News
Communication breakdown Bring your own bear
That children do not tell their parents much about what goes on at Charity Action Medical Research has harnessed Paddington Bear
school is nothing new, but a new report from the government agency and CBBC presenter Saira Khan to raise £200,000 in its latest appeal.
Becta shows the full extent of the problem: On any convenient day in June (Paddington’s birthday month) chil-
n 82% of parents admit that they don’t know as much about their dren get to bring their teddy bears or a favourite soft toy into class for
child’s day at school as they would like. the day in return for a £1 donation. The money raised will go towards
n Just 16% of children proactively share any information with their the charity’s Touching Tiny Lives appeal, which is helping to find bet-
parents about their school day. ter ways to protect ‘mums-to-be’ from the risk of pregnancy complica-
n 43% of parents find it either difficult or very difficult to extract infor- tions, reduce the incidence of premature birth and improve treatment for
mation from their child about their day at school. babies who need special care.
The report, written by child psychologist Professor Tanya Byron, inves- Every school that registers will receive a free fundraising pack with
tigated the after-school communications challenge and provides guide- ideas for activities, educational materials and worksheets, plus plenty of
lines to help parents improve interaction with both children and schools Paddington Bear stickers.
by using technology in addition to more traditional methods. She sug- Those schools that pledge to raise £150 or more will also receive a free
gests that it is important to show people the ways in which many schools Paddington Bear soft toy. And those that raise £250 or more will receive
are already successfully embracing it. Time-saving technology for online a personally engraved Paddington Bear plaque to display in recognition
reporting, lesson-planning and homework (accessed by school websites of their achievement. The top 10 fundraisers of all will also get a personal
and other online resources) makes parents feel much more a part of their visit from Paddington Bear himself to say ‘thank you’.
child’s learning.
As well as providing useful communication tips for parents, she also To register visit www.action.org.uk/byb
suggests that they find out if the child’s school shares reports and class
updates online and that these are then used to discover where their
strengths lie. She urges them to focus on the subjects that they love, and
to use any information on areas where they may be struggling so as to
lessen any anxiety that they may have in speaking about them. She goes
on to say, “80% of parents think it would be useful if their child’s school
were able to provide up-to-date and secure online information about
their child’s learning, so if your school doesn’t have this facility, talk to
them about it”.
Significantly, nearly 75% of 7–14-year-olds believe that they under-
stand ideas better as a result of using technology in school.
The full report, entitled Oh Nothing Much, can be viewed at
www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk
Arsenal launches language
modules Paddington and friend: Saira Khan and Action Medical Research
aim to raise £200,000 with the bear’s help
Arsenal Football Club has
launched the Arsenal Double Club
-
READERS’ COMMUNICATIONS
Language Modules for Primary
Schools. The programme uses TELL US WHAT YOU THINK.
Arsenal’s resources, interactive
DVDs with Arsenal players and Headteacher Update wants to know what you think about our articles
football, all developed by the ‘Arse- and features – or about any topical issue in primary education. Or tell
nal in the Community’ department. us something exciting that has happened in your school.
The scheme follows the format of Email to editor@rapportlearning.com or post to the address below.
a 45-minute classroom session fol-
lowed by a football coaching ses- Headteacher Update is now published by Rapport Learning Ltd, a
sion – mirroring the two halves of separate company to the Rapport Group. Please note our new contact
‘the beautiful game’. details below.
The modules, which include Ger-
man, French and Spanish, have ISSN 1478-5307 Editorial: Dr Peter Clarke
been piloted in schools around peter@rapportlearning.com
Arsenal’s north London ground ©2009 Rapport Learning Ltd,
for the past 17 months and fol- 1 Crumplin’s Business Court,
Sales: Kevin North
low a successful secondary schools Odiham, Hampshire, RG29 1DU
kevin@rapportlearning.com
scheme that has been running since
Subscriptions/general enquiries
2006. The modules have been Tel: 01256 704288
info@rapportlearning.com
developed in consultation with Fax: 01256 703447
language partners: the Consejería
Publishing Director: Peter Clarke
de Educacíon, Institut Français,
peter@rapportlearning.com
Goethe-Insitut London, UK–German Connection and the European
HUextra
Publisher: James Osgerby
Commission. The Department for Children, Schools and Families has
Subscribe to HU extra, for access to
jim@rapportlearning.com
funded a two-year secondment to the Arsenal Double Club to develop
premium tailored information, free qual-
the scheme with a view to rolling it out across other Premier League
Design: Miles Smith-Morris
clubs, and other football and sporting clubs worldwide.
ity supplements, plus resources and
The programme normally consists of six to eight sessions either run as
special money off offers.
Printed by Richard Edward
an after-school club or in lesson time. The basic cost is £6 per pupil.
More details on your
Plumstead, London SE28 0AB
address sheet.
For more information, contact Julie Stoker, jstoker@arsenal.co.uk
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