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by Greg Lewis
In addition, the core inspec- would give a more accurate picture inspect schools in the same cycle, as response to the public consultation
Publisher
tion will be shorter and based on of the actual quality of the education schools could easily predict when and believed the new framework
Ben Allen
three key questions, including the and training, reduce the possibility they were due an inspection. would improve the inspection
Editor
Schools in Wales will be given just new feature of wellbeing, greater of “stage management”, increase Another big change in terms process.
Pete Henshaw – 020 7501 6771
four weeks’ notice of a visit from emphasis on skills and on partner- public confidence, and reduce stress of the management of inspections He added: “Inspection is a
pete.henshaw@markallengroup.
inspectors, under a new inspec- ship working. as the build-up to the inspection is a plan to ensure all schools are powerful driver for improvement
com
tion system due to be launched in Estyn plans to inform schools of would be much shorter. inspected by Estyn inspectors rather through showcasing best practice
Deputy editor September. the actual date of the inspection less However, those against the idea than by registered inspectors. Estyn- and challenging weak practice and
David Taylor – 020 7501 6772 Education inspectorate Estyn than 20 working days in advance. say that less preparation would led inspections for schools will be I am certain that the new inspection
david.taylor@markallengroup.com is transforming inspections for all Currently, schools get on average mean that inspectors would not be phased in over the next three years. model will help us to increase our
Chief reporter education providers for the next between three and six months’ given a full picture of the school’s Registered inspectors will still lead impact in that regard.
Chris Parr – 020 7501 6750
six-year inspection cycle following notice. strengths, and are adamant that a half of the school inspections in the “Inspectors will be looking for
Illustrator
a public consultation. This proposal, which was the shorter notice period would increase first year of the cycle, and a quarter areas of improvement and they will
Christos Mais
As well as giving teachers shorter most controversial of all the chang- rather than decrease stress. of them in the second. also want to identify strengths and
notice, all parents and many pupils es, was supported by just over half of One respondent also warned Chief inspector of education and good practice so that Estyn can
Editorial advisory panel
will also have a say, and a new for- around 300 respondents to the con- Estyn that the new notice periods training in Wales, Dr Bill Maxwell, share this information with other
Paul Ainsworth, Deputy
mat for reports will be introduced. sultation. Those in favour believe it would be useless if it continued to said he was very pleased with the providers.”
headteacher, Belvoir High School,
Leicestershire. Mark Blois, Browne
Jacobson. Hilary Moriarty,
National director, Boarding
Schools’ Association. Neill
Cardinal urges
London and Manchester
Morton, Headteacher, Portora
Royal School, Enniskillen. Helen
Nurton, Assistant headteacher,
Guildford County School, Surrey. Jo
parents to ‘put
recognise top youngsters
Smith, Deputy headteacher, Long
Field School, Melton Mowbray.
Tina Stockman, Teacher, Harlaw
their faith’ in non-
Talented youngsters from some
of England’s most challenging
Academy, Aberdeen. Ray Tarleton,
schools have been celebrating
Headteacher, South Dartmoor
over the Christmas period after
Community College, Devon. Dr
Bernard Trafford, Headteacher,
selective schools
being named London and Greater
Manchester Students of the Year.
The Royal Grammar School,
Eighteen students from across
Newcastle upon Tyne. Simon
the regions were recognised for
Viccars, Headteacher, Leon School
their achievements in an array
and Sports College, Milton Keynes.
Parents should put their faith in self what a quality education means of subjects including music, sci-
Alex Wood, Headteacher, Wester
secondary schools to offer children for your child,” he said. ence and ICT, and received their
Hailes Education Centre, Edinburgh
the chance to achieve quality exam “Don’t assume that the only school accolades at two glitzy awards
results, the head of the Catholic in which your child could achieve 12 ceremonies.
Church in Ireland has said. GCSE A*s or five A*s at A level is a The awards, open to years 9
Sales director
Cardinal Sean Brady is appeal- top name grammar school. and 10, are part of the Greater
Matt Govett – 020 7501 6735
ing to parents in Northern Ireland “There are many non-grammar Manchester and London Rising to the Challenge: (From left) BBC London’s Mike
Business development
to opt for non-selective secondary schools where children do just as Challenge programmes, which Ramsden presents awards to London students Faye
manager
education for their children. well in terms of results. Don’t look aim to tackle some of the barri- Greenwood, Jade Fox, Puneet Bhachu and Simone Capp
Abdul Hayee – 020 7501 6776
He is unhappy with some to academic results as the only basis ers to education in the two areas,
Classified sales Catholic grammar schools opting for an economically viable educa- such as high teacher turnover and Puneet Bhachu and Faye music category after writing
Rachel McElhinney – 020 7501 6728 to introduce new entrance tests now tion for your child.” pupil mobility. Greenwood won the London and performing a song about
that the state-sponsored 11-plus has He added that Catholic teachers school life, and will now get to
Subscription manager been scrapped. and boards of governors should spend some time in a recording
Chris Hoskins
He said that when a school have confidence in their ability as
Students of the Year
studio.
Circulation director
decides to “go it alone” by keeping Catholic schools continue to raise Music: Greater Manchester: Anthony Batchelor and Hollie Heins, They said: “We can’t believe
Sally Boettcher
academic selection, a fundamen- standards. Reddish Vale Technology College. London: Puneet Bhachu and Faye we’ve won the music prize for the
tal value of Catholic education is “Ethos adds value. Our Catholic Greenwood, Swakeleys School. whole of London. It’s such a great
potentially undermined. ethos is an asset which brings added Art and design: Greater Manchester: Abigail Isherwood, Loreto High achievement for us, a dream come
Circulation department:
The Catholic sector’s radical value to education,” he said. School. London: Nilab Follard, Forest Gate Community School. true – we were speechless when
Tel: 01722 716997
post-primary review is expected to “The community of Catholic Drama: Greater Manchester: Oliver Jones, Lorraine Natsai Chimbgo we found out.”
Fax: 01722 716926
email: subscriptions@
remove selection and establish all- schools is not moving away from and Cameron Joel Swindell, Chorlton High School. London: Simone The drama category in Greater
markallengroup.com
ability secondary schools. academic selection at age 11 Capp, Erith School. Manchester was won by Oliver
However, this work will take just because it is pedagogically Creative writing: Greater Manchester: Louisa Essington, Irlam and Jones, Lorraine Natsai Chimbgo
UK annual rates:
time. In the meantime, grammars unsound and a morally questionable Cadishead Community High School. London: Nicole Makomva, and Cameron Joel Swindell from
are being asked to abolish their new approach to post-primary transfer. Riddlesdown High School. Chorlton High School.
Personal £50
entrance tests. The Catholic Church is moving ICT: London (only): Nurhan Abbud, Burntwood School. Oliver told us: “It is such a
Institutional (libraries,
Cardinal Brady is now saying away from academic selection at Business and enterprise: London (only): Jade Fox, Erin Patterson and great achievement for me. It has
companies etc) £110
that parents should not support age 11 as part of a comprehensive Muno Abdulkadir, Swakeleys School. really inspired me to continue
Europe annual rates:
grammar education. and long-term response to all the Science: Greater Manchester: Joe Munroe, Heywood Community achieving in lessons, and in my
Personal £92 “I appeal to parents who have changes confronting education pro- School. London: Jothikka Amaralingam, Alperton Community School. acting career, as I now know any-
Institutional £165 children approaching transfer age vision in Northern Ireland in the thing is possible.”
Rest of world annual rates: over the next few years – ask your- coming years.”
Personal £113
Institutional £209
Printed by Teaching profession revealed as healthy option
Pensord Press, Wales
Research has revealed that teach- The survey also revealed that were also guilty of eating more
Published by
ing is the second healthiest career the sportiest professionals work in snacks and takeaways than any Unhealthiest professions
choice in the UK. electronics, with the average person other profession.
1. Chef
A survey of 3,000 workers, car- in this sector claiming to exercise At the other end of the scale,
ried out by healthcare insurance three times a week. However, they chefs were found to be the least
2. Farmer
provider Medicash, shows that healthy, smoking an average of 58
3. Electrician
St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Road
teachers drink less alcohol, smoke
Herne Hill, London SE24 0PB Healthiest professions
cigarettes and eating 12 packets 4. Insurance worker
fewer cigarettes, and eat less junk of crisps, chocolate or biscuits a
www.markallengroup.com
5. Builder
food than other professions.
1. Marketing
week.
6. Banker
Teachers were pipped to the top
2. Teacher
Construction workers were
spot by those working in marketing
3. HR professionals
found to be the biggest drinkers,
7. Call centre worker
and communications, while human quaffing an average of more than
8. Truck driver
resources professionals, account-
4. Accountant
10 alcoholic drinks a week, while 9. Engineer
MA Education Ltd is an independent
ants and lawyers came third, fourth
5. Lawyer
lawyers were the only profession
10. Travel agent
publishing company also responsible
and fifth respectively.
6. Secretary
found to be exercising less than two
for education titles Early Years
Dental health was not a priority,
Educator and 5to7 Educator.
7. IT worker
times a week.
however, with some 40 per cent of
© All rights reserved. No part of SecEd may be reproduced,
8. Researcher
Peter Lauris, director at benefits of healthy eating and a
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any
teachers, accountants and legal pro- Medicash, said: “Teaching is a healthy lifestyle. It’s therefore
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise without prior written permission of MA Education
fessionals saying they avoided the
9. Nurse
demanding profession and teach- reassuring to see that the sur-
The publisher accepts no responsibility for any views or opinions
expressed in SecEd.
dentist because they feared it would
10. Shop assistant
ers are well placed in setting an vey placed them in the top three
ISSN 1479-7704
cost too much. example for children about the healthiest professions.”
 SecEd • January 7 2010
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