www.sec-ed.com NEWS
Public benefit
In brief
Toolbar launch
An internet browser tool,
aiming to give users better
access to information and easier
interaction with web pages, has
test branded
been launched by the University
of Southampton. The toolbar
provides text magnification and a
text-to-speech function designed
to support partially sighted users,
as well as editing tools such
as spell check and dictionary.
‘threatening’
The free application can be
downloaded online. Visit: www.
access.ecs.soton.ac.uk/ToolBar
Teaching Awards
The nominations deadline for
the 2010 Teaching Awards is fast
by Chris Parr
He continued: “So far, public approaching. Nominations can
benefit has been measured purely in be made for schools, teachers,
terms of the proportion of resources teaching assistants, governors
Rules stating that fee-paying schools devoted to bursaries and scholar- and school teams, in a range of
must pass a “public benefit test” in ships. I have nothing against bursa- categories until March 1. This
order to retain charity status have ries and scholarships, but there are year also sees the introduction of
come under fire this week after all sorts of other ways independent three new awards, including the
a prominent headteacher claimed schools support learning in state Henry Winkler Award for Special
Hands on education: they “undermine the spirit of co- schools.” Needs, offering three bursary
The Diploma has split operation” between the state and Earlier this month, it was report- prizes worth £40,000. Visit:
political opinion independent sector. ed that the Independent Schools www.teachingawards.com
Speaking at the 100 Group con- Council, which represents 1,280
ference, which was attended by independent schools across the UK
delegates from around 100 state and Ireland, also felt the test focused
Bard news
War of words
and independent schools, Barnaby too much on the number of free plac- A publication enabling children
Lenon, head of Harrow School, es offered by fee-paying schools. to study Shakespeare by acting
labelled the Charity Commission’s However, although guid- out plays rather than reading
test “vague and threatening”, adding ance published by the Charity them has been launched by the
over Diplomas
that it failed to recognise that inde- Commission in 2009 said that offer- Benefit beef: Barnaby Lenon Royal Shakespeare Company.
pendent schools have been offering ing free and subsidised places rep- Forming part of its Stand up for
a public benefit “for decades”. resented the most straightforward – such as partnership working with Shakespeare programme, the
He said: “For many years, inde- way to pass the public benefit test, state schools – into account when toolkit calls on students to learn
pendent schools have been work- the Commission has never said it is assessing public benefit, and pro- Shakespeare earlier, experience
A row about the future of the 14 categories like ‘vocational’ and ing with state sector schools for the only way to do so. vide numerous examples in our it live, and learn about it through
to 19 Diplomas has broken out ‘academic’.” our mutual benefit, and this has A spokeswoman told SecEd it guidance.” active teaching methods. Focusing
after a senior education minister However, speaking to the 100 got nothing to do with the Charity was “quite wrong” to say that the Marion Gibbs, headteacher on three of his most popular plays,
said it would be “short-term, fool- Group conference in London on Commission, whose vague and Commission only takes account of of the independent James Allen’s teachers’ notes and accompanying
ish and narrow-minded” if the Friday (January 22), attended by threatening pronouncements have bursary support in its public benefit Girls’ School in south London, and worksheets are provided. Visit:
Conservative Party opted not to representatives from around 100 done so much to undermine the assessments of charitable independ- SecEd columnist, disagreed with www.rsc.org.uk/toolkitforteachers
support them. state and independent schools, Mr spirit of co-operation that we see ent schools. Mr Lenon’s comments. or see pages 8 and 9.
The Labour government has Gove re-iterated the Conservative’s today.” “Although fee reductions are She told us: “I don’t feel that
said in the past that the Diplomas, plans to abolish the so-called “aca- At the same conference, an obvious way of making the our partnership work is being
which aim to bridge the gap demic Diplomas” in languages, Michael Gove, the Conservative services of a fee-charging charity ‘threatened’ or ‘undermined’ (by
Careers exhibition
between vocational and academic science and humanities. shadow education secretary, said more widely accessible, this is not the test) – but I gather some schools Wales will host its largest ever
study, could become the “qualifi- He added: “In the existing the Charity Commission was tak- the only means of achieving this,” may feel obliged to divert scarce careers and skills exhibition
cation of choice” in the English lines of the Diplomas, the picture ing too narrow an interpretation of she said. “We do take opportuni- resources from such activities to in a bid to “break free of the
schools system. is very mixed. There are some, public benefit. ties to benefit other than bursaries bursary funds.” grip of recession”. Skillscymru
Speaking to SecEd this week, like engineering, that have com- will be free to attend and
Iain Wright, minister for 14 to ponents that are of real value. will feature more than 100
19 education, said that schools Others – and I have spoken to employers, colleges and
already involved in delivering teachers about this – are failing to
Leaked report reveals
training providers. Visitors
the new qualifications were find- inspire young people.” will be able to take part in a
ing them engaging and stimulat- Mr Gove said that the qualifi- wide range of demonstrations
ing, and suggested that Michael cations had not satisfied employ- and masterclasses including
Gove, the Tory shadow education ers in their rigour and quality, and
possible school closures
engineering, construction, retail,
secretary, had done insufficient said his party would do what it hospitality, cookery, sport and
research into their popularity. could to “salvage the best of the Teachers in rural mid-Wales have Powys council has said the As further action is planned, fitness. The event will be held at
Mr Wright told us: “I don’t Diplomas” if the Conservatives been left reeling after a leaked review was prompted by falling pupils at Gwernyfed High School the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff,
hear that schools are being put came to power at the next elec- report revealed seven high schools pupil numbers and “severe” finan- near Brecon, one of those under from September 16 to 18. Visit:
off, and if Mr Gove goes and tion. could be closed. cial pressure on schools. threat, have started a campaign www.skillscymru.co.uk
speaks to teachers and students he Responding directly to The confidential council report Mr Opik said: “The council is on the social networking site,
will find that they are enthusiastic Mr Wright’s comments, a listed four options for the future of under huge pressure to act because Facebook.
about the Diplomas, and that they Conservative spokesman told secondary education in Powys, the of the additional pressures on Powys council chief executive,
Autism help
are engaging both teachers and SecEd that the Diplomas had largest county in Wales. what secondary schools need to Jeremy Patterson, said: “While the A new website has been
students.” “manifestly failed”. One option favoured closing deliver. council has embarked on a review launched to guide visitors
He continued: “It would be He added: “Government seven high schools, while another “I don’t see how any of our of secondary education and pro- through the range of online
very short-term, foolish and nar- ministers are detached from real- suggested closing school 6th forms Montgomeryshire schools could be duced initial models for discussion, autism information. The site
row-minded if the Conservative ity if they think their Diplomas and creating centres at a further closed without harming the quality no decisions have been made – it is brings together internet resources
Party chose not to embrace the have been a success. The low education college in Newtown, of education here, which would be far too early for that. on autism spectrum disorders,
Diplomas. The Conservative pol- level of take-up is proof enough, Llandrindod Wells and Brecon. ironic since all this is meant to be “The fact that the council is and has been set up to provide
icy seems to suggest a return to a but employers and the science Teachers, parents and pupils improving education, not worsen- looking at secondary schools news, conference dates and
vocational versus academic sys- world have also warned that attended a public meeting last week ing it.” should not be a surprise, it would website links to publications and
tem. I’m concerned that life is not the Diplomas have gone badly organised by local MP Lembit Opik, The NASUWT union has be more of a surprise if it was not education journals for parents,
like that. We cannot put people in wrong.” and vowed to fight any proposals warned of industrial action if there looking at the future structure of carers and professionals. The
which would see their schools shut. were compulsory redundancies. the sector.” website also includes a section
where questions on autism can
Two unhappy children in every classroom, study claims
be submitted to an expert. Visit:
www.autismlinks.co.uk
Two children in every classroom standing what affects their well- those who had “often” or “some- of The Children’s Society, said: “This whether that’s a pupil being late,
Correction
are unhappy, according to a study being. times” been bullied in the last year groundbreaking study is a major step truanting, failing to engage in class Last week, SecEd reported
of wellbeing conducted by The According to the report, one displaying a lower average well- forward in our efforts to understand discussions, or a sudden drop in the on the initial successes of the
Children’s Society. of the principle reasons given for being score than those who had and enhance the wellbeing of young quality of homework. What this government’s Home Access
The survey identified that, unhappiness is personal appear- “hardly” or “never” been bullied. people. It is a stark reminder that our report does is emphasise how aware scheme, which aims to ensure
although the average wellbeing ance. This is particularly true of However, the report’s authors actions as adults can have a profound we need to be of the wellbeing of that every young person in
score for youngsters was relative- girls, with 21 per cent saying they suggest that the impact of fam- impact on our children’s wellbeing those that we are responsible for.” England has a computer and
ly high, there exists a minority of are unhappy with how they look, ily poverty and family structure is – and the importance of listening to The research was carried out access to the internet (A glimpse
seven per cent who say they are compared to 12 per cent of boys. “marginal”, compared with factors what children are telling us.” in 2008 in collaboration with the into the future, SecEd, January
“unhappy”. Other things which children said such as whether family members Mr Reitemeier told SecEd that University of York and Ipsos Mori. 21, 2010). We incorrectly stated
Researchers for the report, they were least happy with included get on well. teachers can play an important role The Children’s Society will be that 200,000 application forms
Understanding Children’s Well- confidence (16 per cent), the local Family structure accounts for a in spotting the signs of unhappiness. repeating the survey this year in had been sent out in the first two
Being: A National Survey of Young area (14 per cent), and school work two per cent difference in overall He continued: “The teaching order to identify trends in young days of the scheme. The actual
People’s Well-Being, questioned (12 per cent). wellbeing, compared to a 20 per cent profession is already very sensi- people’s wellbeing over time. figure is 20,000. We are happy to
7,000 young people in years 6, Bullying was also identified as difference if a family do not get on. tive in terms of watching out for For more information, visit correct this mistake.
8 and 10, with the aim of under- a factor impacting wellbeing, with Bob Reitemeier, chief executive the characteristics of unhappiness, www.childrenssociety.org.uk
SecEd • January 28 2010 3
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