www.sec-ed.com News
Thousands join protest
In brief
Quiz the MPs
With a General Election
looming, SecEd will next week
be putting questions to Ed Balls,
Michael Gove and David Laws
over Licence to Practise
– the Labour, Conservative, and
Liberal Democrat education
spokespeople. If you have a
question you would like us to
ask, email it to chief reporter
Chris Parr on chris.parr@
markallengroup.com
by Chris Parr
Christine Blower, general sec- intended to lever in professional subjected annually to performance it was inevitable that a teacher’s
retary of the National Union of development then the government management,” he said. performance could dip from time
Teachers, which organised the pro- would do far better to guarantee a “The Licence to Practise just to time, imposing a five-year MOT
Plagiarism guides
More than 17,000 teachers have test, said the Licence to Practise funded entitlement to every teacher looks like politicians having another gave the impression that central Exams watchdog Ofqual has
expressed their anger at the proposed was a “highly unpopular clause” which they could use for their own pop at teachers. Teaching is difficult government “simply doesn’t trust” published three new guides to
Licence to Practise initiative by in the Bill. development.” enough as it is, and introducing a teachers. authenticating learners’ work and
sending postcards protesting She said: “Before starting their Jerry Glazier, national execu- Licence would only increase the “There are real problems with correctly referencing sources.
against the scheme to Ed Balls, the career, teachers have to go through tive member of the NUT and a pressure teachers are under. retaining new teachers for five Using sources: A Guide for
education secretary. a rigorous qualification process and teacher at a pupil referral unit in “It is all part of a seemingly years or more, and steps like this Students; Authenticity: A Guide
The Licence to Practise, which a full year induction. Thereafter Basildon, said the speed at which increasing obsession by govern- could really test their patience,” he for Teachers; and Avoiding
would see teachers having to pass teachers are subject to a range of the postcards were sent to the union ment with putting in place proce- added. Plagiarism: A Guide for Parents
an “MOT” every five years, is monitoring and evaluation proce- demonstrated the strength of feeling dures and frameworks to protect The Children, Schools and and Carers, have all been
contained within the Children, dures including performance man- on the issue. themselves while at the same time Families Bill has several stages to published and are available to
Schools and Families Bill, which agement and regular school inspec- “Teachers are acutely aware that showing they have no understand- pass through before it gets royal order or download from the
got its second reading in the tions. Pay is also dependent upon they are under enormous scrutiny. ing of what actually happens in the assent, and is scheduled to be intro- Ofqual website. The guides
House of Commons on Monday their performance. The profession is a difficult one classroom.” duced in the 2010/11 academic contain all the information
(January 11). “If the Licence to Practise is to get in to, and all teachers are Mr Glazier said that although year. needed to ensure that a learner’s
assessed assignments such as
Brian swaps
Anger over slow response
essays, investigations, project or
performance work, are all his or
her own work. Visit: www.ofqual.
gov.uk
to mental health review
It’s showtime
headship for
The Royal Albert Hall has
The government’s response to a launched a free resource to
review of child and adolescent support home educators.
mental health services (CAMHS) Showtime is an e-learning
has been criticised for its lack of resource that helps place
top union job
“long-term vision” by a mental Functional Skills into context by
health charity. showing how English, maths and
YoungMinds, which campaigns ICT work behind the scenes at the
to improve the mental health and world-famous venue. Showtime
wellbeing of young people, also can be downloaded for free via
Brian Lightman, headteacher claims that ministers were too slow the Royal Albert Hall website.
at St Cyres School in Penarth, to respond to the CAMHS Review, Visit: www.royalalberthall.com
near Cardiff, has been confirmed which was commissioned in 2007
as the next general secretary of and chaired by Jo Davidson, director
the Association of School and at Gloucestershire County Council.
Breakfast award
College Leaders (ASCL). Sarah Brennan, chief executive Schools operating a successful
Mr Lightman has been a of YoungMinds, said: “It is dis- “breakfast club” have the chance
headteacher for 15 years, spend- appointing that we have had to to win up to £1,500 as part of
ing four years as head at Llantwit wait over a year for this response, the Breakfast Club Plus Awards.
Major School in the Vale of whereas other similar government The UK awards, organised by
Glamorgan before moving to his reports such as the Bradley review Kellogg’s and the community
current school in 1999. were responded too immediately.” learning organisation, ContinYou,
The Southampton University The CAMHS Review reported are looking for school clubs
graduate originally taught French tice going on. I want to celebrate in November 2008 and made 20 that demonstrate excellence in
and German, before taking a this, champion good leaders, recommendations for government health and nutrition, community
number of leadership positions at and demonstrate that leaders are about how CAMHS should change involvement, and extra learning
comprehensive schools in West absolutely committed to making in the coming years. opportunities. There is also an
Sussex, Surrey and Essex. things as good as they can be.” In its response, the government award for a Breakfast Club
He will succeed Dr John Mr Lightman also conceded announced what it described as a Champion – someone who has
Dunford, who has been the that he had some “very big shoes “major package to support local She said: “These projects are The campaign calls for all 16 gone above and beyond to support
union’s general secretary for the to fill” in replacing Dr Dunford. delivery of CAMHS”. It includes: short-term, with funding ending in to 25-year-olds with mental health their school’s club. Visit: www.
last 12 years. He continued: “I am fully • £58 million to support the March 2011, and without a commit- problems to be given a “Statement breakfastclubplus.org.uk
Speaking to SecEd shortly aware that I have a hard act to co-location of health services ment from government to ensure of Need” and financial priority in
after the announcement, Mr follow in John. He is a man I have incorporating mental health their continuation, services are at order to improve the transition from
Lightman admitted he would tremendous respect for, and some- provision alongside schools. risk of going backwards.” children’s mental health services to
Chefs competition
find it “very difficult” to leave one I have learned much from. But • Roll-out of the £60 million She added: “We often hear from adult mental health services. Budding chefs are being urged to
the cut and thrust of secondary times change, and I will aim to Targeted Mental Health in children and young people using men- It also wants all staff who work enter CookIt! 2010, a competition
school life. build on what he has achieved.” Schools programme to every tal health services that they aren’t get- with children in child and adoles- organised by The Guild of Food
He told us: “I’ve thoroughly John Morgan, president of the local authority in England from ting the support they need. Our young cent development to be given better Writers. The competition is open
enjoyed leadership – it will be a ASCL, said he was “delighted” at April. people’s manifesto highlights that access to training. to children aged 10 to 14. Their
real wrench coming away from Mr Lightman’s appointment. • New training support in relation young people are too often ignored Ms Brennan said: “Young peo- challenge is to create two dishes
a job that I have loved so much. “His passion for education to the mental health needs of when they ask for help in school, ple’s mental health is no longer – a main meal that shows their
But becoming the next general and learning, and his long-stand- children with learning disabilities waiting for more than 12 weeks for something we can ignore. The next imagination and originality and a
secretary is an exciting challenge, ing commitment to ASCL and and children at risk of self- professional help and being treated government must take young peo- dessert, ideally incorporating milk
and one that I am looking for- supporting our members, make harming. without any respect when in Accident ple’s wellbeing seriously. Not only – as the competition sponsor is
ward to. him an ideal person to lead the • Enhanced expert support for the and Emergency departments.” will this improve the quality of thou- Gold Top. Six finalists will then
“Leading a school is a won- association,” he said. local areas that need it most via a This week, the charity launched sands of young peoples lives, but be chosen to attend a cook-off in
derful job to do, and there is an Dr Dunford will officially new National Support Team. a campaign urging politicians to also millions of pounds will be saved June. The entry deadline is April
enormous amount of good prac- stand down at the end of August. But Ms Brennan claimed the improve mental health services for in the future costs to the NHS, social 30. Visit: www.gfw.co.uk/children
measures did not go far enough. young people. services and the prison system.”
Intranet system gets mixed response in Scotland
Lottery call
With the National Lottery
donating more than £255 million
to education projects in the last
It has been heralded by its govern- for an investigation into how effec- cil had been held up by LTS Scotland needing to do, quicker. And you can undeniably important and wel- year, the search is now on for
ment sponsors as a revolution in tive the system is. This contrasts with as an exemplary user of the system. connect with people you’ve never comed by many, but it can become the best of the best. The National
education, but Scotland’s classroom a ringing endorsement by Star Wars But he said too much reliance on had any connection with before, but just another priority for teachers and Lottery Awards 2010 are now
intranet appears to have made a less director George Lucas, who runs a Glow would tempt teachers to put now you have to because you can.” one they only learn to use partially. open for entries and any projects
of an impression on teachers. computer education foundation in materials on the site “for the sake of Ken Brown, East Dunbartonshire “Given that local authorities that have received Lottery funding
Glow, a £40 million project the US and has praised Glow as the it” rather than for a specific educa- council member, said: “We’ve seem to be buying into it at differ- over the past 15 years are eligible
aimed at linking pupils and teachers best network of its kind in the world. tional purpose. He also cited wide undertaken an analysis and the ent levels, this means all the facili- to enter. Entrants stand a chance
across the country so that resources The intranet is a central plank in variations in technological capabil- existing equipment in schools isn’t ties available through Glow are not of winning £2,000. Last year’s
can be shared, is failing to live up Learning and Teaching Scotland’s ity that could lead to a postcode fit for purpose. The Glow system equally available to all teachers.” education winner was the Tower
to expectations because of variable goal to deliver Curriculum for lottery in terms of availability. doesn’t work – it’s far too slow so A Scottish government spokes- Hamlets Summer University in
training and technology, according Excellence from this August. “What is Glow supposed to be? none of us have the time to use it. man said: “The Glow team has London. The deadline for entries
to the EIS teaching union. However, EIS members have It doesn’t actually do anything but it’s It’s simply not user friendly.” provided mentor training to local is February 12. Visit: www.
Delegates at its annual confer- serious doubts. John Black, from the supposed to do everything. It appears David Drysdale, from the Angus authorities in Scotland to facilitate lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
ence last week voted unanimously Aberdeenshire branch, said his coun- Glow let’s you do things you weren’t local association, said: “Glow is the system’s roll-out.”
SecEd • January 14 2010 
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