is first hand, create presentations to the students before about what hap- activity day, will give the pupils biggest teaching union, the
efficient, well-tuned to the pace, Thursday, October 1, although we highlight why it is so important to pened to my family, so this time a real understanding of what EIS. Renfrewshire Council is
complexity and uncertainties of advise you to get them in as soon remember the event, and discuss I’m hoping to talk to them about happened, and inspire them to reportedly planning to reduce its
school life. The school would not as you can. how they themselves can learn how the genocide was planned, to do what they can. This could be music instruction service, with
run as efficiently as it does without Email SecEd editor Pete Henshaw from what happened. make them understand that this sort through charity work, or by acting other authorities likely to follow.
(her) attention to detail, or have if you would like more guidance. History teacher Andy of thing can not be allowed to hap- to stop intolerance in school, such General secretary Ronnie Smith
the good reputation it does without You can submit nominations to pete. Lawrence explained: “Last year pen again. as bullying.” said: “The benefits to pupils of
(her) contribution.” h@markallengroup.com or by post we did a project looking at the “Young people are tomorrow’s Hampton School’s Rwanda quality music instruction far
Every entrant who makes the to SecEd PA of the Year, St Jude’s holocaust, Bosnia, Cambodia, politicians, tomorrow’s UN envoys, website can be accessed at www. outweigh the relatively small
final gets a certificate marking their Church, Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, Darfur, and Rwanda. The stu- so it is very important that we make whyshouldweremember.org. cost to councils.”
achievement, and we then choose London, SE24 0PB.
SecEd • March 26 2009 
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