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by Sam Phipps
year that it would form of cluster of the Conservative schools spokes- room were the direct result of spe- favour of an amended Conservative
Ben Allen
schools under a charitable trust, on woman, praised the Swedish model cific failures by the SNP govern- motion calling for other European
Editor
the grounds that it would give them and called for radical change in ment, which came to power almost school models to be examined.
Pete Henshaw – 020 7501 6771
Scandinavia does not necessarily more autonomy. Scotland. three years ago. Scandinavian schooling typi-
pete.henshaw@markallengroup.
hold the answers to Scotland’s quest But Jeremy Purvis, Liberal Referring to a 2009 report by “The broken promises on class- cally features a later start to formal
com
for better state schools, opposition Democrat finance spokesman, told the Literacy Commission, which size reductions, in teacher and sup- academic learning than in the UK
Deputy editor politicians have told education parliament that Swedish pupils’ claimed that 13,000 pupils leave port staff numbers, the cuts in school and greater parental choice over the
David Taylor – 020 7501 6772 minister Michael Russell. academic performance had dropped school each year unable to read or budgets directly attributable to the type of school a child attends, but
david.taylor@markallengroup.com Mr Russell was visiting Finland since the 1990s against international write, she said: “If we want stand- concordat (between central and still with a high level of state fund-
Chief reporter and Sweden this week to exam- comparisons. He cited a report last ards to go up, we must break the local government), and momentum ing. Parents are free to set up their
Chris Parr – 020 7501 6750
ine how secondary schools, and year by Sweden’s own government current monopoly the state has over lost on replacing crumbling school own schools provided they recruit
Illustrator
the countries’ education systems in showing achievement had fallen in the provision of education. We need buildings, are all the responsibility qualified teachers.
Christos Mais
general, operate. various areas including maths, sci- to take power away from politicians of the current SNP government,” he The “Swedish model” has also
He has asked Scottish local ence and reading comprehension, and start trusting teachers.” said. “I’m not convinced that struc- been a core part of the Conservative’s
Editorial advisory panel
authorities to suggest alternative contrary to what he called “myths” But Des McNulty, Labour’s tural reform will overcome these education policy in England, where
Paul Ainsworth, Deputy
models to run schools after East about Scandinavian education. education spokesman, said many problems.” it has also come under criticism
headteacher, Belvoir High School,
Lothian Council announced last However, Elizabeth Smith, of Scotland’s problems in the class- After the debate, MSPs voted in from opposition MPs.
Leicestershire. Mark Blois, Browne
Jacobson. Hilary Moriarty,
National director, Boarding
Schools’ Association. Neill
‘Unsung heroes’ honoured by Royal Society
Morton, Headteacher, Portora
Royal School, Enniskillen. Helen
Nurton, Assistant headteacher, Secondary science teacher Caroline
Guildford County School, Surrey. Jo Molyneux was among the “unsung
Smith, Deputy headteacher, Long heroes” rewarded by the Royal
Field School, Melton Mowbray. Society as part of the organisation’s
Tina Stockman, Teacher, Harlaw
350th anniversary celebrations.
Academy, Aberdeen. Ray Tarleton,
Ms Molyneux, a microbiol-
Headteacher, South Dartmoor
ogist who is head of science at
Community College, Devon. Dr
Balshaw’s CE High School in
Bernard Trafford, Headteacher,
Leyland, Lancashire, received one
The Royal Grammar School,
of 10 Hauksbee Awards in recogni-
Newcastle upon Tyne. Simon
tion of the work she has done to
Viccars, Headteacher, Leon School
encourage students at her school to
and Sports College, Milton Keynes.
study science.
Alex Wood, Headteacher, Wester
Of her current year 10 cohort, a
Hailes Education Centre, Edinburgh
third are taking three separate sci-
ences, while others can choose from
a range of qualifications including
Sales director
double science GCSE, applied sci-
Matt Govett – 020 7501 6735
ences such as GCSE sports science,
Business development
and a BTEC.
manager
Ms Molyneux, who also won
Abdul Hayee – 020 7501 6767 the 2007 Teaching Award for
Classified sales Outstanding New Teacher in the
Rachel McElhinney – 020 7501 6728 North West of England, said she
was “truly honoured to be recog-
Subscription manager
nised by the Royal Society”.
Chris Hoskins
“I love to teach and to introduce
Circulation director
young people to the amazing dis-
Sally Boettcher
coveries of science,” she added.
Among the other winners was
Tim Harrison, a former secondary
Circulation department:
school teacher who is charged with
Tel: 01722 716997
finding ways in which the resources
Fax: 01722 716926
Scientific breakthrough: Caroline Molyneux celebrates this week after picking up a Royal Society Hauksbee Award
email: subscriptions@
of Bristol University can be used to
markallengroup.com
stimulate an interest in chemistry as many pupils as possible benefit She said: “The calibre of appli- enthusiasm our science classrooms For more information, visit
among local school students. from the university’s work. cations that we received for these and laboratories could not function www.royalsociety.org
UK annual rates:
Mr Harrison conducts work- Renowned chemist Professor awards is testament to the many properly.” This week is National Science
shops with school students of all Carol Robinson, a fellow of the individuals across the UK working The heroes received a Royal and Engineering Week. Visit www.
Personal £50
ages, and also works with teach- Royal Society, chaired the judging tirelessly behind the scenes in sci- Society engraved bronze medal and britishscienceassociation.org/web/
Institutional (libraries,
ers and trainee teachers to ensure panel. ence. Without their dedication and £500. nsew for more information.
companies etc) £110
Europe annual rates:
Personal £92
Institutional £165
Exam officers complain
Northern Ireland set for
Rest of world annual rates:
Personal £113
Institutional £209 of ‘onerous burden’
huge education shake-up
Printed by
Growing workload, an ents said that conditions had
Pensord Press, Wales
increasingly complex exam worsened since last year, with Northern Ireland could see the Detailed proposals have now form be added to St Joseph’s College
system, and poor levels of pay the “onerous burden” of a more creation of new 14 to 19 colleges as been made public for five areas – in Coalisland, which only educates
Published by
are having a detrimental effect complex exam system one of the part of the largest ever shake-up of Magherafelt, South Derry, Greater pupils up to GCSE at present.
on examination officers’ ability to reasons given. secondary education. Dungannon, Ballygawley and Most of the change, which is
carry out their role effectively, it Andrew Harland, chief execu- High schools that up until now County Antrim. expected to take place over the next
has been claimed. tive of the EOA, said: “Exams have not offered post-16 courses In Ballymena, County Antrim, decade, will be incremental rather
The Examination Officers’ office staff now need to see the will also be extended to include it has been proposed that St Louis’ than institutions facing immediate
St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Road
Association’s (EOA) annual sur- greater recognition of their role 6th forms. Grammar becomes a new non- and wholesale upheaval.
Herne Hill, London SE24 0PB
vey found that the introduction of being converted into improve- The Catholic Education For All selective 14 to 19 school. The plans for Ballymena,
www.markallengroup.com
the 14 to 19 Diploma had piled ments in working conditions, pay review, which will see the creation Pupils will be able to transfer Magherafelt and County Tyrone
the pressure on its members, with and appropriate support. of the new school models, was from nearby St Patrick’s College at indicate the likely pattern to be
limited access to CPD making “A greater focus on targeted launched earlier this month, but age 14 without the need for an 11- repeated across the North – no selec-
matters worse. training, that is directly linked to detailed plans for areas of the North plus test. In both Magherafelt and tive school is expected to be unaf-
Some of the 579 exam offic- a more professional development are only now emerging. Dungannon there are proposals to fected.
MA Education Ltd is an independent
ers surveyed were being paid as programme for all exams office A series of announcements are merge grammar and non-grammar The Northern Ireland
publishing company also responsible
little as £5 to £6.99 per hour, with staff in schools and colleges, to be made which will have major schools to provide “high quality Commission for Catholic Education
for education titles Early Years
many complaining that invigila- should be implemented as soon implications for every grammar and non-selective post-primary educa- is keen to stress that these are only
Educator and 5to7 Educator.
tors – who are usually people as possible to enable these people secondary school in the sector. tion for all students”. consultation proposals and nothing
© All rights reserved. No part of SecEd may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any
external to the school – were to deal with the complex issues The review plans to create a new St Joseph’s in Donaghmore has been decided.
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise without prior written permission of MA Education
being paid more than them. involved in managing exam sys- network of all-abilities schools, would also become non-selective. There is also potential for new
The publisher accepts no responsibility for any views or opinions
expressed in SecEd.
Around a quarter of respond- tems in their centres.” thereby removing the necessity for Some schools could be made big- models, not included in the docu-
ISSN 1479-7704
transfer tests. ger. It has been proposed that a 6th ments, to be proposed.
 SecEd • March 18 2010
02-03 newsa.indd 2 16/3/10 11:01:13
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