News
Exams threatened as
Schools
told to
big freeze hits pupils
improve
subject
choice
by Chris Parr
All school children in Northern
Schools across the UK have been Ireland must be allowed to study
battling with the coldest spell of subjects that genuinely interest
weather in 30 years amid fears them, the North’s education
that the “big freeze” could disrupt minister says.
thousands of pupils’ exams. Caitriona Ruane is endorsing
The two-week cold snap that has the Together Towards Entitlement
gripped the country has meant an report, which focuses on the
extended Christmas holiday for stu- “entitlement framework” and
dents and teachers at schools from area-based planning.
the north of Scotland to England’s From 2013, all second-
south coast. ary schools must, by law, offer
The cold weather has caused access to a minimum of 24 sub-
more than 10,000 primary and sec- jects at GCSE and 27 at A level.
ondary schools to close their gates They must also provide a range
in the past two weeks. of both academic and vocational
However, while many stu- courses.
dents celebrated by grabbing their As many will be unable to
sledges and heading for the hills, meet this demand alone, it is
thousands were faced with the envisaged they will collaborate
prospect of tackling the icy con- with other schools or further
ditions head-on in a bid to get education colleges.
into school to sit their GCSE and Prompted by falling pupil
A level exams. winter – their school or college can discretion of a school. If a headteach- office onto a beautiful snow-cov- as we’re often left with a handful of numbers, it had been hoped area
As SecEd went to press, con- apply for special arrangements to er thinks a child has made every ered scene. Almost every other disaffected kids,” he said. “If you planning would outline exactly
ditions were improving, and the be made to arrive at an estimated effort to attend, then it should be school in this county seems to be attempt any coursework or exam- how schools from different sec-
vast majority of schools in England, grade. These arrangements are the recorded as an authorised absence. shut. Our students are in classes related work, you have to repeat it, tors could come together.
Northern Ireland and Wales were fairest possible for all candidates We urge leaders to use their common learning, while their friends at other so one is left with the necessity to Those involved in the proc-
due to open for students with exams – both those affected by the snow sense when passing judgement.” schools are at home playing.” create alternative tasks. Many of the ess say this is just the beginning
to sit. There were no exams sched- and those who are not.” Meanwhile, despite the adverse Another school that stayed open attendees don’t want to work and and more work will be taken
uled in Scotland. Also this week, fears that stu- conditions, many schools battled to in one of the hardest-hit areas was it’s difficult to overcome.” forward.
However, a spokesman for the dents failing to attend schools that stay open – much to the disapproval Brantwood School in Sheffield. Ian Terry Molloy, headteacher at They add that schools have
exams regulator, Ofqual, said that did open their doors during the of the students. McNeilly, head of English, told us Claremont High School in London, put sectoral interests to one side,
contingency plans were in place for snow would cause a surge in tru- A number of heads got in touch that psychologically it had proved said: “Personally, I think that the and are clear in their minds about
students unable to complete their ancy figures were allayed by the with SecEd this week, including a tough pill to swallow for many of whole weather issue has been what needs to be done.
exams. Department for Children, Schools Mike Griffiths from Northampton the pupils. whipped up by the news. I fear that It is understood that detailed
He said: “Students will either and Families. School for Boys, who said he felt “Some of them, without real rea- this time parents have been made to area plans were drawn up at local
be able to sit their modules in the A spokesman told SecEd: as if his was “the only school in the son and with the complicity of their believe that even the smallest fall of level and these will be published
summer, or – if they were planning “Whether an absence is considered area still open”. parents, stay off. It is very difficult snow is a danger to themselves and at a later date.
to complete their qualification this unauthorised or not is down to the He said: “I look out from my in organisational terms for teachers their children.” It is thought these will con-
sider how to strategically plan
the schools estate, reduce empty
Every school to get its choice of 15 free books
desks, and promote sharing and
collaboration between sectors.
Ms Ruane said: “If we are
serious about raising standards in
As the new school term gets into schools will each be able to choose “The list was great fun to impressed by the efforts of publish- our education system and putting
its stride, every secondary school in 15 titles. Around 330 schools with put together. It offers something ers and authors to inspire young equality at the core, all pupils
England is to receive 15 free books 30 per cent or more pupils eligible to engage and enthuse everyone, people’s reading by linking books to must be able to access courses
for their school library as part of the for free school meals will get an regardless of background, attitude websites, blogs and online games. that genuinely interest them and
government’s Everybody’s Reading additional 10 titles. or previous reading experience. She is now looking forward to are of value to them as they pre-
initiative. Ms Armstrong, who is the There are books to appeal to girls getting feedback on the Everybody’s pare for adult life.”
The Department for Children, learning resources manager at as well as boys, books to catch the Reading list from schools. “I’ve The minister also said that
Schools and Families’ £500,000 Cramlington Learning Village, a attention of non-readers, books to already heard of some brilliant too many pupils are getting “a
campaign, which aims to raise Northumberland secondary school, hook in the resistant and to inspire practice in schools where the stu- raw deal”.
reading standards among 11 to 18- spent three weeks assembling the confidence in the struggling, books dents themselves are being involved “It is not fair or equitable
year-olds and encourage youngsters list, and believes it contains books to satisfy the hard to please and to in the selection of the 15 titles,” that because of the school they
to read for pleasure, is being run for all tastes. stretch voracious readers.” she said. “I hope that Everybody’s attend, a number of our young
jointly with the School Library “School librarians constantly Ms Armstrong, who has been a Reading will spark discussion and people have access to a very
Association. keep up-to-date with what’s new, school librarian for 15 years, believes reading for life in every school.” limited range of courses at
School librarian Eileen so my head is always buzzing with that contrary to popular belief, boys For more information, including key stage 4 and post-16,” she
Armstrong has compiled a list book titles to recommend to stu- are often “bigger, more enthusias- a full list of the available books, Great read: School librarian added.
of 260 great reads – from which dents,” she told SecEd. tic readers” than girls. She is also visit www.everyonesreading.org.uk Eileen Armstrong
Holocaust survivor to share
Blind children can excel in music
experiences with youngsters
Blind children are around 4,000 Previous research has shown partially sighted children and 38
times more likely to develop that blind and deaf children can per cent of those with full sight.
exceptional abilities in music be helped to acquire basic skills Sixty-eight per cent of the blind
than their peers who have perfect through music therapy, which also and partially sighted children
Pupils in North West England are Memorial Day, which takes place vision, according to new research. promotes self-expression, but this played at least one instrument,
being offered the chance to meet two days later (January 27). They are more likely to have is thought to be the first time that it compared to 41 per cent of the
a Holocaust survivor as part of a The Day marks the 65th anni- excellent pitch, have a natural inter- has been shown that they excel at sighted group.
free event hosted by Manchester’s versary of the liberation of the est in sounds, and are better at play- music over able-bodied peers. The parents of the blind chil-
Imperial War Museum North. Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration ing musical instruments. Prof Ockelford, who is an dren, meanwhile, also reported that
Around 90 youngsters will camps. And young blind children who expert in music psychology, said: music was particularly important
hear a moving eyewitness testi- Victoria Howarth, formal suffered sight loss due to being born “Blindness and learning difficulties as a source of comfort, helping
mony from a survivor who now learning manager at the Imperial prematurely, including those who need not prove a barrier to chil- youngsters to relax and express
lives in the local area, and will War Museum North, said: “It is have other learning difficulties, are dren’s musical development and their emotions.
then be given the opportunity to important that we continue to mark far more likely to be interested in achievement, and may even be a Prof Ockelford said: “Blindness
ask questions about his experi- Holocaust Memorial Day, because music that those with full or partial positive influence.” from an early age is a common
ences in the Belsen concentration the Holocaust was such a watershed children who visit the museum sight. The study found that 48 per cent factor in the development of excep-
camp. event in history. already know about the Holocaust, The study was carried out by of the blind children demonstrated tional musical ability.
The students will then explore “It changed the way people view and we hope events like this will Professor Adam Ockelford, visit- great interest in everyday sounds, “Children’s level of vision seems
the Holocaust artefacts on display the world, and giving local school help them to learn more.” ing research fellow at London compared to 33 per cent of those to be more important than their eye
at the museum. children to opportunity to talk with To book a place at the session, University’s Institute of Education, who were partially sighted and 13 conditions, although there is some
The session will take place on someone who lived through it offers call 0161 8364064 and for more and Christina Matawa, of the per cent of those who had full sight. evidence that the effects of surviv-
Monday, January 25, and is one them a different perspective. It is on Holocaust Memorial Day, visit Wandsworth Visual Impairment Ninety percent of blind chil- ing a very premature birth may be
of the events marking Holocaust always surprising how much the www.hmd.org.uk Specialist Teaching Service in south dren were particularly keen on an additional important factor in a
London. music, against 67 per cent of child’s developing musicality.”
 SecEd • January 14 2010
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