www.sec-ed.com NewS
Teachers given help to
In brief
Mapping the future
Year 7 pupils across England
and Wales have the chance to
get their hands on free maps. It is
part of Ordnance Survey’s Free
deal with creationism
Maps for 11-year-olds scheme,
which has been running for
seven years. Since its inception,
more than five million maps
have been given away. The
scheme aims to encourage
children to put their map-reading
by Dorothy Lepkowska
the universities of Birmingham and receive all sorts of misinformation, issue of creationism and evolution The document said: “The ten- skills to use and explore their
Worcester. and it can be difficult to explain is a complex issue which needs sions between religion and science local area. Visit: http://freemaps.
Professor John Newbury, head why it is wrong without support. careful handling.” should not be denied but nor should ordnancesurvey.co.uk
Academics have produced a of Worcester’s Institute of Science “Even if you are a professional Dr Pritchard added: “I have we paint a black and white picture
pack for teachers to help them and the Environment, and chair of biologist like me, you sometimes been threatened by a parent in in this respect, it is more complex
deal with difficult and awkward the Biochemical Society’s education have to stop and think to give the Manchester, whose children I have than that.”
Museum access
questions about creationism from committee, has been running work- right answer to a question. Most never taught or had contact with, It urged teachers to discuss Schools are to be given free
pupils. shops and giving talks to teachers teachers just do not have the back- for indoctrinating them. So there is why natural selection was denied access to the Museum of
They claim that secondary who want to be able to respond to ground or resources to respond in a great strength of feeling out there by critics in the 19th century and London’s new, state-of-the-art
teachers are being faced with grow- challenging questions with answers an evidence-based way.” about these matters.” whether it is possible to believe learning centre. The centre,
ing challenges from pupils from based on scientific fact. Prof Newbury is working with Earlier this year, education in both evolution and God at the developed with help from the
religious homes and communities, He said: “There is now almost an Dr Jeremy Pritchard, of Birmingham chiefs in Hampshire caused contro- same time. Heritage Lottery Fund, is now
who raise counter-arguments to industry working to promote alterna- University’s School of Biosciences. versy when they sent out guidance For more information about equipped with an e-learning
Darwin’s theory of evolution in the tive views from creationists who are Dr Pritchard said: “We have to more than 70 schools showing materials available to teach- studio and 230-seat theatre.
classroom. trying to debunk Darwin’s theory. accumulated a number of materials how creationism could be taught, as ers, go to: www.biosciences. History will be “brought to life”
The schools pack is being pro- “This leaves many teachers up over the years which are available part of a joint science and religious bham.ac.uk/links/teachers/ for pupils through blue screen
duced jointly by bio-scientists at against it, because their pupils can for schools on our website. The studies module. secondary%20school/index.htm technology and animation. The
new high-tech facilities are
part of the multi-million pound
Government
redevelopments at the museum.
Visit: www.museumoflondon.
org.uk
releases workload
It’s a wRAP
Schools are set to receive free
online resources to help teach
survey results
pupils the benefits of recycling.
The initiative, developed by
WRAP (Waste and Resources
Action Programme), is designed
Secondary heads are working ers, but the health, safety and to be used in citizenship lessons.
marginally fewer hours than wellbeing of the workforce are It aims to encourage students to
last year, but longer hours for also being harmed.” take practical actions, such as
classroom teachers are putting their The survey also revealed that improving recycling facilities in
“health, safety and wellbeing” at a third of secondary teachers were their schools.
risk, a leading educationalist has doing clerical work, which they Visit: www.recyclenow.com/
claimed. did not regard as part of their job. schools
On Friday (September 11), the Martin Johnson, deputy gen-
government published the 10th eral secretary of the Association
annual Teacher Workload “snap- of Teachers and Lecturers, said:
Language campaign
Drumming up support: Education minister, Ed Balls, entertains students at Twyford High shot survey”, which takes a week- “A lot of this unnecessary work Time is fast running out for
School at the launch of the National Year of Music. Television presenter Konnie Huq (left) long look at work inside and out- is due to government account- youngsters wanting to sign
was also there to promote the initiative side school hours in March, based ability policies which encourage up for the Try Life in Another
on a random sample of primary, schools to create mountains of Language campaign. Young
Balls bangs the drum for
secondary and SEN teachers. paperwork as evidence of every- linguists aged between 18 and
It found that although there thing they do.” 25 are being sought to appear
was a slight fall in the working Vernon Coaker, the schools in an advertising campaign
hours for secondary heads, deputy minister, said it was wrong that aiming to encourage pupils
heads, and heads of department, some heads and teachers were still to study languages at GCSE.
National Year of Music
more needed to be done to reduce being required to do tasks they did The winning candidate will
workload burdens across the edu- not regard as part of their job. star in a radio advertisement,
cation system. He claimed that “tough new but the competition closes on
Secondary classroom teachers measures” currently before Monday (September 21). Visit:
An array of musical stars joined a range of music – from classical to because of the way they use music were found to be working mar- Parliament would help to enforce to www.languageswork.org.uk/
education minister, Ed Balls, at the country. This is exactly why we and film together. ginally more hours than last year, the entitlement to the National starlinguists
launch of the first ever National need world-class music education Meanwhile, Ofsted has launched although a higher number this Agreement, which was introduced
Year of Music last week. in schools. the Making More of Music booklet, year said that their duties repre- in 2003 to tackle the problem of
The celebratory year will see “Headteachers tell me the reason which is aimed at music teachers, sented a good use of their time. unacceptable workload levels.
Internet grants
events take place across the country, why they want to teach music and and features examples of best teach- Chris Keates, general secre- Mr Coaker said: “There has The e-Learning Foundation,
aiming to encourage youngsters to dance is not just because they’re ing practice. tary of the NASUWT, said: “The been a transformation in schools which promotes universal home
get involved in music. fun, but they also have a positive Christine Gilbert, Ofsted chief evidence from the survey con- in the last decade – with the internet access, has launched its
On Thursday (September 10), impact on pupils’ reading and writ- inspector, said: “This booklet cel- firms that there remains a culture highest number of teachers for a latest round of grants for schools.
Mr Balls was joined by chart-top- ing. Research backs this up, show- ebrates the work of outstanding of long working hours in schools. generation and the most ever sup- The charity provides grants for
ping musicians including Jamie ing direct links between music and schools, and is intended to help oth- The working hours of the major- port staff; record rises in teach- home-linked e-learning projects,
Cullen and VV Brown at west attainment, better behaviour and ers to achieve excellence and sustain ity of teachers and headteach- ers’ pay; excellent training and and welcomes applications from
London’s Twyford High School, better social cohesion.” it. I hope that it becomes essential ers exceeds the 48-hour limit set career development for teachers’ all affiliated schools. Applicants
where he called on schools to help As part of the celebrations, the reading for all teachers of music.” by the European Working Time and a massive improvement in should note that they are required
create a “generation of talented per- government-funded Film Club, For more information on Film Directive.” facilities. to address the issue of internet
formers, to fly the flag for Great which provides teaching resources Club’s Music in Films series, visit She added: “Not only is the “We are absolutely commit- connectivity for disadvantaged
Britain”. that incorporate film, has launched www.filmclub.org educational progress of pupils ted to reducing workloads for all families. The deadline for
He added: “Young people need a season dedicated to Music in To get a copy of Making More being seriously compromised teachers – that’s why we brought applications is 5pm on Friday,
to know that they can only become Films. of Music, email freepublications@ by relying on overworked and in the National Agreement in October 12. Visit:
stars by mastering the basics when It offers schools access to films ofsted.gov.uk, stating you are in a stressed teachers and headteach- 2003.” www.e-learningfoundation.com
they’re young and by learning about that have been specifically chosen secondary school.
Building support
Experts call for compulsory careers lessons
The Commission for
Architecture and the Built
Environment (CABE) is
offering six grants of up to
Industry experts are calling for com- report, carried out by the Engineering Confederation of British Industry, is also advised that students get cation and we believe this needs to £1,500 to schools in England.
pulsory careers lessons in schools, and Technology Board (ETB), calls told SecEd: “Careers advice is involved in work experience.” change.” The grants will support
after a report showed that 60 per for an end to this “fragmented” sys- vitally important. There are a range Paul Jackson, chief executive A spokesman for the Department imaginative teaching and
cent of English school leavers did tem, and wants high quality careers of options students can take now of the ETB, said that every school for Children, Schools and Families, learning about architecture
not receive careers advice. information, advice and guidance to including Diplomas and apprentice- leaver had the right to accurate and said: “We want all young people to and the design and use of
In Scotland, there is a target to be offered to all school leavers. ships, so it is essential that good informed careers information, add- have access to high-quality support buildings and public spaces.
ensure 100 per cent of pupils have It also said it was “concerning” quality careers advice be offered to ing it was “particularly important and advice to help them make the Applicants must provide an
at least one careers interview before that detailed advice about certain them at these key decision points. in the current economic climate, right decisions about their future. accurate picture of what the
they leave school, while in Wales careers, particularly in the areas “We want students to have access in which young people are really “That is why we announced a pupils will be involved in,
and Northern Ireland, the figures of science, technology, engineering to high-quality careers advice. struggling to find work”. pupil guarantee in this summer’s and what it is hoped they will
are 90 and 70 per cent respectively. and maths, was not being given. Getting employers involved is really He added: “At present, careers schools White Paper for all second- achieve. Visit: www.cabe.org.
In England, no such target exists. Lizzi Holman, senior policy important, such as coming to speak education is a non-compulsory part ary school pupils to have access to uk/educationgrants
The Final Careers Roadmap adviser on education and skills at the to students in the classrooms. It of personal, social and health edu- high-quality careers advice.”
SecEd • September 17 2009 
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