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SecEd is advised by an editorial advisory panel. Members include: Paul Ainsworth: vice-principal, Belvoir High School, Leicestershire. Mark Blois: partner, Browne Jacobson (education law solicitors). Peggy Farrington: headteacher, Hanham High School, South Gloucestershire. Jane Frith: Rector, The Royal High School, Edinburgh. Mike Griffiths: headteacher, Northampton School for Boys. Hilary Moriarty: national director, Boarding Schools’ Association. Neill Morton: headteacher, Portora Royal School, Enniskillen. Jo Smith: vice-principal, Long Field School, Melton Mowbray. Tina Stockman: teacher, Harlaw Academy, Aberdeen. Dr Bernard Trafford: headteacher, The Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne. Simon Viccars: headteacher, Leon School and Sports College, Milton Keynes.


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Fears that loophole will put playing fields at risk


by Dorothy Lepkowska


Government plans to simplify guidelines and regulations on school premises could put thou- sands of playing fields at risk, it has been claimed. The organisation, Fields in


Trust, believes the new guidelines contain a loophole which will dilute the standards set previously to pro- tect playing fields from being sold- off for development. Fields in Trust safeguards the future of more than 1,200 sports


pitches, children’s playgrounds, bicycle trails and country parks around the country. As the consultation period of


the Department for Education’s Review of Standards for School Premises ended last week, Alison Moore-Gwyn, the organisation’s chief executive, said: “There are dangers within these draft pro- posals compared with the current requirements. “No account is taken of the


needs of surrounding schools in the event of disposal and it is important that any applications for disposal


continue to come under the scru- tiny of the National School Playing Fields Advisory Panel, which makes recommendations on them to the minister.” She said the existing guidelines,


which had been in place since 1998, had helped to reverse the trend of playing fields being sold as educational assets to help fund the capital programme of local education authorities. By contrast, the new regula-


tions do not stipulate that any proceeds from the disposal of playing fields must be reinvested


Challenging times in store for new EIS chief


A principal teacher of English and drama is to take charge of Scotland’s largest teaching union. Larry Flanagan, who works


at Hillhead High in Glasgow, will take over as general secre- tary of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) in April. He will succeed Ronnie Smith, who is to retire after 17 years in post. Mr Flanagan, the union’s edu-


cation convener, will assume the position against a backdrop of fur- ther possible strike action. Scottish teachers took part in their first national walkout for 125 years last November over changes to the pensions scheme. There is also unrest among


members about the imminent scrapping of the Chartered Teachers scheme, which was recommended in the McCormac report last year. EIS president, Alan Munro,


St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Road Herne Hill, London SE24 0PB www.markallengroup.com


said: “Larry takes on this post at a critical time for the EIS and for Scottish education, which face unprecedented chal- lenges on a number of fronts.” As well as the


McCormac report into working arrangements, over which the EIS has threatened to strike if any recommendations are acted on without its backing, the union itself is under fire from many members. Supply teachers say the EIS let


tion. The union was instrumental in the strike on November 30 last year, which forced almost all state schools to close for one day. A Stirling


Challenging times: Larry Flanagan


them down by signing a deal with the Scottish government last year that reduces pay for those working less than five consecutive days in the same class. The EIS has 55,000 members and is a key player in Scottish educa-


University gradu- ate, Mr Flanagan started his teaching career at Blantyre High School in Lanarkshire before moving to Penilee


High, in the same local authority, as a senior teacher. In 1996, he became princi-


pal teacher of English at Hillhead High. He has also worked as an examiner for the Scottish Qualifications Authority and has been a councillor in Glasgow for eight years.


Experts to discuss the future of science and maths education


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Science and maths experts are to define a vision for the future of the two subjects in primary and second- ary education. The Royal Society has launched


a project to produce an evidence- based vision and is putting together an expert panel including Lord Robert Winston and former educa- tion secretaries Charles Clarke and Baroness Shephard. The “Vision for Science and


Mathematics Education 5-19” project will be chaired by Sir Martin Taylor, a professor of pure mathematics and warden of Merton


2


College at the University of Oxford. The project will look closely at “essential components” such as leadership and infrastructure, accountability, skills, curriculum and assessment, as well as teachers and the wider workforce. Teachers and educationalists are


also asked for their views on the key areas and these can be submit- ted to the project via the Royal Society website. Sir Martin said: “The project


will respond to concerns expressed by governments, employers and the science and mathematics communi-


ties about the UK’s future economic competitiveness. “We want to provide a blue-


print for ensuring that the UK will continue to have scientifically and mathematically literate citizens, as well as sufficient numbers of scientists and mathematicians to help solve the many challenges the world will face in the coming dec- ade.” The Royal Society is a fellow-


ship that supports the development of science, maths, engineering and medicine. Visit http://royalsociety. org/education/policy/vision


Drop-in: Bill Gates addresses students at Deptford Green


Bill Gates pays surprise visit to London school


Bill Gates stunned students at a school in London when he turned up to give them a motivational and inspiring talk. The founder of Microsoft turned


up unannounced at Deptford Green School in east London as part of the Speakers for Schools initiative. Speakers for Schools is the


brainchild of BBC business edi- tor, Robert Peston and is run by the Education and Employers Taskforce. It targets students from disadvantaged areas with the aim of broadening their horizons and rais- ing aspirations. Mr Gates, who is also co-chair


of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, gave a talk to the stu- dents in which he discussed his Annual Letter this year, which describes his priorities for global health, education and development. He also asked students to write


letters to him about the most urgent choices they are going to have to


make about things like their future careers, volunteering or even pio- neering their own ideas. He added: “I’m impressed by


the ideas and the global sensitivity that students have shown in their letters. It’s vitally important to listen to young people about the urgent issues facing us all, and I’m look- ing forward to hearing directly from them about how they would make the world a better place.” Mr Gates also joined the stu-


dents to take part in a BBC World Have Your Say debate with peers from West Africa, Asia, the Middle East and America. Pete Campling, headteacher


at Deptford Green School, said: “What a great opportunity for our students to be able to debate with Bill Gates and students from around the world about the global chal- lenges we face.” For more information, visit www.speakersforschools.org


SecEd • February 2 2012


in sport and recreation facilities as a priority. The guidelines were drawn up


following an independent review by Sebastian James, group opera- tions director for Dixons, of the Department for Education’s approach to Capital, and proposed a new approach to the allocation and use of capital funding. One of these was that the


Department should revise its school premises regulations and guidance to remove unnecessary burdens and ensure that a single, clear set of regulations apply to all schools.


“The government is offering up


a very regrettable loophole where- by capital receipts may not need to be invested within education,” Ms Moore-Gwyn added. “The new regulations offer an


opportunity to apply standards across all state-funded schools including academies and free schools and therefore, if there could be some revision to the principles, we can help to ensure better provision in terms of qual- ity, quantity and accessibility for school children and the commu- nity at large.”


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