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Schools
In brief
6th form protest
still on
MP wants greater
As SecEd went to press,
members of the NUT and
NASUWT unions at four
alert for
Tamworth high schools were due
to take strike action yesterday
(Wednesday, May 20) in protest
swine flu help for SEN pupils
at plans to turn Woodhouse
Business and Enterprise College
into an academy, centralising all
Schools were still on alert for 6th form provision at the new
potential swine flu outbreaks school. There is concern that the
this week after another school plans could see more than 70
was forced to close.
by Chris Parr
The Bill, which was drafted by inclined to engage, and inclined the government would look at the
the National Autistic Society, called only to focus on his perceived bad issues raised, the private member’s teachers lose their jobs and could
After confirming a number for improved training and support behaviour which, although uninten- Bill was withdrawn. “seriously weaken” 6th form
of cases among its students, Transition from primary to secondary for school professionals, a greater tional, is disruptive. However, Chris Keates, general provision in the area. NASUWT
the independent Lady Eleanor school for many SEN pupils can be focus on SEN during Ofsted inspec- “At the very least, the govern- secretary of the NASUWT union general secretary Chris Keates
Holles Girls’ School in London like “going from a paddling pool tions, and a compulsory review ment should challenge the high- said that some of the recommenda- said: “The proposals will rip the
shut its doors this week and to a six foot deep swimming pool process for when SEN students are excluding authorities to explain tions were “not enforceable”. heart out of 6th form provision
is expected to stay closed until without any extra help”, a concerned excluded. why they are so high excluding, She told us: “While the high and hand what’s left over to a
after the half-term break. MP has told SecEd. During his speech to the and set out plans to address it.” exclusion rate for pupils with SEN is private sponsor, Landau Forte.”
A spokesman for the John Bercow, a Tory MP who Commons, Mr Bercow said: Mr Bercow alleged that some an issue that needs to be addressed,
Health Protection Agency said: led a private member’s Bill on SEN “Children with SEN are no fewer schools are currently breaking the exclusion should be based on an
“National guidelines say that provision in schools at the House of than nine times as likely to be law unknowingly by “sending objective assessment of the circum-
417 heroes…
schools are advised to close for Commons on Friday (May 15), said permanently excluded from school students home to calm down if stances of each case. A total of 417 finalists have
seven days, as that is the incuba- that although there were examples than those without. My Bill propos- they are being disruptive” without “If a pupil commits a serious act been unveiled as this year’s
tion period for the disease.” of good practice, SEN support tend- es that no child with SEN should imposing an official suspension or that means that the health, safety Teaching Awards regional finals
The school is located next ed to tail away in the later years of be permanently excluded unless a exclusion. and welfare of staff and other pupils get underway. The next few
to Hampton School, which was primary and at secondary school. review is made looking at the rea- “The government should also is put at serious risk, and the edu- weeks will see 13 prestigious
forced to close last week after an He told us: “The years of transi- sonable adjustments that the school make sure it gets the guidance on cational progress of the majority ceremonies held across the UK
outbreak, but which re-opened tion are potentially the most dif- has made to accommodate them. exclusions right. Ministers should of pupils is being compromised, during which 146 winners will
on Monday (May 18). ficult moments in anybody’s school “A large number of students get strengthen it so that it is manifestly allowing that pupil to remain in be revealed across 12 categories
Writing on the school’s web- career, but for those who have par- to secondary school with a need clear, and incapable of mis-compre- school while these various assess- for headteachers, teachers,
site, Hampton’s acting head, ticular needs, it is a very dangerous that, if unaddressed, leaves them hension,” he said. ments are carried out is not in any- teaching assistants, governors,
Pippa Message, said: “As the time.” anxious, stressed, depressed, dis- After receiving assurances that one’s interests.” and sustainable schools. Winners
school has been closed for long- will go forward to the UK finals
er than the incubation period,
any new cases related to contact
while in school would have pre-
Design standards laid down for
held in London in October and
televised on the BBC. Visit:
www.teachingawards.com
sented by now. Therefore, all
those pupils who have not devel-
oped infection and are symp-
tom-free can return to school.”
Castle View School in Essex,
new school building projects
…Make that 418
Henry Winkler, otherwise
known as the Fonz from US
which also suffered an outbreak comedy Happy Days, has won
last week, has re-opened its For the first time, educationalists £40,000 for the Teaching Awards
doors too. Head Russell Sullivan are to be included on the panel after coming top of a public
said that an up-to-date manage- that assesses Building Schools vote on Absolute Radio. Mr
ment information system was for the Future (BSF) design Winkler competed against other
crucial in helping the school to plans, following the creation of a celebrities to convince listeners
get anti-viral medicine out to Minimum Design Standard for the to vote for his chosen charity to
180 year 8s, many of whom scheme. win the money. Mr Winkler is
were contacted on a Saturday. Proposed designs for BSF dyslexic and is a strong supporter
He added: “Exams at the schools will continue to be assessed of the Teaching Awards. As a
school went ahead as planned, by school architecture experts on result, the Teaching Awards
and one of the two year 8 stu- the Campaign for Architecture and has used the money to set up a
dents with the virus returned to the Built Environment’s (CABE) new award from 2010 for SEN
school on Monday. The second design panel, but under the new teacher of the year.
is recovering well at home.” plans they will be also be judged
Meanwhile, exam regula- by someone with a background in
tors, awarding bodies, and the education.
Take to the seas
Qualifications and Curriculum Schools minister Jim Knight said: National youth sailing charity
Authority have jointly published “This is the first time that independ- the Tall Ships Youth Trust
a crisis management plan for the ently assessed, clear, objective and is increasing the number of
examination process. robust design standards have been voyages this year and increasing
A spokesman for Ofqual, laid down for a public sector build- the number of sponsored crew
England’s exam regulator, said: ing construction programme. places to 120. The scheme,
“The well established contin- “It adds real teeth to the design which is supported by the
gency plans that awarding bod- process so that any project failing HSBC Global Education Trust,
ies already have in place are to make the grade will simply not gives students aged 14 to 18
capable of coping with signifi- move forward. It means that teach- the chance to sail 72-foot
cant levels of disruption to the ers and students are involved right ocean-going Challenger yachts.
examinations system. This joint from the start.” The charity also runs youth
plan is intended to complement In addition to the changes on the mentoring programmes. Visit:
these, not to replace them. design panel, the standard include: In order to help bidding teams said they would ensure teachers have “Given the chance, teachers can www.tallships.org
“The exam system this year is • Introducing a four-point grading achieve the standard, CABE is more of a say over new designs. ensure that new buildings facili-
running as normal. Students and system, with designs rated “very also launching an online resource, Chief executive, Julian Stanley, tate high standards of teaching and
their schools and colleges should good”, “pass”, “unsatisfactory” Successful School Design, offering said: “Our joint report with the British learning, as well as help to improve
Deaf support
be preparing for the summer or “poor”. practical advice on the design strat- Council of School Environments the wellbeing of both staff and The National Deaf Children’s
exams as they usually would.” • Carrying out three reviews of egies needed to meet the 10 criteria found last year that there were pupils.” Society has extended the
Details can be found at designs, with designs graded used by the design panel. significant barriers that prevented For more information, visit opening hours for its Freephone
www.ofqual.gov.uk/2325.aspx “unsatisfactory” or “poor” at the The plans were welcomed by the teachers from fully engaging in the www.cabe.org.uk/design-review/ helpline. From June 8, the line,
third review unable to proceed. Teacher Support Network, which BSF procurement process. schools which caters for education
professionals as well as families,
Students to receive £30 equipment bursary
will open from 9.30am to
7.30pm Mondays; 9.30am to
5pm Tuesdays to Thursdays; and
9.30am to 12pm Fridays and
Every 6th form student in Liverpool young people get every chance to Saturdays. It also runs an email
is to receive a £30 bursary to spend reach their full potential, regardless service. Email helpline@ndcs.
on books and stationery as part of a of their background or the income org.uk or call 0808 800 8880.
new initiative. of their parents. Visit: www.ndcs.org.uk
Around 12,000 students in the “Books, art equipment, and
city will receive the cash after the stationery can be hugely expen-
scheme was passed by Liverpool sive and act as a disincentive when
Global thinking
Council’s executive board on Friday youngsters are deciding whether or Education charity, DEA, has
(May 15). not to continue their studies. This published practical help for
It will cost around £360,000, bursary will make sure that every teaching the new “global
and is designed to make sure that 6th form student has the opportu- dimension” at secondary level.
each year 12 and 13 student can nity to go out and buy the materials The pack and 2009/10 “global
buy the equipment they need to get which they need.” wallplanner” aim to help teachers
their academic year off to the best Pupils will have to claim their plan global-themed lessons
start possible. entitlement using a special website to make sure it gets to pupils and the “These are tough economic times that mums and dads won’t have and were despatched to all
Council leader Warren Bradley during the first half term of the aca- system is not abused. and every single penny counts for to worry about having to find schools this week. Visit www.
said: “Liverpool’s future success demic year, and all equipment will Councillor Keith Turner, execu- families. the cash to fork out for essential globaldimension.org.uk
hinges on making sure that our be delivered to schools and colleges tive member for education, added: “This scheme will make sure equipment.”
SecEd • May 21 2009 
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